Bettendorf-Pleasant Valley Youth Baseball is hosting a free umpire clinic from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, April 23 at Saldivar Field at Devils Glen Park.

Local high school umpires are again the chief clinicians for the annual spring training session.

BPV’s youth umpire program boasts nearly 100 participants with the best trained and most experienced of the crew graduating in recent years into the high school officiating ranks themselves.

Clinic participants will be grouped together by age and experience levels so rookies, less experienced and more experienced umpires all can gain knowledge and further their training.

Part of the clinic also addresses how the BPV operates and offers a team atmosphere for the umpire crew.

No advance registration is necessary. Coaches from every BPV division are invited to attend to get a perspective on the training and learn how to best work with umpires.

However, if you or your child are interested in umpiring during the 2023 BPV season, please plan to attend — and send an email expressing interest with the umpire’s name, cellphone number and email address to tappasteve@gmail.com.

In the event of inclement weather and the need to change plans, umpires will be contacted by email.

BPV games begin in most youth divisions the week of May 1. Umpires are compensated for their work on a scale that depends on their game duties (plate or field) and division worked.

Bettendorf-Pleasant Valley Youth Baseball season begins this weekend with tryouts/evaluations planned in two divisions — the Minors (Grades 4-5) and Majors (Grades 6-7).

NOTE: These are the ONLY divisions with tryouts/evaluations in BPV (see details below).

However, this Saturday (April 1) is the target deadline for registrations to secure spots in all divisions except Seniors (ages 15-20), which starts games a month later around Memorial Day.

For all divisions, the registration link is open at: https://active.leagueone.com/Olr/Pages/Welcome.aspx?ClubId=14196

Once a division is full, though, registration will close and waiting lists will begin forming.

A waiting list already has started in Coach Pitch (Grades K-2) — but that division is already close to adding another full team. NOTE: For further expansion to happen, more volunteer coaches are necessary.

If you are interested in registering for Coach Pitch, please contact division director Bob Jurkowski at rjurkows03@gmail.com.

All but the oldest division (Seniors) will have coaches meetings starting next week to begin forming teams. Included is a Coach Pitch coaches meeting Wednesday, April 5 at the Bettendorf Public Library (7 pm).

MINORS & MAJORS TRYOUTS/EVALUATIONS

BPV is hosting tryouts/evaluations for the Minors and Majors divisions on Saturday, April 1 at the Crow Creek Park 4-Plex.

For the Minors division (grades 4-5), the tryouts/evaluations are 2-4 p.m.

For the Majors division (grades 6-7), the tryouts/evaluations are 4-6 p.m.

Check-in is at the center of the four diamonds, underneath the picnic pavilion. Please arrive at least a half-hour early so players can warm up and be checked in no later than 15 minutes before the advertised time of the tryout/evaluation session.

The rain date is Sunday, April 2 at the same place and times. In the event of inclement weather that weekend, registered participants will be emailed to confirm any changes.

If the forecast holds, and a day delay is necessary, BPV hopes to confirm those changes by Thursday evening.

For those unable to attend on either weekend date, an all-comers makeup session for tryouts/evaluations is Tuesday, April 4 from 5-7 p.m. at the 4-Plex.

If unable to attend any session, players will still end up on a team. The tryouts/evaluations are simply used by coaches to measure a player’s current skill level. Coaches draft their team’s for the season, with the entire process helping to strike a competitive balance intended to help make everyone better.

Players are asked to bring their glove, favorite bat and dress for a baseball practice in the spring weather (example: baseball hat, t-shirt or baseball sleeves or sweatshirt, and baseball pants or sweat pants). There will be a number of skill stations, including hitting, pitching, fielding and running.

No extra sign-up is necessary for tryouts/evaluations. If you are registered for Majors or Minors, simply plan to attend.

OTHER DIVISIONS

Juniors teams (grades 8-9) begin forming teams during their upcoming coaches meeting.

Teams are formed by school and special requests in Coach Pitch (grades K-2) and Rookie/Intro to Kid Pitch (grade 3 and advanced/experienced 2nd graders).

Seniors teams (ages 15-20) begin forming during a player meeting in late April (TBA), with players urged to play with friends and form their own teams with a coach for the summer.

