15U Representative (Rep) teams are designed for those player's 14 and 15 years of age (16 years of age - Females only) with above average ability, commitment and desire to play at higher levels of competition. These levels are identified as Competitive (AA) typically 5 day/week min. program and Performance (AAA) typically 6 day/week min. program. The major objective will be player development through fair participation by all players on the team up to Provincial round robins.
Commitment
Participation on a rep team implies certain commitments on behalf of the player's and the parent's. The major commitments are time, travel, and financial which also includes fund raising initiatives either of the association (bingo's, casino's, etc.) and/or the team. Rep teams typically utilize weekdays for practices (2 to 3 per week), exhibition games, etc. and weekends for games and tournaments based on schedule and travel requirements as determined by Baseball Alberta. Some games are scheduled during the week, depending on the distance teams must travel. Rep teams also play during July and August, the length of time depends on the success of the team as it advances through to Provincial Championships and/or post Provincial Championships such as Westerns or Nationals. Dedication to a rep team will prove beneficial to the player as a valuable learning experience, failure to fulfill the commitments by the player or parent is denying another player a position on the team and will result in a review of the player's rep privileges.
Financial
Although SAMBA player registration fees cover basic expenses related to Baseball Alberta registration, insurance, basic equipment/jerseys, umpires, etc., additional rep fees are collected by the association through the team budgets once the team rosters are completed to offset various operating expenses related to the facilities and/or team. Rep teams are required to prepare their own team budgets to cover expenses related to additional association fees, travel, tournaments, additional apparel/equipment, coach honorariums (where applicable), etc. The amount of fundraising activities varies per team and will have a direct impact on the final per player cost to the families. Generally teams that do not advance beyond Provincials typically budget:
- Competitive (AA) - $1,000 to $1,100 per player (2024 estimate)
- Performance (AAA) - $1,200 per player (2024 estimate)
Evaluations
Each spring (typically in February / March), players registered with SAMBA who meet the above mentioned criteria are encouraged to attend the evaluation sessions to try out for positions on the rep teams in their division. The evaluations or "tryouts" are conducted under the direction of the respective SAMBA Director's and in conjunction with the Rep Coaches and St. Albert Tigers Baseball Association (players) who engage as independent evaluators. These evaluations are based upon the player's age category, direct observation of demonstrated skill, development potential, perceived dedication to the program/coaches and various other factors, this way they are placed at the skill level that is most appropriate for them.
All coaches at the rep level are required to meet SAMBA requirements and possess current Baseball Alberta Certification requirements. Refer to our Coaches Certification page for more details. Additional information pertaining to our rep program can be found by contacting the indicated Division Director.