PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Welcome to the Evanston Feeder Baseball. We are proud of our Wildkit connection as an intensive community connector for the ETHS baseball program. Our 9U-14U programs operate with the primary goal of developing our kids both on and off the field while building community well beyond the baseball field. 2027 marks an exciting year for us and we look forward to a great season.
TRYOUTS
Tryouts will be held on October 24th at Level Up Baseball and Softball in Niles. Please see the Tryout Form page for age specific times and to register for a free tryout.
TEAM FORMATION
All team placement and selection is determined by Director of Evanston Feeder Baseball Joe Knudsen.
Team assignments are based on:
- Tryout results
- Best fit for player growth
- Prior year's performance (where applicable)
At annual tryouts, players are evaluated in several categories including: hitting; infield fielding; throwing velocity and throwing accuracy; pitching; and sprinting speed. Thereafter, as many teams will be formed as the talent and numbers prescribe. At least one team is generally considered the A team and the other(s) the B team(s). These teams will play in different divisions of the Lake Shore Feeder Baseball League.
Travel team tryouts for each age group are for the following without exception:
14U = Current 8th graders
13U = Current 7th graders
12U = Current 6th graders
11U = Current 5th graders
10U = Current 4th graders
9U = Current 3rd graders
REGISTRATION
LINK COMING SOON for 2026/2027 season
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
For current 3rd graders through 6th graders, the Evanston Feeder program constitutes an additional season of baseball (30-50 games) that overlaps the back portion of the house league. 7th and 8th graders, please see separate information below. To be eligible to play travel baseball at any level, a player must:
- live in School District 65 and/or be eligible to attend ETHS by living in School District 202.
- be present for the last week of July during the LSFBL playoffs;
- If a returning player, you must have played in last year's LSFBL playoffs to be eligible to try out this season per the above item.
- Travel Players in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade are REQUIRED to participate in EBSA house leagues.
- 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are not required to participate in EBSA House Baseball.
- Players may NOT play in any other travel league concurrently to your Evanston Feeder Commitment.
PROGRAM CHANGES FOR 2027
COACHING
- All Evanston Feeder Baseball head coaches are paid professional coaches. Unlike previous seasons, assistant coach positions will first be filled by volunteer parent coaches.
- We will have 2 additional assistant coaches per team to support managing in-game coaching as well as to run well supported practices during the season.
- Parent assistant coaches will allow more resources to be allocated towards player development while also allowing for more continuity for each team.
- Assistant coaches will have no say on personnel decisions (ie lineup construction, positions, pitching changes, etc).
- EBSA will provide training for assistant coaches in order to standardize our goals and expectations for the program.
OFF-SEASON TRAINING PROGRAM
- Winter workouts (Jan - Feb-8 wks) will no longer take place at ETHS. Starting in January, each team will practice TWICE per week at Level Up Baseball and Softball. This change will allow athletes to work in a training focused facility with advanced resources and elite tools.
- The first weekly practice will focus on hitting (1.5 hrs/session) and the second weekly practice will focus on throwing/defensive work (1 hr/session)
- There will then be 2 team practices (1.5 hrs/session) at the ETHS Fieldhouse in March (7th and 14th) prior to spring break, which will include pitching, hitting, fielding work, and baserunning.