General Information

• When does the Spring Season start?
  With the exception of T-Ball, teams will be formed in early February, and practices can begin February 16^th. Games will begin March 6^th, and will end June 6^th. T-Ball teams will be formed in late February, with games beginning in April and ending in early June. Important dates will be posted on the Calendar as available.
• Where are games played?
  Most games are played at the GVSLL Fields, 4540 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara, CA. The Junior teams will play some games at other locations, including Girsh Park and Canalino School in Carpinteria. In past years, the Mini-Minor Division and T-Ball have played some games on the softball field at San Marcos High School. Depending on how many teams we have in 2010 it is very likely that some games (particularly T-Ball and Mini-Minors) will again be scheduled on outside fields. We make every attempt to schedule as many games as possible at GVSLL!
• What time commitment is required?
  Beginning in February, teams will practice 2-3 times per week. Once games begin in early March, teams play 2 games per week, usually once during the week and once on the weekend. Teams usually practice 1-2 times per week once games start. Once T-Ball games begin in mid-April, all T-Ball teams will play twice per week. Some T-ball teams do not practice once games begin, while other teams continue to hold 1 practice per week at the discretion of the Manager.
• What will I need to buy?
  The league will provide a uniform jersey and hat. To complete the uniform, you will need baseball pants, socks, and a belt. Wait on purchasing these until your Manager tells you what color to buy. You may want to buy a second pair of baseball pants for practice (any color). You will also need a baseball glove and cleats. It is not necessary for younger players (Minors or younger) to purchase baseball-specific cleats - soccer or football cleats will do fine if you already have them. Older players should purchase baseball cleats. Metal cleats are allowed in the Junior Division only.
• Are parents required to volunteer?
  Yes, we need everyone's help! All families are required to work one volunteer shift (approximately 3 hours) per player, including Board Members, Managers, Team Moms, etc. Only umpires are exempt from working a shift. GVSLL is entirely a volunteer organization, and it takes all of us to keep things running! Please read the Volunteer Commitment Flyer for more informatioin. In addition to the required volunteer shift, each team will need help with scorekeeping, announcing, field maintenance, Opening Day, etc. There are lots of fun and rewarding ways to contribute.
• Are there any fundraisers during the Spring Season?
  Opening Day is March 13^th, 2010 and is our big fundraiser for the season. Families will be asked to contribute by selling raffle tickets, contributing to their team Silent Auction basket, donating items for the Silent Auction, providing Bake Sale items, purchasing tickets for the Opening Day BBQ and purchasing items from the Silent Auction and Bake Sale. It can be overwhelming to be asked to participate in so many ways so early in the year . . . but on the positive side, fundraising is over for the season after Opening Day! Participation is not mandatory, but please realize that we need the funds raised by Opening Day to keep our registration fees as low as possible.
• Why don't you post player information and statistics?
  We do not post player information due to privacy concerns, which is also why the Team/Rosters page is password protected. We do not post statistics because we want the players to focus on learning baseball and on playing for their team, instead of focusing on their own individual statistics. Secondarily, the overwhelming work involved in keeping track of statistics for hundreds of players would result in incomplete and inconsistent information due to variations in record keeping between our many volunteer scorekeepers. Teams may keep individual statistics based on Manager preference.

Registration

• When can I register for the Spring 2010 season?
  On-line registration will begin on this website on December 7^th. Documentation verification dates are scheduled for Wed 1/6 (5-7), Sun 1/10 (3-6), Wed 1/13 (5-7) and Tue 2/2 (5-6:45) T-BALL ONLY at the Page Center. Please register early, so we can get an accurate player count (and so you don't end up on the Wait List!). Detailed registration instructions will be emailed to returning regular season GVSLL players by mid-December. If you are not a returning player but would like to be added to our distribution list, fill out the Contact Info Form on the Online Forms page.
• How do I register?
  Detailed registration information and instructions can be found in the <Registration Checklist link at the top of this page. If you have problems with the online form, email the League Coordinator for a .pdf version that you can print and fill in by hand, or come to one of the Document Verification days. Please use the online form if possible! If you don't fill it out, someone else will have to do it for you after we get your form in the mail. Meanwhile, your child is not on the Player List. New players should fill out the online form, print it out, and bring it to one of the documentation verificatioin days, along with proof of age and residence .
• Do you offer scholarships?
  The league does offer a limited number of scholarships for families who cannot afford the fee. Scholarship families work additional volunteer shifts in return for reduced registration fees. Contact the League Coordinator for details.
• Why was I asked for a $100 volunteer deposit?
  GVSLL families are required to work one volunteer shift for each player. Your check will be returned to you when you work your shift. For more information on the volunteer commitment, please read the Volunteer Commitment Flyer.