REMINDER: Volunteer coaches still are needed in every division, especially head coaches in Coach Pitch and Minors.

Please consider coaching for your children and friends to help make baseball happen in our community!

For those planning to coach in any division, please contact the appropriate division director if you have not already done so:

— Coach Pitch (Grades K-2): Bob Jurkowski (rjurkows03@gmail.com or 563-940-3935)
— Intro to Kid Pitch (2nd advanced/3rd Grade): Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111)
— Minors (Grades 4-5): Bob Jurkowski (rjurkows03@gmail.com or 563-940-3935)
— Majors (Grades 6-7): Matt Wood (mcw1205@aol.com or 563-340-5917)
— Juniors (Grades 8-9): Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111)
— Seniors (Ages 15-20): Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111)

For a detailed breakdown of the divisions, please see our website’s registration kickoff message: https://bpv.teampages.com/organizations/21438/announcements/2337949-BPV-2023-spring-summer-registration-open-

For more details about BPV, visit BPVBaseball.com.

Bettendorf High School’s baseball program is hosting a pitching camp indoors in April at Middle School.

The camp is for players in Grades 3rd to 8th.

The two-day camp runs April 17 & 20.

The sessions for Grades 3-5 are from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The sessions for Grades 6-8 are from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Cost of the camp is $40. Instruction is provided by BHS coaches and players.

To register for the camp, please email BettendorfBaseballClub@gmail.com.

With the spring/summer youth baseball season fast approaching, those yet to register need to do so quickly to secure their spot in Bettendorf-Pleasant Valley Youth Baseball.

All but the oldest division (Seniors, ages 15-20) will have coaches meetings soon and begin forming teams.

April 1 is a target deadline for registrations in all divisions except Seniors, with tryouts/evaluations scheduled for the Minors (grades 4-5) and Majors (grades 6-7) divisions (see details below).

But once a division is full, registration will close and waiting lists will begin forming.

The registration link is: https://active.leagueone.com/Olr/Pages/Welcome.aspx?ClubId=14196

BPV’s divisions are Coach Pitch (K-2nd grades), Rookie/Intro to Kid Pitch (grade 3 and advanced/experienced 2nd graders), Minors (Grades 4-5), Majors (Grades 6-7), Juniors (Grades 8-9) and Seniors (High School & up; ages 15-20).

NOTE: Seniors starts and finishes roughly a month later than the other divisions so it is better aligned with the high school and college seasons and school schedules.

For a breakdown of the divisions, please see our website’s registration kickoff message: https://bpv.teampages.com/organizations/21438/announcements/2337949-BPV-2023-spring-summer-registration-open-

MINORS & MAJORS TRYOUTS

BPV is hosting tryouts/evaluations for the Minors and Majors divisions on Saturday, April 1 at the Crow Creek Park 4-Plex.

For the Minors division (grades 4-5), the tryouts/evaluations are 2-4 p.m.

For the Majors division (grades 6-7), the tryouts/evaluations are 4-6 p.m.

Check-in is at the center of the four diamonds, underneath the picnic pavilion. Please arrive at least a half-hour early so players can warm up and be checked in no later than 15 minutes before the advertised time of the tryout/evaluation session.

The rain date is Sunday, April 2 at the same place and times. In the event of inclement weather that weekend, registered participants will be emailed to confirm any changes.

For those unable to attend that weekend, a makeup session for tryouts/evaluations is Tuesday, April 4 from 5-7 p.m. at the 4-Plex.

If unable to attend any session, players will still end up on a team. The tryouts/evaluations are simply used by coaches to measure a player’s current skill level. Coaches draft their team’s for the season, with the entire process helping to strike a competitive balance to make everyone better.

Players are asked to bring their glove, favorite bat and dress for a baseball practice in the spring weather (example: baseball hat, t-shirt or baseball sleeves or sweatshirt, and baseball pants or sweat pants). There will be a number of skill stations, including hitting, pitching, fielding and running.

No extra sign-up is necessary for tryouts/evaluations. If you are registered for Majors or Minors, simply plan to attend.

