Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the registration fee?: Registration for the Tee Ball, Farms, Minors and Majors is $85 per child. Jr and Sr Babe Ruth is $125. These fees will be accepted until February 15, 2009. After this date, the Late Registration fee will be $85 for Tee Ball, Farms, Minors and Majors. Also, a buyout of the fundraiser Candy Sale will be mandatory raising the total to $110. The late registration fee for Jr. & Sr. Babe Ruth is also $125.
2. When is the season, and on which days are the games and practices played? The Practice Season ("Spring Training") starts in Late March or Early April, depending on weather conditions. The regular season games begin in Mid-April and run through the end of June. We also hold several clinics at an indoor gym during February, which gives the kids a chance to prepare their skills for the season, and gives the coaches a chance to work with the kids early in the year to help them get ready for the season.
Tee Ball league games are generally played on Mondays and Wednesdays. Farms games are on Tuesday and Thursdays. Minors are also on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Majors play on Monday and Wednesdays. Fridays and the very infrequent Saturday are used primarily to make up games that had been rained out during the week.
3.What does the league supply, and what must I supply for my child? The league provides a Uniform shirt, a Team Cap, and Baseball Stirrup socks. You will need to provide a pair of gray baseball pants, glove and athletic supporter. Though not mandatory, a pair of cleats is also recommended. These items are available at relatively low cost at local sporting goods stores such as Modell's, Plaza Sports and Port Jeff Sports.
4.What is involved in the fundraiser? Each child enrolled in our program is required to sell one full box of candy (52 bars at $1 each). If you have two children in the league, you would be required to sell two boxes. Parents may choose to "buy out" of the fundraiser by simply adding $25 to the registration fee.
5.My child's best friend is also enrolled. Can they be put on the same team? If they are playing in the Tee Ball or Farms division this can usually be done. Simply make a notation in the "Comments" box on your registration form saying "play with (child's name)". We will make every effort to accommodate your request. In the Minors and higher divisions, players are selected by a draft system. There is no guarantee that we can honor requests in the Minors and Majors.
6. Can my child use his own equipment during games? We supply the bats, balls, batting helmets and catchers gear. However, your child can bring his own helmet (must be Little League approved) or bat. Wooden bats are not permitted. All bats must be aluminum and be marked "Little League Approved" . Since this equipment tends to look very similar, please mark the helmet or bat with your child's name.
7.Must I attend each game? We require that a parent or designated guardian be present at all games and practices, particularly in the Tee Ball and Farms levels.
8.What League events can we expect?: We have an Opening Day breakfast ceremony at the beginning of the season, and a year end picnic and awards ceremony. Every child participating in the league receives a trophy. We also march in the Middle Country Memorial Day Parade. There is an outing to reward the top fundraising team in each division. This past season the outing was a trip to EAB Park for a Long Island Ducks game. In past years we have also gone to Shea Stadium.
9. I'd like to volunteer my help. What can I do? How do I sign up?: We can use all the help we can get. Team Managers and Coaches are always needed. Strong hands are needed to help prepare the fields for play. Moms may want to volunteer to help with the candy sale fundraiser or setting up and serving at the Year End Picnic. If you or your employer would like to contribute to the league as a sponsor, that financial support would be greatly appreciated.
For more information on how you can help, fill in the form at the bottom of this page and we will contact you by phone or email. Remember: "It's All for the Kids"!
10.How will I be informed of League Events: Major events are announced via direct mail and through the managers.
11.What are the age requirements: The Williamsport Little League, as well as most travel leagues, has adopted a new age cutoff date of April30. The previous cutoff was July 31.
This new date will ensure that most players will have reached their"league age" by the middle of the current season.
We have chosen to follow this standard starting the 2006 season.
What does this mean for your child?
If your child is born between April 30 and July 31, you have a choice:
1) He can choose to be moved up to the next division with his current team. Simply write "play up in (state the division your child is to play in)" in the comments box of the registration form.
2)He can stay in the current division with his/her new age group.
EXAMPLE: If a player were born on july 24,1993 he would have been considered a 13 year old for the 2006 season under the OLD rules. He is now considered a 12 year old.