Skills Evaluation

• Why does my child need to be evaluated?
  If your child's league age (age on April 30, 2010) ranges between 8 and 11, he is being evaluated to determine which Division will best suit him: Mini-Minors (machine pitch), Minors, or Majors. This process places the player in a Division where he can compete fairly and get the most out of the season. Older players (12-15 yr olds) are being evaluated purely for draft purposes and to help us put together teams with as much parity as possible within each Division.
• What happens at the skills evaluation?
  Players should bring a baseball glove and be dressed to play ball (most players come in basebal pants, hat and cleats). When a player checks in he/she will be given a large sticker with a number on it to put on the front of his/her shirt. Players of the same age will be evaluated together, and will visit three different drill stations: Outfield, where they will be asked to catch several fly balls; Infield, where they will be asked to field several balls from the shortstop position and throw to 1^st base; and Hitting, where a coach will throw several pitches for each player to hit. The Team Managers observe the players during the evaluation. In additioni, an experienced, impartial official (such as a former Board member or Manager with no children in the league) also rates each player. This is sometimes referred to as the "league rating," and is used for reference during the draft.
• Do all players have to attend the skills evaluation?
  Everyone except T-Ball players must be evaluated to determine which Division is appropriate to the player's skill level! This includes returning Major Division players, because the Major Division is re-drafted every spring. All returning Major Division players who register will definitely be drafted onto a Major Division team. However, if you do not attend the evaluation, the managers will not be able to draft you, and you will be placed on a team by the Player Agent.
• Should my 7-year old attend the evaluation?
  Many 7-year-olds play T-Ball; however a significant number of experienced 7-year-olds are drafted into the Mini-Minors, depending on the current age distribution in the league. If your child has already played two years of T-Ball and you feel he/she is ready to hit a pitched ball, go ahead and attend the evaluation. If your child is not drafted by a Mini-Minor team, he/she will be placed on a T-Ball team. 7-year-olds who intend to try out for the Mini-Minors should pay the full fee, and we'll refund the extra $35 if you are placed in T-Ball. A child MUST attend the evaluation to be eligible for the Mini-Minor draft. Older players will have priority. Although it varies from year to year, in 2009 about half our 7-year-olds played T-Ball and half played Mini-Minors.
• Should my 6-year-old attend the evaluation?
  Little League International rules specify that 6-year-olds should play in the T-Ball Division. Occassionally waivers are granted, generally in cases where a safety issue is involved. Very few 6-year-olds are ready to play in the Mini-Minors. Keep in mind that your child would be playing with 9-year-olds. Please contact the Mini-Minor Vice President if you want your experienced 6-year old to be evaluated. Unless the League decides to apply for a waiver for your child, realize that he/she will be placed on a T-Ball team. A child MUST attend the evaluation to be eligible for the Mini-Minor draft. Older players will have priority.
• Is it possible to "fail" the skils evaluation?
  The skills evaluation is NOT a "try-out;" your registration as a GVSLL player is NOT dependent on how well you do at the evaluation. The purpose is to place players in the appropriate Division and draft competitive teams so that the players get the most out of the season.
• What if I can't make my scheduled evaluation time?
  If possible, attend the alternate session for the same age group. It is far preferable to be evaluated with your age group, because the Managers from the appropriate Division(s) will be there at that time. If your child can't make either session for your age group, attend a session for the age group just above or below your own. If this is just not possible, contact the League President to make other arrangements.
• What happens if I totally miss the skills evaluation?
  Players who miss the evaluations are not eligible for the open draft, and will be placed on a team by the Player Agent. In general, players who are not evaluated may NOT move up to the next Division; for example, a 10-year-old would be placed in the Minors, an 8-year-old in the Mini-Minors, and 7-year-old in T-Ball.

