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Welcome to Bantam Division Section of the AMBA website. This is the information hub for links, details, and upcoming events relating to the Bantam A, Bantam AA and Bantam AAA teams. Check back often as content is regularly updated.
Bantam AA Summer Ball Tryouts: The first of 3 Bantam AA Tryouts will be held on Sunday, June 3rd at 5:00 PM at the Sandlot Practice Field at Aldergrove Athletic Park.
Links to the Bantam AAA Langley-Aldergrove Dodgers and Bantam AA Dodgers team websites are listed below:
Langley-Aldergrove Dodgers (Bantam AAA): www.bcball.ca/langleyaldergrove
Langley-Aldergrove Dodgers (Bantam AA): www.bcball.ca/langleyaldergroveAA
Bantam A Schedules POSTED: APRIL 19, 2012
2012 AMBA Bantam A Schedule for both teams: Download here
Fraser Valley Bantam A Full Season Schedule - ALL Teams: Download here
Bantam AA Schedule & Standings
POSTED: APRIL 25, 2012
Bantam AA Full Season Schedule: Download here
Bantam AA Standings: Download here
Bantam AAA Schedules & Standings
POSTED: APRIL 19, 2012
AMBA To Host Bantam AA Provincial Championships
POSTED: APRIL 18, 2012 Aldergrove Minor Baseball Association is pleased to announce that the Association will host the 2012 Bantam AA Provincial Championships. The tournament will be held over the long weekend in August following the summer ball season and will involve many of the best bantam-aged players in Province. The organizing committee will be announced shortly, so check back in the next week or so for more information and volunteer opportunities.
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Fraser Valley Bantam A Standings - Updated May 10, 2012 Download here
Fraser Valley Bantam A Game Results - Updated May 10, 2012 Download here
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| Red Sox Update |
The Red Sox have reached the 1/2 way point in the spring season and find themselves in a tight race, but standing in first place in the Fraser Valley Bantam A league, with the Abbotsford Royals and Red Sox hot on their heels. The Aldergrove Red Sox sport a record of 12-2 and are riding an 8 game win streak heading into tournament play on the May Long Weekend in Newton. Check back next week for an update on the tournament results.
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Bantam AA Dodgers Update (April 19th)
POSTED: APRIL 25, 2012
The AA LA Dodgers have had a decent start to their spring season compiling a record of 4 wins and 3 losses over their first seven games. All four victories have been convincing whereas the losses were games that "got away” with certainly opportunities in each one to have had a different result. Over those first seven games, the team has scored 47 runs with 46 of those coming in five of those games. In general, offence does not seem to be the problem for the team. One of the highlights in that department was Jake's grand slam on a blustery Saturday evening in Richmond. Pitching has been strong in a number of the games with the most recent game being a shut-out shared amongst three of the team's arms. Jarrod, Jordan, Zach, Brodie, John P, Jake, and Nick have shared the load so far with each having had very strong stretches in a number of games. Our defense has shown signs of coming together anchored by some great catches from Jonny, great knock downs/throws from Ken and some strong arms in the outfield from the likes of Dominik and Jordon. Laith and Nathan have been strong behind the plate from the beginning of the season.
The Bantam AA Dodgers 2012 Roster
POSTED: APRIL 25, 2012
Following a series of tryouts that included rain, snow and most things in between, the 2012 Spring AA Dodgers team was selected in March as follows:
Nick Atkinson (#16)
Dominik Beulens-Davis (#13)
Brodie Buchner (#88)
Nathan Dahl (#1)
Zachary Davies (#19)
Ken Dubois (#20)
Jarrod Manick (#6)
John Pass (Boschmann) (#14)
Jake Polancic (#34)
Jonathan St Denis (#9)
Jordan Stephens (#4)
Laith Sweiss (#23)
The team is guided by Head Coach Kelvin Hewer and his coaching team: Robert Hewer (Pitching Coach), Scott Manick (Assistant Coach) and Colin Stephens (Assistant Coach).
