HIGHLAND BALL FORD SITE LAND ACQUISITION FROM RYAN CO

On May 7, Ryan Companies completed the transfer of the former Ford Field land on which the East and West Fields, the snack bar, and the batting cages behind the West Field are situated to the Friends of Highland Ball. Friends of Highland Ball is an entity created by Highland Ball to hold the land that will be used by the Highland Ball organization.

This momentous event is more then a decade in the making and secures the future of baseball and softball at the site for generations to come. Many volunteers worked for countless hours to make this vision a reality. Later this summer, Highland Ball will share its plans for the site and recognize the volunteers and community members who brought this dream to fruition.

Norder Field, located on the southern half of the ballpark and named in honor of the Larry Norder and family for their generosity to Highland Ball, was not part of the land transfer from Ryan Companies. The field will be demolished as part of the Montreal Avenue extension.

Please see the attached joint press release from Ryan Companies and Highland Ball for more information.

https://www.cagear.com/product-category/school-gear/highland-baseball/

https://www.cagear.com/product-category/school-gear/highland-softball/

In lieu of being able to get together to practice, perhaps showing your Highland Ball spirit by looking at our new spirit wear stores will get you in the mood for a game of catch!  

Highland Ball has a new vendor this year (CA Gear), and we've curated an expansive selection of apparel and gear for players and fans. Working from input over the years, we tried to find items that would be appropriate for a game or practice and just as comfortable on Saturday afternoon at the grocery store. We have also created separate online stores for softball and baseball to better suit the preferences of the two great programs that make up Highland Ball.  For instance, the Highland logos contain a baseball or softball depending on which store you are in.  The move to CA Gear also provides value to the League, as we will receive 10% of the proceeds from all sales.

Another benefit of our new partnership is that the online stores will be open throughout the season. 

Please select the direct ship option and allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Previous orders designated for pick-up will be distributed in a manner and at a time to be determined.

 Happy shopping!

HIGHLAND BALL ON KARE 11 SPORTS

Our own Scott Andressed was interviewed on by KARE 11 for a segmeant on the land transfer from Ryan Co to Friends of Highland Ball.

It can be found HERE:

While the League and our community are locked down, Highland Ball wants to be a resource for our players and parents.  The boys and girls still need to get outside and it's a great time to work on agility and skill development to get ready for the season (whenever it might start).  Each week, we will post drills that can be done alone or with a partner, and we will have Highland ballplayers demonstrating some of those drills.  

To help keep our Highland Ball community connected in this time of social distancing, we encourage players to submit photos of themselves doing the drills that have been posted.  We will do our best to post all of the photos to our website, and the League will award a prize for the best photo each week.  The photos can be submitted to the League email at highlandball@gmail.com.

Here is a brief introduction from Vice President of Softball, Steve Penz:   https://youtu.be/rUGHWEzThw8

Here are the drills for the weeks of March 23 and April 1, with select demonstrations by Nolan Andresen (11U Baseball), Forrest Wright (11U Baseball) and Anna Penz (12U Softball):

Congrats to Coach Frommeyer for winning with this photo in our player development program!

We will provide a credit to the Highland Ball Gear store of your choice.

• Bat Updates: There has been much debate about the bat policy.  The league is trying to make it as simple as possible while also keeping an eye on your pocket book.  Here are the rules:
  • In-House Games:  players may use any bat the meets the 2019 rules (click here for the rules page).  In addition, any in house player may use any bat that meets the MBT USA bat stamp rules published below. 
  • PLUS Games:  players must have a bat for PLUS that meets the MBT USA bat stamp rules published below. 

MBT USA bat stamp rules:  9U-14U: All bats must have the new USA stamp (unless using a -3 BBCOR bat). 15’s can use a BBCOR bat or wood bat.

• The SportsEngine App is free!
• Your team(s) will automatically load once rosters are completed – just login with your SportsEngine Profile
• New features:
  • Team text messages
  • RSVP to practices/games
• Easiest way to keep track of schedules
• Simplify coach/team communication