The League
1. Who is Ashland Little League?
Established in 1964, Ashland Little League (operates as a non-profit) is a 100% volunteer run organization affiliated with Little League International, offering the Western Hanover County area youth baseball, softball and challenger programs for regular and fall seasons of play and access to the world's largest youth sports tournament for more advanced players with the Little League World Series that takes place each summer, along with several local tournaments. Ashland Little League resides within the Virginia District 5 and Little League's Southeast Region.
2. How big is ALL?
We currently provide the Little League experience to over 300 players in our Spring and Fall seasons combined. Our expectation for this spring is to have approximately 250 players in the league and 200 during the fall. Little League encourages boys and girls to become part of the Little League experience. The league is comprised entirely of volunteers who freely give their time to help our youth learn the games of baseball and softball, and embrace the Little League motto: Loyalty, Character, and Courage. Thanks in advance to all of the volunteers who will help this season be a successful endeavor for everyone!
3. What are the Ashland Little League boundaries?
The boundaries for Ashland Little League are the Hanover County lines to the North, West and South, and HWY 301 to the East. A child may play within Ashland Little League who resides outside of this boundary, but will be required to seek a waiver approved by Little League International. If you feel you wish to play for Ashland and need a waiver please contact our League President.
4. What sports and levels of play does Ashland Little League offer?
ALL offers T-Ball through Seniors Baseball and Softball for Ages 4 through 16. And Challengers (Special Needs) for ages 4 through 18 (21 if still attending High School).
5. How is the league organized?
ALL is chartered by Little League International and must follow their rules, regulations, and guidelines. The following are the divisions we offer, based on age determination guidelines on littleleague.org:
T-Ball COED, 4 & 5 years old
Coach Pitch COED 5, & 6 years old 5 Year olds must have 1 year experience in Tee-Ball.
Machine Pitch Baseball and Softball, 7 & 8 years old
Minor Baseball and Softball, 9 & 10 years old
Major Baseball and Softball, 11 & 12 years old
Intermediate Baseball, 11 - 13 Years old (11 & 12 year olds must try out for this division)
Junior Softball 12 - 14 years old
Junior Baseball 13 & 14 years old
Senior Baseball and Softball, 15 & 16 years old (Depending on the Size 13 & 14 years olds maybe combined)
6. Can my child play down or up a division?
Yes, players 11 and under can play down to any division except Tee-Ball. At the discretion of the President and Player Agents. That process requires a waiver form, and for the child to attend a player assessment. 12 Year olds can play down to 9/10 Player Pitch with a waiver approved by LL after being evaluated.
"Playing Up"
The vast majority of ALL kids will play within the level of play designated for their age. However, there are some players who, due to their skill level or other individual circumstances, may be allowed to play at a different level than their age specifies. These exceptions are granted on an individual, year-to-year basis and must be approved by the ALL President or designated representative. If a parent or player believes he/she should play at a different level than their age designates then the player's parents must make a request to a ALL board for review. The player must register in his designated age group and attend the skills assessment for that group.
"Play-up" requests are evaluated based primarily on roster space at the requested level and the skill level of the player. In evaluating the skill level of the player ALL considers not only whether the player is sufficiently skilled to compete at the requested level, but also whether his or her skill level is such that participating in the level with his or her contemporaries would be unchallenging or present safety issues for other players. Some of the other factors that ALL considers are the player's school grade and the proximity of his or her birthday to the December 31st/August 31st age cutoff. The fact that a player may have the skills necessary to play in the higher level is not sufficient reason alone to merit a "play-up" exception. ALL typically permits only a small number of "play-up" requests each season.
Players under the age of Little League Age 10 are not allowed to play-up to Majors.
Playing up does not preclude the player from being eligible for post-season tournaments, however they will be required to play on teams based on their age, which may be different then coaches and players who they played with throughout the season.
7. What is included in the registration fee?
Your registration fees include a uniform shirt, cap (for baseball players), socks (for softball players), and trophy (Spring) or medal (Fall) at the end of the season. You will have to provide all other equipment including pants, belt, socks (baseball), shoes, etc. Coaches will be given basic equipment such as bats, balls, catchers gear etc.
8. Are credit and debit cards accepted at walk-up registration sessions?
Yes.
