BNBA Gold & Blue – High School Travel Baseball
The BNBA’s elite division for players at the high school level is the BNBA Gold and Blue. This division provides the highest quality and most competitive baseball experience for players who attend one of the five Bloomington-Normal high schools. Through the cooperation and expertise of the five high school’s varsity baseball coaches, Gold and Blue teams are assembled at the 15, 16, 17 and 18 year olds as they align with the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior players. Below is the general philosophy of each of the four age groups.
- 15’s – Primary focus on player development with secondary emphasis on wins and losses or player exposure.
- 16’s – Continued focus on player development with increased emphasis on winning and player exposure.
- 17’s – Provides the most intense schedule with the intent to showcase players for collegiate exposure.
- 18’s – Provides a quality schedule for players to maintain skills as they move on to play college baseball.
Tryouts for these teams are conducted in the fall in advance of the following summer baseball season. The rosters are composed of the top 24-28 players for each of the four age groups with the exception being at the 18 year old team. In most years, there are only enough players to support one team at this level. Teams are generally coached by a high school or junior high coach, or in some cases a college coach.
The BNBA’s goals for these teams are as follows:
- To promote an environment that provides a competitive development experience and allows players to develop their baseball talents to the highest level possible.
- To build character and instill values of sportsmanship within its players.
- To provide an environment in which all players are able to have an enjoyable experience and build life-long friendships.
- To assemble teams that compete at the highest level possible and strive for the highest level of success.
- To promote baseball within the Bloomington-Normal community, and to be positive ambassadors for the Bloomington-Normal community.
Game play generally starts around June 1 and concludes at the end of July. Teams schedule between 35 and 50 games and the majority of play is through tournaments. The number of out of town (overnight stay) tournaments is regulated for each age group in an attempt to control costs. Player registration costs range from $750 – $850. These fees include fundraising obligations to assist in offsetting player costs and the BNBA provides several options for fundraising.
Bloomington Normal Baseball Association Mission
As a not-for-profit organization the mission of the BNBA is to provide an organized affordable baseball program for players ages five to eighteen in the Bloomington – Normal area. This is accomplished through divisions that offer differing levels of play based on player skills, financial commitment or ability, and game competition. BNBA strives to provide every player an opportunity to play baseball regardless of their skill level, financial ability, and where it will not compromise the safety or wellbeing of the player.
The management of costs associated with operating the program is accomplished through participation fees, private sponsorships, facility access through local communities, schools and business, and with the assistance of volunteers that include board members, coaches, parents, and players associated with the program.
The end goal of the organization is to provide each player the opportunity to enhance their baseball skills and knowledge, instill sportsmanship and respect, establish lasting friendships, and that the overall BNBA experience will be a positive influence a player will carry into all areas of life beyond the baseball field.
