There are lots of things to be excited about with youth baseball in Ireland as February comes to an end. This is especially the case in Celbridge, Co Kildare, where the Bobcats prepare to enter the Baseball Ireland youth league in April 2024.

Founded in 2022, and comprised of 20+ players ages ranging from 6 to 12, the Bobcats have been training, playing friendly games, and participating in Baseball Ireland youth blitzes for the past 2 years in preparation for taking on other teams around the league such as the Ashbourne Giants, Portmarnock Red Rox, Shankill Mariners, Dublin City Hurricanes, and Belfast Badgers.

For the month of March, our Little League team (ages 9-12) will be training indoors in Scoil na Mainistreach on Friday evenings from 6:00-7:30pm. Then, on Friday 5th April, we shift to outdoor trainings and open up with full club training which includes our younger Coach Pitch (t-ball) players aged 6-8.

What can a new player expect to experience at their first training?

Most of our players will agree that we focus on having fun. That’s the top priority.

Most training sessions consist of a mix of fielding, batting, simulated games, as well as some sort of fun activity to keep the kids engaged. For example, our latest trainings have featured tennis dodgeball, with the kids wearing their baseball gloves. They have loved this, and it’s just one example of how we try to connect with the kids.

For a new player, no equipment is needed. We have everything that you need and will be sure to make any new players feel welcome and that there is no pressure to know what they are doing right away. With baseball still being a young and developing sport in Ireland, we’re well used to new players who have no experience or exposure to the sport. In fact, 90% of our players started this way.

The beginning of the baseball season in March/April is the perfect time to pick up with the club, as there will be other new players who are learning the ropes too. All of our coaches are Garda vetted and Safeguarded, and safety is our highest priority throughout any trainings or games with the kids.

Feel free to get in touch for further information at celbridgebaseballclub@gmail.com