9. Is there a refund policy? (subject to change at any time)
Local Rules By-Law
Refund Policy
1. All request for refunds must be in writing a minimum $10 processing fee is added to all refunds. (Mailed or Email [email protected])
2. The following information must be in the request:
· Parent Name
· Mailing Address
· Child’s Name
· Reason for request
3. All requests will be presented to board for approval
4. Requests made after assigned to a team will incur an additional $35 fee for a total of $45 to cover uniforms and processing fees, along with any additional Credit Card Fees or Fees Charged by Sports Connect or Little League International which are non-refundable.
5. Request made after 1st game for that division can only be approved by the President on a case by case basis
6. Payments will be refunded with 7 to 14 days after approved.
Players wishing to play for PHHS or LMS are encouraged to register for ALL and will be refunded if they decide to withdraw from ALL after making a school team. However they are eligible to play for LL and school teams concurrently.
10. Why do I need to bring a birth certificate and proofs of residency to registration?
These documents are required by Little League. They are needed for the Age and Address Verification process.
11. What is the Age and Address Verification?
The Age and Address Verification process provides parents and league officials the opportunity to fulfill Player Age and Address Verification required by Little League baseball.
12. Why does Ashland Little League do this?
Little League International requires all local Little Leagues to verify the Age and Address of all their players. Because we are affiliated with Little League, we are bound to this requirement.
13. What documents do I need to verify age?
Bring a certified birth certificate with embossed seal, or your child's passport so that your child's age can be verified.
14. What documents do I need to verify address?
The easiest way to achieve this is to complete the school enrollment form from the 'Important Forms' tab on our website. Little League requires three (3) separate items to demonstrate proof of residence so we can verify that you live within ALL's boundaries. These documents must show PHYSICAL address. You can find the documents needed on the forms page of this website.
15. Can I use a work, church, or other address instead of my personal residence to be in your league?
No, Little League International requires that your personal residence is used to establish which league your child plays in. Unless you submit a School Enrollment form for a school within our boundaries.
16. Will your league make any exceptions?
No, we cannot. No verification, no baseball/softball, no kidding. Sorry, but it is a Little League International rule.
17. Please explain the Little League assistance program and is financial assistance available?
ALL's policy is that no child will ever be turned away from our program due to a financial hardship. Please contact the Player Agent for your league to discuss options available to you.
18. How are other revenues generated for Ashland Little League?
As you know, operating such a program requires a lot of volunteer time and costs a great deal of money. In order to keep the registration fees affordable for all, ALL must turn to corporate and community sponsorships for much of our financial support to make up the difference needed to provide uniforms, upgrade equipment, pay for upkeep of the facilities, insurance, and other direct expenses of running the league. In addition to registration fees and corporate sponsorships, ALL has fundraising opportunities.
Teams and Assessments
1. How are teams formed?
All teams will be drafted. The Player Agent(s) will conduct the drafts for each division. Coaches will use a list of names with ages to make their picks. And conduct a draft night.
2. What are assessments?
Assessments are an event that ALL holds for all players, coach pitch and up. They will be conducted by selected Board members. Current baseball and/or softball skills are evaluated and assessed by the selected Board members. Not all players will be permitted to waiver up, depending on the needs of the League to fill out rosters.
3. What happens at the assessments?
Players will be rated on the following skills:
(1) Fielding fly balls
(2) Fielding ground balls
(3) Throwing
(4) Batting
(5) Running
4. How long do the assessments last?
It will vary depending on the number of players in attendance, but somewhere between one to two hours. Please check the schedule on our website and/or Facebook page for the appropriate time for your player(s).
5. Who has to attend player assessments?
Any child who is league age 7 - 12 years old (see League Age Chart under forms) who will be on Machine Pitch through Majors Division, or a 5 – 6 year old who wishes to waiver up (play up), must attend player assessments. The reason for this is to get a formal approval that the player is appropriate for that level of play and is not a safety risk to play in the higher division. A waiver form must be filled out and submitted PRIOR to assessments if you are waivering a player. Failure to do so, will result in your child playing in their appropriate league age division.
6. We have finished assessments. How do I know what team my child is on?
ALL asks that all Managers (head coaches) contact their players within 72 hours after the draft to set up their first meeting or practice.
