Okotoks Outlaws Baseball Experience
The Outlaws Baseball program is committed to providing players and parents of the Foothills Minor Baseball Association (FMBA) an avenue to play competitive ball at a high level. As an association, it is very important that we foster an environment that strives for excellence through hard work and positive competitive spirit. Outlaws’ players, coaches and parents represent this and should always portray themselves as positive role models within the community.
As Outlaws players, your children will not only work to improve upon the skill set necessary to play the game at a competitive level but also learn and experience the benefits of dealing with adversity, improving one’s physical fitness, and having dedicated focus on achieving goals in sport.
Playing Outlaws baseball suggests that certain commitments must be made. These major commitments are time, travel, and financial (which can be reduced via fundraising efforts by individual teams). With only 12 players per team all players are expected to attend all practices, games, and team functions as reasonably possible. If families are taking extended vacations or have high commitment levels in other sports or activities this should be discussed prior to evaluations. We do not want to take away a roster spot from a full-time player for a player that can only play part of the time. Failure to fulfill commitments by any player or parent will result in a review of that players privilege to play in the Outlaws Baseball program.
What are you Committing to?
- 2 weekday Practices.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays. Alternating between 5-7pm & 7-9pm
- Weekend games and tournaments.
- Usually 2 to 3 weekends per month.
- Season runs from May through to July and possibly August Long weekend.
- Independent Tournament Play.
- Typically, teams will play in one to two additional tournaments outside of the scheduled league play.
- These tournaments are normally held over May long weekend and a weekend in June/July (dependent on league schedule). Your team will be notified of the weekends of play for these tournaments when the team selection is complete.
- Additional early bird tournaments are also a possibility in April or early May.
- Travel throughout the province.
- Schedule and location is determined by Baseball Alberta.
- As the season progresses you will likely have to travel farther because your team will be placed in a specific tier (tiers are used to even out the talent pool in order for you to play teams of equal talent).
- Distances can range as provincials could be held anywhere in the province but most travel is usually to towns between Okotoks and the Edmonton area.
- Fundraising
- As a member of the Outlaws Baseball program it is expected that team players and parents raise funds to offset costs in the season.
- The level of fundraising is determined by the team manager based on the interest by parents.
- Ideas and opportunities for fundraising will be listed in the managers’ manual that is given to the team manager once the team has been formed.
- If you wish to forgo fundraising activities all money issued to the team will not be refunded to you but instead will be divided among those player/parents that took part.
- Schedule and location is determined by Baseball Alberta.
Cost
Outlaws Fees: $825 - Collected by FMBA once placed on an Outlaws team
Your fee (taken at time of registration) will cover basic expenses related to Baseball Alberta, insurance, basic equipment, Outlaws hat, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, shorts, hoody and team Jersey.
Outlaws teams are also required to prepare their own team budgets to cover expenses related to umpires, additional tournaments, equipment, indoor field/batting practice, etc. This is most commonly done through a cash call from the team treasurer to parents.
There will also be an opportunity to purchase Outlaws branded apparel prior to the season. The cost for these items is not included in estimates and there is a portion of the apparel lineup that is mandatory.
The amount of fundraising activity will have a direct impact on the final cost per player to the families
The Player Evaluation Process
*An Evaluation Fee of $25 will be required to take part in Evaluations *
Evaluations will consist of two mandatory open sessions where all players will be evaluated. The top 24 players will return for a “Live” evaluation before being placed on specific teams. Players not placed on an Outlaws team will be encouraged to play house league baseball within FMBA. Only players registered with an FMBA house are eligible to play as affiliates for Outlaws teams.
Registration opens January 1 for Outlaws evaluations
Coaching
Once players have been placed on their respective team’s coaches will be chosen for them based on the applications submitted to FMBA prior to the season. We strongly encourage parents to take an interest in coaching as it is an integral part of our ability to field teams.
All Outlaws coaches are required to meet FMBA requirements which are in alignment with Baseball Alberta. Coaching certification courses will be made available in April prior to the start of the season. For more information regarding coaching certification, you can find it at: https://www.baseballalberta.com/ under the coaches tab.
Important Dates and Timelines
Registration opens January 1 for Outlaws evaluations and closes February 1
Evaluations (2025)
Week 1- Hitting and Infield
February 3rd (11U)- 7:00-9:00 pm
February 4th (13U)- 7:30-9:30 pm
February 5th (15U)- 7:30-9:30 pm
February 6th (18U/22U)- 7:30-9:30 pm
Week 2- Outfield, Pitching, Speed
February 10th (11U)- 7:00-9:00 pm
February 11th (13U)- 7:30-9:30 pm
February 12th (15U)- 7:30-9:30 pm
February 13th (18U/22U)- 7:30-9:30 pm
Week 3- Live (top 24) Invite only
February 24th (11U)- 7:00-9:00 pm
February 25th (13U)- 7:30-9:30 pm
February 26th (15U)- 7:30-9:30 pm
February 27th (18U/22U)- 7:30-9:30 pm
Outlaws’ registration links are shared to players who make the top 24 and must be completed prior to Live evaluations as apparel fittings occur during Live evaluations.
Questions & Inquiries:
Outlaws Director- outlaws@foothillsminorball.com
Outlaws Coordinator- coordinatoraa@foothillsminorball.com
