Frequently Asked Questions

We currently offer teams for players in the 9U–13U age range. Age groups are based on the player's age as of the official cutoff date for the season. If you're unsure which team your child fits into, use the age calculator at the USSSA website or reach out and we'll help you place them.

No. While many of our athletes have played competitive or all-star baseball before, it's not required. We look for players who are coachable, hardworking and excited to learn. If your child has a strong interest in baseball and some rec or Little League experience, they may be a great fit.

Most practices and home activities are held at Canyon Lake Little League in Rapid City, South Dakota. The same complex hosts off-season training from October through February in its two indoor buildings: the Brandt Facility covers indoor needs for 9U and 10U, and the Schnell Facility handles the older age groups. All tryouts are held in the Schnell Facility.

• 1–2 practices each weekend during the main season, on Saturdays and Sundays unless your manager says otherwise
• Additional optional training sessions, clinics or indoor workouts as available

We do our best to balance development with Little League, family and school commitments.

As a travel baseball program, we compete in tournaments across South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and North Dakota. Every team is guaranteed three tournaments, and age groups can add more if the families and coaches want a fuller season. Most events are within driving distance of Rapid City, with occasional longer tournaments that can start Friday or run through a Monday holiday. You'll receive a schedule in advance so families can plan accordingly.

About $400 per player for the season, and it's the same across all five age groups. That covers:

• Tournament entry fees
• Field and facility costs
• Uniforms and team apparel
• Player and team insurance
• Coaching and training resources

It's collected in two parts. The $200 deposit at registration goes to entry fees for your team's first tournaments — it does not cover uniforms. The balance, due before the tournament season begins, carries the uniform and apparel package, player and team insurance, and the remaining entries, so the exact figure is confirmed once your team's slate is set.

Additional costs might include travel, lodging and meals for out-of-town tournaments. Full details are on the registration page, and need-based scholarships are available.

All club payments run through Stripe. You pay a $200 deposit when you register, which covers initial tournament entry fees only. We invoice the remaining balance — uniforms, apparel, insurance and the rest of the entries — once your team's tournament slate is confirmed, due before the first tournament. Every charge sends an emailed receipt, and you can update your card from any receipt link. Sponsorships, donations and team store orders use the same secure checkout.

Tryouts evaluate each player's overall skill level, effort and coachability. Players are typically assessed in:

• Throwing and fielding
• Hitting
• Base running
• Position-specific skills (pitching, catching, infield and outfield)

Coaches communicate tryout results and next steps shortly after the session. Tryouts are held in January, but if you find us after that, ask anyway — we add players mid-year whenever an age group has room under its roster cap and the schedule works for your family.

Yes — and we want them to. Canyon Lakers is an extension of local Little League, not a replacement for it. Most of our players are on a Little League roster the same spring they are on ours, and our practice schedule is built around those games.

We encourage multi-sport athletes as well. Football, wrestling and basketball players are welcome whenever their season ends.

All we ask is communication. If a Little League game and a Lakers practice collide, play the game and tell your coach.

No. The club was started by CLLL families, we practise and host at the same complex, and nearly every Lakers player is a Little League player too.

A healthy Little League is where our next 9U team comes from, so it is in our own interest to leave it stronger than we found it. Our coaches volunteer for CLLL, our families work the concession stand, and proceeds from our home tournaments go back into the fields we all share.

During the main Spring / Summer season, you can generally expect:

• 1–2 weekend practices, Saturdays and Sundays
• At least three tournaments, running anywhere from Friday to Monday depending on the event, more if your team adds them
• Occasional team events, meetings or training sessions

We know families are busy, so we aim to share schedules early and communicate clearly throughout the season.

Tell us. Need-based scholarships are funded by our sponsors and donors, and the conversation stays between you and the program director. No family is turned away over cost — that's the whole point of the player fund.

You can register online right here on the registration page. Look for the Sign up for tryouts or Register buttons. If you have any trouble or questions, reach us at info@CanyonLakersBaseball.com.

We're happy to help. For general questions about the program, registration or tryouts:

• Email: info@CanyonLakersBaseball.com
• Phone: (555) 555-5555

You can also send us a message through the contact form.