BHCLL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Bullhead City Little League frequently asked questions about registering, evaluations, divisions, equipment playing, volunteering sponsorships and more.
Q: What does the term "League Age" mean? How does Little League determine a child’s “League Age”?
A: A player’s “League Age” is not necessarily the same as their current age. You can determine your child’s League Age by using the Little League International age calculator. There is a separate chart for baseball and softball. The player’s league age is critical in determining division assignment and All-Star eligibility.
https://www.littleleague.org/play-little-league/determine-league-age/
Q: What are Little League Boundaries?
A: There are no boundaries for players League Age 7 and below. Players League Age 8 and above who either reside within or attend a school within a league’s boundary may use either residence or school attendance to qualify for eligibility in that league. Little League International establishes Boundaries to maintain parity and ensuring that Little League remains a community based program. There is a waiver process, where parents can work with local leagues to provide additional opportunities for a child to participate in a league outside of where they live or go to school.
Q: When is registration for the Spring season?
A: Registration typically opens during October and closes at the beginning of January.
Q: Are there any Spring registration cancellation fees?
A: BHCLL will fully refund Spring registration fees before January 15th each year and issue a 50% refund if cancellation occurs prior to the start of the season.
Q: Why does registration open so far in advance of the season?
A: Registrations opens early as the league needs to identify the number of potential players as early as possible in order to schedule enough fields, recruit and train enough managers and coaches, purchase insurance, etc. In addition, we are required to charter team counts and player registration data with Little League International prior to the Season.
Q: When is registration for the Fall season?
A: Registration typically opens during the first week of August and closes the middle of September.
Q: What is included in the registration fee?
A: Each player's registration fee includes players uniform (jersey and hat), coach's equipment, and administrative costs to run the league (insurance, field permits, maintenance, upgrades, etc.).
Q: What levels of play are provided in Bullhead City Little League?
A: We offer Little Rookies, Tee Ball, Instructional, Minors Player Pitch, Majors, Junior League (60/90), and Senior League (if enough coaches and registrants). For more information on our divisions, see our Divisions of Play.
Q: I have read the recommended Divisions of Play for each age but still not sure which division to register my child. How do I decide?
A: If you have any questions about the appropriate Baseball division for your child please contact
[email protected]
Q: Why are there evaluations and when will they be held? Does my child need to try out?
A: All registered players will be assigned to a team regardless of ability. With the exception of our T-ball Division and Instructional division players under league age 8, all players must be evaluated. Evaluations give managers an opportunity to evaluate and assess each player's skill level; this helps evenly distribute the talent pool and helps make sure we place our players in the correct division of play. Tryouts will test the basic hitting/fielding/throwing/running abilities of each player. Find out more about evaluations by emailing us at
[email protected].
Q: What should we bring to evaluations?
A: Come prepared to play baseball. Players will need to bring their own glove and wear plastic/rubber cleats. Players are also encouraged to bring their helmet and bat (only USA Baseball bats are permitted). Helmets and bats will be available for those players that do not bring them. A baseball hat and pants are recommended.
Q: What happens in the draft?
A: The draft is where the managers of the competitive divisions (Minors, Majors, Juniors, and Seniors) pick their teams for the season. Managers make their player selections based off of evaluation notes and past seasons watching the players in the league. The draft is done to help maintain a balanced and competitive playing field across teams.
Q: Can I play with specific friends or for a specific manager/coach?
A: Friend and manager/coach requests can be made in the non-competitive and undrafted divisions (Little Rookies, T-Ball, Instructional) but are not guaranteed. For the competitive and drafted divisions (Minors, Majors, Juniors, Seniors) friend and manager/coach requests cannot be made in order to maintain the competitive balance of teams.
When requested, BHCLL makes every effort to arrange non-competitive teams (T-Ball, Instructional) based on friend and manager/coach requests, however based on the number of registered players for a division of play, it may not be possible in all situations. For the competitive divisions (Minors, Majors, Juniors, Seniors), manager/coaches may "freeze" their child to their team with Player Agent's approval. Most requests are approved provided the competitive balance of all teams is maintained.
