Putnam Youth Baseball (PYB) serves youth grades K-8 in the Putnam High School attendance area. We are affiliated with Clackamas County Junior Baseball Association (CCJBA), which is in turn affiliated with Junior Baseball Organization, Inc. (JBO), a non-profit volunteer organization. Junior Baseball Organization is completely independent of any other well-known national youth baseball organizations, such as Little League.
The primary difference between Junior Baseball and Little League it that Junior Baseball plays by amended high school rules, as opposed to Little League rules. Probably one of the most prominent rule differences is about base stealing. In Little League, a player cannot steal a base on a pitched ball until the ball crosses home plate. In Junior Baseball, a player may take a lead off the base and steal at any time during the pitch. As the kids get older and more experienced, the "base stealing" rule makes for some very exciting baseball. The rule also teaches the kids smart base running techniques. They will need the techniques if they continue playing baseball at the high school level. A growing number of Little Leagues are converting to Junior Baseball of Oregon. Possibly the best thing about Junior Baseball, is that when it comes to playoff time, the team goes as a unit, which builds great comradery.
Our 3rd - 8th grade teams play regular season games against teams from all over Clackamas County such as Milwaukie, Gladstone and Canby. Teams with winning records enter post-season play. The "Post Season" begins with earning a spot in the County tournament, with the goal of winning a spot in the State tournament. The State championship game is the best a team can do.
In addition, during the regular season, teams at the Minor, Junior and Senior levels will play in invitational tournaments held throughout the state.
Players are divided into age groups according their grade level of the current season.
The levels are:
Minors 3rd and 4th Grades
Juniors 5th and 6th Grades
Seniors 7th and 8th Grades
Each team enters into a level of play depending on the skill level of the team. These decisions are made based on the assessments of the players.
Federal is the most challenging and competitive level. More time is devoted to practice and Federal teams tend to play in more tournament games.
American is mid-level in terms of competition, though kids are often at the Federal-level in ability.
National is the entry level of play, for players who are in the first year of new base distances or may be on the younger end of the age group.
In every division and level, all players get to bat. Each player also must play at least six defensive outs, (two innings).
T-ball & Rookie Ball
Each league, such as PYB, also runs its own program for 5- through 8-year-olds. The children at this level mainly play other teams in our own PYB league. T-ball is geared for boys and girls ages 5-7. Players hit the ball off of a tee. It is designed to be non-competitive and a lot of fun; T-ball teaches the children about organized play, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Rookie Ball is for 8-year-olds and advanced 7-year-olds. Players learn to pitch balls with coaches as back up, allowing players to learn to hit pitched balls in preparation for minor level play.