**IMPORTANT** - If any player opts to, and accepts a waiver up from their assigned league age division, he/she WILL ONLY be eligible for the all star division in their League Age. They are not eligible for All Stars in the division they waived up to. This could make them ineligible to play on an All-Star Team
7. If my son or daughter is 5, should I move them from Tee-Ball to Coach Pitch?
If your child has played at least one year in T-Ball then you may them up.
Coach Pitch is if your child can:
- Consistently throw a baseball accurately in the air at a distance of 15 to 20 feet (e.g., when playing catch)
- Consistently catch a reasonably thrown baseball from 15 to 20 feet (e.g., when playing catch)
- Consistently field a ground ball on an infield surface
- Easily hit a baseball/softball off of a tee every time
If your child struggles with any one of these fundamental skills, T-Ball will provide a better environment for improving.
9. If you are considering moving up from Coach Pitch to Machine Pitch here are a few questions to ask yourself and your son/daughter regarding last year’s experience.
- Was she/he able to make contact with the bat against 80% of the pitches received?
- Did she/he feel confident and was able to consistently catch the throws that hit her/his glove?
- Did she/he feel comfortable with the speed of the throws that were caught?
- Was she/he comfortable with the velocity of the balls hit her/his way?
If the answer is yes to these questions, they could probably move up to Machine Pitch and have a good experience. If not, they may want to get a bit more experience and be one of the more confident and stronger players in Coach Pitch.
10. Can I request a specific Manager (head coach) and/or that my child plays with their friends on the same team?
We do not accept special play requests, with the exception of siblings or coaches children. Teams are selected exclusively via the draft process.
11. What if I have an issue with my child's Manager (head coach)?
Speak with the Manager (head coach) about your concerns. Ninety-nine percent of the time this will take care of the issue. If you still are not satisfied, your next contact would be the Director of your division. If you feel the issue is critical you are always free to contact the Player Agent or President directly.
12. If my child is unhappy with the team they are placed on, can they switch teams?
Only in extreme cases does the league allow children to switch teams after the teams have been formed. Such requests must be made in writing to Ashland Little League for consideration by the Player Agent. Approval requires extenuating circumstances, so any request is highly unlikely to be approved, and in most cases we will ask that the player remain with their team. Team balance is established early on, and changes of this type are difficult, if not impossible, to implement without upsetting the balance that has been established.
13. When are team photos taken?
A schedule will be posted on the homepage or given to your coach. Our goal is to have them done on Opening Day, but it all depends on the availability of the photographer and weather.
Volunteers
1. Does Little League perform background checks on its volunteers?
Yes. The local leagues are responsible for securing background checks on each adult volunteer over the age of 13. The minimum background check required is a search of the NCIC III Index and Registered Sex Offender Database.
2. What if I just want to be the “Team Parent” or just help with practice?
We encourage all parents to volunteer and get involved with ALL in some way. There are many areas where parents can assist. They can help the Manager (head coach) in practices, be the Team parent, umpire, help with field preparations and maintenance, and keep the scorebook, to name just a few. However, all volunteers must fill out the Volunteer Application online and submit to a background check before helping. Failing to do so, can jeopardize your team by causing the Manager to be penalized.
3. What are the responsibilities of a Manager (head coach) and an assistant coach?
The head coach/manager oversees the management of the team throughout the season. They are responsible for setting a practice schedule, developing a practice format, creating a lineup card for every game, and ensuring kids get their minimum playing time in each game. Managers are the focal point of the team and must be committed to following through with managing the team from mid-February to the beginning of June. Time commitment is usually around 8–10 hours a week depending upon the division. Managers need to be able to commit to be at most practices and games. Managers also must attend pre-season meetings as required by the league, and a coach’s meeting with the division representative. As well, they must schedule and conduct a parent meeting prior to the first practice of the season. Managers are assisted by a volunteer team parent who helps with things like concession stand scheduling, fundraising events, uniform distribution, and picture day.
One or two assistant coaches are allowed in the dugout during games, at the player pitch and above level, Machine Pitch and below can have up to three assistants. Assistant Coaches provide support during practice to ensure kids get enough attention while developing their skills. Assistant Coaches are under the guidance and direction of the manager (head coach). Typically, a manager will design a practice format and have assistants take care of coaching small groups of players, assisting with batting practice, hitting fundamentals, or other assistant duties. Assistant coaches should commit to be at all practices and games, generally about 6–8 hours a week depending upon the division. All actions of an assistant coach during games are the ultimate responsibility of the manager.