Friend or manager/coach requests can be sent to
[email protected]. Requests must be made prior to the close of registration and before teams are formed.
Q: I have two or more kids - can they play on the same team?
A: We make all reasonable efforts to ensure siblings are kept on the same team. Due to varying age/skill levels and the use of a draft to create teams, there is no guarantee the request will be accommodated but every effort is made. We cannot guarantee or place other familial relationships on the same team. Our primary mission is to have evenly matched teams determined by a fair draft process.
Sibling requests can be sent to
[email protected]. Requests must be made prior to the close of registration and before teams are formed.
Q: Can my child play up a division?
A: Yes, as long as they fall within the allotted age range but players must attend evaluations AND be drafted for upper divisions (Minors, Majors, Juniors, Seniors). League age 5 year olds must have played one season of T-ball to be eligible to play up.
Q: Can my child play down a division?
A: Yes, players can play down a division as long as there are no safety concerns and with approval from the Player Agent. League Age 12 year olds must play in the Majors or Juniors divisions unless a formal request is made and approved by the board.
Q: My child has never played before? Will they be ok?
A: Yes. At BHCLL we pride ourselves in affording each child, no matter what their experience level or lack thereof, the chance to learn the game of baseball or softball by our league appointed Managers and approved volunteers. The best way to learn the game is to play!
Q: My child has special needs? Can they play at BHCLL?
A: Yes. Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate as long as there are no safety concerns.
Q: What equipment / apparel does the league provide?
A: Jersey and hat will be provided by the league. Each team will have a set of catcher’s gear, helmets, and bats that the players can use. (Managers will be given all of the equipment they will need for the season).
Q: Who manages/coaches the teams?
A: Managers and Coaches are volunteers. They are mostly parents. All Managers, Coaches and Volunteers that have regular contact with players are required to complete a volunteer application and pass a background check.
Q: What kinds of bats are allowed?
A: Little League rules require that non-wood and laminated baseball bats are used in Little League Majors and below. Refer to the Official Little League site for all bat rules and information. Visit
USABAT.com for the full and up to date approved bat list.
Q: When are teams announced?
A: Once teams are formed in mid to late February coaches will contact the parents to let them know their player’s assigned team. Upper Division (Majors, Minors) are formed first, then Lower Division (Tee Ball, Instructional). Timing of notification may vary across teams depending on coaches availability to immediately notify parents. Juniors and Seniors divisions are formed around May as those divisions begin their season much later.
Q: When does the season start?
A: Practices for the spring season may officially begin around mid to late February with Opening Day taking place in late February to early March each year. Juniors/Seniors season begins in late May.
Q: When does the season end?
A: The Spring season generally ends mid to late May. The League Age 6-8 Tournament and All Stars (league age 9-12) generally starts immediately after the regular season ends. How long the post-season lasts depends on how far the teams advance.
Q: How many times/week are games & practices?
A: For most divisions there will be about 2 - 3 team meetings per week (Example: 2 practices with 1 game, or 1 practice and 2 games). This can be increased in our older divisions and decreased in our lower divisions. For upper divisions, all stars at the end of the season may have more practices and games. Practices can be held Monday through Saturday, All stars is elective. Spring season practices generally start mid to late February.
Q: Where will practices be held?
A: Practices will be held at the Baseball or Softball Fields at Rotary Park or Ken Fovargue Park. Practice days and times are determined by each team's manager. Some of the lower division coaches have also utilized the soccer fields.
Q: When are Games Played?
A: Schedule will vary but during the Spring Season expect to play 1 to 2 games per week Monday through Saturday. Some tournament games may be played on Sundays.
Q: Where are the games played?
A: Games are played at the baseball and softball fields at Rotary Park (2315 Balboa Dr., Bullhead City, Az 86442). Tournament and inter-league games may be played at local visiting fields.
Q: Where can I find the rules for Little League baseball and softball?
The rule set is updated each year before the spring season. In addition to Little League International's Rules, BHCLL has local rules that do not supersede any rule that has been outlined by the official rules of Little League Baseball and Softball. There is a free rulebook app you can download as well.
Q: Are parents expected to volunteer?
