Step: 1 (of 3). Before contacting us, please review the following frequently asked questions:
FCLL: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible to play in FCLL?
All boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 12 (as of April 30, 2009) who live within the geographical boundaries of FCLL are welcome to play in our league.
Note that 4 year olds can now play Little League T-ball. This is new since Spring 2008.
If your son is over league age 12, then you may want to check out the Greater Sugar Land Pony League at www.gslpony.com
3. If we live in an area zoned to one league (AL or NL), can our child play in the other league?
No. The only exception to this is as explained in the Little League II-d form (see this form under the “Rules and Info” tab on the FCLL homepage). Generally, that exception applies when either you move out of the area (and you want to play in the league as if you had not moved) or the league boundary has moved (and you want to play in the league as if the boundary had not moved).
4. Can I play in FCLL if I live outside the FCLL boundaries?
No. The only exception to this is as explained in the Little League IV-h form (see this form under the “Rules and Info” tab on the FCLL homepage). Generally, this exception applies only to families who have had at least 2 years of experience with FCLL before requesting to play in FCLL from outside FCLL boundaries.
5. Our child has never played baseball before. Can he or she still play in FCLL?
Yes. We encourage players of all skill level to come play in Little League baseball. Your child will play with players of his or her own age (in the appropriate “age defined division” -- see Question #17 below).
6. When is the draft and who is my coach?
For draft dates, please see the FCLL Calendar which is at the bottom of the left column on the FCLL home page – www.fcll.net. The managers of teams at FCLL are appointed by the league president. All players should hear from their new manager within a day or so after their draft is concluded.
7. My child and his best friend both want to play on the same team. Can we request this?
In general, no. By way of the draft system, the league strives to achieve, as best as possible, parity in skills among the teams.
8. I want my child to play for a particular coach. Can I request this?
No.
9. I do not want my child to play for a particular coach. Can I request this?
Yes – Little League rules allow this. You may make such a request to the player agent for your age division.
10. How do I volunteer to be a manager, coach or team mom?
You have a chance to volunteer during this registration process.
11. What is the Dream League? Where can I go for more information?
The Dream League is a great program which enables children with physical and/or mental disabilities to enjoy the game of baseball. Please see the Dream League web site for more information -- http://www.fcdreamleague.com/
12. What are the fees to play in FCLL?
The fee per player is $135 and is the same for all divisions (T-ball to Major). The fee will go up to $145 after the early registration deadline of December 19.
In addition, there is a fundraising requirement – sell candies for $80 or buyout from this obligation for $40. Note that this fundraising obligation is only one per family (and not one per player).
13. What is included in the fees?
Fees include the following for each player – cap, shirt, pants, belt and socks. Teams usually arrange for their own pennants or individual player trophies (the league does provide trophies for 1st and 2nd place winners of the end of season tournament in the Pee Wee, Varsity, Minor and Major divisions).
14. Will the uniform shirt and pants be the correct size for my child?
Hopefully, yes. Because of the lead time involved in ordering uniforms for over 700 players, the league has to place uniform shirt orders before even the teams are drafted. Each team gets shirts of varying sizes and it has not been a problem to outfit players in the past. Regarding the pants, parents can pick up appropriately sized pants from the pants table on tryouts day.
17. In what playing division will my child be assigned to?
You child will be assigned to the appropriate age specific division as per the table below (see also Question #20 regarding "playing up"):
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If your child’s 2009 LL age is:
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Then the FCLL age defined division is:
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Can this child tryout to play up by 1 Division?
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4 or 5
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T-Ball
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No
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6
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T-Ball, if not played Little League T-Ball before
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No
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6
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Rookie, if played Little League T-Ball before
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No
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7
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Rookie
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Yes
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8
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Pee Wee
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Yes
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9
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Varsity
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Yes
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10
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Minor
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Yes
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11
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Minor or Major (needs to be drafted for Major, else plays Minor)
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Yes
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12
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Major (can play in Minor only if a parent files a special petition.)
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Not Applicable
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18. At what level can my 6 year old play?
6 year olds who have played a SPRING season of official Little League T-ball (either at FCLL or at another chartered little league) will be placed in the Rookie division (machine pitch). Those 6 year olds who have not played a season of official Little League T-ball (fall season does not count) will be placed in the T-ball division.
This is mostly of concern to those league age 6 players who played Rookie in fall 2008, but who are now required to play T-ball in spring 2009. We understand such concerns, but this is not a local rule – this is mandated by Little League International.
19. Can my 12 year old play in the Minor Division?
As per Little League rules, all 12 year old players will be automatically placed in the Major division, unless a parent files a formal “Waiver Request Form for 12 year olds to play in the Minor division”. This form is available on our web site under “Rules and Info”.
20. What does “playing-up” mean?
Any registered player between the ages 7-11 can tryout to play in one division up from their Little League age defined division. The intent of this is to allow players with higher abilities to play in the division that contains players with like abilities. Examples:
· League age 7 (Rookie) can try out for Pee Wee
· League age 8 (Pee Wee) can try out for Varsity
· League age 9 (Varsity) can try out for Minor
· League age 10 (Minor) can try out for Major.
21. How does my child “try out”, if he or she is interested in playing up?
On the designated tryout days (in late January or early February – see the league calendar on our home page), any player attempting to play up must attend tryouts at both the higher division and the lower division based on the child’s Little League age (if any). This requirement of two tryouts allows the player to be considered for draft in the higher division and also in their age defined division. No player will be allowed to play for the higher division if they do not attend a tryout for that division. 12 year old players must attend a Major Tryout, and they will be automatically placed in the Major Division unless a parent submits a formal waiver request (see above). Examples:
· League age 7 trying out for Pee Wee must attend one Pee Wee tryout. There is no tryout for Rookie.
· League age 8 trying out for Varsity must attend one Varsity tryout and one Pee Wee tryout.
· League age 9 trying out for Minor must attend one Minor tryout and one Varsity tryout.
· League age 10 trying out for Major must attend one Major tryout and one Minor tryout.
22. When and where are the “tryouts” dates?
The tryouts dates will be posted shortly on the league calendar (see our home page). Times for specific Divisions have not been set yet. Please check our website for the latest information: www.fcll.net. If possible, the League will also attempt to send reminder emails to all registered families before the tryouts begin. All tryouts will be held at the FCLL complex.
23. Are there any costs associated with playing up or trying out?
The costs associated with trying out are defined as any difference in FCLL Division Fees plus a $10.00 tryout fee. The difference between any FCLL Division Fee is no greater than $10.00. So, the maximum amount will be $20.00. The fees are non-refundable, unless there is no space in a division for any players to play up. These fees are due at the time of try-out.
24. How do I register my child to tryout to play-up?
The 1st step is to register as you normally would on our website (www.fcll.net). This process is initiated by attending the tryout time for that division on the appropriate date, along with payment of any additional fees. All players (whether trying out to play-up or not) will be required to check-in for Player ID draft purposes.
Step: 2 (of 3). If the FAQ above does not cover your inquiry, please send an email to the appropriate board member below (note that once the season is in progress, the "player agents" are probably your first point of contact for all player issues).
FCLL Board Members for 2008-2009
(click on member name to send e-mail)
Step: 3. Finally, if steps 1 and 2 did not help, click here to send email, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
