Page Search
CBA Select Baseball Program (8U-14U)
CBA offers a competitive option for players who demonstrate the ability to play at a higher level through its Select Program. This program was created in response to the growing interest among players seeking more advanced competition. While CBA’s primary focus remains on its Recreational Baseball Program, the organization limits the number of Select teams to those composed of players capable of competing at the AA level or higher. CBA is dedicated to maintaining a strong and vibrant Recreational Baseball Program alongside its competitive offerings.
Select teams for each age group are formed through a tryout process held before the fall and spring seasons for ages 8U through 12U. Older age groups may also form Select teams if there is sufficient interest and talent. Players evaluated by experienced, independent Select-level evaluators as having the ability to perform at a Select AA level or higher are eligible for selection to a CBA Select team. CBA only forms Select teams composed entirely of players meeting this standard.
Typically, the CBA Select Baseball Program fields one team at 8U and two teams per age group from 9U to 12U. It is a program tradition for the 11U teams to travel to a destination tournament in Omaha, Destin, Gulf Shores, or Branson, and for the 12U teams to compete in the Cooperstown Dreams Tournament.
Alternative options to Select exist and consist of the CBA Recreational Baseball Program, Premier League Program.
The Select program requires a significantly greater time commitment than the Recreational and Premier league programs.
The fall season focuses on instruction and player development. CBA encourages young athletes to participate in multiple sports during the fall, and schedule conflicts with other activities are expected. These conflicts will be accommodated whenever practicable.
In the spring season, however, a Select player’s primary athletic commitment is expected to be baseball.
The financial commitment for the Select program is also higher than that of the Recreational and Premier leagues, though costs remain substantially lower than those of privately run travel teams in the area.
Additional expenses for Select teams—beyond Recreational league fees—may include uniforms, tournament entry fees, private instruction, travel, equipment, and other related costs.
Seasonal expenses typically range from $700 to $2,000, depending on the player’s age group and the head coach’s specific team requirements. Costs are generally lower for younger age groups and increase with older teams. For 11U and 12U players, additional expenses may be incurred for travel tournaments.
CBA Select teams have access to Coppell fields for practices and games. The basic registration fee includes facility access from mid-February through mid-June.
Although the exact number of games may vary by season and team, Select teams typically play 15–25 games in the fall and 30–60 games in the spring and summer.
Most games come from tournament play, though some are scheduled through the Texas Elite Baseball Association (TEBA) League. TEBA is a regional association of city select programs that compete against each other at or near their home parks. TEBA games are typically scheduled as weekend doubleheaders or single weeknight games.
For 11U teams, CBA Select teams traditionally travel to Omaha, Destin, Gulf Shores, or Branson for a travel tournament. These travel events are an additional expense beyond regular season costs. Teams often organize fundraisers to help offset these expenses.
For 12U teams, the top two CBA Select teams travel to Cooperstown, New York, for the Dreams Park invitation-only tournament, which features more than 1,300 teams from across the nation. The Cooperstown trip requires significant financial commitment; therefore, CBA assists teams in organizing fundraisers to help reduce the cost to families.
Both the Omaha and Cooperstown tournaments are once-in-a-lifetime experiences for players and families, and CBA takes great pride in its teams’ continued participation in these special events.
Candidates interested in coaching must submit a completed Coach Application to the CBA Director of Select Teams by the posted deadline (typically mid-May) to be considered.
The Coaches Selection Committee, composed of at least two CBA Board Members and assembled by the Director of Select Teams, will interview each candidate. Coaches must agree to abide by all CBA rules, protocols, expectations, and philosophies—including parent/team communications and participation in the designated 11U and 12U destination tournaments. These topics are discussed during the interview process.
All current coaches who are challenged by another candidate are required to participate in the interview process. At the discretion of the Director of Select Teams, a returning coach whose position is not contested may not be required to interview. Returning coaches must, however, formally commit to coaching for one full year, which includes both the fall and spring/summer seasons.
The Coaches Selection Committee will review all applicants, including returning unopposed coaches, and submit recommendations to the CBA Executive Director, who will notify selected coaches once decisions are finalized.
Coaches must commit to their positions for the fall and following spring/summer season.
Tryouts for each age group are held prior to each season—typically mid-to-late June for the fall season and early November for the spring/summer season.