4. How are coaches selected?
ALL is actively seeking coaching candidates at the time of registration. Any adult who has turned in a completed Volunteer Form and passed the background check may manage a team. No baseball or softball experience is necessary. It is the Local League’s Board of Director’s decision to approve persons recommended by the President and wishing to fulfill a coaching position. Coaching positions are not reserved on a year-to-year basis. Each year a person wishing to coach must volunteer for the position, be recommended by the League’s President and approved by the Board of Directors. Assistant Coaches are generally hand-picked by the manager/head coach of each team and must also complete a Volunteer Form and pass a background check.
5. I am in high school and would like to volunteer. Can I get community service hour’s credit for doing this?
Absolutely. We welcome teenagers to come and help us. Please click contact us to learn more. We have even umpire positions. We can sign off on community service hours for you.
Sponsorship
1. How can I sponsor a team?
Please see the 'Sponsor' tab for more information and a sponsorship form.
2. If I sponsor a team, can I pick the team’s name?
Managers get first pick on choosing team names. ALL currently uses Major League Baseball Team names (Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, etc.) for all baseball teams. Softball often uses a mix of MLB and college team names.
3. If I sponsor a team, can I sponsor a specific child’s team (my son, granddaughter, etc.)? , ALL will make every attempt to honor the sponsor’s request. Again, please discuss any specific requests with the League President.
4. If I am not able to sponsor a team, are there other ways to sponsor ALL?
Yes, there is. You can sponsor ALL in several ways. One is through a team sponsorship, or your business can purchase a banner to go on the outfield fence. Finally, you can also sponsor just by giving a donation.
5. I do not have a business, can I still sponsor?
Yes, you can. We accept non-business sponsors as well.
6. Are my charitable contributions and donations tax deductible?
Ashland Little League is operated as a Non-Profit Organization. One hundred percent (100%) of all contributions go directly to Ashland Little League! You will have to check with a CPA and/or the IRS to see how it would apply to you.
Equipment
1. What equipment will my child need before the first practice or game?
Players should arrive at their first practice, ready to play ball with a glove, batting helmet and comfortable clothing at a minimum. A baseball/softball bag is recommended to transport bats, batting gloves, water bottles, hats, and other items.
2. Are there any uniform supplies my child needs?
A uniform consists of a pair of baseball pants, belt, a baseball jersey, a hat, and socks. Ashland Little League will provide each player a team jersey and a team hat (for baseball players)/ “crazy” socks (for softball players). Players need to provide the pants, belt, socks (Baseball), and shoes. The jersey and hat/socks are the players' to keep. Your coach will provide more specifics as for the color of pants preferred for your team. Rubber cleats are highly recommended. Steel spikes are not allowed in the Major Divisions and below. In the early part of the season, players should bring a windbreaker, jacket, or sweatshirt to every game and practice if the weather is cool.
3. What kind of glove should I get my child?
A quality leather glove is a must and it is recommended to stay away from vinyl and simulated leather gloves that may be cheaper, but tend to cause the player a great deal of frustration. It is impossible to form a pocket in gloves made of vinyl or simulated leather. Therefore, the ball tends to pop out when the player attempts to catch it.
4. What equipment does my child need to play Little League?
At minimum, your child will need a glove and boys also will need to wear an athletic supporter with a hard cup. A cup is REQUIRED for ALL boys playing Machine Pitch baseball and up. Any males players not wearing one, will not be allowed to play. Softball players are RECOMMENDED to wear face masks at all positions. The league will provide a face mask for the Pitcher for Softball. The league will supply a team shirt and hat (baseball)/socks (softball). Children will also require uniform pants (Grey in color) belt, and (non-metal) cleats, which the league does not provide. The league provides each team with catcher's gear. Players can bring their own catcher's equipment if they choose, but are not required to furnish these items themselves.
