Announcement
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PARENT HANDBOOK - Q & A |
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Who can play? Any boy or girl who is a no younger than a league age 5 or older than a league age 18 and who lives within the SLL boundary is eligible to play. League age is the age the player will be prior to midnight of April 30th of the playing season. Players must live within the boundaries agreed to by their league or receive a residence waiver. There are specific criteria for receiving a waiver. Check with the player agent. |
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How is Sebastopol Little League organized? Sebastopol Little League is divided into eight divisions based primarily on age and partially on playing ability. T-Ball consists of 4-6 year olds and all batting is done from a tee. Minor A consists of 6 year olds (who already played T-Ball), 7 and 8 year olds. Coach Pitch. Minor AA consists of 7, 8 and 9 year olds. Pitching is done by players and coaches. Minor AAA consists of 9 through 11 year olds. Majors consists of 10 through 12 year olds. Juniors consists of 13 and 14 year olds. In addition to playing against the Sebastopol teams, Juniors play games against adjacent league within District 35. Seniors consists of 14 through 16 year olds. Seniors play games against teams throughout District 35. |
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In which division will my child play? The division in which a child plays depends on their age, their performance at tryouts, and any other factors that a manager uses in making their decisions during team selections. |
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How much will my child get to play? Minimum playing time rules requirements are listed in the local rules.
SLL takes minimum play seriously. If you believe that your child has not received their minimum time, check with the team manager immediately. If your child has not received their minimum time and for some reason the manager refuses to let them play, let the player agent for your division know. |
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How are teams selected? Teams in different divisions are selected in different manners. T-Ball teams are formed based on school and residence information provided on the registration form. Minor A and Minor AA, and Minor AAA are selected by draft.
Majors, Juniors, and Seniors teams are selected by draft and options as outlined in the Little League Operating Manual. |
| Can I make requests for coaches or teammates?
Requests for either teammates or coaches can be made at registration by talking to the player agent. All requests are considered; however, there is no guarantee that any request will be honored. The chance of a request being honored depends mostly on the division in which a child plays. Requests are more likely in Minor AA and younger, less likely in Minor AAA and older. However it is never guaranteed that a request will be honored regardless of the child’s division. |
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Does my child have to tryout? Tryouts are an important part of the team selection process. Little League rules require all players except T-Ball (5 year olds and 6 year olds who did not play T-Ball last year), and returning Majors, Juniors and Seniors to attend tryouts. During tryouts, players are hit ground balls and fly balls and make throws. They take some turns at bat and run bases. Additionally, 12 year olds are given an opportunity to pitch and catch.
Most children look forward to tryouts, but some are apprehensive. Encourage them to do their best, but don’t worry about how they do. Performance is not the sole criteria used by coaches to make their decision at drafts. Most coaches give high ratings to players that show a positive attitude and put forth a good effort. The best you can do is play some catch and hit some balls with your child before tryouts. That way, they will be ready. |
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When will we find out which team our child is on? You should here within one week of the last draft date of a division for which your child is eligible. If you haven’t heard by then, contact the player agent. |
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Does the league have insurance?
SLL carries both accident and liability insurance through Little League Baseball, Inc. The accident insurance is an excess insurance (with a $50 deductible), which means that Little League covers costs not covered by your primary insurance. It covers everything if you have no primary insurance. |
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Where is Lost and Found? If an item is found at a field with a concession stand, the item is left in the concession stand. If an item is found at a field without a concession stand, the item is put into the equipment room at the field. Unclaimed lost items are sent to a non-profit. |
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What is the league policy on refunds? Occasionally players who have registered are unable to play due to injury, moving from the area, or whatever.
If the player notifies the league that they wish to withdraw prior to practice beginning, they will receive a full refund. After practice begins, a deduction of $25 is made. After opening day, no refunds are given. |
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Do I have to buy equipment? SLL provides a jersey and cap for each player and game equipment for each team. Players are responsible for providing their mitt, pants, and socks. Your manager will tell you what color pants and socks to buy. Most teams like to wear pants with belts. Majors and older players return their jersey at the end of the season, Minor AAA and younger players keep their jersey.
Other than the mitt and uniform, the most common item that players like to have is cleats. Cleats must be either plastic or rubber for Majors and younger. Juniors and older can wear metal cleats. Although Little League rules only require the catcher to wear a hard cup, it is a good idea to get your child used to wearing one everytime they step on a ballfield. Other items that some players like to have are personal bats, batting gloves, bat bags and anti-sting gloves. |
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Who’s that I see working in the Concession Stand? The short answer is "everyone". Teams from Minor AAA and older are asked to work the concession stands two times during the season, and once during the post season tournaments. Anyone can volunteer moreoften. You can choose to pay $30 a buy-out your shift if you perfer. Please contact your team parent ASAP to make arrangements.
Although T-Ball, Minor A, and Minor AA players do not benefit directly from the concession stands (because they don’t have one at their fields), we ask everyone to work in the concession stands because it is a fundraiser for the league. Without the revenue from concessions, it would be necessary to raise registration fees at all levels. |
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Who cleans up the fields? We all do. Trash bags are available in either the equipment shed or at the snack bar. Team Parents should make sure that all adults and players clean up trash in the stands and the dugouts. |
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Are there any awards? There are numerous team awards and participation awards handed out at the end of the season. Awards are different in the different divisions. T-Ball and Minor A players receive participation awards. There are no team awards.
In the past Minor AA, and older received team awards for 1st and 2nd place for both the regular season and the in-house tournament. This year there will be some type of team awards, but they may not be the same as in the past. There are no participation awards for these divisions. No awards are given in the Seniors or Big League divisions. |
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How do the post season tournaments work? Please look at the local rules and the tournement selection process and team information is outlined. |
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When do all stars practice and play?
All star teams are selected in mid-June and usually begin practice within a few days of being selected. Tournaments begin around the July 4th holiday and can last anywhere from three days (if they lose their first two games) to six weeks (if they advance to a World Series). Local tournaments almost always end within three weeks. |
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How are all-star teams selected?
The selection process is outlined in the local rules. |
