The Bantam Division is 15U, meaning players must be 15 or under as of the December 31 following the season. Players move to Bantam from 13U Pee Wee so most payers will turn 14 as first years and 15 as second years and be in Grade 8 and 9.
Under BC Minor rules the Bantam Division is tiered (A, AA and AAA) and teams at all levels travel to play other associations.
Traditionally Tsawwassen has offered teams at the AA and A level. Players may try out for the Tsawwassen AA team that offers a more competitive level of play. The AA team will play similar level teams from other associations in the Lower Mainland. Players not selected to the AA team, or who prefer, will be selected to one of the A teams which offer a more recreational level of play. These A teams will play A teams from other associations in an Interlock Division. There is a spring and summer season.
Opportunities to play full season high-level AAA baseball are available under BC Minor. Past years have seen Tsawwassen partner with North Delta and Ladner Associations to support the successful Delta Tigers AAA program. Under BC Minor rules if no AAA program is offered by Tsawwassen, players may apply to try out for another association at that level and, if successful, apply to move.
Keep an eye on the news section to see specific availability.
Bantam Rules
At the Bantam level base paths are set at 80 feet and Pitchers throw from 54 feet. The pitching mound is raised by a gradual slope to a height of 8 inches above the base paths. The recommended dimensions for the outfield fence are 260 to 280 feet.
Lead offs and stealing are allowed and games are 7 innings long. Balk balls are called on pitchers and running to 1st on a dropped 3rd strike is allowed (if 1st base is unoccupied, or if 1st base is occupied with 2 out).
Except for AAA level and Bantam “AA” Summer Ball level, all players bat in rotation as 9 man ball does not apply.
Shoes with metal cleats are permitted in the Bantam Division.
For A and AA: bats may be composite, aluminum or wood combination: max 2 3/4 inch diameter, max 42-inch length and max -10
For AAA: bats must wood, wood-composite or bamboo and be max -10.
Bantam players may be called up to Midget 18U for a maximum of 8 games.
Other guidelines for play in the Bantam Division are found in Rule 22 (BC Minor Rules).
Bantam Pitching Rules:
1-35 pitches = no rest
36-65 pitches = 2 nights rest
66-85 pitches = 3 nights rest
(There is no weekly limit for pitching at the Bantam level)
Coaching Status required for the Bantam Division (Rule 9.01):
Bantam “A”: To be eligible to coach Bantam “A”, one coach must have Regional Coach Trained Status and a second coach must have Initiation Coach Trained Status (ICT). Any additional coaches must have “ICT” or be registered as an Apprentice Coach.
Bantam “AA”: To be eligible to coach Bantam “AA”, a minimum of two coaches must have Regional Coach Trained Status (RCT). Any additional coaches must have “RCT” or be registered as an Apprentice Coach.