Blue Sox Team Information

Overview

A few items item that we want to be clear on:

1) We do support multi-sport athletes, but we do expect players to attend as many practices as possible in the off-season (we will work with families within reason) and all practices and games in-season.

2) We support town baseball and don't have an issue with anyone playing for their town, but pitchers must make the Blue Sox their first priority. We cannot play games if we do not have enough pitching. Pitchers should be in constant communication with their Blue Sox coach to see when they will be needed to pitch. We are very careful with our pitchers and will not risk injury to them.

  • Professional paid coaches (8 to 1 ratio) will organize and assist with all practices (instruction is a key priority) and one coach will be assigned to manage the team during game days.
  • We have some of the best coaches in the area, from past and current minor leaguers, a big leaguer, former and current college players and coaches and current and former high school coaches. Throughout the off-season players will not just work with their assigned coaches, but numerous members of our staff.

11u & 12u Team Details

October, November and December 2024:

  • During these months, for a fee, we will offer various sessions covering various skills. There are not apart of the program and completely up to families if they want to enroll their child.

Off-Season: January 2025 - February 2025

  • Three (3) 50-minute sessions per week at the Route 2 Athletics.
    • Sessions (hitting, pitching and defense) will be offered on weeknights and some weekends.
    • During January and February we will offer various sessions at various times throughout the week.
    • Families will be able to sign up for what works for their schedule. Players can sign up for a max of three sessions per week. Each session will be capped at a certain number depending on the skill session.
  • There will be enough slots for all players, but will be on a first come-first serve basis. Due to enrollment being capped make ups are not allowed (i.e- no 4th session following a week, when a player could only make two sessions).

Off-Season: March 2025

  • Three (3) 50-minute TEAM practices per week at Route 2, The Edge Sports Bubble, Winchester Community Park, Minuteman Regional HS (all within 20 minutes of RT2 facility)
  • Practices will include hitting, defense, pitching and whiteboard discussions.
  • These practices will be deemed MANDATORY, to help the team/ coaching staff fully prepare for the season.

 

In-Season: April to June 9th (approximately)

  • One (1) weekly 50-minute practice at our Route 2 facility

  • Four to Six (4-6) 90-minute weekend outdoor practices on weekends that we are not scheduled for (4) games

    • weather may force practice to be moved indoors

  • 10-12 New Balance Select League games per month (April, May & June) -- rainouts are not rescheduled.
  • One (1) Tournament (maybe require travel).
  • Roster Size
    • Team roster size will be 13 players. This means ALL players must commit to attend ALL games. Possible play dates include school vacation week/ weekends, holidays, etc.
  • Playing Time
    • Playing time will be decided by the coaching staff and is not guaranteed to be equitable . During the regular season, no player will sit the entire game (unless a disciplinary issue arises). During the playoffs, playing time is not guaranteed.
  • Parent/Player Behavior
    • We expect that all players, parents and family members represent the program appropriately. Inappropriate behavior will be cause for removal of a player from the program.
  • Injuries or leaving the program for any other reason
    • We can no longer give refunds for ANY reason if a player leaves the program.
  • Apparel
    • Families will be required purchase the following:
      • (1) uniform jersey, (1) game hat and (1) practice t-shirt.
      • Families will need to provide their own pants (White), socks, (navy) belt, and a Navy batting helmet.
      • Other items will be offered through out online store and it is a family decisoin on purchasing other items.

13u & 14u Team Details

  • Off-Season: January 2024 - March 2024
  • (2) 1-hour TEAM indoor practices from the first week of  January through the end of March.
    • Practices will be held at the Route 2 Athletics Facility or other larger facilities (Edge Bedford/Winchester Complex, etc).
    • Practices may be held on weeknights or weekends. Days and Times will be fairly consistent and announced by Sept 15, 2023. We understand that there will be conflicts with winter sports and will offer one make up session per week for those who cannot make a team practice.

