Built in Tacoma.
Made for our families.
How a brand-new 9U travel program is doing things the right way in the South Puget Sound.
Grow the player, grow the person
The Tacoma Steelheads exist to give South Puget Sound kids a place to fall in love with the game and get genuinely good at it. We measure success by how much your player improves over a season — in their swing, their glove, their baseball IQ, and the way they carry themselves as a teammate.
We keep rosters tight and coaching ratios low so every player gets real attention. No riding the bench all weekend, no kids lost in the shuffle. Everybody develops, everybody competes.
Fundamentals first, always
Led by Coach Jessie Baines, our staff teaches the game in the right order — mechanics before metrics, habits before highlights.
Teach the why
Players who understand why they field a ground ball a certain way adjust faster than players who only memorize drills. We explain the game, not just bark instructions.
Compete with heart
We play to win, and we lose with class. Effort, hustle, and a short memory after mistakes are non-negotiable Steelhead traits.
Keep it fun
Ten-year-olds learn best when they love showing up. We keep practices sharp and energetic so the love of the game grows alongside the skills.
Competitive baseball, the patient way
"Travel baseball" can mean a lot of things. For us, it means a select roster that plays a regional tournament schedule against strong competition — but with a development-first promise underneath it. We're not chasing trophies at the expense of teaching.
At 9U, that balance matters more than ever. Arms are still growing, swings are still forming, and confidence is fragile. So we cap the schedule at a healthy number of events, protect young pitchers with sensible pitch counts, and make sure tournament weekends are a reward for the work done at practice — not the whole point.
The result: your player gets the challenge and travel experience of select ball, without the burnout that ends too many young baseball careers early.
The 12-player roster, on purpose
Travel ball can feel like an all-or-nothing commitment, and we don't want that. We ask for a strong commitment to practices and games — consistency is how players grow and how teammates earn each other's trust. That said, we know life happens. Work travel, school events, family obligations, weather, illness — they all come up, and we don't want any family feeling pressured or penalized when they do.
We build our roster with 12 players on purpose, knowing one or two may need to miss a practice or game in any given week. That cushion lets us field a complete team without leaning on any one family too hard. If your player can't make it, just give Coach Baines a heads-up as early as you can so we can plan the practice or lineup accordingly.
The goal is simple: full effort when you're there, no guilt when you can't be.
Est. 2024
The Steelheads started the way the best youth teams do — with a group of Tacoma families who believed their kids deserved better coaching and a real club to call their own. In 2024 we put a name to it, drew up the jerseys, and got to work.
We chose the steelhead because it's the fish that defines these waters: tough, determined, and built to fight its way home through the Sound. That's the identity we want our players to wear.
Baseball with a view of Rainier
Playing ball in the South Puget Sound is its own thing. We practice with Mt. Rainier on the horizon, travel through evergreen country to face teams across Washington and Oregon, and carry a little of that Pacific Northwest grit into every game.
Our families don't just share a roster — they share a region, a community, and a love for this corner of the country. That's the Steelhead difference.
No kid sits out over cost
A baseball season shouldn't be a financial barrier for any family in our community. That's why we built the Steel Access Scholarship Program right into the club from day one.
Scholarships available — no questions asked
Players from households at or below 100% of Area Median Income qualify for 25%, 50%, or 100% off all fees. No documentation required — we trust families to know what they can afford. See the tiers and apply.
Ready to put on the Steel?
Tryouts are open for our inaugural 9U roster. Reach out to Coach Baines for field details and to reserve your player's spot.