New to Our League? New to the Area? Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about youth baseball and our league. If there is question that is not answered here, please email the league at: [email protected]
WHAT ARE THE CAVE SPRING AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE BOUNDARIES? Zoom on the map below to confirm that your home is within the CSALL boundary (area shaded grey). To view your home address on the map, click on "View Larger Map" icon in the upper right corner of the map. Larger map will open in a new window. Click on the magnifying glass icon, enter your home address and confirm that the icon falls within CSALL boundaries.
WHAT IS CAVE SPRING AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE? Cave Spring American Little League (CSALL) is an inclusive, non-profit organization of players, families, and volunteers. We offer recreational baseball programs for youth, ages four to sixteen, in the southwest portion of Roanoke County. CSALL is open to all who live within our geographical boundaries and we use the facilities of the Roanoke County Department of Parks and Recreation and the time, service and support of dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors. We are a chartered league of Little League International, a non-profit organization, founded in 1939, operating worldwide, striving to develop in its players the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play.
WHAT ARE THE DIVISIONS AND AGES FOR EACH? The following are the Ages for our Divisions of Play:
Note: League Playing Age is defined as the age of the player as of Little League and Roanoke County Rules for the current season of play. See below for those ages:
Instructional Tee Ball – Players whose age as of April 30 is four (4) or five (5) by August 31.
Tee Ball – Players whose age as of August 31 is six (6) or seven (7) years old.
Minors B (Machine Pitch) – Players whose age as of August 31 is seven (7) or eight (8) years old. Seven (7) year olds must have previously played Tee Ball. League age six (6) players, who have played a year of T-Ball (Instructional or regular T-Ball), may be evaluated at the request of the parent to play in Minors B. Evaluation is conducted by League Officials and the determination of those officials is final.
Minors A (Minor League Division) – Players whose age as of August 31 is eight (8), nine (9), ten (10), or eleven (11) years old. Eight (8) year olds must attend a tryout to be eligible for the Minor League Division.
Major League – Players whose age as of August 31 is ten (10), eleven (11), or twelve (12) years old. Players must attend a tryout to be eligible for the Majors draft.
Junior League - Players whose age as of August 31 is twelve (12), thirteen (13), or fourteen (14) years old.
Senior League - Players whose age as of August 31 is fifteen (15) or sixteen (16) years old.
Special rules for players whose age is ten (10) or eleven (11) according to the dates above:
1) The player may remain in the Minor Division subject to the following conditions/requirements:
a) The parents must submit a written request, after tryouts but before the draft date, to the CSALL Board of Directors.
b) The CSALL Board of Directors must approve the request.
c) The player will not be eligible to be drafted up to the Majors for that season.
d) The player will not be eligible for Tournament play.
e) The parents may not manage or coach in the appropriate Minor division for that season, without prior approval of the CSALL Board of Directors.
No requests to play-up for age 4-5 year olds from I-Tball to T-Ball will be accepted - Roanoke County minimum age rule of "6" to play on Roanoke County Fields.
HOW DOES THE MAJORS/MINORS PLAYER DRAFT WORK? Majors Division teams are comprised of 10, 11 and 12 year olds. Minors A Division teams are comprised of 9, 10, and 11 year olds. These are the only two divisions which have age overlap. Players are selected for these divisions by a draft. Once drafted onto a majors team, a player stays with that team through age 12. Each season, Majors teams begin with a roster of returning players who will be age 11 or 12. After tryouts are complete, all of the Majors managers meet for the Majors Player Draft. Players are drafted in rounds, each team selecting one player in each round, until team rosters are full (12 players per team). Only players age 10, 11 and 12 are eligible for play in Majors.After completion of the Majors Draft, the Minors team managers meet for the Minors A Division Draft. All players age 9, and all players age 10 and 11 who were not drafted by a Majors Division team, are drafted onto a Minors A Division team. After completion of both drafts, all players age 9, 10, 11 and 12 have been assigned to a team.JUNIORS AND SENIORS DRAFT The Juniors Division is comprised of players age 13 and 14. These players are selected by a draft similar to the system used in Majors and Minors. Parity among the Juniors Division teams is a consideration in the draft process. All players age 13 and 14 are placed on Juniors Division teams.The Seniors Division (ages 15 and 16) typically has one team and no draft is needed.
