What is the structure of WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE baseball?

WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE Baseball offers programs for youths between the ages of  5 – 16 years of age.    Programs are offered in 5 leagues; T-Ball & Coaches Pitch (Ages 5 – 8), Minor Little League (Ages 7 – 10), Major Little League (Ages 10 – 12), Senior Minors (Ages 13 – 14), and Seniors Majors (Ages 14 – 16).   

LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, INC. has developed an Age Chart  to identify the “baseball”age of each youth.  These age cutoffs are utilized to ensure that  players develop appropriately in terms of skills, knowledge, and sportsmanship. LITTLE LEAGUE has established age brackets that players need to participate in, However, LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, INC does make certain provisions within it’s rules to accommodate youths that may require special treatment due to skill level or safety concerns.  These situations are approved by the leagues Player Agent.

The WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE is overseen by an elected Board of Directors that operates the league within established rules and bylaws provided by LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, INC. The league is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization.

 When does the season begin?

Please check the WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE calendar on the WLL web page for exact league dates and events. A typical season begins on the last Friday in April and ends in the last week of June.  An Opening Day event kicks off the first games of the season.  Tee-Ball/Coach Pitch and Senior Major League (Ages 14 – 16) begin play in mid-May.

How long will the season last?

The WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE typically runs for 9 weeks and includes a season ending tournament in the Little League and Senior League divisions. This season is extended for players that are selected to participate on All-Star Tournament teams that compete within the District 14 State, Regional, and National All-Star Tournament. Please consider your vacation plans if you have a child that may be selected to these teams.

Where are WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE games played?

WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE utilizes the baseball complex in Boggs Industrial Park.

What days and times are the games played?

WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE game days run Monday – Saturday, leaving Wednesday and Saturday afternoons open for make-up games. Prior to Memorial Day, games played on Monday – Thursdays will begin at 6:30 p.m.  Friday games will begin at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Saturday games are played at 9:00 and 11;30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  After Memorial Day all Monday – Friday games are played at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. It is recommended that players arrive at the field an 30-45 minutes prior to game time so they can properly warm up, and so that managers can get the line-up cards ready prior to the start of the game.

Tee Ball and Coach Pitch games will be played Monday – Thursday and run for exactly 1 hour and 15 minutes beginning at 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. respectively.  Rain-outs and make up games are played on Fridays and Saturdays.

Who umpires WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE games?

WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE uses a combination of veteran adults, college aged young men, and high school aged boys. All umpires are required to attend training clinics. A plate umpire and a field umpire are used in all games, unless a scheduling issue arises causing a shortage of available umpires. In the T-Ball division, coaches manage the flow of the game.

When will the practices begin?

WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE targets the middle of April for all teams to start practicing. The goal is for teams to be in a position to begin practices at least 3-4 weeks before Opening Day, practices typically being the week after draft night. Actual first practices will depend upon weather and formation of teams.  Tee-Ball and Coaches Pitch practices begin the first week in May.

How often and long will my child practice?

Practice frequency and duration are up to the team manager.

Where will my child practice?

WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE encourages each coach to find a suitable practice field amongst the local schools, public parks, or on the T-Ball fields.  The playing fields at Bogg’s are only used as a last resort for practice.

What equipment will my child need before the first practice or game?

Players should arrive at their first practice with a glove, hat, baseball pants, and rubber molded cleats.

Are there any uniform supplies my child needs?

A uniform consists of a pair of baseball pants, a baseball jersey, a hat, and a pair of all-in-one baseball socks. The WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE will provide each player a team jersey and a team hat.  (A pair of pants can be provided in a case of hardship.)  Players need to provide the baseball socks and cleats.  The jerseys don't provide much warmth, so it is a good idea to purchase a long-sleeve baseball shirt to match the color of your child's team and your coach can provide guidance in this area The hat is the player's to keep, however, the jersey is turned in after the child's last game. . Rubber cleats are highly recommended, and steel spikes are only allowed in the Senior Minor and Senior Major leagues. All players should bring a windbreaker, jacket, or sweatshirt to every game and practice, especially early in the season.

When will I find out what team my child will play on?

Little League and Senior League teams should be formed by the end of March or the beginning of April. Your child's manager will notify you of the team's first meeting. If you don't hear from a team manager by mid-April, please contact a league official.  Tee-Ball and Coaches Pitch teams are usually put together by the late April with Coaches contacting the parents by the end of April.

If my child is unhappy with the team they are placed on, can they switch teams?