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| AAA Dodgers Update Dodgers Show Spirit in Gutsy Comeback Win POSTED: APRIL 24, 2012 The two newest teams in BC Minor's Bantam AAA league went head to head Monday night facing each other for the third time in this young season. Once again the Langley-Aldergrove Dodgers came out on top, but this time the outcome was in doubt until the very last pitch. The visiting Cloverdale Red Spurs played extremely well behind their ace M. Gregson. The Dodgers countered sending Ethan "Big E" Kano McGregor to the mound. The matchup did not disappoint as it turned into a classic pitching duel. There were some nasty pitches and fine defensive plays on both sides. The hometown squad looked to break the scoreless tie in the 4th inning on a Kano McGregor single, but on the ensuing batter the Cloverdale shortstop flashed some leather and robbed Sean "Big Dog" Donnelly of a sure single and a likely RBI. In the top of the 5th inning the deadlock was finally broken when the Dodger hurler gave up a leadoff walk on a full count. After two ground ball outs, the Spurs' baserunner came around to score on a wild pitch (just one pitch before the strikeout and third out was registered). The Dodgers threatened again in the bottom half of the frame on a Yi-Fan Pan single and a beautiful sacrifice bunt by "Action" Jackson LaPointe. Unfortunately, the Dodger rally was quelled when the Spurs induced a ground ball to first for the third out. The Spurs tacked on another run in the sixth on a single and an overthrow before James "Crazy 8" Hardy, who'd come into the game in relief of Kano McGregor to begin the sixth inning, snuffed out the trouble.
However, the L-A Dodgers were not to be denied and came back strong again in the bottom of the sixth. Matthew "Sellie" Selinger lead off with a flare double to right field. After a hard ground ball to short by Justin Arnold that advanced Sellie to third, Jaron "JJ" Jeske lofted the ball into right field. Because of Jeske's hustle down the line he was able to take advantage of a bobble by the outfielder and he reached on an error. The bobble also allowed Selinger to come around to score on the play. Next up was "Crazy 8" Hardy. He worked deep into the count and finally reached base with a walk. Team slugger Donnelly was next up, but was robbed for a second time when the Red Spurs' second baseman made a great play lunging to the bag for an unassisted put out at second. With 2 on and 2 out, the stage was set for some late inning heroics by John "K-9" Lipp. For the second game in a row Lipp came through in the clutch and delivered a monster blast to deep left field. This one was a 320 foot double to the warning track that scored the tying and go ahead runs. James Hardy then went back out to the mound to shut the door and earn the Win. Other notables on the night included Lapointe and Yi-Fan "Two Trees" Pan with some spectacular catches in the outfield. It was truly a team effort and the coaches were extremely proud of every member of the lineup.
Next Up: Road trip to Victoria! Next weekend the Dodgers are headed to the Island for their first road trip of the season. They will play two games vs. the Victoria Black Eagles at Rotary Park in Saanich on Saturday and another double-header Sunday when they take on the Victoria Red Eagles at Victoria's Carnarvon Park.
Dodgers Extend Winning Streak POSTED: APRIL 23, 2012
The Langley-Aldergrove Dodgers defeated the visiting Cowichan Valley Mustangs 16 to 6 Sunday afternoon at Aldergrove Athletic Park. The plucky Mustangs stormed out to a 3 run lead in the top of the first inning even though they'd played two games the day before in Abbotsford. They took the lead with an unearned run and some solid hits off starter John Lipp. However, the hometown squad returned the favour in the bottom of the frame and then took control behind Lipp who eventually went 3 innings for the win. Matthew Selinger came in for 1 1/3 before Spencer "Barkie" Barkes closed out the final 1 2/3 innings to earn the save. On offense, John "K-9" Lipp helped his own cause with an RBI triple to the warning track in deep right field. Other notables were Mitchell Taylor who went 2 for 4 with a single and a double, Matthew "Sellie" Selinger and Sean "Big Dog" Donnelly who both went 1 for 1 while also "taking one for the team", Justin Arnold who shook off a hard shot to his side in his first at bat and then went 1 for 2, Cole Cantelon who walked twice and scored both times, and Ethan Kano McGregor who, in addition to catching all 6 innings, spent plenty of time on base going 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.