• How are teams formed?
  Open drafts are held for each Division except T-Ball. Team Managers take turns choosing players, based on their ratings for each player from the skills evaluation. Drafts are held starting with the highest Division, going in reverse order (Juniors, Majors, Minors, Mini-Minors). There is no T-Ball draft. T-Ball teams are formed by the T-Ball Vice President and the Player Agent, placing children from the same school together if possible.
• Can I request placement with a friend or a specific coach?
  Since the teams are formed through a draft, we cannot accomodate special requests except in the case of siblings in the same Division. We will do our best to honor requests from T-Ball players. If you have a request, please note it on your form when you turn it in.
• What is the difference between the different divisions?
  For a description of the different levels of play, check out the Divisions page. In general, players are placed in a Division based on their age and skill level.
• If I played Fall Ball, will I definately play in the same Division in the Spring?
  Not necessarily. During Fall Ball, players were assigned to a Division based on age. In the Spring there is a more formal placement process, with a skills evaluation and a draft. The level of play is more competitive during the Spring season, and there are many more players and teams. It is possible that a Fall Ball Major Division player will be drafted onto a Minor Division team during the Spring season or that a Fall Ball Minor Division player will be drafted onto a Spring Mini-Minor team. Your Fall Ball experience is unknown to the Managers drafting teams, and is not taken into account.
• If I played in the Majors last Spring, will I play in the Majors this year for sure?
  Yes. All returning Major Division players will be drafted onto Major Division teams. Also, returning Minor and Mini-minor Division players will not be drafted into a lower Division this year (so, a returning Minor player will play in either the Minors or Majors this year, and a returning Mini-Minor player will play in either the Mini-Minors or Minors).
• What if I don't want my 8 or 10 year-old to "move up" a Division?
  Based on the skills evaluationi, each player will be drafted onto a team in the Division judged appropriate for his/her skill level. Although most 7-year-olds will be drafted by Mini-Minor teams, some will be drafted into the Minor Divisioin; most 10-year-olds will be drafted by Minor teams, but some will be drafted into the Major Divisioin. We recommend that you trust the placement process; however, some parents object strongly to their child being placed in the higher Division. On the registration form, parents of 8 and 10 year-olds will be asked if they are open to their child moving up if so drafted. If you fell strongly that your child should stay down please be sure to indicate thison the registration form. If you change your mind after you register, you must inform the Player Agent by January 31. Note that although your request will be considered, the final decision on where a player is placed is made by the league, based on the age distribution of the league and the results of the skills evaluation.
• When and how will I know what team I am on?
  Drafts for the Junior, Major, Minor, and Mini-Minor Divisions are held the first week of February. You will hear from your team Manager in early February. Practices may begin as early as February 16th. Team rosters will be posted on the website after the middle of February. T-Ball teams are formed in mid to late February, and you will hear from your Manager by late February or early March.

