Koa Sports

Bethesda Area Baseball League

Ready to upgrade Rec Ball and seek the thrill of BABL?

BABL (Bethesda Area Baseball League) provides a competitive environment for developing baseball players living in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Wheaton, Kensington, Potomac, Glen Echo, Takoma Park, and the District of Columbia. Koa's BABL Program is a safe, engaging SELECT “in-house” league where intermediate to advanced 3rd through 9th grade athletes can tryout and be drafted onto a team. BABL gives athletes an opportunity to make friends, develop relationships, and learn baseball skills in a competitive, local environment. It’s a 2-3-day a week commitment that includes a clinic, a team practice, and Saturday game(s). If you are interested in trying out, the details are below:

How to Get into the League

  1. Get registered for a tryout!
  2. Tryouts take place twice a year (late May/early June and late October)
  3. If your son has the core skills for BABL, our League Commissioner will draft him onto a team (note- not all players who try out for BABL make a team)

League Commissioners

Steve Friedman | BABL Co-Commissioner

Chris Blair | BABL Co-Commissioner

Questions? Call/Text: BABL@kosports.org or 202.924.2044

Tryout Information

Winter/Spring 2025 | Details

BABL A (*3RD/4TH GRADERS)
  • Season Dates: February 1st -  May 31st (potential rain weekend 6/7)
  • Opening day: Saturday March 29th
  • Playoffs: May 31st (Single game elimination)
  • Game Schedule: Ten (10) regular season games (no games Sat 4/19)
  • Practice Schedule: Friday Night at Churchill HS
  • Cost: $1,098 for the winter & spring season (payment plans available)
  • Uniforms: Personalized uniform with pants, belt and socks included!
  • Roster Size: 12-13 players per team

*exceptional 2nd graders will play up

BABL AA (5TH/6TH/7th)
  • Season Dates: January 4th -  May 31st (potential rain weekend 6/7)
  • Opening day: Saturday March 29th
  • Playoffs: May 31st (Single game elimination)
  • Game Schedule: Ten (10) regular season games (no games Sat 4/19)
  • Practice Schedule: Monday and Thursday
  • Cost: $1,205 / per player for the winter & spring season (payment plans available)
  • Uniforms: Personalized uniform with pants, belt and socks included!
  • Roster Size: 12-13 players per team
BABL AAA (7TH/8TH/9TH GRADERS)
  • Season Dates: January 11th - May 31st (potential rain weekend 6/7)
  • Opening day: Saturday March 29th
  • Playoffs: May 31st (Single game elimination)
  • Game Schedule: Ten (10) regular season games (no games Sat 4/19)
  • Practice Schedule: Monday and Wednesday
  • Cost: $1,265 / per player for the winter & spring season (payments plans available)
  • Uniforms: Personalized uniform with pants, belt and socks included!
  • Roster Size: 12-14players per team

Summer 2025 | 3 weeks of Skills, Drills, & Games

BABL A (RISING 3RD/4TH GRADERS)
  • Season Dates: June 11 - June 25 (3 training sessions)
  • Schedule: Wednesdays- 5:45pm - 7:45pm at Churchill High School
  • Cost: $124/Player
  • Uniforms: Each player will receive a training t-shirt!
BABL AA (RISING 5TH/6TH GRADERS)
  • Season Dates: June 12 - June 26 (3 training sessions)
  • Schedule: Thursdays- 5:45pm - 7:45pm at Churchill High School
  • Cost: $124/Player
  • Uniforms: Each player will receive a training t-shirt!

Register Now

Postseason Tournament and All-Star Game

  • Feel like a big leaguer for a night with- walk up music, national anthem, announcer
  • Games are usually at mini Povich & Shirley Povich Field
  • All Stars receive commemorative swag (pins, shirts, trophies, etc...)
  • All Star Game MVP awards
  • High quality photos
  • No admission fee for parents

All teams qualify for an end of season single elimination playoff tournament!

 

Best All-Star Game Ever!

 

The world-famous Domingo Ayala — baseball instructional spoof extraordinaire — hosted the 2014 BABL™ All-Star Experience, courtesy of Koa Sports. With over 7 million views and counting on YouTube, and having recently jabbed with 2-time MLB Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw for a series of videos, Domingo was a blast to have at our program. He warmed up the All-Stars before the game, threw out the first pitch, coached third base for an inning and mingled with attendees in the stands. As you can see from the above video, Domingo’s presence made it a night to remember!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my son be playing with other boys his age?

They will be playing with kids in the similar age groups, within 1-2 years. We like having the boys playing alongside their peers as much as possible.

If BABL tryouts are the same time as travel baseball tryouts. Can I just tryout for BABL?

Absolutely. If you don’t want to be considered for our travel program, simply state that on your registration form.

Can my son play on a team with his friend(s)?

After try-outs, we divide the boys up based on skill level and position. We do take requests, but we do not guarantee they will be honored. Our goal is to ensure the teams have equal skill level to the best of our ability.

When will we find out if we've made the team?

Directly following the try-outs, we’re going to start forming the teams. All players will be contacted within 7-10 days to let them know our decision.

What days are practices going to be?

Each team will have one clinic per week in which all teams will be present. BABL A clinics will be on Fridays during the season BABL AA team practices will be on Monday & clinics will be on Thursdays BABL AAA team practices will be on Monday & clinics will be on Wednesdays

Where will the practices be held?

All practices will be held in the Bethesda, Rockville, and Potomac area.

What if I have to cancel my registration down the road?

If you cancel your registration after you have accepted your position on the team you will be charged for the full price of the team. *Injuries will be a case by case basis handled by Programs Directors and Koa Management **Any refund policy disputes will go directly to Koa’s Board- Program Directors CAN NOT deviate from the stated policy.

Can I yell and scream and complain about the umpires and fight with other parents?

NO. We’re absolutely committed to making our playing environment a positive experience for athletes & families to enjoy. This is NOT a league for parents to live through their children or take away from the kids’ experience. It’s about two things: getting better and having fun!

What happens when my son's practice or game is rained out?

Rain is a part of life. For our baseball teams, unfortunately, it means rainouts. The county has jurisdiction to make the call about closing fields due to rain. In case of field closures, Koa will do what we can to make up all games, but practices & clinics will NOT be reschduleded.

We may add mid week games & we also have a built-in rain makeup week at the end of each season.

Rules

Playing Time Policy