Frequently Asked Questions
 

What are the dates for each season?

What is the cut-off date for your age divisions?

What are the different age divisions, their descriptions and their age requirements?

Can my child "play up" an age division?

Can my child "play down" an age division?

Can I request that my child be on the same team as his/her classmate, neighbor, friend, cousin or sibling for carpool or personal preference?

When are practices?

When are games?

What equipment does my child need?

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

What if my child is not assigned to a team?

Can I get a refund if my child decides not to play?

What's included with the registration fee?

I do not live in Miami Lakes, can my child still play in your program?

How can I sign up to be a coach?

I registered to coach a team, but I did not get a call that I'm coaching a team. What does this mean?

Are there tryouts for the teams and what's involved?

What if my child does not attend Player Evaluations?

When will game schedules be completed and posted on the website?

How do I find out if my child’s game is rained out?

How are rescheduling of canceled games handled?
 

 Frequently Asked Questions

 
 
 
What are the dates for each season?
 

Dates are estimates and are subject to change!
 
A Calendar of Events will be published on the homepage of our website prior to the start of each season.


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What is the cut-off date for your age divisions?
 
The cut-off date for our age divisions is May 1st, 2025


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What are the different age divisions, their descriptions and their age requirements?
 
We offer programs in the following age divisions:

4 Year old Instructional Division - children who throughout the fall season will turn 4, or will not turn 5 until after December 1st are eligible.

6U Tee Ball - 4 year olds who parents feel have the skill set to play with bigger kids, 5 year olds and 6 year olds who will not turn 7 until after May 1st of 2025.

8U Coach Pitch - 6 year olds who will turn 7 before May 1st, 2025. 7 year olds  and 8 year olds who will not turn 9 until after May 1st of 2025.

10U Baseball - 8 year olds who will turn 9 before May 1st, 2025. 9 year olds  and 10 year olds who will not turn 11 until after May 1st of 2025.

12U Baseball - 10 year olds who will turn 11 before May 1st, 2025. 11 year olds  and 12 year olds who will not turn 13 until after May 1st of 2025.

14U Baseball - 12 year olds who will turn 13 before May 1st, 2025. 13 year olds  and 14 year olds who will not turn 15 until after May 1st of 2025.

10U - 14U Softball - Girls born within the years 2010 - 2014 are eligible.
 
CLICK HERE to go to our Division Age Chart.


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Can my child "play up" an age division?
 
Miami Lakes Optimist Baseball allows players to "play up" in the next older age division provided they try out for both their assigned division and their requested division. The parent must fill out the Play Up Form and the following must occur: their previous head coach must approve the request (if the player was in our program), as well as the Division Commissioner and the Director of Baseball/Softball.  Players are assigned to an age division based on their age as of May 1st. 


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Can my child "play down" an age division?
 
Miami Lakes Optimist Baseball does not allow players to "play down" in the next younger age division for any reason.  Players are assigned to an age division based on their age as of May 1st.


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Can I request that my child be on the same team as his/her classmate, neighbor, friend, cousin or sibling for carpool or personal preference?
 
Siblings in the same age division will always be on the same team unless the family specifically requests separate teams.
 
In 4U Instructional Tee Ball, carpool requests and request to be on the same team with a classmate, friend, neighbor or cousin will be honored if requested.
 
All other age divisions are drafted leagues. Carpool requests and requests to be on the same team with a classmate, friend, neighbor or cousin cannot be honored.


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When are practices?
 
Teams typically practice 1-2 times per week. Practice schedules depend on number of teams in the age division, field availability and the coach's schedule. There are two time slots available for coaches to reserve: 6pm & 7:30pm. Saturday and Sunday practices are allowed.


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When are games?
 
We typically play 2 games per week. One weeknight game and one weekend game. Weeknight games can be played any night Monday - Friday. Weeknight games start at 7:00 PM. Weekend games are typically on Saturday starting anytime between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. We may play a game on a Sunday in the event we need to make up a rained out weeknight or Saturday game.


