FOLLOWING THE CLASS OF 2035 — THIS YEAR WE ARE 10U!
Everything you need to know about youth baseball in Bend, Oregon.
From choosing a travel team to finding one-on-one coaching to what to focus on for development at this age — an updated information guide to Central Oregon baseball.
LEAD STORY
What Bend parents should know about 10U travel ball.
Understanding local teams — and the decisions and questions to consider when choosing one.
Continue reading →
Bend Travel Ball Guide
Guide to Bend Little Leagues
Private Lessons: Bend Coaches & Things to Know
Best of Bend Baseball — The Stats
Where to Watch Baseball
FAQ
01 · GUIDE
10U travel baseball in Bend, Oregon
Travel (club) ball runs on the USSSA May 1 age cutoff — 2027 10U means born on or after May 1, 2016. Tryouts are typically free, one-day events held in late August or early September, with rosters usually decided in the days after. A typical local 10U season is five to ten weekend tournaments from February through July, plus two practices per week.
2026 records and tournament finishes are for the 9U season (this cohort's age last year). Most clubs also field 9U–14U teams — see each club's website for other age groups.
Known Bend teams, what to compare, and the questions every family should ask.
This practical guide shares the facts we know about local programs, then helps families compare fees, tournament schedules, practice expectations, coaching and player development. It is a starting point, not a claim to cover every team.
02 · GUIDE
Bend little leagues: North vs. South
Two chartered leagues split the city — you qualify by home address inside the boundary or by attending a school inside it. The dividing line runs Skyliner Rd → NW Galveston → Wall St → Newport/Greenwood → Hwy 20 east. North of the line is Bend North (up to Tumalo); south is Bend South (down to Lava Butte). A 10-year-old plays AAA "Minors," or is drafted up to Majors.
Bend North LL
bnll.org →Bend North won 2026 state titles at both 10U and 11U, six of eight District 5 divisions, and made a 2024 trip to the LLWS Northwest Regional. It runs 8 baseball divisions from T-Ball to Juniors, covering north Bend out to Tumalo.
Bend South LL
bendsouthll.org →Bend South serves 500+ players a year, ages 5–14, from south Bend down to Lava Butte. It offers six baseball divisions from Tee Ball to Juniors; qualifying schools include Elk Meadow, Jewell, Pine Ridge, Silver Rail, Bear Creek and Buckingham.
Boundaries, registration, assessments, all-stars — how Bend little league actually works.
Our complete guide to Bend little league covers which league you're zoned for, fees and financial aid, the draft, and the all-star path.
Should a player do both?
Local Little League and travel schedules are generally built around one another, so playing both can work. It is also a significant commitment to that much baseball. The right choice depends on the individual player and the expectations of each team. Ask both coaches about conflicts, priorities and combined pitching workload before committing.
03 · GUIDE
Private lessons: Bend coaches & things to know
This is a practical starting point, not an exhaustive ranking of every instructor. Below are Bend-area coaches and facilities we know, plus the questions families should ask about teaching style, age fit, goals, scheduling and cost. At 9–10, prioritize throwing mechanics and arm care, contact hitting, routine defense and baserunning IQ.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTORS
Humble Hitting — E.J. Aponte
Diaz Infield Development — David Diaz
DBar 49 — Doug Davis
MacDougall Training
Fieldhouse instructors
CAMPS
FACILITIES & CAGES
How do you choose the right private coach?
Start with your player's needs, then ask how the coach teaches this age, measures progress, communicates with families and manages throwing volume. The list above highlights known local options without pretending to cover every instructor.
04 · THE STATS
Best of Bend baseball
A high-level snapshot of Bend's 10U class and local programs.
* Rankings are estimates from 2026 GameChanger data run through an AI scoring model to determine the best teams based on player strength.
05 · GUIDE
Where to watch baseball
In Bend
Worth the drive
Local travel tournaments
Recent Central Oregon events families can watch for as organizers publish the next season's dates.
