Building Baseball Interest & Participation in Today s Youth Leagues 1
USA Quickball Mission Statement ball To build interest in baseball among today s kids through innovative, fun and inclusive grass roots programs HOF Cal Ripken Jr. First Lady Michelle Obama
Why USA Quickball is Needed Youth baseball participation numbers are dropping. Quickball (literally Quick Baseball ) helps to solve that problem increasing baseball activity and making the game easier to learn. Quickball provides a proven and exciting way to involve kids of all skill levels. Games are fastpaced and player contribution is widespread. There is little opportunity for today s kids to enjoy the soul of sandlot that imagination-driven time of youth when a lifelong bond is formed with a sport. Quickball kids not only learn the game, they learn to love the game. Pressure is reduced while game action is increased. Fun is a constant in an environment where individual skills and team values are taught.
Why USA Quickball Works The Program Curriculum: Developed through countless hours of game play with kids of all ages, the Quickball Program Curriculum has become a go-to source for getting young people involved in baseball. The series of Program Guides involve all ages and feature an innovative baseball-centric series of games that enhance basic skills while providing much-needed exercise and excitement. Specialized Game Equipment: Quickball Game Sets enable a rec director or coach to turn virtually any space into a baseball field. The cornerstone of each set is the Quickball Revolution a true 5-tool game ball. You can throw out a runner from deep short, belt a tape-measure HR, bounce it off the wall for solo fielding practice or throw a wicked breaker. You can also use it indoors or outside. Available in 3 sizes, the Revolution mimics the flight patterns of an actual baseball but is softer making game play safer for kids of varying skill levels. Core Concepts: Six core concepts define Quickball: Rapid Rotation, Inclusiveness, Pitch-to-Hit, Keep it Simple, Everyone Contributes and Never Boring. Combined, they produce an up-tempo sports program, keeping all kids involved in an atmosphere that is inviting, not intimidating. Expert Training: Using a Train-the-Trainer model, the Quickball program has thrived due to quality in-service instruction. Thousands of teachers, coaches, counselors, directors and coordinators have learned Quickball from our expert trainers. 4
How USA Quickball helps today s Go youth Players More effective than Tee-ball at teaching the game to beginners Expandable to other age divisions. Quickball is used as a baseball league enhancement for all ages for skill-building and for promoting the JOY of the game Teaches baseball/softball skills through revolutionary game concepts such as Rapid Rotation, Two-Way Scoring and Timed Games Actively engages ALL players in every inning of every game. Enables players of various skill levels to safely compete on the same field Features inclusive environment by making game play fast and by creating non-stop scoring opportunities 5
How USA Quickball helps today s Go youth Leagues Creates positive first impression experience that gets kids interested in baseball and excited about playing in the future Increases registration numbers by offering turn-key, baseball smart programming that is age-appropriate and educational for kids ages 4-andup Stimulates baseball interest among families who are searching for positive sports opportunities for their children Provides promotional opportunities for the league through tournaments and special events for the local community 6
USA Quickball 4-9U Leagues Exciting programming alternative to Tee-Ball Teaches diamond fundamentals using Quickball curriculum Emphasizes value of teamwork and hustle Provides scoring on offense and defense Progressive week-to-week learning structure Coaching certification for league volunteers The CYCLE Diamond Fundamentals Fitness Progressive Instruction Teamwork 7
Case Study: GYAC/Babe Ruth PROBLEM: Hoping to reverse a trend in declining participation, Glenside Youth/Babe Ruth League (PA) approaches USA Quickball in the spring of 2015 SOLUTION: At no upfront cost to GYAC, USA Quickball provides all promotional materials, equipment and coaches training for a new 4/5-year old division. The GYAC board actively promotes the merits of Quickball to the area community. To compensate for equipment and training, GYAC pays USAQ a program licensing fee per player RESULT: GYAC experiences a dramatic surge in interest, bringing in a total of 64 new players to the league a 30% increase in registration from 2014 FOLLOW-UP: GYAC subsequently votes to permanently replace Tee-ball with Quickball. Additionally through positive word-of-mouth 4 other youth introduced Quickball in their leagues in 2016, and 8 more have signed on for 2017. GYAC QUICKBALL 8
USA Quickball Implementation Quickball Program Setup: 5 Easy Steps 1) Register League with USA Quickball receive Game Set 2) Receive Program Awareness Materials for Families 3) Receive Coaches Training & Certification from USAQ 4) Hold First Pitch Opening Day Event 5) Follow USAQ Game Plan for Practice/Game Days 2 3 4 5. 9
History of USA Quickball 1998: Chris and Keith Mackie create Quick Baseball or Quickball with their dad, Russell. It is introduced as a college intramural sport in 1999 2002: Cal and Bill Ripken create Ripken Foundation in honor of their dad, Cal Sr. Quickball is introduced at Ripken camps in Frostburg, MD 2003: Ripken Quickball becomes official grass roots baseball program of CRSF 2003-2015: Ripken Quickball becomes staple in youth programs across the country including Healthy Choices, Healthy Children and Badges for Baseball. The Quickball curriculum is used as a teaching tool in school PE, after-school programs and after-school intramurals Along with the CRSF initiatives, Quickball is offered by host of organizations as a program or special event. Among them are: USA Baseball, JaysCare Foundation, Let s Move Campaign, U.S. State Department, Playworks, All-Star Fanfest, National Middle School Association and MLBPAA 2015: Quickball joins MLB/RBI and Play Ball events during All-Star week. Quickball League play is introduced in GYAC/Babe Ruth organization 10
USA Quickball: 18 years of growth School Physical Education After-School Youth League College Intramurals
Comparable Programs in Other Sports A national grass roots program that increases participation in football. Powered by USA Football, Flag is part of NFL Play 60. Paying a per player licensing fee, program sites receive special NFL game equipment and coaches training. A national grass roots initiative aimed at getting more kids involved in tennis. Offered by the USTA, QuickStart uses modified racquets, small courts and softer, high-bounce balls to make the sport more accessible to kids of all ages. A national grass roots program aimed at getting more kids involved in golf. Offering special Golf equipment for kids, it features a national program-building alliance between HOF golfer Jack Nicklaus, the USGA and the National 12 Recreation and Parks Association.