OTHER DIVISIONS

The Majors and Minors are the ONLY divisions with tryouts in BPV.

Juniors teams (grades 8-9) begin forming teams during their coaches meeting.

Teams are formed by school and special requests in Coach Pitch (grades K-2) and Rookie/Intro to Kid Pitch (grade 3 and advanced/experienced 2nd graders).

Seniors teams (ages 15-20) begin forming during a player meeting in late April (TBA), with players urged to play with friends and form their own teams for the summer.

REMINDER: Volunteer coaches still are needed in every division, especially head coaches in Coach Pitch and Minors.

For those planning to coach in any division, please contact the appropriate division director if you have not already done so:

— Coach Pitch (Grades K-2): Bob Jurkowski (rjurkows03@gmail.com or 563-940-3935)
— Intro to Kid Pitch (2nd advanced/3rd Grade): Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111)
— Minors (Grades 4-5): Bob Jurkowski (rjurkows03@gmail.com or 563-940-3935)
— Majors (Grades 6-7): Matt Wood (mcw1205@aol.com or 563-340-5917)
— Juniors (Grades 8-9): Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111)
— Seniors (Ages 15-20): Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111)

For more details about BPV, visit BPVBaseball.com.

The Bettendorf-Pleasant Valley Youth Baseball registration website is now open for the 2023 spring/summer season.

To sign up, visit: https://active.leagueone.com/Olr/Pages/Welcome.aspx?ClubId=14196

More detailed information is available below or at BPVBaseball.com (https://bpv.teampages.com).

Exact dates will be released soon for tryouts and evaluations, but those season-starting sessions for the Minors (4th/5th graders) and Majors (6th/7th graders) typically are the final week of March or early April after Spring Breaks.

The general calendar always uses the first week of April to set teams in all divisions so practices can start 3-4 weeks prior to games starting on Monday, May 1. (The exception is the Seniors Division (ages 15-20), which follows the high school baseball schedule, with a late May start to games, and teams not settled until well after high school team cuts are made).

If you plan on your child playing baseball this spring and summer, please register ASAP!

DIVISION BREAKDOWN

The divisions offered this year are the same as last season (in all divisions, all players bat in order and participation rules are followed):

— Coach Pitch: A beginning program for Grades K-2. Younger players can request to play BPV, however a season of tee-ball is suggested, with that separate city program an appropriate starting point for all baseball players. Second graders who have played BPV before are encouraged to play in the Rookie/Intro to Kid Pitch division. Coaches pitch to batters. Players run the bases with some restrictions. Three outs or a run limit (whichever comes first) defines the inning. Games run six innings, with teams playing typically twice per week, and practice time available on the weekend once games start. April is set aside for practices. Weather permitting, games run May 1 to Friday, June 30. The season ends with a postseason tournament and All-Star games, where all of the league’s participants receive an award. Fields typically used are at Hoover School; the 23rd St. diamond at Middle Park’s Botanical Garden; Edgewood Park; and LeClaire’s Veterans Memorial Complex. Most teams grouped by school or special request. Also: LeClaire-only teams are a registration option on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those interested in coaching are encouraged to contact the division director, Bob Jurkowski at rjurkows03@gmail.com.

— Rookie/Intro to Kid Pitch: Geared for 2nd and 3rd graders (and any advanced/veteran coach pitchers ready for a new challenge, with younger players allowed to request playing in this division). Kids pitch to hitters with restrictions (Coach Pitchers finish batters when kids are struggling to find the strike zone). A mixture of rules are used from the Coach Pitch and Minors Divisions to prepare players for the next level. Six-inning games, with teams playing typically twice per week, and practice time available on the weekend once games start. April is set aside for practices. Weather permitting, games run May 1 to Friday, June 30. The season ends with a postseason tournament and All-Star game. Fields used: Tyler Hurd Field at Ed Scheck Park & LeClaire’s Veterans Memorial Complex (occasionally diamonds #10 and #11 at the Crow Creek Park 4-Plex also can be used, especially for all-star or tournament games or makeups as the schedule allows). LeClaire-only teams are a registration option on a first-come, first-serve basis. Most teams grouped by school or special request. Those interested in coaching are encouraged to contact BPV Secretary Steve Tappa at tappasteve@gmail.com. The division director is TBD.