5. What size bat should I purchase for my child?
This is a rather complicated question since kids come in all shapes and sizes. The basic concept is that first you pick the weight of the bat, and then you pick the length. A batter's power is determined by bat speed or how fast he/she can swing the bat through the strike zone. Therefore, the weight of the bat is the main determining factor in how fast a player can swing the bat. The rule of thumb is that your child should be able to hold the bat in one hand, extend his/her arm until the bat is at shoulder height, and then hold it for 20 seconds. Make sure the bat doesn't dip and that the child is not doing gyrations to keep the bat up. This will give you the weight of the bat that your child can effectively handle. Now find the longest bat with that weight. The longer the bat the more of the plate the batter can cover. When looking at bats you'll hear a term called "drop". Drop is the length of the bat (in inches) minus the weight of bat (in ounces). For example, a 30-inch bat that weighs 20 ounces has a drop of -10. The greater the drop, the more effective the bat. Grip is another important factor. Your child should be able to comfortably grip the bat. Other factors include the material used in the grip, the size of the butt, the construction of the bat, etc. The bottom line is: (1) the bat must not be too heavy for the child, (2) it should be long enough to cover the plate, and (3) it should be comfortable in your child's hands.
That being said, to be used for Little League play, all non-wood SOFTBALL bats must have BPF 1.20 on them. For BASEBALL bats, it is more complicated. All non-wood baseball bats in the Minors and Majors divisions must have USABat on them. Juniors division non-wood baseball bats can have BBCOR 0.5 on them. For the Seniors division, non-wood baseball bats must be drop 3 (-3), which is the difference between the length and weight. For example, a 33 inch bat must weight 30 ounces.
Game Play
1. What rules does Little League use to play?
Little League plays under a set of rules published by Little League International out of Williamsport, PA. The rules are based on the Official Baseball Rules (OBR) used by Major League Baseball (MLB) with some changes for the safety of younger players and adaptations to play the game on fields with bases 50 feet apart versus 90 feet apart.
In addition, each Little League publishes their local ground rules. Most of these center on how the minor division and below will play their games.
2. What are the differences between Little League rules and Ground rules?
Little League rules are those rules to which we are strictly bound. Little League rules are strictly adhered to at the Majors level of play. Each year Little League publishes updated rules that are well founded in history and are focused at every kid getting a chance to play Little League. Ground rules are those rules adopted by the Ashland Little League Board to enhance the game for the players. The ground rules generally apply to the Minors and lower levels. An example of a ground rule is a continuous batting order where all the kids attending the game bat in succession until all have batted. After all have batted, the batting order reverts to the top of the batting order. Ground rules are posted on the ALL website and are voted on each year.
3. What is inter-league play?
Little League rules allow ALL to schedule games with adjoining leagues if this is mutually agreeable. In general, ALL will pursue inter-league play opportunities when possible in the Machine Pitch and above divisions. At lower levels, where Coach Pitch and Tee-Ball number of teams is greater, we will probably not actively pursue inter-league play. The extent of inter-league play may vary from year to year.
4. Are there time limits on games?
Yes, the time limit varies by division. Shorter time limits also come into play on weeknights to prevent keeping kids out late on a school night.
5. Who decides if a game is rained out?
That depends greatly on when the rain comes. The Board Member in charge for that day will make the call after inspecting the fields. Generally speaking, this is an easy call, because once the fields become soaked and slippery, it is a very time consuming project to make them playable again. If it continues to rain or threatens to rain, all scheduled games will be postponed and rescheduled. Once a game starts, all decisions to play or continue a game is up to the Home Plate Umpire, who is the only person who can stop a game once it has begun. If play is halted due to rain, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THE PARK. A “rain delay” is much different than a “rain out”. Parents will be allowed to take their children to their car, but please do not leave until directed to by the Coach. Lightning may also cut a game short without any rain present. Obviously, safety is a concern here and ALL will always err on the side of caution.
6. How can I find out if a game is rained out?
This is the more difficult question. As noted above, if a decision is reached early enough, it will be communicated by your coach, emailed through our mass email system and posted on the Facebook site. However, if the decision is later, there is not enough time to call everybody that might be playing that day. When possible, check with your Coach to see if they have been notified. Most Coaches will attempt to contact their players once they know the game has been rained out, which is why it is important that Coaches have as much contact information as possible. If you have not been contacted, then it is best to simply go to the field and find out. Don’t be fooled by the weather conditions at your house or office. Numerous times it is raining in one part of the county and nothing at the field. If you don’t know, then continue to the field.
