PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Iowa Sticks™ Rookie Academy offers introductory comprehensive baseball training for players aged 7U and 8U*, providing their first experience in the competitive baseball world.

*Athletes age on April 30 of the baseball season determines age group.

Development Training:

Training and fundamentals form the cornerstone of the Iowa Sticks across all levels. Rookies benefit from the expertise of our seasoned coaching staff during all training and practice sessions. Every member of the Rookie Academy participates in developmental training:

• Sessions are held at various venues, including Sportsplex West, Fareway Fields in Norwalk, Holiday Park in WDM, and other local indoor and outdoor facilities.

• Training begins early January to mid-February, scheduled for two nights per week, typically on Wednesdays and Fridays (excluding holiday breaks).

• From the first week of April onward, we transition to one indoor practice at Sportsplex West and one outdoor practice, subject to weather conditions.

• Throughout the season, the program includes over 40 training sessions.

Two additional areas of participation:

League Play — All Rookies participate in league baseball games.

• Competitive Baseball League (CBL) and/or Open Baseball League (OBL)

• Inter-squad – academy game

• Volunteer parents coach league games

• 7U - coach pitch

• 8U - kid pitch

Competitive Tournament Play

• Players are selected by the Iowa Sticks coaching staff to compete in weekend tournaments. Selections are made based on data gathered by the staff during developmental training sessions held in January and February.

• Parent volunteers serve as coaches during tournament games.

• Families are responsible for covering the expenses associated with the tournaments for which they are selected.

• Tournament teams typically participate in 6-8 tournaments spanning from April to July.

• The costs associated with tournament play and league participation are not covered by the training fees.