We strongly discourage moving youths around between teams after practices have begun.  Only in VERY extreme cases will the league allow children to switch teams.  To avoid potential changes we STRONGLY encourage parents to place a handwritten note on their child's Registration Form that specifies any special request.  The League will do it’s best to honor all reasonable requests but does not guarantee that it will honor all requests.   Our goal is to  provide a fun, instructional environment for the child that both parent and child can enjoy.

If my child decides to quit, is it possible to get a refund?

Prior to the formation of teams we will honor most refund requests.  However, all refund requests made after teams have been formed (usually by the 1^st week in April) will be reviewed on a case by case basis with no guarantee of refund.

 Can I keep my child down in a lower division or bring him/her up a division a year early?

WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE strongly supports age appropriate competition and development. WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE does not allow players to move up a division early or to play down a division to develop additional skills without approval from a League Official or the League Player Agent.. The only time an adjustment may be made is when there is a safety risk to a player playing in their age appropriate division. At that time, a parent request needs to be made to a League official or the League Player Agent for their consideration.

Are there any rules around minimum playing time?

Rules will vary per division regarding playing time. In the T-ball division, all players play in the field and all player bat in a continuous batting order. Continuous batting orders are used for the other divisions, however, fielders are limited to 10 players in Minors and Majors. There are minimums for innings played in all divisions.

Are there Time Limits on games?

T-ball games are limited to 1-hour. Farm games are limited to 1 hour 30 minutes. Minors through Senior Majors division games are limited to 2-hours.

How many managers/coaches can be on a team?

Every team has a manager approved by the Board of Directors. Each manager is allowed to choose ONE Assistant, and the Coaches Committee will select the 2^nd Assistant coach.  The Coaches Committee will entertain requests for the 2^nd Assistant but will not guarantee that it will approve all requests.  Each team's manager can have as many assistants as they can find for practices, but only two assistant coaches are allowed in the dugout during games.  An Official Little League Volunteer Application is required for all Managers and Coaches, and a background check is confidentially conducted by the Coaches Committee Chairman for each applicant.  

What are the responsibilities of a manager and a coach?

The team manager oversees the management of the team throughout the season, and this includes returning ALL uniforms and equipment issued. 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-April to start of July. Time commitment is usually around 8-10 hours a week depending upon division. Managers need to be able to commit to be at all practices and games. Managers also must attend a pre-season coaching clinic provided by the league, and a manager's meeting with the division representative. As well, they must schedule and conduct a parent meeting prior to the first practice of the season.

Two assistant coaches are allowed in the dugout during games. However, a manager may elect to use more than two coaches during practice. Coaches provide support during practice to ensure kids get enough attention while developing their skills. Coaches are under the guidance and direction of the manager. Typically, a manager will design a practice format and have assistants take care of coaching small groups of players, assisting with batting practice, hitting fungos, or other assistant duties. Assistant coaches should commit to be at all practices and games, generally about 6-8 hours a week depending upon division. Coaches need to attend a pre-season clinic provided by the league. All actions of an assistant coach during games are the ultimate responsibility of the manager.

Are there conduct rules that apply during games?

Absolutely. WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE does not tolerate foul language or taunting at any level by the players, parents, managers, or coaches. Any spectator, player, manager or coach that is warned is subject to being ejected from the premises and banned from the complex for additional games.

What is the playoff structure?

WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE teams play an entire regular season. with a post-season tournament. This approach allows all of the teams to work on developing the skills of each and every player on the team. Managers do not have to win every game, and as a result, they can play kids in positions where they can learn without the overriding pressure to "not lose". The end product is a playoff tournament where every game is a good contest. This is by far the best approach to overall player development.

Who is responsible for staffing the Concession stand at the WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE complex?

Upon registering a player for participation in WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE, the player's parent(s) agree to serve a shift in the concession stand when asked by the Team Parent. Each team must staff their shift as scheduled by the Concessions manager. The WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE'S Concessions Committee is responsible for stocking, opening, and setting up the concessions stand prior to the first game each day. Please do your part in support of operating the concessions stand.

Who do I contact if I have a problem that needs to be resolved by the league?

If at any time you have a problem or just want information, you can e-mail the league at any time. However, please first discuss any concerns with your child's manager, then with the division's player representative (who is a Board Member assigned to oversee that Division). Contact information is on the WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE web site under the "WLL Board" link. You are also welcome to attend a Board meeting and express your concerns directly to the Board with prior approval from the President. The WARSAW LITTLE LEAGUE Board meets every first Monday of each month throughout the year, with meeting locations varying.

What is available on the website?

The league's web site is at www.warsawlittleleague.com . The site offers all the information you need to stay informed about events, schedules, rules, board member contacts, sponsorship information, baseball clinics, umpire training, etc.