Why do I need to attend an in person event?
East County Little League believes in a league that hands-on and face to face. We believe that getting to know the families interested in playing in our league is important. We want to meet you and discuss the needs of your player. We feel that getting things right the first time is valuable to your time and the overall success of the league. We also have requirements set forth from Little League International that govern our registrations.
Little League International requires that we verify birth certificates and residency of each player in our league. This stems from other legaues in the past who have not been so vigilant with these items and have suffered consequences as a result. Find out more about verification.
We also want to ensure that your little leaguer is properly fitted for a uniform. As this is a cost of the registration, we want to ensure that what you are paying for is the right size.
This also gives us time to answer questions parents may have about schedules, practices, coaching, volunteering, etc. We want to be open and allow a friendly, personable face to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.
When does the season start / end? When are the practices and games?
Baseball Divisions (ages 7 and up) have mandatory tryouts in early to mid-January, and begin practicing in late January or early February. Games begin in late February and end shortly after Memorial Day. In pre-season, teams will generally practice two days per week. Once the season starts, teams will have two games per week and one practice per week. Each week, all teams will have a Saturday game AND a weekday afternoon game (day will vary each week). Practice days and times are determined by your child's coach (we cannot guarantee a specific practice day for your child).
Tee Ball / Farm (ages 4 & 5) do not have tryouts and begin practice in mid-February. Players age 6 may require an evaluation. Games start in late February to early March and end in mid-May. Each team will have one Saturday game per week and one practice per week. Practice days and times are determined by your child's manager (we cannot guarantee a specific practice day for your child).
Do we need to live in the Oakley area to have our child play here?
Little League requires that each player either resides or attends school within Our League Boundaries.
We also understand that you may desire to have your child(ren) play out of the area so that your child(ren) can play with friends. However, any out-of-area player that plays at ECLL is ineligible for any postseason All-Star teams. PRIOR TO REGISTERING TO PLAY, PARENTS MUST CONTACT THE REGISTRAR at [email protected] TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR AN OUT OF AREA WAIVER TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE LEAGUE. Waivers are not automatic and are subject to the League whose boundary you are in and District 4 Little League approvals with final approval determined by the Charter Committee of Little League International.
If you move from our area after the season begins, please notify us so we can submit a waiver request as a result of your change of address. This also applies to players who moved out of our area since last season and still want to play at ECLL.
Not in our League Boundaries? Check your address to see in which league's boundary you live.
In what age group or division will my child play? What does League Age mean?
Placement is all done by league age. League age is the age of a player as of a certain date in the calendar year. Little League International publishes a seperate league age schedule for boys and girls.
In answer to where your child will play, players are either placed on a team or drafted onto a team.
Players league age 7 and older will be place in a pool and drafted onto a team. There are no cuts. It is at the manager's discretion to elect to draft a player or not, within the guidelines of the ECLL Bylaws. The only exception to this rule is for those players who do not attend a skills assessment event. Please see our Draft Page for more information about the drafting process.
Players with a league age of 4, 5 or 6 will be placed onto a team by the Lower Division Coordinator.
Can my child "play up" a division? Can my child "play down" a division?
If your child is extremely gifted and/or experienced, there may be an opportunity for him/her to play up, beginning at League Age 6. The Player Agent and the Managers in the desired division will assess your child's skills at Tryouts. If he/she is deemed capable of playing up, AND there is space available in the division, then he/she may be drafted to a team in a higher division. We won't know how many spaces are available in each division until the drafts are held in late January.
Sometimes an athlete may benefit from playing down one division. If your child is new to baseball, small or young for his/her age group (Feb, Mar, Apr birthdays), or would just feel more confident with a slower pace, you may request for your child to play down. Simply email the Player Agent (See League Contacts). Based on the same criteria described above, the League may recommend to the parents that a child play down in order for that child to improve and develop, though the final decision rests with the parents
When will we hear what team we're on? How are teams formed?
Competitive baseball and softball teams are formed by way of the Little League draft to ensure fair and balanced teams. Shortly after tryouts have concluded, a draft is held for each divisions, beginning with the Majors draft (ages 11-12) and working down to Single A baseball in mid-to-late-January. Following the draft, your player's team manager will contact you within a few days. The number of players registered for the league and the number of teams in each division will determine how many players may be eligible for a particular division. No decisions are made about the number of teams in each division until ECLL's registration period is complete.