WHEN DO PRACTICES AND GAMES START? The following is GENERAL information, and may not apply to every team. For ages 12 and under, teams are formed around the last part of March. Team meetings and practices begin during the first week in April. Coaches will contact players individually to let them know of their team assignments and the practice schedule. Generally, each team will have one weekday practice, usually starting around 5:30 or 6:00 PM, and a Saturday practice, sometime between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The pre-season practice schedule ends when games begin, near the end of April.
Games begin during the last week in April or first week in May. Each team usually has one weekday game, and one Saturday game each week. There are in-season practices in some divisions. Coaches will provide detailed schedules for their players.
The season ends around the first week in June for ages 12 and under. For ages 13 and over, we start with "Open Spring Training" in early April. Teams will be formed in late April and games begin in May. These age groups usually continue play through late June.
HOW DOES CSALL DIFFER FROM OTHER RECREATIONAL BASEBALL OR SOFTBALL GROUPS IN THE AREA? All recreational sports groups in Roanoke County operate by approval of the County Department of Parks and Recreation. There are numerous sports and recreation groups under this umbrella, including baseball and softball organizations throughout the county. There are also recreational baseball and softball organizations in the City of Roanoke and the City of Salem. In the southwest portion of the county, there are three organizations which offer baseball or softball programs:
1. Cave Spring American Little League (That's us). We offer youth BASEBALL programs for boys and girls from ages 4 through 16. With the exception of 4 and 5 year olds, players must reside in the specified CSALL territory (generally north of US Rt 221).
2. Cave Spring National Little League (Our Little League neighbors to the south). They offer similar youth BASEBALL programs as CSALL, but players must reside within different geographical boundaries (generally south of US Rt 221) www.eteamz.com/csnll
3. South County Softball League Offers SOFTBALL programs for girls, ages 5 through 18. www.southcountysoftball.com
For information on other recreational sports in Roanoke County visit Roanoke County Parks and Recreation at www.roanokecountyva.gov/Departments/ParksRecreationAndTourism/Default.htm
WHAT ARE THE AGE OR PLAYER GROUPINGS WITHIN CSALL? CSALL usually operates with seven playing divisions, generally grouped by age. 4 and 5 years old instructional T-Ball, 6 years old T-Ball, 7-8 years old Minors B, 9-11 Minors A, 10-12 Majors(selected by draft, 12 year old must play majors), 13-14 Juniors, 15-16 Seniors.
HOW ARE TEAM ASSIGNMENTS MADE? Players are assigned to a team in one of seven divisions, depending on player age. Players age 4 through 8 are assigned to teams by league officials. The goal here is to have parity among the teams in the younger divisions. Players age 9 and over (and 8 year olds who requested to be eligible for the draft) are drafted by coaches following Player Evaluations (tryouts). ALL ELIGIBLE PLAYERS WHO REGISTER PRIOR TO STATED DEADLINES WILL BE ASSIGNED TO A TEAM. For more information on the divisions, age groupings and teams within the divisions, click on the "DIVISIONS" item in the Menu Bar on the left side of this screen.
WHAT DOES "LEAGUE AGE" MEAN? League age is the basis for assignment of players to specific playing divisions ( T-Ball, Minors, Majors, etc.). A player's league age is his/her age as of 11:59 PM on August 31.
WHAT PLAYER EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED? In all divisions, players need to have their own fielding glove. The league furnishes team shirts, hats and socks to players. Baseball pants are usually purchased by players at the direction of the coach. Cleats are not necessary for 5 and 6 year olds, but become more important for age 7 and over, and are the responsibility of the player. Other safety equipment (batting helmets, catcher equipment, bats) are provided by the league. Protective cups are recommended for male players at coach pitch level and above, and are required equipment for catchers. Players may bring their own bats to games and practices, but they must meet Little League requirements. Ask your coach if you have questions about required or recommended equipment.