Dodgers Take Two from Cloverdale Red Spurs
POSTED: APRIL 16, 2012 The Langley Aldergrove Dodgers played well in Cloverdale Sunday afternoon, winning both games of a back to back double header. The Dodgers are now 2 and 1 on the season. In the first game the home squad defeated the Red Spurs 15 to 4 in six innings behind the dominant pitching of Ethan Kano McGregor. "Big E" went 4 strong innings for the Win and mixed his pitches against the big hitting Cloverdale squad. Dodger pitchers received plenty of run support as the Blue Machine were aggressive at the plate and on the base paths. James Hardy came in to pitch the last two innings and shut out the Red Spurs to earn the save. Other notables included Sean Donnelly who went 2 for 2, Kano McGregor who helped himself with 2 hits and 3 RBI's, and Justin Arnold who cleared the bases in the 7 run Dodgers fourth with a beautiful double down the line. Indeed, every player in the Dodger line up distinguished themselves and should be proud of their effort.
The second game was tighter with each side being blanked over the first two innings. Yi-Fan Pan, the Dodger starter, was strong on the mound, eventually going 5 innings for the Win. The Dodgers broke the logjam in in the third inning when Cole Cantelon put down a perfect bunt for a single to put a player in scoring position. The Dodgers ended up scoring two in the inning, including what proved to be the winning run in a 7-1 triumph. The Red Spurs threatened twice, but the Dodgers' defence held. Particularly impressive was the 9-6-2 put out at the plate (Hardy to Kano McGregor to Donnelly) after a big hit by the Red Spurs to deep right center field. Other notables included Spencer Barkes who went 2 for 2, Justin Arnold who pitched the 6th, and Yi-An Pan who pitched a perfect 7th inning.
Next Up: Cowichan Valley Mustangs at home Sunday (Noon start). The Bantam AAA Dodgers 2012 Roster POSTED: FEBRUARY 27 2012 The Bantam AAA Dodgers coaching staff is pleased to announce the 2012 roster: #1 Justin Arnold,
#13 Spencer Barkes
#22 Cole Cantelon
#23 Sean Donnelly
#8 James Hardy
#16 Jaron Jeske
#24 Ethan Kano-McGregor
#4 Jackson Lapointe
#14 John Lipp
#11 Yi-An Pan
#33 Yi-Fan Pan
#28 Bailey Roope
#27 Matthew Selinger
#12 Mitchell Taylor
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| As a member Association of BC Minor Baseball, teams affiliated with Aldergrove Minor Baseball adhere to the "Official Baseball Rules" of the Canadian Federation of Amateur Baseball as well as the Rules and Regulations of British Columbia Minor Baseball Association. Where there is a conflict between the two rulebooks, the BC Minor Rules take precedence. A pdf copy of the BC Minor rulebook can be found here: Rulebook |
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What is the age of players participating in the Bantam Division?
According to BC Minor Baseball Rules, bantam-aged players are those who are 13 or 14 on January 1st (that is, those players who will turn 15 and 14 during the calendar year). For 2012, this means that all players born at any time during 1997 and 1998 are 'bantam-aged".
Is baseball open to boys and girls?
Absolutely. In addition to the many talented girls playing on Aldergrove teams, AMBA is also proud to host many of the games and practices for the U16 British Columbia Selects Girls baseball team.
What is the difference between Bantam AAA, Bantam AA, and Bantam A?