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What equipment does my child need?
 
Players are required to have their own glove, batting helmet and cleats. We also recommend each player to have their own bat, but teams will allow players to share bats.


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When will I find out what team my child is on?
 
Coaches will contact their players by email or phone within 2-3 days after the drafts. If you are not contacted by the coach within 2-3 days after drafts you should contact your Division Commissioner (See Contact Us webpage).


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What if my child does not get assigned to a team?

Players who are not assigned to a team or sign up after the selection process are placed on a wait list. If/when a spot opens up on a team, the parent will be notified and a meeting with the head coach will be arranged. The wait list lasts for one month after Opening Night. After a month, refunds or credit for the next season is offered and the wait list is closed.


Can I get a refund if my child decides not to play?
 
Refund requests must be in writing and received prior to each season's refund deadline, the day before the draft.  NO REFUNDS will be issued after a player has been assigned to a team. In the case of an injury, a refund or credit may be issued at the discretion of the Director of Baseball/Softball. In the event your child is not placed on a team, you may request a refund. Email [email protected] to request a refund.


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What's included with the registration fee?
 
The registration fee includes:

• All practices and games scheduled by the league
• Full uniform (cap, jersey, pants, belt  {8U and above} and socks)
• Participation trophy (4U & 6U only), 1st and 2nd place awards for 8U - 14U
  
• Two (2) Marlins' game tickets for the Youth Baseball/Softball Partnership (YBSP) game (date to be determined by the Miami Marlins)

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I do not live in Miami Lakes, can my child still play in your program?
 
Yes! Participants that reside in the city boundaries of Miami Lakes are given priority.  A Utility bill is required as proof of residency for all Miami Lakes residents. Non-Miami Lakes residents will be wait-listed to allow Miami Lakes residents first right to participate and comply with residency requirements. In the event a non-Miami Lakes resident is denied participation, a full refund will be issued.


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How can I sign up to be a coach?
 
When you register your child there is also a registration option for Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Scorekeepers. Registering as a Head Coach, Assistant Coach or Scorekeeper does not guarantee you will get a team; that decision is made by the Baseball Commissioner and Division Commissioner prior to Player Evaluations. An information sheet needs to submitted along with a background check. Please go to ocml.org/coach to begin the approval process.

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I registered to coach a team, but I did not get a call that I'm coaching a team. What does this mean?

If you did not receive a call, you were not selected as a coach of a team this season. Contact your child's coach to see if you can assist in coaching.


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Are there tryouts for the teams and what's involved?
 

We do not have tryouts; however, we do have Player Evaluations. Player Evaluations allow the coaches the opportunity to rate the hitting, running, fielding, and throwing skills of the participants in the program. Player Evaluations help us balance the skill levels of our teams allowing for a fair, competitive season. Player Evaluations are typically held the week after the last "In Person" Registration. 

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What if my child does not attend Player Evaluations?

Participants that do not attend Player Evaluations will be assigned to a team via a "draft pool" after all participants who attended the Player Evaluations have been selected in the draft.


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When will game schedules be completed and posted on the website?

Schedules are completed after teams are created. While this is a time consuming process, we try to have them done as soon after as possible. 


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How do I find out if my child’s game is rained out?

As soon as we are notified by the city that fields are closed due to rain, inclement weather or unusable/unsafe field conditions we will close the affected fields. A text and email notification will be sent out to the coaches and team members with events scheduled on the affected field(s).

You can also check the Rainout Line app available in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Hopefully, coaches will also be emailing, texting or calling you with this information if they know it before you do. If a practice is canceled, you will learn that from your own coach.


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How are rescheduling of canceled games handled?

We try our best to reschedule as many canceled games as possible. Our ability to reschedule games depends on how many games need to be rescheduled, field availability and if the rescheduling of the game is necessary.