— Minors: For Grades 4-5. Full kid pitch with base-running restrictions. Regulation games are six innings, with teams playing typically twice per week, and practice time on the weekend once games start. April is set aside for practices. Weather permitting, games run May 1 to mid-July, with the season-capping All-Star games and a postseason tournament typically coming after July 4. Fields used: Diamonds #10 & #11 at the Crow Creek Park 4-Plex and LeClaire’s Veterans Memorial Complex. Unlike Coach Pitch or Rookie/Intro to Kid Pitch, there are tryouts/evaluations at the end of March/early April to help strike a competition balance in this division, with coaches asked to draft their teams based on the grades determined at the evaluations. For special requests, the only way to ensure friends are on the same team is by having a parent volunteer to coach with the parents of their child’s friend(s). Each coaching group is able to protect a set number of kids in the draft forming teams. LeClaire-only teams are a registration option on a first-come, first-serve basis. NOTE: A separate gold division for weekend travel/tournament teams also is available to keep the playing field level for drafted squads. Those interested in coaching are encouraged to contact the division director, Bob Jurkowski at rjurkows03@gmail.com, or his assistant Matt Wood at mcw1205@aol.com.

— Majors: For Grades 6-7: Full base running rules. Regulation games now seven innings, with teams playing typically twice per week, and practice time available on the weekend once games start. April is set aside for practices. Weather permitting, games run May 1 to mid-July, with the season-capping All-Star games and a postseason tournament typically coming after July 4. Fields used: Diamonds #8 & #9 at the Crow Creek Park 4-Plex, and Crow Creek #6 (by the soccer fields). Same as the Minors Division, there are tryouts/evaluations at the end of March/early April to help strike a competition balance in this division, with coaches asked to draft their teams based on the grades determined at the evaluations. For special requests, the only way to ensure friends are on the same team is by having a parent volunteer to coach with the parents of their child’s friend(s). Each coaching group is able to protect a set number of kids in the draft forming teams. LeClaire-only teams are a registration option on a first-come, first-serve basis. NOTE: A separate gold division for weekend travel/tournament teams also is available to keep the playing field level for drafted squads. Those interested in coaching are encouraged to contact the division director, Matt Wood at mcw1205@aol.com.

— Juniors: For Grades 8-9 (ages 13-15). NOTE: If planning to play high school baseball, play in the Seniors Division on a full-sized diamond against older competition and where more games are played. Teams are formed at a coaches meeting, with the coaching group deciding together if evaluations are necessary. Full baseball rules (except dropped third strike) on slightly smaller-than-regulation fields (54-foot mound, 80-foot bases). Games are seven innings, with teams playing typically 2-3 times per week, and practice time available on the weekend once games start. April is set aside for practices. Games start the week of May 1-5 or soon after and runs to mid-July, with an All-Star game and a postseason tournament capping the season after the July 4 holiday. Fields used: Crow Creek #5 (on the hill behind the dog park) and Castro Field at Kiwanis Park/Paul Norton School. Some games in the past also have been at out-of-town destinations such as Eldridge, Long Grove and Donahue, versus teams from the North Scott and Wapsi Little Leagues. Bettendorf fields have lights, so night games with 6:30 starts are normal. NOTE: A separate gold division for weekend travel/tournament teams also is available to keep the playing field level for drafted squads. Coaches are needed to string together groups of friends/families. Those interested in coaching are encouraged to contact the division director, Steve Tappa at tappasteve@gmail.com.

