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Villa Park Little League

Villa Park Little League

VPLL Frequently Asked Questions

Villa Park Little League frequently asked questions about registering, evaluations, divisions, equipment playing, volunteering sponsorships and more.

Q: What does the term "League Age" mean? How does Little League determine a child’s “League Age”?
A:
A player’s “League Age” is not necessarily the same as their current age. You can determine your child’s League Age by using the Little League International age calculator. The player’s league age is critical in determining division assignment and All Star eligibility.  Note: Age groups for each division are listed below (see Question 12).

Q: What are Little League Boundaries?
A:
Players who both reside within and attend a school within a league’s boundary may use either residence or school attendance to qualify for eligibility in that league. Little League International establishes Boundaries to maintain parity and ensuring that Little League remains a community based program. There is a waiver process, where parents can work with local leagues to provide additional opportunities for a child to participate in a league outside of where they live or go to school.

Q:
When is registration for the Spring season?
A:
Registration typically opens during the first week of October and closes the beginning of January.

Q: Are there any Spring registration cancellation fees?
A: VPLL will fully refund Spring registration fees before January 10th each year and issue a 50% refund if cancellation occurs prior to the start of the season. 

Q: Why does registration open so far in advance of the season?
A:
Registrations opens early as the league needs to identify the number of potential players as early as possible in order to schedule enough fields, recruit and train enough managers and coaches, purchase insurance, etc. In addition, we are required to charter team counts and player registration data with Little League International prior to the Season.

Q: When is registration for the Fall season?
A:
Registration typically opens during the first week of August and closes the middle of September.

Q: What is included in the registration fee?
A:
Each player's registration fee includes players uniform (jersey and hat), paid umpires, and administrative costs to run the league (insurance, field permits, maintenance, upgrades, etc.).

Q: What levels of play are provided in Villa Park Little League?
A:
We offer Tee Ball, , Coach Pitch, Machine Pitch, AA, AAA, Majors, Intermediate (50/70), Junior League (60/90), Senior League and Challenger Divisions.  For more information on our divisions, see our Divisions of Play.

Q: I have read the recommended Divisions of Play for each age but still not sure which division to register my child. How do I decide?
A: 
If you have any questions about the appropriate Baseball division for your child please contact [email protected].

Q: Why are there evaluations and when will they be held? Does my child need to try out?
A:
All registered players will be assigned to a team regardless of ability. With the exception of our T-ball Division, Coach Pitch, Machine Pitch divisions, all players must be evaluated. Evaluations give managers an opportunity to evaluate and assess each player's skill level; this helps evenly distribute the talents pool and helps make sure we place our players in the correct division of play.  Tryouts will test the basic hitting/fielding/throwing/running abilities of each player. Find out more about evaluations.

Q: What should we bring to evaluations?
A:
 Come prepared to play baseball. Players will need to bring their own glove and wear plastic/rubber cleats.  Players are also encouraged to bring their helmet and bat (only USA Baseball bats are permitted).  Helmets and bats will be available for those players that do not bring them. A baseball hat and pants are recommended.

Q: What happens in the draft?
A:
The draft is where the managers of the competitive divisions (AA, AAA, Majors) pick their teams for the season. Managers make their player selections based off of evaluation notes and past seasons watching the players in the league.  The draft is done to help maintain a balanced and competitive playing field across teams.

Q: Can I play with specific friends or for a specific manager/coach?
A:
Friend and manager/coach requests can be made in the non-competitive and undrafted divisions (T-Ball, Coach Pitch, Machine Pitch). For the competitive and drafted divisions (AA, AAA, Majors) friend and manager/coach requests cannot made in order maintain the competitive balance of teams.

When requested, VPLL makes every effort to arrange non-competitive teams (T-Ball, Coach Pitch, Machine Pitch) based on friend and manager/coach requests, however based on the number of registered players for a division of play, it may not be possible in all situations. For the competitive divisions (AA, AAA, Majors), manager/coaches may "freeze" their kids to their team with Player Agent approval. Most requests are approved provided the competitive balance of all teams is maintained.

Friend or manager/coach requests can be sent to [email protected]. Requests must made prior to the close of registration and before teams are formed.

Q: I have two or more kids - can they play on the same team?
A:
We make all reasonable efforts to ensure siblings are kept on the same team. Due to varying age/skill levels and the use of a draft to create teams, there is no guarantee the request will be accommodated but every effort is made. We cannot guarantee or place other familial relationships on the same team. Our primary mission is to have evenly matched teams determined by a fair draft process.

Sibling requests can be sent to [email protected]. Requests must made prior to the close of registration and before teams are formed.

Q: Can my child play up a division?
A:
Yes, but players must attend evaluations AND be drafted for upper divisions (AA, AAA, Majors).

Q: Can my child play down a division?
A:
Yes, players can play down a division as long as there are no safety concerns.

Q: My child has never played before? Will they be ok?
A: Yes. At VPLL we pride ourselves in affording each child, no matter what their experience level or lack thereof, the chance to learn the game of baseball by our league appointed Managers and approved volunteers. The best way to learn the game is to play!

Q: My child has special needs? Can they play at VPLL?
A:
Yes. The Little League Challenger Division accommodates players ages 4-18, or up to age 22, if still enrolled in school. Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate. The Senior League Challenger Division is for ages 15 and above but based on participation numbers this is typically one combined team.

Q: What equipment / apparel does the league provide?
A:
Jersey and hat will be provided by the league. Each team will have a set of catchers gear that the players can use. (Managers will be given all of the equipment they will need for the season).

Q: Who manages/coaches the teams?
A:
Managers and Coaches are volunteers. They are mostly parents. All Managers, Coaches and Volunteers that have regular contact with players are required to complete a volunteer application and pass a background check.

