High Performance Baseball Program FAQ

What We've already Heard From You

Thank you to everyone who completed the Interest Form! Your feedback is shaping this program.

Keep Players Local

Families want a pathway to develop at a high level without leaving Woodstock.

Coaching Quality Matters

Strong, qualified coaching with clear standards and accountability is critical.

Costs Must Stay Reasonable

There is strong interest — but only if the program remains accessible and cost-controlled.

Protect Local Opportunities

Families want to ensure Woodstock players continue to have opportunities.

Facilities Matter

Indoor access and training environment are important to delivering quality development.  We have the best outdoor fields in the region

Community Wants to Help

There is strong interest in contributing through coaching, player development, governance, and support roles.

Community Info Session​

We are building this program in alignment with WMBA’s long-term vision: strong development, community impact, and a complete local pathway.
Register For Tryouts!

The Opportunity

For decades, players in Woodstock who wanted to take the next step in baseball have faced the same reality: at 13 to 16 years old, they were told they had to leave their team, coaches, and community, not because they necessarily wanted to, but because they believed it was the only way to continue developing.

We are exploring the launch of a new Competitive Baseball Program within Woodstock Minor Ball in conformance with OBA High-Performance Program policies in RP1.13.

Our Commitment

Players should not have to leave Woodstock to reach their potential. We are committed to building a program that develops players the right way, supports families, and strengthens baseball in our community for the long term.

This program is being designed to:

  • Provide a high-quality development pathway locally
  • Deliver strong coaching, training, and support
  • Provide Strength & Conditioning with Performance Tracking Data & Analytics
  • Remain accessible for local families

Current Program Timeline

We must declare our intentions to OBA by May 1, 2026.
  • Apr 7 - Community info Session - Register Here
  • Apr 18 1 - Tryout Registration Open
  • May 1 - Player recruitment/try-outs: 14U+ can begin
  • Mid-May - 14U-16U Tryouts
  • July 1 - Player recruitment/ try-outs: 12U & 13U can begin
  • Sep 9 - Deadline for announcement of roster for 2027 for 14U+
  • Nov 1 - Deadline for announcement of roster for 2027 for 12U & 13U
  • Sep 10 - Fall Ball season can start
  • Oct 12 - Downtime starts
  • Nov 23 - Baseline Testing completed
  • Dec 7 - Begin weekly indoor practices and weekly strength & nutrition sessions
  • TBD - Winter trip (optional)
  • Apr 19 - Pre-season testing completed
  • May 1 - Season starts

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Quick answers to common questions about the Woodstock Competitive Baseball Program (HPP).

How will coaches be selected, developed, and held accountable? +−
Coaching is one of the most important elements of this program.

We are committed to:
  • Selecting coaches based on experience, qualifications, and alignment with WMBA values
  • Providing ongoing coach development and support
  • Establishing clear standards and accountability across all teams
This includes:
  • Shared development frameworks
  • Regular evaluation and feedback
  • Alignment with program expectations and culture
Our goal is to build a coaching environment that is:
Consistent, accountable, and focused on player development
How will you ensure costs don’t continue to rise over time? +−
As a not-for-profit organization, WMBA is committed to delivering a high-performance program that remains accessible to families.

We will focus on value-driven scheduling, meaning:
  • Choosing competition that provides strong development value
  • Avoiding unnecessary travel and expenses
  • Being intentional with tournament and scheduling decisions
Our goal is to provide a high-quality experience while maintaining:
Cost discipline and transparency
How will indoor training facilities support this program? +−
Indoor training is a key part of delivering a high-quality development program.

The Bullpen provides an important foundation and is currently supported by:
  • WMBA membership
  • Existing Rep and Fastball teams
As we build this program, we recognize:
  • Demand for indoor space will continue to grow
  • Facility access must be shared across all WMBA programs
Any expansion or acquisition of a larger indoor facility would directly increase program costs for WMBA families
As part of WMBA’s long-term strategy, we will continue to explore:
  • Expansion opportunities
  • Additional / New Facility Access
  • Sustainable ways to support all athletes
Our approach balances:
Player development, shared access, and responsible cost management
What is the role of Woodstock Baseball Academy within this program? +−
Woodstock Baseball Academy will serve as the training and development arm supporting this program.

It will provide:
  • Skill development opportunities
  • Access to coaching and instruction
  • Training resources across multiple programs
Development opportunities will be accessible across the WMBA pathway, not limited to HPP players
Will local players be prioritized on teams? +−
Yes — supporting local players is a core principle of this program.

We are planning for a mandatory minimum number of local players:
  • On each roster
  • Across the overall program
This approach may evolve by:
  • Age group
  • Program growth over time
Our goal is to develop local players and strengthen baseball in Woodstock
What league(s) will these teams compete in? +−
League structure is part of the broader High Performance Program landscape across Ontario.

