Farm is a recreational and instructional program, with an emphasis on fun. Players do not go thru the tryout process; instead teams are formed from a list of registered players. Teams are primarily formed by school and grade, altho coaches have some say over their rosters as well. The goal is to place the kids in an environment with friends where they can relax and learn to love baseball. If you have a group of players with common special needs or schedules, we recommend that you recruit a coach to represent your group.

The season usually begins in March and ends in June. One game per weekend either Saturday or Sunday. One practice is held a week at a field, day and time determined by your coach.

Games and practices are held on various ball fields in Berkeley, Oakland and Piedmont. Field allocations are determined every year by the city councils and therefore vary from year to year.

Players receive a team hat and t-shirt from the league. Helmets, catcher’s gear, balls, bats and bases are provided by the league. Players bring baseball mitts, socks, pants and shoes (cleats optional).

Tentatively (as of Nov 1, 2007) Farm will be broken into 2 divisions:

Introduction
Introduction is designed for players aged 5-7 who have not played organized baseball before, and is a purely instructional, noncompetitive division.
Games use a combination of TBall and Coach-Pitch.
Games and practices use reduced injury factor baseballs to increase player confidence ande lessen any chance of injury.
No scoring or stats are kept.
All players play the field simultaneously.
Games are subject to a time limit.
Rules are fluid and will be refined during the season consistent with the division-wide progress of the players.
Depending on registration numbers, there are usually 8-12 teams with rosters of 12-14 players each.

Single-A
Single-A is designed for players aged 6-8 who have played organized baseball before, but are not ready for fully competitive baseball. The emphasis is on players continuing to learn the fundamentals of the game in an organized and fun, slightly competitive setting.
Games use a combination of Coach-Pitch and Kid-Pitch.
Games and practices use reduced injury factor baseballs to increase player confidence ande lessen any chance of injury.
The teams field 10 players at a time, while the batting order consists of all team members.
Games consist of 6 innings or 2 hours of game time.
Outs are called and score is kept, altho team standings are not.
Like all Little League minors divisions, starting in 2008 teams are limited to scoring a maximum of 5-runs in any half-inning.
Rules are fluid and will be refined during the season consistent with the division-wide progress of the players.
Depending on registration numbers, there are usually 8-12 teams with rosters of 12-14 players each.