League Age League Age is the players age as of July 31st in that season. For example any player who will be at least five years of age by July 31, 1999 will be eligible for participation in the 1999 Season. Players must be no older than twelve years of age by the same date.

5-6 years Tee Ball - Focus will be on FUN and skills development. Children will hit from a batting tee and learn basics of hitting, catching, throwing and game concepts. A learning experience for both children and parents alike. We also hope to develop parents as future managers, coaches and volunteers from this level. Score is not officially kept as both sides are winners at this level.

7-8 years Minor B - Skills development continues at this level. Coaches will pitch to the children from a modified distance in early season. We hope to allow the children to gather some pitching experience as the season continues. The fundamentals of position play will be learned and skills will be enhanced to include base running and reaction to game situations. Eight year olds will attend tryouts and teams are formed utilizing a "draft" process with the goal of forming teams of equal ability. Score is kept but team standings are not noted. Eight year olds are eligible for selection to a "Tournament Team" that will continue post season play in the Lyndhurst Tournament.

9-11 years Minor A - Pitching, hitting and base running skills are improved as children pitch at this level and modified base stealing is allowed. In addition to skills development and improving position play the children will learn game strategies and become more competitive. Modified rules are played to control stealing and pitching. Standings are maintained and a regular season winner is named. A Minor A Tournament is conducted after the regular season and a Tournament Champ is also declared. Children attend tryouts and are eligible for Little League play if drafted to that level. Those not drafted to Little League will play in Minor A. Nine year olds may not be drafted until all eleven year olds are placed in Little League. After the regular season children are eligible for tournament play in a range of programs that will entail traveling and be more competitive.

9-12 years Little League - This level of play continues to advance the skills previously learned. Position play should be a focus to allow children to better understand the subtleties associated with different positions. Pitching improves and base running and stealing make for a more competitive game. Standings are maintained and a regular season champ is named. A tournament is held after the season and a tournament champ is also declared. Two tournament teams are selected by ballot of the players, managers and umpires. The 9-10 team will play in the District 5 Tournament with the possibility of advancing to the State Tournament. The 11-12 team also plays in the District Tournament with the hope of advancing to the Sectional, State, Regional and World Series (Williamsport) games. Players once drafted to Little League need not tryout again. They remain with their team until they are thirteen.

SEASON Registration and tryouts are held in October for the next year's season. The draft is held by year end. Managers are asked to contact the players by March to discuss practice schedules. Practice generally begins in March with Opening Day in late April. The regular season ends in mid June.

TRYOUTS Children between the ages of 8 thru 12 MUST TRY OUT!! Managers select children at a draft based on their perception of a particular child's ability. This is done to attempt to promote teams that are fairly and evenly structured. We are trying to encourage children to strive towards involvement at the highest level possible. Children not trying out will not be eligible for Little League play. Given time constraints and busy schedules, tryouts offer a less than thorough look at a child's abilities. Please remember that we do our best during this brief procedure to evaluate and familiarize ourselves with the children. Board policy is to never make children aware of their draft order or ranking.

MANAGERS Persons who wish to manage are required to notify the Board, in writing, by the September meeting. The Board is responsible for Manager selection. Managers will be notified prior to the October tryouts. Preference is given to returning Managers and persons who have participated previously as Coaches and/or volunteers. For continuity we encourage people to become involved at the Tee Ball level and progress with their children.

COACHES New Coaches are selected by the team Manager and appointed after they are approved by the Board. Coaches, unless they are returning to the Little League level, are determined after the draft from the parents of the children on a team. This prevents the "stacking" of teams.

For the protection of the children the board requires that all managers and coaches be certified by the National Youth Sports Certification Association (NYSCA). Compliance is accomplished by the managers and coaches attendance at a program conducted by a NYSCA professional.

Opportunities exist for continued play after the regular season. Players from eight thru twelve may choose to play Tournament Ball on a variety of teams. These teams are generally more competitive and inclusion is based on ability in some cases.

FALL BALL The League fields 9-10 and 11-12 year old teams in a Fall league that begins in September and continues until November.

Our League is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on volunteer support. We are NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE TOWN and receive only a small stipend from the Recreation Department (approx. $775.00). We do receive support from the DPW in the form of grass cutting. The registration fee charged covers ONE-THIRD of the cost for a player. The rest comes from fund raising and sponsor support. WE REQUIRE, THAT ALL PARENTS PARTICIPATE FOR ONE EVENING AT THE CONCESSION STAND. An additional $25.00 may be paid in lieu of performing this obligation. Volunteers are also sought to act as coaches, coordinators for fund raising etc.

AWARDS At present all children in Tee Ball and Minor B will receive participation trophies at the annual end of season picnic. The regular season winners and the tournament winners in Minor A and Little League will receive player trophies. Twelve year olds will receive a participation trophy in recognition of their graduation from the program.

MEETINGS Monthly meetings open to everyone are held at 8:00 PM on the last Tuesday of the month at the First Reformed Church (corner of Burton and Washington). We encourage all interested parents to attend.