The three tiers of the Bantam Division are designed to provide playing opportunities for a wide range of abilities and levels of commitment. The goal of Aldergrove Minor Baseball to foster the development of the player, both in terms of skills and in terms of character and sportsmanship. Having a three tiered structure allows players to get as much on-field experience as possible while growing as confident members of a team as well as individuals. Players on Bantam A teams will likely have a variety of skill levels and, while the competition can be fierce especially during the summerball (or all star) season, the emphasis is more on fun and skill development. Bantam AA teams provide a more competitive level of play and players are required to give a significant commitment to their team and the sport of baseball. Many of the Bantam AA players will be preparing to make the AAA team during their second year at the Bantam level. The Bantam AAA team will be composed of some of the most skilled and committed players from the Aldergrove and Langley areas. They will face stiff competition from teams made up of the best 13 and 14 year old players in the Province. Players and parents of players at the AAA level must make a significant commitment in terms of both time and expense.
Are there rule differences between the three tiers?
Yes. Bantam A Spring and Summer teams as well as Bantam AA teams play an "all bat" format where every player in attendance is required to take their turn at bat (unless injured). There are also minimum play rules which require coaches to ensure that every player takes the field for a specified number of innings. In Bantam AAA and during Summerball at the Bantam AA level, the teams play a "9 man" format (with an EH and DH permitted) and there are no minimum play rules. Playing time at these levels is strictly a managerial decision. Players at the Bantam AAA level are also required to use a 'drop 3' bat (weight in ounces must be at least the length in inches less 3).
How long is the season?
Bantam A and Bantam AA play in a spring leagues going from approximately April 1st through the middle of June. In June players from both tiers tryout for positions on the Summerball (all star) squads. Summerball at the Bantam A and AA level is coordinated through BC Minor Baseball and teams play through July to qualify for the Provincial Championships that are usually held over the long weekend in August. Winners of the Bantam AA Provincials then have the opportunity of representing British Columbia in Western Canadian championships. The Bantam AAA league is organized and run by BC Minor and uses a single season running from exhibition games in March through to Provincial Championships in August. For 2012, BC Minor will likely issue a 45 game regular season schedule. When exhibition, tournament, and Provincial Championship games are included, the AAA team will likely play 70+ games in 6 months.
Who do the Aldergrove bantam teams play?
The Bantam A teams from Aldergrove have traditionally played in a Fraser Valley interlock league against teams from Chilliwack, Mission, and Abbotsford. In 2011 the league was administered by Aldergrove and the 12 team league played a 22 game regular season, with two-tiered playoffs, and championships (with Aldergrove Yankees winning the top tier Championship). The Aldergrove Bantam AA team traditionally plays in an interlock spring league with teams throughout the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland. For Summerball, the Bantam A and AA all star squads representing Aldergrove compete in their zone for spots in the Provincial Championships. The Bantam AAA team plays in a league administered by BC Minor Baseball against teams from throughout the Province. For 2012, there will be 5 teams based on Vancouver Island, 8 or 9 teams based in the Lower Mainland and a team from Kamloops. Travel to the island and interior locations will be required.
Does it matter where I live?
Yes. All bantam aged players are required to play for their association of residence. Boundaries for the member associations can be found on the BC Minor Baseball website. In some limited and exceptional circumstances a 'release' or Approved Player Movement Request can be obtained that allows a player who resides within the boundaries of one association to play for a team based within the boundary of another association. In order to participate in any activities sponsored or connected to Aldergrove Minor Baseball you must either live within the boundaries of the Association (City of Langley, Township of Langley, and that portion of the City of Abbotsford west of Mt. Lehman Road) or have obtained an Approved Player Movement Request from their association of residence.
Are there volunteer opportunities?
Absolutely. AMBA is an all-volunteer organization and every year we depend on new people to step up and be part of the organization. If you have some time, just approach the manager, coach, or executive member of your choice and we'll be sure to give you the opportunity to contribute to the team, association, and your son or daughter's future. |