The Near West Recreation baseball and softball season takes place from May through the end of July.  Registration opens mid-March and ends mid-April.

Near West Recreation offers six divisions:  Our three younger divisions are coed and only Near West Recreation teams.  Divisions are coed tee-ball (ages 4-6), coed coach pitch (7-9), and coed 12u youth (ages 10-12).  For our three older divisions, we play against West Denison, OBALL, and City of Cleveland recreation center teams.  The three older divisions are U15 Junior baseball (ages 13-15), U15 fastpitch softball (ages 13-15), and U12 fastpitch softball (ages 10-12).

*In the event there are not enough girls to form a softball team, we have a few options.  Girls can play baseball, they can play up a division (11 year old can play U15 softball instead of U12), or we will work with other leagues to find a softball team.   

Participants will be placed on teams according to their age  on May 1 and their ability.  Kids can play up in a division.  On rare occasions will we allow a kid to play down a division.

When: Tee-ball, coach pitch, and 12u youth teams practice one weekday evening per week and play one game Saturdays mornings and early afternoons.  Towards the end of the season (July), teams will play some weeknight games in lieu of practice. Participants will be assigned to a Monday-Friday practice at a specific time and location.  This will be the same practice time and location for the whole season unless something changes.  Special requests for certain days will be accommodated as possible.  Games start the Saturday after Memorial Day weekend.

Our U15 Junior baseball, U15 softball, and U12 softball practice weeknight and play weeknight games.  Teams will have two practices a week for the first few weeks and then games will start the week of Memorial Day. Teams usually play no more than two games a week.  U15 Junior baseball usually play Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6pm. Girls softball plays various nights usually starting at 6:30 pm.   Once games start, teams will schedule practice as necessary.  Players playing in these older leagues must be available most weeknights. 

Locations: All practices take place on Near West Side fields.  View Locations tab to see where all fields are located. For our tee-ball, coach pitch, and minor league teams, games are played on the Near West Side (Brookside).  For our major league and softball divisions games are played on the entire Westside (Zone, WC Reed, Halloran, Memorial Fields, Mohican, Impett, Terminal, Thrush).

Equipment:  Tee-ball and coach pitch team receive team t-shirt and hat. Our 12u youth, U15 Junior and softball teams receive team t-shirt, hat, and pants.  Tennis shoes (cleats preferred for ages 9 and up) are required for all participants.  Balls and other equipment are provided by Near West Recreation.

Cost: $40 per child for tee-ball and coach pitch players (ages 4-9).  $55 for our 12u youth, 15u junior and softball players (10-15). Need-based financial assistance is available.

Volunteer Coaches: We are always in need of volunteer head and assistant coaches.  We are looking for adults that have knowledge of the sport, can commit three to fours per week to practice and games, and most importantly can bring positive energy to the players they coach.  Background checks are required and paid for by Near West Recreation. We work with coaches to coordinate practice times that work with their schedule.  If interested, you can fill out the coach's form here.  We will contact you with more information.

If you have any questions, please contact Near West Recreation at nearwestrec@ohiocity.org or 216-781-3222