A: No, as a 100% volunteer-based league, we depend on volunteers to assist at every level including managers, coaches, board members, event organizers, schedulers, field maintenance, scorekeepers etc but it is not mandatory. A non volunteer fee may be required to opt out.
Q: Are there any volunteer opportunities?
A: We have a ton of volunteer opportunities at Bullhead City Little League; whether it be Board members, managers, coaches, field duty, snack bar, team moms, scorekeepers, or umpires we are always on the lookout for great new volunteers to add to our team. Bullhead City Little League is always accepting generous labor donations for various repairs, improvements, new additions, and upgrades. If you or your family can assist with carpentry, roofing, concrete, dirt work/grading, plumbing or landscape we would love to hear from you! All donations are tax deductible. Please email us at
[email protected] for information on current volunteer opportunities.
Q: What do I do if I want to be a manager or coach? What if I've never managed or coached before?
A: Complete baseball and softball knowledge is not required to help coach Little League; we will provide you with resources such as clinics, rule books, and website links to help make you a great coach. Email us for more information and fill out a volunteer Application or returning Volunteer Application.
Q: Any other questions or concerns?
GENERAL LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL FAQS
Q: How many innings are there in Little League Baseball and Softball?
A: There are 6 innings in 12u divisions and less for Tee Ball. There are also sunset, run rules and time limits set at both the national and local league level that can lead to less innings being played in an official game.
Q: Can 13 year olds play Little League Baseball?
A: 13 year olds can play play in the Junior League and Senior League. However, 13-year olds cannot play in the Little League World Series even though historically they could. This is because Little League International changed the "age determination date" to August 31st, right after the Little League World Series concludes each year.
Q: Do Little League umpires get paid?
A: Pay is variable by league and location. Please contact
[email protected] for more information.
Q: What is the birthday cutoff for Little League Baseball and Softball?
A: For Baseball, August 31. Previously it was April 30. For Softball, December 31.
Q: Can an 8 year old play Little League All Stars?
A: Yes, it's possible but to make the 8, 9, 10 all-star team they would need to be selected over 9 and 10 year olds. We have added in a local All-Star tournament with other local leagues for League Age 6-8 year olds.
Q: How old are kids in Little League World Series?
A: Children are aged 10 to 12 years old.
Q: What is Little League TOC?
A: Tournament of Champions (TOC) is typically a tournament for all League Champions within a Little League district. TOC or other organized events outside of the Little League International Tournament provide local leagues an option to extend the Little League season well into the summer months.
Q: What age is tee ball?
A: Tee-ball is an entry-level sport designed to introduce players, usually between the ages of 4 and 6, to baseball.
Q: Is there a time limit on Little League Games?
A: A league may be permitted to impose time limits on the games. However, the game must meet the requirements of Rule 4.10 or 4.11 to be official. Most local leagues include time limits on games.
Q: What is the run rule in Little League?
A: If at the end of three (3) innings (two and one-half innings if the home team is ahead), one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If at the end of a regulation game one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. The home team, if behind, must bat in its half of the inning. According to Little League International, this should not be called the “mercy rule” or “slaughter rule.” It is the “Run Rule.”
Q: How far is the pitcher's mound from home plate in Little League?
A: The pitching distance for divisions of baseball for the Major Division and below is 46 feet. Pitching distance for divisions of baseball for Junior and Senior League Divisions is 60 feet, 6 inches, with a local league option to shorten the distance to 54 feet for Junior League Baseball and 50 feet for Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division for regular season play. The pitching distance for the different divisions of softball are as follows: Minor League: 35 feet; Little League (Majors): 40 feet; Junior and Senior League: 43 feet.
Q: How far are the bases in Little League?
A: Generally, the distance between base paths on fields for 12-year-olds and below in baseball and in all divisions of softball is 60 feet. A local Little League board of directors may opt to use a 50-foot diamond in the Tee Ball divisions. The distance in all divisions of baseball for 13-year-olds, is up to 90ft, with a local league option to shorten the distance to 75ft for Junior League Baseball and 70ft for Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division for regular season play.
CONTACT
Bullhead City Little League
PO Box 22842
Bullhead City, Az. 86439