GBA - Little League Transition

Dear Geneva Baseball Association (GBA) Community,

As we wrap up our 35th season of GBA baseball I would like to share some exciting news with our community. The GBA Board of Directors has voted to adopt a partial transition to the Little League model for select divisions, effective in Spring 2026. This decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of all options to strengthen our commitment to our community that emphasizes skill development, sportsmanship, and teamwork for our youth.

Little League Divisions (Transitioning in 2026)

● Tee Ball (Ages 4-5): A new Little League Tee Ball program will be opened under GBA affiliation.

● Major & Junior Divisions (Ages 10U-14U): The GBA Major & Pony leagues will be enrolled into the Little League program in the Major and Junior programs.

Status Quo Divisions (Remaining GBA Leagues in 2026)

● The Rookie, Mustang, and Minor in-house leagues (6U-10U) will remain as GBA leagues for 2026 Spring season.

● The In-House Tournament Team (IHTT) Program will be eliminated for the 10U-14U age groups but remains open for 8U-9U.

The goal is to determine the value and viability of executing a broader transition to Little League for all divisions in the future.

The Key Benefits of Transitioning to Little League include:

● National Affiliation and Standardization: GBA will charter into the Little League Program as District 13, providing a premium league structure and standardization.

● Little League World Series (LLWS): Players will have the opportunity for All-Star team selection at the end of the season to enter the Little League annual tournament (LLWS affiliated).

● Community Participation: This transition is seen as a key differentiator to club programs and will foster community participation by combining travel and in-house players in Geneva.

● Minimum Games: The program commits to a minimum 12-game season played within Geneva's district and against nearby chartered districts

Little League play for the 10U-14U divisions will be open to all Geneva residents even if they participate in other programs. This is a strategic move to combine players and strengthen the local league.

We look forward to an exciting 2026 season as we work to gather feedback to enhance the GBA experience for all our young athletes. More details and parent meeting to be scheduled to answer any questions.

Thank you for your continued support of GBA!

Nick Czupek

GBA Commissioner