He can choose to either play in the Babe Ruth division (13&14) or stay in the Majors (11 & 12).
Please before making your decision read the meassage below.
A Message from the President of the Babe Ruth League, Inc
Babe Ruth League, Inc
www.baberuthleague.org
Message from the President
November 8, 2004
CHECK YOUR EGOS AT THE DOOR!
With so many children playing youth sports, the pressure is on our young athletes to be "hard-nosed" team players. As parents, it is important that we do not let our egos get in the way of our child's enjoyment of baseball or softball. It is important that we do not try to relive our yesterdays through the lives of our children.
First and foremost, youth baseball and softball are meant to be fun, with tournament competition being secondary. Allowing every child the opportunity to play and providing as equal playing time as possible for younger athletes is the ultimate objective. It is important that at a young age, coaches and parents begin to teach the principles of sportsmanship, effort, teamwork and self discipline. Fun is what will keep your child in the game and eager to learn!
These concepts are no doubt at odds with real life today in youth sports. With the introduction of travel teams, the goal too often becomes focused on winning as an end-all, and for your child to be the stand-out superstar.
Parental fervor seems to begin to heighten when children are 9 to 12 years old. Parents are often sparked by conflicts over playing time and having their child "move up" to play with the older kids. Having been involved in youth sports for most of my life, I know all too well the pressures put on our children today by their own parents in order to feed the adult ego. It is no longer enough to play for a neighborhood league team. Now kids are made to feel like second-class underachievers unless they are chosen to play for a "select" team. Too many adults are robbing their kids of the natural condition of kids being kids in order to satisfy their egos. This intense pressure is what contributes to many kids dropping out of baseball or softball after 12 years of age.
Parents must recognize the value and benefits of their child's league coaches' experience. Mutual respect and the desire to do what is best for children is the goal of most amateur coaches. Working together must be of paramount importance. Egos must be checked at the door in order for your child to enjoy the great games of baseball and softball, and in order for your child to want to continue to play these sports
Contrary to the beliefs of many parents, early success in sports is not consistently correlated with success in later years. At a young age, the winning percentage should not be based on any measure of wins and losses, but rather on how much fun the children have and how many want to play again the next season.
In my position as President/CEO of Babe Ruth League, Inc., I often receive many letters from parents who desire to have their child play up in the next division because they think their child's skills are above the other players in their age division. They often become frustrated when I respond that it is not in their child's best interest to play in a higher age division.
Moving up to the next level of competition often includes playing with older, stronger and more mature athletes. No matter what success the athlete has enjoyed in the past, the situation of playing up can overtax a young body. Playing up can increase development discrepancies and the risk of injury. Playing up can actually discourage a child from continuing in the game. When he or she is playing at the proper age level, the player may be one of the strongest players on the team. When that same player "moves up", however, since the older players are more mature and experienced, he or she very often becomes a substitute on the new teams. They feel they have done something wrong, when really; their skills are superb for their own age group. They just aren't advanced enough to be a starter at the older age. Further be advised that damage done by overtraining to get your child in shape to move up to the next level may not become immediately apparent. It may take several months or years before the signs and symptoms catch up with the young athlete.
Playing up brings another subject to mind - playing too much of one sport. The "more is better" philosophy may work for some, but it has also caused the demise of many young bodies. Repetitive activity strengthens bones and joints, but too much repetitive activity can overstress bones and joints, leading to injury. You must factor all activities into the equation when determining the limits for your young athlete.
I need each of you to be honest with yourself. Does your ego get in the way of your child enjoying baseball or softball? Do you create undue pressure on your child's performance? Do you expect more than they can deliver? Do you give positive encouragement and are there when they need you? Do you help your child accept loss? One of life's most interesting truisms is that we learn more in failure than in success. It is okay to analyze a loss and how you can do better next time. It is never okay to place blame!
Working together in a league environment, parents and coaches can provide your child the very best playing experience and keep his or her interest keen in the sport. Above all, he or she will have FUN!
Ron Tellefsen
President/CEO
Babe Ruth League, Inc.
