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Most Common Questions Regarding NHO Kinderball, Baseball & Softball
1. When does registration start and how do we register?
Registration is underway for the 2009 spring season. See the welcome page or registration page for all three ways to register. The easiest is online - it's available 24 hours a day! Online registration forms can be found in the Online Forms link to the left. Fill out the Parent Pledge form and bring a copy of your child's birth certificate to any walk-up registration.
2. Can you please explain the fees?
Kinderball - $40
Softball & Baseball - $50
There is a sibling discount of 10% for the second child.
3. What is a family cap?
At NHO, we want to provide a quality training experience for all. While we must cover the costs of maintaining the complex, we also do not want the experience to be cost-prohibitive for larger families. To meet these goals, we offer a family cap. No family will pay more than $130 per season.
4. What other fees will we have to pay this year?
There are no other required monies to be paid to NHO for recreational play. While we do not require participation in a mandatory fundraiser, we do expect our players to participate. Revenues from fundraisers and concessions sales enable us to keep registration fees low and affordable for families. Parents and other family members will also have options to purchase items such as window decals, parents shirts, programs and memory CDs.
5. How old does my son have to be to play baseball?
The age determination date for the 2009 spring season is April 30, 2009. This is called the Playing Age. Your son must be at Playing Age 3 to begin in Kinderball. 6U players must be Playing Age 5. Older players may not turn 15 prior to April 30th to play in the Pony division.
6. How old does my daughter have to be to play softball?
The age determination date for the 2009 spring season of softball is January 1, 2009. This is called the Playing Age. Your daughter must be at Playing Age 3 to begin in Kinderball. 6U players must be Playing Age 4. Older players may not turn 17 prior to January 1st to play in the Colt division.
7. Why are birth certificates required this year?
The NHO Baseball & Softball Program plays under the USSSA and PONY sanctioning. We are required to certify every player every year. To make this certification as accurate as possible, birth certificates are required to be kept on file. This also helps us ensure the teams are accruately and fairly balanced with players in the proper age groups.
8. My child has been playing tball for three years. He really wants to move up to coach pitch this year to be with his other friends from his class. Can you move him up?
Potentially. NHO has a process for evaluating players for this and is handled on a case-by-case basis.
9. My child has been hitting a live ball from his dad/uncle/grandfather/etc for a long time and does not want to hit off a tee. He is ready for coach pitch. Can you move him up?
Potentially. NHO has a process for evaluating players for this and is handled on a case-by-case basis. Coach Pitch level play involves varied skills, many of which come with maturity in playing the sport. Putting a five or six year old in with players, some of which are nearing their 9th birthday, can be a disservice to the younger players and presents safety concerns. Remind your son that all players, even those in MLB, do tee work and training to better their game. We will be happy to talk with the players and/or their families with regards to classification.
10. What do we need to have for try-outs?
Please bring a glove and a batting helmet.
11. Where is the NHO Sportsplex?
We are located at 2880 Goforth Road. This is also known as Beebe or High Road. From IH-35 at Kyle Parkway/1626, go north on the northbound frontage road. Take the first right beyond the overpass. This is Beebe Road. Continue on Beebe Road for approximately 2 miles until you come to a stop sign. Go through the stop sign. The Sportsplex is on the right side, approximately 1/4 mile. There is a basketball court & playscape at the front extrance.
From 150, take Lehman Road until it dead-ends at Goforth. Turn right at Lehman High School. Follow Goforth until it dead-ends at Beebe Road. Turn right and the complex will be on the right-hand side.
12. What is a try-out and what if my child doesn't make the team?
Try-outs are skills demonstrations. This allows the coaches to evaluate player skills prior to draft day. This process helps to level the talent pool more evenly across all teams. Every child will make a team. The only exception to this is late-registering players who may be on a waiting list. Those on a waiting list will know who they are. Protected players are not required to try-out.
13. What if my child misses try-outs?
Players who do not try-out will be placed on teams via a hat draw by the coaches in draft order.
14. What is a Protected Player?
6U coaches are allowed to protect three players. In 8u, 10u, 12u and 14u, coaches are allowed to protect up to four players including their own child. Parents must sign a form stating they waive their child's right to try-out and be drafted by any coach. Once submitted, protection of a player cannot be changed. If a coach asks to protect your child and you choose not to do so, he/she should accept that answer the first time. If not, please contact your League Director or Terri Richter.
15. What equipment do I need to purchase for my child?
Kinderball, Baseball & Softball - each player should provide their own glove and batting helmet. Softball girls are required to have a chin strap and face guard on their helmets. Sliding shorts and knee pads for girls are recommended but not required.
Bats are optional.
16. How do I find the best bat for my child?
Kinderball & Shetland players are required to use official tball bats; However, tball bats are not allowed in the older age groups.
How to size your child for a bat:
Have your child stand with hands at his/her side with feet together. Stand the bat at the side of the child with their hand on the grip. A properly fitted bat will not require the child to bend down to hold the bat, nor will their hand be too high on the grip. Once the proper length is found, look for the lightest bat. Your child should be able to hold the bat with his/her strong arm straight out in front of them and be able to hold it at least 10 seconds. If he/she has problems doing this, the bat is too heavy.
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