FAQ - Training Programs

Training Programs

What is Winter Skills?

Winter Skills is KBA’s pre-season indoor training program for players intending to register in our Recreational Programs. This program typically starts in January after the school board Christmas break and runs through to early April, finishing before sort outs for Recreational Programs.

Winter Skills introduces and reinforces the fundamental baseball skills of fielding, throwing, batting, and base-running. This program is more appropriate for players of beginner to intermediate levels of skill.

KBA’s ability to offer Winter Skills depends on the availability of volunteers and an appropriate indoor space. While KBA intends to offer programming to the largest possible age range, it tends to vary year-to-year. Typically, Winter Skills is made available to players aged 7 to 13.

As the dates and times for Winter Skills vary from year-to-year, please visit www.kanatabaseball.com for the most up-to-date information. Registration for Winter Skills begins in early December.

What is the Prospects Program?

The Prospects Program is our Winter Skills Program for advanced players who might participate in either our Recreational Programs or on All-Star teams in the spring. This program typically starts in January after the school board Christmas break and runs through to early April, finishing before sort outs for Recreational Programs.

Players who demonstrate advanced levels of skill in Winter Skills are invited to join the Prospects Program which runs in parallel. KBA uses the first Winter Skills session to get a baseline for the skill level for all participants and many players are invited to join the Prospect Program as a result of that baselining exercise, however, candidates may be invited at any time during the indoor program as they develop the skills necessary to move to the next level.

Our Prospects Programs are led by the coaches selected to lead the Minor and Major All-Star teams, but participation is not limited to players eligible for those teams. All players eligible for Winter Skills are also eligible for the Prospects Program.

As the dates and times for the Prospects Program varies from year-to-year, please visit www.kanatabaseball.com for the most up-to-date information. Players interested in this program should register for Winter Skills; registration opens in early December.

What are Player Development Clinics?

KBA offers a range of development clinics for all ages and skill levels each year. These programs are provided on a demand basis and typically operate during our off-season. KBA is constantly looking for new ways to create player development opportunities for our membership.

Player Development Clinics range from a single 2 hour session on a highly focused topic to 20 hours spread over multiple weeks introducing the more advanced aspects of a fundamental baseball skill. In the past KBA has hosted clinics on the topics of infielding, outfielding, pitching, catching, hitting, and baserunning. KBA has also held introductory clinics for programs such as Rally Cap and Girls Baseball.

KBA welcomes any suggestions for clinics that might benefit our membership.

Typically, the description of an upcoming clinic and how to register is posted to our website and social media channels at least one month before the clinic begins. Visit www.kanatabaseball.com for more information on current and upcoming clinics.

What is Fall Ball?

Fall Ball is KBA’s outdoor training program for players looking for additional baseball activities after the season ends and those looking to prepare for the next season. Fall Ball is open to all KBA members and is typically attended by players from both the Recreational and Competitive Programs. This program uses the Little League age definitions and is offered to ages 6-15.

In Fall Ball, players are sorted into divisions based on the age category they will be in for the next playing season, i.e. all age categories are shifted downwards by one year. This helps those players prepare for the changes in rules and field dimensions they will be playing under next year. KBA offers Rookie (6-7), Minor (8-9), Major (10-11), Junior (12-13), and Senior (14-15) divisions.

Fall Ball sessions are typically held on Saturdays from the weekend after Labour Day until Thanksgiving weekend. Each session consists of a full practice and inter-squad game.