Introduction

Select baseball is built on long-term planning, roster balance, and development-focused continuity. At Express Baseball Club, we require a 60-day notice from families who choose not to return for the next season. This ensures we have the necessary lead time to plan rosters, assess needs, and find the right fit for any open spots.

Parents must notify us by either May 1 (for spring/summer programs) or September 1 (for fall) depending on their contract and enrollment date. While this may feel early, the reality is that identifying and placing players with the right skill level, position, age group, and location takes significant time and effort.

Roster Turnover Is Real

Nationwide data and industry discussions suggest that select travel baseball teams experience 25–33% roster turnover each year. That translates to an average of 4 to 5 players per team who may leave due to various reasons:

• Moving or relocating

• Changing teams

• Choosing not to continue with baseball

• Financial constraints

• Seeking different developmental opportunities

This level of change means that organizations must consistently recruit and evaluate players to maintain competitive balance and roster stability.

The Challenge of Replacing Players

Finding the "right fit" for a roster spot isn’t just about filling a number. It involves several criteria:

• Age group alignment: Baseball age cutoffs are strict; players must be born within a narrow window

• Position-specific need: Teams need balance across pitchers, catchers, infielders, and outfielders

• Geographic proximity: Families must live within a manageable distance of practice and game locations

• Skill level and experience: New players must be able to contribute to the competitive level of the team

Each of these filters reduces the pool of potential replacements. For example, needing a left-handed pitcher born after May 1, 2013, who lives within 30 minutes of our training facility, has played at a select level for two years, and is available for fall tournaments may reduce our pool to just a handful of viable candidates in the region.

When parents give notice late, we lose the opportunity to:

• Properly scout and evaluate tryout candidates

• Communicate with incoming families

• Restructure practice plans and tournament rosters

• Maintain team chemistry and coaching assignments

Why the 60-Day Notice Is Fair and Necessary

Roster building in select baseball is not plug-and-play. It takes a thoughtful, strategic process that starts months before the first pitch. The 60-day notice policy gives us the best chance to:

• Maintain competitive teams

• Ensure returning players aren’t impacted by last-minute changes

• Provide clarity and communication to all families

Without it, teams risk becoming unbalanced, and both returning and incoming players suffer the consequences.

Conclusion

The 60-day notice requirement is a practical and necessary policy for running a well-organized, development-focused baseball club. It reflects the realities of roster turnover and the complexities of matching the right player to the right role.

We ask families to respect this timeline so that we can deliver the consistent, high-quality experience that Express Baseball Club is known for—on and off the field.