All players must register for and attend a tryout to be eligible for selection. While technically protected, the head coach’s son(s) must also participate and be evaluated like all other players. It is acceptable for a coach’s son to be a “bubble” player, as CBA prioritizes the broader benefit of team and program development when selecting head coaches.
If a player cannot attend the scheduled tryout, they will not be eligible for a Select team unless granted an exception by the Director of Select Teams. Exception requests should be sent to the Executive Director.
A head coach may request certain players remain after tryouts for additional repetitions or invite specific players to a second tryout (callback) to ensure accurate evaluations. Head coaches are expected to attend all tryouts for their respective age group.
An Independent Evaluator must be present at each primary tryout to assess players and provide evaluations to head coaches for consideration. The evaluator will have no direct affiliations with the age group and must have appropriate experience assessing talent at the Select AA level or higher. All Independent Evaluators are approved by the Director of Select Teams.
The evaluator’s report will include an assessment of whether each player appears qualified to perform at a Select AA level or above.
Only head coaches or CBA-approved volunteers should assist in facilitating tryouts (e.g., hitting or throwing balls). Parents of players trying out may assist with field organization if requested by coaches. Any additional exceptions must be pre-approved by the Director of Select Teams.
Confidentiality
Evaluations and rankings from the Independent Evaluator must remain confidential and are to be maintained by head coaches for 30 days after rosters are posted.
Player Selection Process
Player selection should be as objective as possible. Head Coaches are expected to choose players based on ability, attitude, baseball knowledge, and other relevant attributes. The goal is to place the best-qualified players on each team.
The first team will make selections first and should consist of the most qualified players, followed by the second team. The Director of Select Teams has the authority to make exceptions to this selection order when necessary.
Roster Rules and Exceptions
Rosters may not be locked from season to season. Any exceptions must be reviewed and approved by the Director of Select Teams.
The CBA philosophy emphasizes player development and upward mobility—providing opportunities for athletes to advance to higher teams over time.
The only exception is for 12U teams, where the head coach may—at their discretion—commit to the same roster for a full baseball year (fall + spring). This flexibility accommodates early fundraising efforts for travel tournaments. Players on these rosters are not required to attend post-fall tryouts but must participate in tryouts prior to the fall season.
Assistant Coaches
Assistant coaches are selected by head coaches after team formation. Children of potential assistant coaches cannot be protected or pre-assigned to specific teams.
Player Communication
Head coaches must contact all drafted players before rosters are posted to confirm commitment and discuss expectations. Additionally, any incumbent player not returning to a prior team (e.g., moving from first to second team, or being released) must also receive a personal call from their head coach prior to roster publication.
Paid Coaching Support
Head coaches may engage paid coaches or instructors to supplement training. Plans for this—including estimated costs—must be pre-approved by the Director of Select Teams and disclosed to player families in advance, ideally when extending an invitation to join the team.
This requirement applies to paid coaches working with an entire team on a regular basis and does not apply to occasional guest instructors or individual private lessons. Families are encouraged to inform the head coach of any private instruction their child receives, but these arrangements remain the family’s responsibility.
Parental Appeals Process
CBA provides a Parental Appeals Process, which may only be used when a player wishes to move down from the first team to the second team. Appeals cannot be used to request a move up (from the second team to the first team) under any circumstances. All appeals must be directed to the Director of Select Teams.
Team Naming and Roster Size
Each team will be named “Coppell Cowboys – [Coach’s Last Name]”.
Roster size is at the discretion of the head coach.
Competitive Levels
Residency Requirements
A minimum number of players must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Uniforms and Scorekeeping
Select teams must:
Any exception requests to these policies must be directed to the Director of Select Teams.
The Coppell Baseball Association (CBA) is dedicated to providing every youth baseball player in Coppell the best opportunity to develop their skills, regardless of current ability.
The CBA Premier Program offers a developmental pathway for advanced recreational players who are ready for a more competitive environment. This program aims to create enhanced opportunities for all players within these age groups.
Parents can expect the Premier Program to emphasize competition and advanced skill development, while the recreational leagues remain focused on foundational learning and fun.
The selection process is similar to the Select Team process including:
Director of Premier:
Tim Windham (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026)
For questions, contact: twindham@mac.com
Priority for guest players is given to current CBA Select players first. For guest players outside of CBA, the following requirements must be met: