When does the league play games?
Our games are played primarily on Sundays, beginning at 9am. There are two weeks where we will play Saturday games, and one week where we will play weeknight games. Games will last for 9 innings or 2:45, whichever comes first. The game schedule can be viewed here.
Do I need to create my own team?
Though you are free to create your own team with friends, this is not necessary to be able to play. You can sign up as an individual player to be put in contact with a team manager who is looking for players. Everyone who signs up will get connected with a team, and league rules permit all players to bat in the lineup during games.
Teams are encouraged to obtain their own sponsorships to reduce uniform and equipment costs.
What equipment do I need?
You will need to have standard baseball equipment, including but not limited to, a fielding glove, a wooden bat (see league rules for specific information), a batting helmet, and a full (team-matching) baseball uniform consisting of a hat, jersey, and pants. Metal or plastic cleats are acceptable.
Teams may also consider purchasing shared equipment, like catcher’s gear, training equipment, or practice balls to share among multiple players during the course of the season.
Blades APA is offering league members 20% off of Rawlings and Easton gear*, including custom Rawlings jerseys.
*Applies to in-stock, non-limited edition items
The league will purchase and maintain a stock of game balls.
Where can my team practice?
Our league is NOT authorized to use Memorial Field for practice. Teams who would like to practice should make arrangements to use other baseball fields, parks, or facilities in the Flathead Valley for this purpose.
For the months of March, April, and May, league members can access* the Blades APA Indoor Training Facility, featuring an area to throw, batting cages with a pitching machine and HitTrax, and a strength training area, during the following hours:
Monday through Thursday: 6am - 3pm
Friday through Sunday: 6am - 10pm
*Players will not be able to access this benefit until their registration fees are paid in full. After registration fees are paid, players will receive a code that allows them to book 1-hour timeslots in advance.
*Only paid league members may access the facility. Failure to abide by this rule will lead to loss of access privileges.
World Gym Kalispell is offering discounted monthly memberships to league members.
How do I become a team manager?
If you are interested in managing a team, please send us an email. Team managers are responsible for ensuring that their team obtains all required equipment/uniforms and is able to field a full team for games. Managers also set the batting/fielding lineups and ensure that the official scorebook is completed during the game and submitted to the league following the game. The home team manager is responsible for ensuring that the field is in a playable condition prior to the start of the game (ie. chalk lines, etc.). Team managers can play in games as well.
How do I become an umpire?
The league is in need of 2 umpires for each game, and will pay $100 per umpire, per game. If you are a qualified umpire and are interested in umpiring our games, please send us an email.