Q: WHEN, WHERE AND HOW CAN I REGISTER MY CHILD?

A: Both new and returning players are registered online using the Bellevue National Little League website at www.bellevuenational.com. Registrations for Spring season open in October.

Registrations close on different dates, for different divisions of play. Please check the registration page information for actual closing dates for each division.

Q: WHY DOES REGISTRATION OPEN SO FAR IN ADVANCE OF THE SEASON?

A: Registrations for the Bellevue National Little League Spring season open in October 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: CAN I GET A DISCOUNT IF I HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHILD REGISTERED?

A: At this time, Bellevue National Little League does not offer any family or multi-player discounts.

Q: ARE REFUNDS AVAILABLE?

A: Bellevue National Little League offers limited refunds. All Registration refunds are subject to a $25 administrative fee. Refunds are available up to the date of evaluations for drafted divisions of play, and up to March 1st for undrafted levels of play.

Q: DOES BELLEVUE NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS?

A: Bellevue National Little League currently offers a limited number of scholarships per season to families needing financial assistance. To qualify, your family must be eligible for, and actively participating in the Bellevue School Districts' Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Other conditions and restrictions may apply. A processing fee of $25 must accompany all Scholarship Applications.

Applicants may download the Bellevue National Little League Scholarship Application..

Q. CAN I HELP PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OTHER CHILDREN?

A: Yes, you can provide a donation when registering, and we support local Corporate Matching Funds programs for companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google and more.

Scholarships are needed each year, and are 100% covered by donations from local members, board members and businesses.

Q: WHAT DOES THE TERM "LEAGUE AGE" MEAN?

A: The term "League Age" refers to the age your player is on the date determined to be the "cut-off" date by Little League International for the then current season of play. For tee ball and/ or baseball, League Age is determined as the age your player is on August 31 of the then current year. For softball, League Age is determined as the age your player was on December 31 of the then previous year.

• Little League Age Calculator

Tee Ball and Baseball League Age Example,

• If Jack was born August 15, 2012, his 2018 League Age is 6 because on August 31, 2017 Jack is 6 years old.
• If Frank was born September 1, 2012, his 2018 League Age is 5 because on August 31, 2017, Frank is 5 years old.

Softball League Age Example,

• If Cassidy was born April 15, 2010, her 2018 League Age is 7 as on December 31, 2017 Cassidy is 7 years old.
• If Chloe was born January 2, 2011, her 2018 League Age is 6 as on December 31, 2017 Chloe is 6 years old.

Note that players are placed on age and skill appropriate teams. All players must be League Age 4 to 16 years to participate.

Q: CAN MY CHILD PLAY WITH FRIENDS/ CLASSMATES?

A: During the registration process, you may make friend requests so as to have your player be placed on a team with other friends and/or classmates. Friend requests are only accepted for the tee ball division, and for undrafted divisions of baseball and softball (Single-A, Double-A).

When requested, Bellevue National Little League makes every effort to arrange teams based on friend requests, however based on the number of registered players for a division of play, it may not be possible in all situations. Once teams have been selected, parents may petition the player agent(s) for their division of play for a trade, however it may not be possible.

Note: Siblings playing within the same division of play will always be placed on the same team.

Q: WHY ARE THERE PLAYER MANDATORY EVALUATIONS FOR DRAFTED LEVELS?

A: Bellevue National Little League conducts player evaluations for all drafted divisions of play (typically 9 to 16 years olds) in order to fairly evaluate each player across a determined set of skills including catching, throwing, base running, hitting and pitching (pitching evaluations for interested players held separately).  This allows us to 1) ensure that players are playing at the most appropriate level, 2) help avoid any safety risks to an individual player, and 3) help to ensure competitive parity across teams playing within the same division. Evaluations are not tryouts for a particular division of play and/or team; they are exclusively used to asses the general skill level of each unique player.

Player Evaluations typically happen 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the season, and are conducted by independent evaluators who are not managers, coaches or assistant coaches.

Q: CAN MY CHILD "PLAY UP" AT A HIGHER DIVISION THAN STATED?

A: Requests to have your child "play up" at a higher division are possible; however the player must undergo evaluations to ensure their maturity-level, skill set, and capabilities are adequate and that your player will not be a safety risk at a higher level. Bellevue National Little League highly recommends parents consider all potential factors when making such request, most importantly the impact such a move may have on the players likelihood of having fun and success. Parents may petition the player agent(s) for their division of play for an evaluation to move up a division.

Q: WHEN DO PRACTICES USUALLY BEGIN?

A: Practices typically begin in early March for drafted divisions (Triple-A, Coast, Majors, Juniors), and late March/early April for undrafted divisions (tee ball, Single-A, Double-A). Actual practice schedules will be communicated by each team manager once teams are formed.

Q:  WHEN DO GAMES USUALLY BEGIN?

A: Games typically begin in late March for drafted divisions (Triple-A, Coast, Majors, Juniors), and mid-April for undrafted divisions (tee ball, Single-A, Double-A). Actual game schedules will be communicated by each manager once teams are formed and games schedules completed.

Q.  HOW MANY GAMES AND/OR PRACTICES ARE HELD EACH WEEK AND WHEN?

A:  The number of games and/or practices varies for each division of play. As a general rule:

• Tee Ball Division will usually have 1 combined practice/game per week, typically on Saturdays.
• Single-A baseball and softball will usually have one practice, and 1 game per week. Typically 1 weeknight and each Saturday.
• Double-A and Triple-A baseball and softball will usually see 1-2 practices and/or 1-2 games per week. Maximum of 3 events per week. Typically 1-2 weeknights and each Saturday.
• Coast - Juniors baseball and softball will usually see 1-2 practices per week and 1-2 games per week. May have events 5 nights a week some weeks due to weather rescheduling. Typically 2-3 weeknights and each Saturday.

Q: WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL MY CHILD WILL NEED?

A: Players in all divisions will need to purchase a baseball or softball glove, pants, belt, athletic supporter and cup (boys only), and socks. Helmets and bats will be provided on request for each team, however most players elect to purchase their own. Baseball/Softball cleats (rubber) are recommended instead of regular running shoes. Metal cleats are not permitted. Your coach will recommend the color of pants and socks to purchase.

Q: WHEN ARE UNIFORMS HANDED OUT?

A: Players will get their uniforms before their first scheduled game from their team managers.

Q: HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER?

A: 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.

If you would like to volunteer, please complete our online BNLL Registration Form.

To learn more, e-mail us at [email protected].

Q: HOW DO I CHANGE INFORMATION IN MY ACCOUNT OR STOP INFORMATION FROM SHOWING PUBLICLY?

A: The Bellevue National Little League website stores family contact information provided when you first registered with our league online. New accounts may only be created during an open registration period.

We use Little League's standard Sports Connect for our registration system.

If you want to make any changes, visit the Sports Connect website, log in, and update your profile and visibility preferences.

Q: HOW DO I LOG ONTO MY TEAM PAGE?

A: Once teams are formed each season, all families are emailed through TeamSnap, letting them know how to access their information. There is no login required for the Bellevue National Little League website.

Team standing and schedule are available on the Team Central page of the website once the season schedule is set and practice starts.