Bandits Q&A
OBA Mission Statement
To provide a baseball experience that focuses on fun, skill development, and community building– across all age groups including our local house leagues and the more competitive Bandits Baseball program which begins in the 10U season.
Why OBA and Why Bandits?
OBA knows that families have a lot of choices for youth baseball programs these days. This message is designed to provide some perspective on those different choices and describe the opportunities that OBA provides (and doesn’t provide) as players progress out of Pinto baseball. Note that while the information below is targeted specifically to families of 9U and 10U players, it is a good overview of OBA for families with players of all ages.
At either end of the spectrum of youth baseball programs are (i) “house league baseball” and (ii) “travel baseball.”
In a house baseball league, kids play with and against other kids from their town, have parent volunteer coaches (with the sole exception of our 13u/14u Pony league which may have professional paid coaches), and practice and play at local fields. House leagues often conclude their seasons with postseason All-Star tournaments and games.
Travel baseball teams are often club/for-profit entities, can pull in players from a wide geographic area, provide professional (often paid) coaching, expect a year-round (or near year-round) commitment, and play in tournaments throughout the year that can require overnight stays or long travel.
OBA is, first and foremost, a house baseball league. OBA’s house program begins at age 6 (in our Pinto division) and continues through age 14 (in our Pony division). The OBA house leagues prioritize fun and development and building community across Orinda kids and families. OBA’s house baseball program provides a great opportunity to learn and grow as a baseball player while also leaving time to participate in the many other sports and activities that are available to Orinda families.
In the last 10 years, baseball (like many youth sports) has seen a surge in the number of club and travel programs in the Bay Area. OBA does not provide a true travel ball program. Instead, OBA’s Bandits Baseball program is available to players who are looking for a higher level of baseball competition. The Bandits Baseball program (what some refer to as the “680 teams”) strives to provide a middle-ground baseball option that provides a higher level of competition, skills development, and is more time-intensive than our house league but without the full-time, year-round time commitment and financial expense associated with many travel ball programs. Bandit baseball also keeps the community aspect of playing in OBA’s house baseball program, as Bandit teams consist of 90-100% Orinda families.
Q&A
Bandits Baseball is OBA's more competitive baseball program. Bandits teams start at 10U and run through 14U. Thus, 2nd year Mustang players (10U), Bronco players (11U and 12U) and Pony players (13U and 14U) are eligible to play Bandits. Bandit teams have paid coaching (1-2 coaches per team) and play in a regional league, called the 680 Diablo Baseball League, during the spring. In addition, Bandits teams will have the option to play in multiple "travel ball" tournaments before or after their season. One of the highlights of the Bandits program is the 12U team’s trip to the Cooperstown Dreams Park in Cooperstown, NY the summer of their 6th/7th grade year.