— Seniors: Ages 15-20. Grab your friends and create a team (adult coach needed). All registrants are placed on a team, and each team is placed in an age/skill appropriate division when participation numbers support those splits. 14-year-olds preparing to play in high school should play in this division. Players participating with a high school team are eligible (this is an especially good pairing with freshman baseball). Full baseball on a regulation diamond (60-foot, 6-inch pitching distance, 90-foot bases). Games are seven innings or limited by the 2:15 time limit. Teams play typically three times per week, with practice time available on the weekend. This is a Player Driven league, so there is a Players Meeting in mid-to-late April to set expectations and begin forming teams. However, registration remains open until the program is full — and rosters remain in flux until well after high school cuts are made. Games start in late May around Memorial Day and run through late July, with a postseason tournament and All-Star game capping the season. The program ends before practices start for fall high school sports. Long holiday weekends are observed around Memorial Day (to allow for graduations & parties) and the 4th of July (to allow for quick trips). Lighted fields used: Devils Glen Park, McCausland City Field and occasionally Crow Creek #5 or Castro Field at Kiwanis Park/Paul Norton School. Schedule includes doubleheaders (5:30 and 8 p.m. starts, with Team A playing Team B, and Team C playing Team D). Games mainly Monday through Friday, with Sundays also possible depending on participation numbers. Those interested in coaching or forming a team are encouraged to contact ASAP the division director, Steve Tappa at tappasteve@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE BPV

The calendar: Late March is when the season kicks off with tryouts/evaluations in the Minors and Majors Divisions. Coaches meetings also are held at this time in all but the Seniors division, with Coach Pitch, Kid Pitch and Juniors teams forming (exact dates are TBD). For all divisions except Seniors (which mirrors the high school season), April is set aside for practices. Games begin on or around May 1. Seasons end with a division tournament and All-Star Games. Depending on weather, all seasons should wrap up by mid-July except Seniors, which ends in early August. (Note: Coach Pitch & Rookie/Intro to Kid Pitch finishes by July 4). BPV also offers a separate Fall program with games on the weekends starting in mid-August and running through early October.

Games: Expect to play a couple of games each week. Once games start, practice time is mostly available on the weekends, decided on by a team-by-team, first-come basis. (The two oldest divisions usually play 3 games per week, so practice time is scarce and practices are particularly rare in Seniors). Exact game schedules determined by the number of participating teams closer to the start of games.

Awards: All participants receive an award in the Coach Pitch division, with an awards jamboree at the All-Star Games. In every division, the top teams in the regular season and tournament earn trophies. Additionally, the All-Star Game participants receive a keepsake for playing.

Equipment: All players receive a jersey and hat for their uniform. Baseball pants and shoes, as well as gloves are the responsibility of the participant. (Some also provide their own helmets and bats, but BPV also provides those, along with catchers gear, in a set of team equipment).

Fees: Cost for the season is $125 ($150 for Seniors to partially cover additional insurance costs) plus a $3 service fee for the online registration/organizational management service. However, BPV does not exclude participation due to financial hardship. For more information, please contact Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111). To help sponsor a financial hardship case, please also contact Steve Tappa.

Sponsorship: Our generous sponsors help make youth baseball an affordable treasure in our community. For information on sponsoring your child’s team, please contact Dan Escontrias (danesco33@gmail.com or 563-210-3489).

Volunteers: Helping keep our costs so low is the volunteerism we enjoy at all levels! Behind-the-scenes help running the all-volunteer organization always is necessary. Service-learning hours are available to help meet school requirements – or provide a resume item for college/work applications. Please consider volunteering your time (or high school or college child’s time) by contacting Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111).

Help wanted: Umpires are also needed and compensated for their work; contact Steve Tappa at tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111. Umpires are provided a blue BPV umpiring work shirt and the training program features a clinic with professional umpires in mid-April before the season starts.

KEY CONTACTS:

— Coach Pitch (Grades K-2): Bob Jurkowski (rjurkows03@gmail.com or 563-940-3935). NOTE: 2nd graders who have played in BPV previously are encouraged to play in Rookie/Intro to Kid Pitch.
— Rookie/Intro to Kid Pitch (2nd-3rd Grade): Director TBD. Contact Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com) or Dan Escontrias (danesco33@gmail.com).
— Minors (Grades 4-5): Bob Jurkowski (rjurkows03@gmail.com or 563-940-3935) or his assistant Matt Wood (mcw1205@aol.com or 563-340-5917).
— Majors (Grades 6-7): Matt Wood (mcw1205@aol.com or 563-340-5917).
— Juniors (Grades 8-9): Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111).
— Seniors (Ages 15-20): Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111).
NOTE: Coaches are needed in all divisions! (Contact any of those listed).