Q: What kinds of bats are allowed?
A:
Little League rules require that non-wood and laminated baseball bats are used in Little League Majors and below. Refer to the Official Little League site for all but rules and information. Visit USABAT.com for the full and up to date approved bat list.

Q: When are teams announced?
A: 
Once teams are formed in mid to late January coaches will contact the parents to let them know their players assigned team. Upper Division (AA-Majors) are formed first, then Lower Division (Tee Ball, Coach Pitch, Machine Pitch). Timing of notification may vary across teams depending on coaches availability to immediately notify parents.

Q: When does the season start?

A: Practices for the spring season may officially begin around mid to late January with Opening Day taking place in late February each year.

Q: When does the season end?
A:
The Spring season generally ends mid to late May. The Machine Pitch Tournament and All Stars (league age 9-12) generally starts immediately after the regular season ends. How long the post-season lasts depends on the how far the teams advance.

Q: How many times/week are games & practices?
A:
For most divisions there will be about 2 - 3 team meetings per week (Example: 2 practices with 1 game, or 1 practice and 2 games). This can be increased in our older divisions and decreased in our lower divisions. For upper divisions, all stars at the end of the season may have more practices and games. Practices can be held Monday through Saturday, all stars is elective. Spring season practices generally start mid to late January.

Q: Where will practices be held?
A:
Practices will be held at the Villa Park Little League Fields at Cerro Villa Middle School. Practice days and times are determined by each team's manager. 

Q: When are Games Played?

A: Schedule will vary but during the Spring Season expect to play 1 to 3 games a week Monday through Saturday. Some tournament games may be played on Sundays.

Q: Where are the games played?
A:
Games are played at the Villa Park Little League Fields at Cerro Villa Middle School  (17852 Serrano Ave., Villa Park, CA 92861). Tournament and inter-league games may be played at local visiting fields.

Q: Where can I find the rules for Little League baseball?
A:
Little League Rules & Regulations can be found here.  The rule set is updated each year before the spring season. In addition to Little League International's Rules, VPLL has local rules that do not supersede any rule that has been outlined by the official rules of Little League Baseball.

Q: Are parents expected to volunteer?
A:
No, as a 100% volunteer-based league, we depend on volunteers to assist at every level including managers, coaches, board members, event organizers, schedulers, field maintenance, etc but it is not mandatory.

Q: Are there any volunteer opportunities?
A:
We have a ton of volunteer opportunities at Villa Park Little League; whether it be Board members, managers, coaches, field duty, snack bar, team moms, score keepers, or umpires we are always on the lookout for great new volunteers to add to our team. Villa Park Little League is always accepting generous labor donations for various repairs, improvements, new additions, and upgrades. If you or your family can assist with carpentry, roofing, concrete, dirt work/grading, or landscape we would love to hear from you!  All donations are tax deductible. Please email us at [email protected] for information on current volunteer opportunities.

Q: What do I do if I want to be manager or coach?  What if I've never managed or coached before?
A:
Complete baseball knowledge is not required to help coach Little League; we will provide you with resources such as clinics, rule books, and website links to help make you a great coach. Email us  for more information and fill out a volunteer Application or returning Volunteer Application.

Q: Any other questions or concerns? 

Please email us at [email protected].

General Little League Baseball FAQs

Q: How many innings are there in Little League Baseball?
A: There are 6 innings in 12u divisions and less for Tee Ball. There are also sunset, mercy rules and time limits set at both the national and local league level that can lead to less innings being played in an official game.

Q: Can 13 year olds play Little League Baseball?
A: 13 year olds can play play in the Intermediate (50/70), Junior League and Senior League. However, 13-year olds cannot play in the Little League World Series even though historically they could. This is because Little League International changed the "age determination date" to August 31st, right after the Little League World Series concludes each year.

Q: Do Little League umpires get paid?
A: Yes, generally umpires are paid per game they officiate. Pay is variable by league and location.

Q: What is the birthday cutoff for Little League?
A: August 31. Previously it was April 30.

Q: Can an 8 year old play Little League All Stars?
A: Yes, it's possible but to make the 8, 9, 10 all-star team they would need to be selected over 9 and 10 year olds.

Q: How old are kids in Little League World Series?
A: Children (typically boys) are aged 10 to 12 years old.

Q: What is Little League TOC?
A: Tournament of Champions (TOC) is typically a tournament for all League Champions within a Little League district. TOC or other organized events outside of the Little League International Tournament provide local leagues an option to extend the Little League season well into the summer months.

Q: What age is tee ball?
A: Tee-ball is an entry-level sport designed to introduce players, usually between the ages of 4 and 6, to baseball.

Q: Is there a time limit on Little League Games?
A: A league may be permitted to impose time limits on the games. However, the game must meet the requirements of Rule 4.10 or 4.11 to be official. Most local leagues include time limits on games.

Q: What is the run rule in Little League?
A: If at the end of three (3) innings (two and one-half innings if the home team is ahead), one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If at the end of a regulation game one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. The home team, if behind, must bat in its half of the inning. According to Little League International, this should not be called the “mercy rule” or “slaughter rule.” It is the “Run Rule.”

Q: How far is the pitcher's mound from home plate in Little League?
A:
The pitching distance for divisions of baseball for the Major Division and below is 46 feet.

Q: How far are the bases in Little League?
A:
Generally, the distance between base paths on fields for 12-year-olds and below in baseball and in all divisions of softball is 60 feet. A local Little League board of directors may opt to use a 50-foot diamond in the Tee Ball divisions.


Contact

Villa Park Little League
17852 Santiago Blvd, 1107-239
Villa Park, California 92861

Email: [email protected]

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