Season Kick-Off
Evaluations and Draft
Managers are required to attend the evaluation session for their division, and are encouraged to attend any open practices for their division as well. Both are great opportunities to observe the players and prepare notes for the draft.
Draft order will be assigned in reverse order, according to the manager's players rating. Managers will choose their team names/colors, practice days and times, and then players. The League President, Player Agent(s) and and your division commissioner will be present for your division’s draft. Player Agents are responsible for facilitating player operations (evals, draft, pool players, etc) and division commissioners are a manager’s primary point of contact throughout the season.
Once rosters are selected, consider sending a welcome message to parents and players. Set your expectations for the season, highlight the need to fill team responsibilities and identify a team sponsor. Teams will not be eligible to practice or compete until these obligations are met.
Scheduling
During the draft process, managers will be assigned two practice slots per week: one weeknight, one Saturday. Once games begin you may continue to schedule up to two practices at a time. Practice slots during the season are subject to field availability. The league scheduler and your division commissioner can help coordinate these events.
Team Responsibilities
Once the rosters are set, managers should work to identify parent volunteers to fill the following roles:
Fields will not be made available to teams who haven’t filled all team responsibilities.
Facilities
Shed codes will be shared at the coaches meeting at the beginning of the season, and can be obtained later through your division commissioner or other BOD contact. Each shed contains a bucket of baseballs that can be used during practice, which should be returned to that shed when your practice is over. Club field has a pitching machine. There is a locked door on the back side of the concession stand. The code is the same as the lock for the equipment sheds. The League will contact managers after the draft to coordinate catchers gear pickup.
How do I turn on the lights?
- Club field - There is a key hanging on the doorframe inside the shed. (Note: there are two keys in the shed. Do not use the one attached to a wooden keychain.) Insert and turn the key in the box located at the end of the third base line.
- Cunningham Creek - There is a key in the equipment shed. The box is located down the first baseline past the outfield fence.
- North/South - The light box is located between North and South fields. You do not need to unlock the fence surrounding the light box. There is a hole on the side. The code is the same as the shed code. There is no key needed.
Game Day
Arrival
Teams should expect to meet at their designated field one hour prior to game time. This time should be used for warm-ups, team meetings and field prep. Review the batting cage rules field care guides on the Facilities page for more information.
Lineups
Managers will need to prepare a “lineup” for each game. This consists of the day’s batting order, as well as defensive positions for as many as 6 innings. Batting orders need to be provided to the opposing manager prior to game start, and defensive positioning should be consistent with your division’s fair-play rules.
Team Responsibilities
Home team is responsible for setting up the field and keeping GameChanger.
Visiting team is responsible for field breakdown, concessions, and scoreboard.
Game Balls
The league will provide ‘game balls’ to the umpire at the start of each game. At the conclusion of the game, used ‘game balls’ will be divided between the teams.
Season End
Playoffs
At the conclusion of ‘regular season’ games, The League will form a postseason bracket. All teams are eligible, regardless of win-loss record. The playoff format is single elimination, and bracket seeding is based on standings. The final game will conclude with a trophy presentation. Trophies are provided by The League, and presented by members of the board.
Equipment
Catcher’s gear and any other equipment or materials borrowed from The League must be returned at the conclusion of the season. Coordinate with your division commissioner to make sure your gear is accounted for.