In-Season: April 1st to July 10th (approximately)

  • One weekly in season practice (indoor or outdoor depending on weather) and 12 games a month will be scheduled.
    • (2) tournaments will be scheduled in addition to the New Balance Select League schedule.
  • Roster Size
    • Team roster size will be 13 players. This means ALL players must commit to attend ALL games. Possible play dates include School Vacation Week/ Weekends, Holidays, etc.
  • Playing Time
    • Playing time will be decided by the coaching staff and is guaranteed to be equitable.  During the regular season, no player will sit the entire game (unless a disciplinary issue arises). However, during the playoffs, playing time is not guaranteed.
  • Parent/Player Behavior
    • We expect that all players, their parents and family members represent the program appropriately. Inappropriate behavior will be cause for removal of a player from the program.
  • Injuries or leaving the program for any other reason
    • We can no longer give refunds for ANY reason if a player leaves the program.
  • Apparel
    • Families will be required purchase the following: (1) uniform jersey, (1) game hat and (1) practice t-shirt.
    • Families will need to provide their own pants (White), socks, belts and a NAVY batting helmet.
    • Other items will be offered and it is a family decision on purchasing other items.

High School Team Details

Commitment

All families need to seriously consider if their son can and wants to put the time into playing for the Blue Sox. We support multi-sport athletes, but this is not a recreation program and players need to find the time in their schedule to improve in the off-season and need to make a one hundred percent commitment to attending the in-season games and practices. Families have to be willing to give up weekend get aways and summer vacations to attend all required events. In addition we have no issue with players participating in the their town leagues, but they cannot miss Blue Sox events for town games and all pitchers need to be ready and rested to pitch for us whenever called upon. We completely understand if a family is not able or willing to make this commitment and for those families we are willing to offer a train only spot, which would allow players to train with us in the off season, but not participate throughout the summer game/ tournament schedule.

  • If interested in this option, then please email Chris Aufiero at info@route2athletics.org

 

Playing Time

For our high school age teams, playing time is earned, not guaranteed. Skill level, attitude, work ethic and game situations all factor into playing time decisions. The off-season and in season practices are the time when ALL players will receive equal opportunities to improve and develop. We will allow position players to select the position they want to work on in the off- season to prepare them for their high school season as they may play (or feel they have the best chance to play) a certain position for their high school team, but please understand they may not play that same position for us in the summer.

Off-Season (2024)

  • (2) 1-hour TEAM indoor practices from the first week of January to the middle of March (Start of HS Season).

    • Practices will be held at the Route 2 Athletics Facility, Champion Physical & Performance (110 Clematis Ave., Waltham, MA) and other larger facilities (The Edge Sports Bubble, Winchester Complex, etc).

    • Practices may be held on weeknights or weekends.Days and Times will be fairly consistent and announced by September 15, 2023.

    • We understand that there will be conflicts with winter sports and will offer one make up session per week for those who cannot make a team practice.

  • Please understand that the primary focus of the off-season is hitting and defense for position players and pitching (2-3 sessions per week) for those who have accepted a Pitcher Only spot.
  • For players who consider themselves a pitcher first, but also want to continue to develop as a defensive player/ hitter - there will be an additional cost to participate in those sessions.
    • Those accepting a Pitcher Only spot, the 2-3 sessions per week will focus on developing efficient mechanics, power and a healthy arm path. We will also work on pitch design -- the development of secondary pitches through our Trackman BI Unit.

In-Season: Tournament Teams (2024)

  • Weekly 1-hour practices (June 8th - August 5th) that may move indoors depending on inclement weather.
  • 6-7 tournaments/ showcases (a few may require extensive overnight travel and an additional cost to families for lodging, etc.).
    • League play vs Tournaments will depend on team placement.

Roster Size

  • Team roster size will be comprised of 14 position players and an additional 5-10 pitchers. ALL players must commit to attend ALL games. Possible play dates include School/ Summer Vacation, Holidays, etc.

Playing Time

  • Playing time will be decided by the coaching staff and WILL NOT be equitable. This team is a college prep tournament team and will be run like a High School varsity team. The best players will have the most playing time.

Parent/ Player Behavior

  • We expect that ALL players, their parents and family members represent the program appropriately. Inappropriate behavior will be cause for removal of a player from the team and program.

Injuries/ Leaving the Program

  • We can NO LONGER give refunds for any reason if a player decides to leave the program.

Apparel

  • Families will be required to purchase the following:
    • (1) Uniform, (1) game hat, (1) practice t-shirt.
  • Families will need to provide their own pants (White), socks, belts, and a NAVY batting helmet.
    • Other items will be offered via our online store, and it is a family decision on purchasing additional items.