Lightning is a competitive tournament team program within PCLL for Little League players who want to play more baseball at a higher level. PCLL Lightning is a great way to prepare your player for a strong regular season and post-season District All Star play (if selected at separate tryout). It is a great way to prepare for the next step of trying out for high school baseball.
This program will be available to players who are league-age 13 and 14 according to the Little League age chart for baseball, or who meet the tournament age divisions. Age restrictions apply. Depending on how many players try out and their ages, there may be one 13U team and one 14U team OR only one team of 13-year olds or 14-year olds. Players who are age 13 may be eligible for the 14U team.
There is no cost to try out but there is a fee to participate which includes the regular season registration and uniforms for both the regular season and the Lightning program. Players will be expected to participate in the PCLL regular spring season as well as in scheduled tournaments.
Tryout Format
Players will rotate through stations and be evaluated by a panel of coaches on hitting, fielding/throwing, and running. Pitchers and catchers will be evaluated on their specific skills.
Everyone is welcome to try out, but not all players who try out will be selected.
Tournaments
Tournament dates are typically not available until the end of the calendar year or early into the next calendar year. Tournament fee, published level of play, dates, and locations are all factors that we consider when selecting which tournaments appear to be a good fit with our Lightning teams. As soon as our registration is confirmed with any tournament, we will share this information with our rostered families.
We expect to participate in three or four tournaments. Players are expected to also participate in the PCLL regular season, and the fee includes both the Lightning registration and regular season registration.
Game Locations
Tournaments are usually held on weekends, which means that a game could be scheduled on a Friday night, Saturday at any time, and Sunday at any time. Locations vary, but tend to stay within the greater southeast Michigan area.
Winter Indoor Practices
Selected players will practice indoors, January through March, once per week. In the past, indoor practices have been held at a baseball facility in northeast Canton.
Eligibility
Players MUST reside within the Plymouth-Canton Little League boundaries OR attend a school located within the boundaries.
Check your residency HERE.
Each team is required to keep a copy of player birth certificates on hand at every tournament.
***Cost to Participate***
There is a fee to participate which includes both the tournament team and regular season uniforms (one pair of pants), tournament fees, insurance, regular season registration, and winter indoor practice costs. The fee for 2019 was $525. The fee for 2020 is still being calculated.