Key points:
  • All associations must declare HPP participation by May 1
  • Leagues and competition structures will be formed after that
We expect to have clarity and share details by the end of May 2026
This is a normal part of launching HPP programs and not a concern.
What will the competition structure look like? +−
The program will be built around a high level of competition, including:
  • Structured league play
  • High-quality tournament opportunities
  • Competitive matchups against strong programs
Our focus is:
Meaningful development through high-level competition
How will players be supported in advancing to higher levels? +−
Supporting player advancement is an important part of the program.

We will leverage:
  • Expertise from existing OBA programs
  • Connections within Canadian and U.S. baseball networks
  • Relationships with college recruitment organizations
Players will also be supported through:
  • Digital player profiles
  • Video and performance tracking
  • Modern exposure platforms
Strong development combined with the right exposure tools creates real opportunities
How will consistency be maintained across teams and age groups? +−
The program will be built around:
  • A shared development philosophy
  • Consistent training standards
  • Oversight and governance
All players will experience a consistent, high-quality development environment
What is the High Performance Program (HPP)? +−
The High Performance Program (HPP) is a Baseball Ontario initiative designed to provide a clear, high-level development pathway for athletes who are ready to take the next step in their baseball journey.

For Woodstock Minor Ball, this represents an opportunity to build a complete player pathway — from grassroots to high-performance — all within our local community.

This program is about creating an environment where players can:
  • Train at a higher level
  • Compete against top competition
  • Continue progressing without leaving Woodstock
What types of HPP teams exist? +−
There are two types of HPP teams:

HP-OBA Programs (Association-Based)
These are programs run by local associations like WMBA. They:
  • Follow Baseball Ontario and Baseball Canada standards
  • Require certified coaching
  • Prioritize player safety and long-term development
  • Operate within a community-first, not-for-profit model
HP-Independent Programs
These are privately operated programs that:
  • Recruit broadly across regions
  • Operate outside local associations
  • Typically come at a significantly higher cost
Woodstock’s program will be an HP-OBA Program — combining high performance with community values.
When would this program begin? +−
  • Player identification and engagement: Summer 2026
  • Team formation: Fall 2026
  • First competitive season: 2027
What ages will this program serve? +−
HPP is available for players 12U and older, in alignment with Baseball Ontario guidelines.

This creates a natural next step in the WMBA pathway, following House League, Select, and Rep programs.
How is this different from traditional Rep baseball? +−
HPP represents the next level in the player pathway.

Key differences include:
  • Ability to roster players from across Ontario
  • Higher level of competition and exposure
  • Expanded training and development programming
  • Increased flexibility in player movement
This allows WMBA to offer a true “stay, develop, and advance” pathway — rather than players needing to leave the community to pursue higher-level opportunities.
Why is WMBA launching this program? +−
WMBA’s long-term vision is to be a leading development organization in Ontario, offering opportunities for every player — from beginner to elite.

Launching HPP allows us to:
  • Provide a complete development pathway within Woodstock
  • Attract and retain high-level players and coaches
  • Strengthen all programs through shared knowledge and resources
  • Position Woodstock as a destination for player development, not just participation
This is about building the future of baseball in Woodstock — not just responding to external competition.
What would be included in a Woodstock program? +−
The program is designed to deliver a comprehensive, high-performance experience, including:
  • Indoor off-season training
  • Position-specific instruction
  • Strength & conditioning programs
  • Nutrition education
  • Mental performance training
  • Fall development programming
  • High-level tournament and competition schedule
This approach ensures players are developing on and off the field, in alignment with modern athlete development principles.
How much will it cost? +−
As a not-for-profit organization, WMBA is committed to delivering high-level programming in a way that remains accessible to families.

Estimated annual costs:
  • 12U–13U: under $4,000
  • 14U+: under $5,000

    Given Woodstock Minor Ball Association historical ability to obtain local sponsorship and partners, these amounts are likely to be substantially reduced through fundraising efforts of the High Performance Program.
Travel and accommodations are not included.
Our goal is to provide exceptional value compared to private programs, while maintaining community accessibility.
Can players still play other sports? +−
Yes.

WMBA strongly supports Long-Term Athlete Development, which includes:
  • Multi-sport participation
  • Proper rest and recovery
  • Balanced athletic growth
While HPP involves a higher level of commitment, it will be designed to support well-rounded athletes, not specialization at the expense of development.
Who will coach these teams? +−
Coaches will play a critical role in delivering this program.

They will be selected based on:
  • Experience and alignment with WMBA values
  • Commitment to development and continuous learning
  • Ability to deliver a high-performance environment
All coaches will be expected to meet or exceed Baseball Ontario standards and contribute to a culture of excellence and accountability.
How will fairness and transparency be ensured? +−
The program will be guided by a community-based governance model, including:
  • WMBA leadership
  • Independent community members
  • Individuals not directly tied to specific teams
This ensures decisions are made:
  • Transparently
  • Fairly
  • In the best interest of all players and families
Will this reduce opportunities for Woodstock players? +−
No — it will expand them.

The introduction of HPP will:
  • Create additional teams at key age levels
  • Provide more development pathways within WMBA
  • Strengthen the overall player ecosystem
Our goal is simple: More opportunities, better development, and a stronger baseball community in Woodstock.
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