Q: I have a question to ask the VBSL board, how can I do this?
A: We encourage your input and participation. Have a question? Let your voice be heard. The VBSL usually meets the 2ND & 4TH Tuesday of each month (subject to change) 7:00 PM in a pre-determined site.
Board meetings are open to the public. If interested in attending a VBSL meeting, please send an email to below email address to confirm meeting location, date & time.
Traditionally, we hold an open general membership meeting at the end of the spring season. Many fruitful ideas are generated at this meeting, and many of them have been adopted. New ideas like the Home Run Derby, practice schedules, a batting cage at Everett, and more, all came from you. We would like to hear your thoughts on a more continuous basis, rather than once a year. Don’t have time?
E-mail your constructive opinions or ideas to us at: VBSLboard@yahoo.com

Q: What is included in the registration fee?
A: The fee to play in the VBSL goes towards the following items: shirts, pants, shorts, hats, state of the art equipment including batting helmets, batting helmets with face guards, catchers equipment and catcher’s gloves, practice baseballs, game baseballs, tee balls, tee ball bats, batting tees, trophies for T-Ball & Rookie Leagues, trophies for World Series champs in the Major and Pony Baseball Leagues, bases, field liner and field lining equipment, field maintenance, field maintenance equipment, Minor League umpire equipment, Minor, Major and Pony League umpire fees, insurance, Everett Field upkeep and improvements, the pool party is now included in the registration fee, and plans to continue to upgrade the facilities, equipment and programs for all levels of baseball and softball.

Q: What is the Athletic Code Of Conduct?
A: The VBSL has established this policy with a code of conduct to be signed by all parents, coaches, and Board members, modeled after the National Association of Youth Sports Code of Ethics. Both parents should read and understand the policy.

Q: What and when is Workout & Draft Day?
A: Workout & Draft Day is usually held on in January for Baseball and February for Softball. Please be sure to check this website for dates, times, and locations. All 3rd & 5th graders, along with any new 4th and 6th graders, are invited to the brief workout. This event is monitored by the managers from each respective league. Each participant has an opportunity to hit , field grounders, catch pop flies, and throw. This provides the managers a chance to evaluate each child’s capabilities, before the draft when teams are selected and providing team parity and balance. Participants are encouraged to relax and do their best. All players will be selected to a team. This event is only for evaluative purposes only. After each league workout is complete, team managers will retire to a meeting room for a confidential player draft. Pony League players do not participate in workout, as the Pony league players are pre-ranked and drafted.

Q: How does the league draft work?
A: The draft procedure is explained in Bulletin Board section of the Main Menu, on the left.
(Select Bulletin Board and select Workout & Draft Day, from the drop down)

Q: May I request for my child to be placed on a specific team or with a specific manager?
A: No. Requests to place players on specific teams or with specific managers will NOT be honored for grades 3rd - 8th. The ONLY exception is for siblings. This is to keep teams balanced and to prevent team "stacking". The VBSL strives to balance teams and create parity by using a fair and proven draft procedure. Please refer to the draft procedure described in detail in the Main Menu\Bulletin Board\Workout and Draft Day drop down. All questions regarding this policy are welcomed. Please contact your League VP with any questions.

Q: What is Field Clean-Up Day?
A: All managers, coaches, and any volunteers are needed for this event. Usually held during the month of March, Please be sure to check this website for dates, times, and locations. On Field Clean-Up day, all of our ball fields are cleaned up and prepared for the season. Please bring your rakes, clippers and strong backs, for a morning of hard work with other adults, preparing the ball fields for the upcoming season. Start time is usually 8:00 AM and if enough volunteers present, ends at noon or earlier.

Q: When is this year's VBSL parade and where does it start / end?
A: The VBSL parade is usually held in April for a 10:00 AM start. Please be sure to check this website for dates, times, and locations. All VBSL players and teams are invited to participate. All players should arrive at 9:30 AM to line up with their respective teams. Teams will line up on the East side of Verona Park on Bloomfield Avenue, near the Verona Park entrance. The parade will start at 10:00 AM sharp and head East on Bloomfield Avenue to Everett Field. After a brief opening day ceremony, multiple games will follow at various fields. If the parade is cancelled due to inclement weather, rain date is following Saturday.

Q: Does every team in the VBSL receive a trophy?
A: The VBSL supplies trophies ONLY to First Grade T-Ball, Second Grade Rookie League, and the 1st place winners in the Major & Pony Leagues. Since Minor League Baseball & Softball are instructional and non-competitive, the VBSL does not award 1st place trophies. Any Manager may purchase trophies for his\her team, but must do so with his\her own funds. The VBSL does not provide funds, nor has any involvement, if a manager chooses to purchase team trophies, with his\her team.

Q: Does each VBSL League have minimum baseball bat weight restrictions?
A: YES. Starting with the 2006 season, guidelines for minimum bat weights will be added to League rules, to help protect pitchers and infielders from injury. The minimum allowed bat weight-to-length ratio is as follows for these leagues:
Minor League (-12 1/2)
Major League (-11)
Pony League (-9)

Q: What is The Process for Rescheduling Softball Games?
A: If you find that your game needs to be rescheduled, please follow these steps:
1. Call the opposing Manager to discuss the issue (a phone call is preferred to email due to the sense of urgency). Home team secures the field.
2. If Verona, is the Home Team, refer to your League Game Schedule that was provided by West Essex to check Verona field usage / availability. (Remember: B1 is reserved for Major League Games, B2 for Minor League Games, and FN Brown can accommodate both Pony (#1) & Major (#2))
3. Choose two dates / times that will work for you and the opposing manager (as a precaution)
4. Call the Verona Softball League VP immediately and let them know what you've decided. Together you will verbally lock in the date/time/field, again - for play in Verona.
5. Send a confirmation email to the Verona Softball League VP. This email must contain the following information:
- Original game date, time & location of game, plus opponent name
- New date, time & location of game
6. Verona Softball League VP will forward your email to the League Commissioner to ensure umpires are arranged.

Q: When and what is Photo day?
A: Please be sure to check this website for dates, times, and locations. This event is usually held for T-Ball through Pony League at Memorial Field on Linn Drive, weather permitting. In case of rain, alternate arrangements will be made for indoor photos in the Verona Community Center. This is an opportunity to have your ball player photographed for a keepsake. Team photos are also available.

Q:What if Softball Umpire does not show up at your Softball Game?
A:Option #1: If the two opposing Managers agree, a Coach, parent or spectator can substitute for the umpire. Follow the same score reporting process once the game is complete.
Option #2: If the two opposing Managers do not agree on utilizing a "substitute" umpire, then the Verona Softball League VP should be called immediately. If an umpire cannot be located within 30 minutes - the game will be canceled and rescheduled.
** Please note: Option #1 is the preferred option

Q: When is the Pool Party?
A: Starting with the 2006 season, there will no longer be an admission charge for the VBSL Pool Party. Please be sure to check this website for date & time.

Q: What is the Annual General Membership meeting?
A: The Annual General Membership Meeting is usually held at the end of the regular Spring season. Please be sure to check this website for date, time, and location. This meeting is an open forum for all Managers, Coaches, and Parents to voice any suggestions or concerns on how to improve the League. Many of the current VBSL rules, regulations, and field improvements have come from past General Membership meetings. Have something to say? Then this is the meeting to attend and have your voice heard!