06 · FAQ
Questions every 10u parent asks
First year of travel ball — is 10U too late?
No. 10U is a common entry point, and rosters can change from year to year. Get on club email lists in August; tryouts are typically free and held in late August or early September.
Do teams already have rosters set?
Travel programs generally evaluate rosters every year. Returning players may be familiar to a program, but tryouts can create movement and new additions. Because rosters are usually decided in the days after late-August or early-September tryouts, contact each program before its tryout date and ask how its selection process works.
Should my kid play both little league and travel?
The local schedules are generally built around one another, so playing both can work. It is still a significant commitment to that much baseball, and the right choice depends on the individual player and the expectations of each team. Ask both coaches about conflicts, workload and priorities before committing.
How much does it cost to play travel ball?
Program fees are roughly $500–$3,000 a year depending on the program, plus travel costs and some equipment costs. Sponsorship and fundraising can reduce program fees. Little league, by comparison, was $175 for Bend North in 2026, with aid available.
What's the real commitment?
A typical local 10U travel season is five to ten weekend tournaments from February through July, plus two practices per week. Some teams play mostly local events; others travel farther and play more often. Ask each program for its expected tournament calendar before committing.
Which little league are we zoned for?
North of the Skyliner/Galveston/Newport-Greenwood/Hwy 20 line is Bend North; south is Bend South. Attending a school inside a boundary also qualifies.
What should my kid work on at 9–10?
Throwing mechanics and arm care first — repeatable beats hard. Then contact hitting, routine defense, and baserunning IQ. Stay multi-sport.
Anything special about pitching at 10U?
Pitch Smart for ages 9–10: 75 pitches/day max plus mandated rest. Little league enforces counts; ask travel clubs how they track them.
How do tryouts work — and how do we prep?
Free, one-day, and station-based: hit, field, throw, run, with a simple signup form on each club's site. Prep is August reps — cage time and daily catch. At 10U, clubs pick on athleticism, coachability, and arm action, not stats.
What's my kid's league age?
Two different clocks. Little league uses an Aug 31 cutoff — league age 10 for 2027 means 10 on Aug 31, 2027. Travel runs on USSSA's May 1 cutoff — 2027 10U means born May 1, 2016 or later. The same kid can be one age for little league and another for travel, so check both charts before registering.
When does registration open?
Little league registration for 2027 opens around December 2026 for both leagues; assessments run in late January and registration closes in late February. Travel is on a different calendar: tryouts are generally held in late August or early September, with rosters usually decided in the days after.
What gear does a 10U player need?
For little league, a USA Baseball-stamped bat; many travel events allow USSSA 1.15 BPF bats — confirm per event. Beyond the bat: an 11–11.5" glove, helmet, rubber cleats for little league, and a cup.
Does a player need to leave Central Oregon to find strong baseball opportunities?
Not necessarily. Central Oregon has recreation leagues, travel programs, school pathways, private instruction and a record of competitive results, including Bend North's 2026 state titles at 10U and 11U. The right choice still depends on the player, coach, schedule and development goals; some families may also consider programs or events outside the region for a different competitive or travel experience.
Who runs Bend Elite Baseball?
This site is run by a Bend parent with a player in the class of 2036. I research local leagues, travel programs, coaches, facilities and events, then publish the facts and sources I can verify. If your player is older or younger, much of the local information still applies, but age-specific details can shift from year to year.
GO DEEPER
Guides by topic
Practical, sourced guides for choosing a path, understanding local programs, helping a player develop, and planning baseball around Central Oregon.
CHOOSE A PATH
Little league or travel ball in Bend?Bend North or Bend South? Find your leagueRegistration 2027: dates, fees & deadlinesWhat's my kid's league age?T-ball in Bend: where 4–6 year olds startTRAVEL BALL
Bend travel ball guide10U baseball in Bend: teams & tryoutsWhat travel baseball really costsTryouts: 2027 dates + what to expectIs travel baseball worth it at 10U?The real 10U commitmentFOLLOWING THE CLASS OF 2035