7. Are there any rules around minimum playing time?
Rules vary by division regarding playing time.
Tee ball and Coach Pitch—All players play in the field and all players bat each inning.
Machine Pitch—Continuous batting order (no offensive substitutions, every player is on the batting lineup even if they don't play the field that inning) with 10 fielders
Minor—Continuous batting order with 9 fielders on defense
Majors and above—9 players in the batting order with substitutions
Minimum play for Machine Pitch and above is one at bat and two innings in the field. Note: any player who arrives after the start of the game is not required to get minimum play at the head coach's discretion.
8. If my child is unable to attend practice, will he/she still get to play in the game?
As stated above, Little League requires that all players play a minimum of two innings in the field and get a minimum of one time at bat. However, it is very important that your child attend as many of the practices as possible so that he/she can continue to improve their skills while also working with the other players to learn to play as a team. In the Minor Division and above, the team’s discipline plan will decide the playing time for excessive missed practices. Ultimately, time of play, as well as position of play, is determined by each team's coach.
9. I think my son/daughter is a pretty good player. How does the league choose All-Stars?
Depending on the number of players committing to All-Stars we will hold a vote or try outs. The date of tryouts will be communicated through your coach, as well as the Facebook page and website.
Umpires
1. The umpires did a really bad job at umpiring our game, who can I complain to?
Umpiring is one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the Little League program. The volunteer umpire is as much a part of Little League as the volunteer head coach, coach, or concession stand worker. If you feel the need to complain about a call, feel free to contact the Umpire-in-Chief and volunteer to umpire a few games. It will give you a different perspective on the game and make you appreciate that these volunteers are willing to give their time back to the game. Besides, by umpiring, you have the best seat in the house.
2. What if I am afraid of making the wrong call as an umpire?
Most people seem to not be interested in being the umpire. Why? Because they may feel that they will make a mistake, or they do not want to cause issues with other parents, or that they just don't know what to do. Umpires make mistakes, they are human after all. But remember, when calling fair/foul, safe/out, balls and strikes; an umpire may make over 600 calls in a game. There are bound to be some mistakes. It is a judgement call and umpires call it like they see it.
The Umpire-in-Chief is there to help and provide instruction for anyone who asks and is willing to take the time to help out all the kids of Little League Baseball and Softball.
REMEMBER, Little League is about the kids learning the game and having fun.
The umpires are there to help aid in the learning process by applying the rules. Without the rules, nobody learns or has fun.
3. OK, I will try it. How do I volunteer to be an umpire?
Great! First, fill out a Volunteer Application and become a General Member of the League. The Umpire-in-Chief will get with you and go over the Little League Rules and Local Ground Rules. Your first few times to umpire will probably be in the field with a more experienced umpire behind the plate. Second, relax and go out there and just call it like you see it.
4. If I umpire, will I be umpiring baseball or softball?
You will probably help in both divisions. The rules are pretty much the same for both, except for a few minor differences.
Members and Board of Directors
1. Can I become a ALL Board member?
Any adult can apply to become a board member. All applicants must undergo a background check. Contact the President for further information.
2. If I am not a member, can I attend the Board of Directors Meeting?
Yes. Non-members (i.e., parents) are encouraged to attend our monthly meetings. Although you will not be able to vote on matters, you can be recognized to state your opinion on different subjects. There are times that the Board of Directors will enter into Executive Session. During this time, all non-Board members will be asked to leave the meeting temporarily.
3. Do ALL Directors get paid?
No. Unlike some other Youth Sports Organizations, the Board of Directors for Ashland Little League is 100% volunteer. No Director receives any financial compensation for their services to the League. Additionally, Board members are required to pay the same registration fees for their children as everyone else. Board members are also not allowed to use their position for personal or financial gains.
4. I have a question/concern, who should I contact?
Questions? Suggestions? Ideas? Concerns? Want to help? Check out the Board of Directors page to find the appropriate Board Member to contact. Or, you can email [email protected]
5. How often is the website updated?
Ashland Little League is a volunteer organization. At this time, we have one person designated to update this page. Should you have concerns, or suggestions to make navigating easier, please contact us at