For players in the T-Ball and Farm Divisions, there are no tryouts or draft, and teams are formed in early to mid-February. Some 6 year olds may require an evaluation. We do our best to accommodate "teammate" and/or "manager" requests, however, no guarantees are made or implied. However, such accommodations are impossible make for the competitive divisions of baseball or softball.
I'm concerned about time conflicts and/or transportation issues. Can I make a special request for my child?
(i.e., specific division, team or manager; tryout, practice or game schedule)
Unfortunately, NO. Each Spring, ECLL offers an organized program from January - June with approx. 850 players on more than 60 teams.
When enrolling your child for the upcoming season, you accept the structure of the league. We understand that children and families have commitments outside of ECLL. When enrolling, as would be done for any extracurricular activity, it is up to you, the parents, not ECLL, to adjust your child's schedule accordingly to allow them to attend and participate in tryouts and scheduled team practices and games. This should be carefully considered before enrolling. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED ON OR AFTER OPENING DAY.
How can I become a Team Manager or Coach? What is involved?
Little League relies solely on volunteers to serve as Team Managers and Coaches. To find out exactly what is required to coach baseball or softball at ECLL, CLICK HERE. It's a lot easier than you might think!
What equipment do we need to participate?
ECLL provides each player with a full uniform consisting of a jersey, pants, jersey, sock and cap or visor for softball. A baseball or softball glove is required to play. Baseball cleats are highly recommended, but not required. Batting gloves are also recommended, but not required.
Why does ECLL have fundraising events?
Our registration fees do not cover all expenses needed to operate our League, so in addition to registration, there is additional fundraising at ECLL. This includes Team Sponsors, The Spring Raffle, Ports Tickets Night and Field signs for businesses. We ask for your participation to help keep ECLL the best place for your children to play baseball.
Our biggest fundraiser is our Snack Bar. Always open on game days, it's a wonderful gathering place for players and families before, during and after games. Please support ECLL by visiting our Snack Bar.
Where is the Lost and Found?
Lost and Found items from Oakley are stored in the Snack Shack. Items lost at Laurel may be stored in the equipment sheds. Please ask a League Official for assistance or inquire with the Snack Shack.
How do I become a Team Manager?
When registering your child online, specify 'Team Manager' in the drop down box that asks if you would consider volunteering. Also, go to Coaches Corner on our website and click on Register as a Manager/Coach. Follow the instructions and submit the proper forms. To be considered as a Manager for the Spring Season, you must complete the Manager Registration process by November 30th.
What is the difference between a Team Manager and a Coach?
At ECLL, a Team Manager is the Head Coach responsible for the entire team. He/She runs practices, provides instruction, makes game lineups/strategies, and is the primary point of contact for families on the team. Team Managers are responsible for knowing the rules, ensuring that all players are treated fairly, providing the opportunity for the kids to learn and play different positions, and promoting good sportsmanship. Coach(es) help the Team Manager at practices and games. When the Team Manager is absent, a Coach may assume the Manager's role for a practice or game.
What is the time commitment for managing a team?
In T-ball and Farm (ages 5 & 6), teams play one-hour games on Saturday, and practice one other day during the week for one hour -- practice day and time to be determined by the Manager. In Single A through Majors, the commitment is 2 days a week during the pre-season, then 3 days a week once the season starts. Practices and game times are between 1 ½ and 2 hours depending on the age division.
Can I "co-manage" a team with another parent?
Yes in T-Ball, Farm, and Single A divisions. No in AA through Majors.
Do I need a lot of baseball experience to manage a team?
No! Especially in the younger divisions, no experience is required. If you are patient, organized, and a good communicator, you are perfect for the job! Each new Manager is required to go through a coaching clinic where you'll learn how to teach the game of baseball and run an effective practice. Also, on most teams, there is no shortage of parents willing to serve as assistant coaches and team parents!
What are the Rules?
ECLL is required to follow Little League International Rules and has our own internal bylaws we have developed over the years to enhance player safety and increase competition and learning.