Howick-Pakuranga Baseball Club
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12U league (11-12 years old)

The 12U League is played under Little League Baseball rules. 12U League games are played on a junior diamond – with 60' base-paths and a 46' pitching distance. Auckland Baseball enters a team to qualify for New Zealand's place in the Little League World Series Asia Zone Qualifier.

All kids, boys and girls, are welcome to register. This grade is about learning the game, having fun, and some competition.

Many of the players at this age have played through T-ball & 10U League grades, but we also get many new players joining. These new players are taught the skills and soon learn the game.

Pre-Season

Come and join us for our "Have a Go" days. Dates and times posted before the start of each season

Season

The season starts late October (after Labour Weekend) and runs until March. There is a break in the season over Christmas.

Age

For the 2023/2024 season, players who will turn 12 after 31 August 2023 are eligible to play in the 12U league grade.

  • Example #1 - the child will turn 13 on 28 August 2023, they must register for the 13U league grade

  • Example #2 - the child will turn 13 on 13 October 2023, they are eligible for the 12U league grade

Safety

Many of the rules of baseball, particularly at the younger age groups are focused on player safety. 12U league grade falls under the Auckland Baseball Association junior baseball rules, and we enforce these rules to ensure player safety.

Gear

At 12U League grade players are provided with a club jersey for games, which must be returned at the end of the season, and a cap they can keep.

Equipment

Players will need to provide the following equipment - see the guys at the Fieldhouse - 57 Ben Lomond Crescent, Pakuranga:

  • Pants – white baseball pants

  • Glove – players will need their own baseball glove, and the size will depend on the size of your child! Typically an 11"-11.5" glove is a good size for 12U league players. Please don’t get a glove that is too big, thinking that the bigger the glove, the better the chance of catching the ball. This is not the case at all – the key thing is to get a glove that is the correct size and weight that the player can move quickly to catch and transfer the ball to the throwing hand. If in doubt – ask your coach.

  • Shoes – at Intermediate league, players can wear normal running shoes, many wear Touch, football and rugby boots with moulded plastic/rubber blades are OK. NO metal cleats are allowed at all.

  • Male players require a box / athletic protector - Auckland and New Zealand baseball rules require every male player to wear a box / athletic protector.

  • Optional – some players like to have their own bats, helmets or catchers gear. This is fine as long as it is suitable for the game – your coach will be able to advise on this. Please note, the "USA Bat" standard is the new standard for Little League. If purchasing a new bat, make sure it has the "USA Bat" certification to ensure it will be future-proofed for your child's use. If you are unsure, please contact your coach or grade coordinator. Please note that equipment such as softball bats will not be allowed in the game.

All other gear is provided by the club, including bats, batting helmets, catchers gear, balls, etc.

Games

Each season we typically have 2 - 3 12U league teams, with our home games being played on our No 3 and No 4 diamonds at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga. 12U league games are typically held on Saturdays at 1pm.

Away games will be played during the season at other clubs with 12U league teams, such as:

  • Counties – based at Karaka Sports Complex, Karaka.

  • Bayside Westhaven – based at Crossfield Domain, Glendowie.

  • Central City – based at War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill.

  • West City - based at McLeod Park, Te Atatu.

  • Waitakere Bears - based at Starling Park, Waitakere.

  • North Shore – based at Albany Domain, Albany.

  • Orewa – based at Victor Eaves sports complex, Orewa