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FAQ’s

General

Q: If my question is not answered here, where can I get more information?

A: We try to put as much information as we can on our web site at gvllnyc.com so try typing keywords into the search and see if we haven’t already answered it elsewhere.

If you still can’t find the answer to your question, feel free to submit your question to our Communications Team: gvll.contact@gmail.com

Q. What can I expect as a parent in the league?

A. As a parent, you will have a great opportunity to make new friends or renew friendships from prior years. We have many examples of parents staying in touch with each other during the entire year as they have kids of similar ages.

Our League is run entirely by volunteers so we do ask our parents to help as much as they can with different volunteer activities (click on Volunteer to learn more) so that we can offer baseball to the kids.

Last but not least, you will have a wonderful time watching your child play!

Q. Does GVLL offer baseball during the off season?

A. There is no off season at GVLL. Baseball is played year round. Our Spring Season runs from Arpil through June. There is a non-competitive Summerball season in July and August and an instructional Fallball season from September through November. And just when you thought you were done, GVLL offers winter practice sessions December through February for the older players.

Check the website for updates and subscribe to the GVLL mail list (e-mail icon on top right of home page) for updates throughout the year.

Q. How can I be notified of GVLL News and Events?

A. You can follow up on Facebook, Twitter (@gvllny) as well as subscribe to the GVLL Mail list. Additionally, you can add the GVLL RSS Feed to your personal homepages to receive GVLL News

Q. Can I eat breakfast in the dugout?

A. No food is allowed in the dugout, only drinks. Please come to the games fully fed and ready to play!

Registration

Q: When is registration?

A: Registration for Spring opened on December 1, 2012 and ends on February 1 2013. Click here for details.

If a league fills up players will be put on a waiting list. Registration for Summer and Fall are in in June and August respectively. Dates and details will be posted to gvllnyc.com when appropriate.

Q. Can girls play in the boys baseball divisions?

A. Trick question, as there is no boys division. GVLL baseball is co-ed. Girls that want to play in the baseball divisions are encouraged to do so.

Q. My child has no experience, can they still play?

A. Yes. GVLL is geared to provide playing and teaching experiences for all skill levels.

Q. Can we play with our friends or ask for a specific coach?

A. GVLL tries its best to accommodate request to play with friends or a coach in the younger divisions (T-ball, Minor, Junior Minors). During registration, you can make friend or coaching requests in the comments field. The league will make every effort to meet these requests. Note, that in leagues with player drafts (Majors, Juniors, Seniors), team selection is competitive and does not support such requests.

Q. How are teams selected at the draft? Is there a chance my child won’t make a team?

A. All players that register and tryout will be placed on a team. All 12 year olds will play in the Majors (either American or National). At the draft, coaches review results of the tryouts and a round robin player selection draft is conducted. The American League draft happens first. Players that are not selected within the American League draft are available for selection during the  National League draft. Any player not selected during the American or National League drafts is placed on a Minors team.

Q. When will we find out what team we’re on?

A. After registration closes, the league coordinator and coaches will make team assignments (the upper leagues conduct a draft). All players will be contacted via e-mail from the  coach of the assigned team towards the end of February or early March.

Q. My child would like to play “up” into an older division – how can we make that happen?

A. For several reasons, playing ‘up’ is highly discouraged by GVLL. The experience for all players is enhanced by a robust and varied group of skill levels represented in all divisions. If you have a concern about your child, please contact the appropriate division coordinator.

Q. What ages can play and what is the “league age” of my child?

A: Players with a “Little League” age of 5-16 can play. GVLL abides by the official age divisions as prescribed by Little League International, and players are required to play within their age division.

For baseball, the Little League International age cut off date is April 30, meaning however old your child is on April 30, that is the “league age” of your child. Examples: If your child’s date of birth is May1, 2005 then she/he will be 6 on April 30 and will play as a 6 year old T-ball’er. If however, your child’s date of birth is April 28, 2005, she/he will be  is 7 on April 30 and plays as a 7 year old in Junior Minors.

For Softball the cutoff date is December 31 of the previous year.

Click here for the age calculator

Q. Does my child have to try out?

A. Try outs are required for players wishing to play in the Majors (10-12), Juniors (13-14) and Seniors (15-16). Teams for the younger players are assigned by the League Coordinator and Managers/Coaches.

Q. Are registration fees refundable?

A: No. At the time of registration, all registrants are informed that registration fees are non-refundable. We also provide information on time commitments with respect to practice and game day schedules so that parents will know in advance of potentials for conflict. Our no refund policy has enabled us to develop balanced leagues and teams for the players who have committed to GVLL. In extreme cases where a family is unable to absorb the no refund policy, a need-based appeal can be made to the board, and a decision will be rendered by the GVLL President and EVP.

Season Play

Q: How long is the season?

A: Practices for most leagues will start by mid-March, with games starting in the last weekend of March. The season  ends by the second weekend in June (including playoffs). Once the season has been scheduled, it will appear on the website and your team’s coach will advise.

Q: What equipment does my child need to play Little League?

A: At minimum, your child will need a baseball glove and the older divisions will require an athletic supporter with a hard cup. This year, for the fist time, GVLL is providing heart protectors to all Majors and Minors league teams. The heart protectors will be phased in during the first weeks but will be mandatory at some point during the 2012 Spring season.

The league will supply a team jersey, pants, socks and  hat. The league provides each team with several bats, several batting helmets, and catcher’s gear. Players can bring their own bats, helmets and catcher’s equipment if they choose, but are not required to furnish these items themselves. Rubber-molded baseball cleats are allowed. Metal cleats are not allowed on any field and no player will not be allowed on the field if wearing metal cleats.

Q. Where can I find my team’s practice and game schedules?

A. The Manager of each team will provide the practice and game schedules during the preseason. Additionally, information will be available on the gvllnyc.com website

Q. How will I know if there are rain outs or cancelled games?

A. If the weather is questionable on game day please check the GVLL hotline: 1-877-703-8066. You may also get a call or e-mail from your team’s Manager or Coach.

Q. Are there time limits on the games?

A. Yes. For T-ball through Minors there is a set schedule for game start and end times, regardless as to whether an “official game” (4 innings) have been completed.

For Majors, the games are 6 innings. However, a new inning cannot start with less than 20 minutes before the scheduled end time, so 6 innings may not be played for all games. Example if a game is scheduled from 12:30 – 3:00, and the 5th inning ends at 2:45, the 5th inning will be the last, as there is less than 20 minutes before the scheduled end time.

Juniors and Seniors play 7 inning games with the same 20 minute time constraint.

 

Q. Is there a GVLL Tournament Team?

A. Yes, for the last several years, GVLL has fielded 9/10 and 11/12 year old tournament teams. The players are selected at the end of the Spring season and tournament play runs from mid-June through Mid-July (depending on how well they do)