• How do I apply to be the Manager or Coach of a GVSLL team?
  If you would like to volunteer as a manager or coach, you need to submit a GVSLL Manager/Coach Application and the Volunteer Application required by Little League International. Also, when you register your child you will be given the opportunity to indicate if you are interested in volunteering as a Manager, Coach, Team Mom, Team Dad, or Umpire. Managers are chosen by the GVSLL Board of Directors. Managers take responsibility for the team, draft the players, and act as the Head Coach. After the team is drafted, the Manager will recruit coches from the team parents. The Manager will receive your registration form, so if you have indicated an interest in helping to coach, the Manager will have that information.
• How do I volunteer to be a Team Mom or a Team Dad?
  Every team needs a Team Mom and a Team Dad! Team Moms keep the team organized and act as the communication link between the league and the team parents. Team Dads help the coach by taking responsibility for field maintenance before or after the game as required, and act as the contact point between the Fields Director and the team parents. When you register your child you will be given the opportunity to indicate your willingness to be a Team Mom or Team Dad. This information will be given to the Team Manager after the draft. It is the responsibility of the Team Manager to recruit a Team Mom and Team Dad. All volunteers must submit a Volunteer Application, required by Little League International.
• Do you do background checks on volunteers?
  Every local Little League is required by Little Leage International to perform a background check on all volunteers who will be working directly with the players (Board members, Managers, Coaches, Team Moms, parents who help out at practices, etc.) Specifically, we are required to verify that volunteers have not been convicted of, or pled guilty to any offense against a minor. All volunteers are required to submit a Volunteer Application. A list of cleared volunteers is compiled. Only cleared volunteers are permitted to interact with the players during games or practices. We do NOT do background checks on parents signed up for mandatory volunteer shifts such as working in the Concession Stand or at the Field Work Days. Note that a social security number is no longer required on the application. If there is any chance you will be helping out with the team, please submit this application.
• Do you need umpires? How do I get started as an umpire?
  We always need good umpires! No previous experience is necessary - we will train you. Teenagers are welcome to volunteer, and can earn community service hours. Every team in the Minor and Major Divisions is required to provide an umpire for at least 10 games during the season. It works best if 2-3 volunteers from each team share this responsibility. Please consider helping out your team, and the League, by sharing your love of baseball through this important and rewarding role. For more information contact the Umpire-in-Chief.

• Can I sponsor my child's team?
  Every team needs a sponsor! Team sponsorship includes a banner to be displayed by the team at each game, as well as a large ad in the GVSLL Yearbook. There are other sponsorship options also. Check out the Sponsorship Flyer for details. Contact our Director of Sponsorships and Grants early if you are interested in sponsoring your child's team before someone beats you to it!
• What is Opening Day?
  Opening Day, to be held March 13^th, is a celebration of the new season, our main fundraiser, an opportunity for umpire and scorekeeper training, and picture day all rolled into one! Team and individual pictures will be taken in the morning (schedule to be posted in February). During the formal ceremonies, each team marches onto the field together and is introduced to the crowd, displaying their sponsor's banner. Following a short program, a BBQ lunch is served. In the afternoon, there will be a Homerun Derby, Scorekeeping Clinic and Umpire Clinic. Meanwhile, the Silent Auction and Bake Sale are going all day! Please mark your calendar and plan to attend!
• Are there any changes to the rules this year?
  Little League International updates the rules every year. All local Little Leagues are bound by these rules, but can also enact more restrictive local rules. 2010 Rule Changes are posted here and on the Little League web site.

• Who determines if games or practices are cancelled due to rain, and how will I know?
  The decision on whether to close the GVSLL fields is made by the GVSLL Fields Director and/or the Safety Officer. Field closures or special instructions will be posted on the website as soon as possible on the day of the game as a News Alert on the front page. Status of practices held away from the GVSLL fields are up to the Team Manager.
• What if conditions change?
  Status is posted in the early afternoon on week days; obviously conditions can worsen later in the day. If a later update is available, it will be posted as soon as possible. Please do not call Board Members to ask for status. If we know, it will be posted. When in doubt, assume the game will go on as scheduled. The umpire will cancel the game or end it early if conditions are not safe.
• Will rain-out games be rescheduled?
  There is little to no room on the Field Schedule for make-up games, due to rain or otherwise. As a general rule, cancelled games will only be rescheduled if they have a bearing on which teams make it to the playoffs.
• What about rained-out concession shifts?
  Since rained-out games won't be rescheduled, neither will the rained-out concession shifts. We know many of you arrange to get off work early and/or schedule a babysitter to be available for your shift and we won't ask you to do it again due to circumstances beyond your control. Be sure the shift has been cancelled - do not assume! If the shift has not been cancelled and you don't show up, your check will be cashed.! We will try to call you, but can't always get hold of everyone. Check the website News Alert for status, and contact the Concessions Manager if you are in doubt. Your volunteer deposit check will be returned to you. If you are willing to reschedule, please contact the Concessions Manageror League Coordinator (and Thank You!)
• What about rained-out Field Work days?
  If a Field Work day is cancelled due to rain, it will be rescheduled - the work still needs to get done! Volunteers will be contacted with a new date.