WHY ARE TRYOUTS REQUIRED? Although tryouts are required for some divisions (Usually Minors, Majors, Juniors and Seniors), all players who register will be placed on a team. Tryouts are used to evaluate player skill with the goal of achieving parity among the teams in each division. Cave Spring American Little League Baseball is open to all who live within our geographic boundaries and who have a league age of 6 through 16. Instructional T-Ball is open to all 4-5 year olds.
WHERE CAN BASEBALL EQUIPMENT BE OBTAINED? Dick's Sporting Goods can supply all of your players needs and they are a sponsor of our league.
WHERE AND WHEN CAN GAME SCHEDULES BE OBTAINED? There will be game schedules for each division available on the Team Central Page under Schedules. Coaches will also have printed schedules available.
HOW ARE RAINED-OUT GAMES HANDLED? Every effort is made to play games on schedule. In the event of rain, team managers are expected to communicate with one another prior to the game and decide whether weather and field conditions are suitable for play. The method of communication is at the discretion of the coach. If there is uncertainty about the weather, players should proceed to the field and be ready to play. The manager should stay at the field until the scheduled game time if players were not notified.
WHAT IF I NEED A REFUND?
FOR ALL DIVISIONS:
If you notify CSALL prior to the player draft selection and/or team assignment, you will be refunded your registration fee in full, less a $20 processing fee.
If you notify CSALL after the draft and/or after team assignments, CSALL will not issue a refund.
* Exception clause: After the league draft day and / or teams have been assigned, any refund request must be submitted in writing to the Cave Spring American Little League board of directors and is subject to board approval for exceptional cases only.
INSTRUCTIONAL T-BALL INFORMATION
CSALL's Instructional League program is open to any four or five year old in the Roanoke area. Although our Instructional League program is sanctioned by Little League Baseball, 4 - 5 year olds are not allowed to play on Roanoke County Public fields. The program is open to any 4 -5 year old (boys and girls) and players DO NOT need to live within CSALL's boundaries as does age’s 6-18 (Families who reside within Cave Spring NATIONAL Little League boundaries should register for I-Tball with CSNLL).
We are able to offer the Instructional League program because Cave Spring Masonic Lodge has allowed CSALL the generous use of the private field behind their community center at 5131 Ranchcrest Drive. Thanks Cave Spring Masonic Lodge!!
Your child must be 4 years old by April 30th. The program's purpose is to teach young children the basics of the game (which way to run the bases, how to hold the bat, how to throw, positions on the field, catching and fielding etc.) No scores or standings are kept, competition is frowned upon, parents are very much involved, and EVERYONE has a wonderful, fun, time. Shirt, hat, and socks are included in registration fee. Teams typically play two games a week with one on a weekday and one on Saturday.
A parent or adult guardian is required to be at the field at all times. No dropping off children. The parent or guardian should be prepared to go on the field with their child and help with instruction. (1 coach trying to teach 10 to 12 four & five year olds at the same time?)
If you have a four or five year old that is interested in a fun, active, learning activity please consider registering for this program. Because of the popularity of this program, the available positions fill up quickly. Remember, you do not need to live within CSALL's boundaries (Families who reside within Cave Spring NATIONAL Little League boundaries should register for I-Tball with CSNLL), and we have players from throughout the Roanoke Valley. However, if you do not live within our boundaries, your child must play in his/her own community's program starting with age 6.
RESIDENCE AND SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Each local Little League determines the actual geographic boundaries of the area from within which it shall select players. These boundaries must be described in detail and shown on a map and dated when making application for a Little League charter. Players will be eligible to play with that league only if they reside or the physical location of the school where they attend classes is within the boundaries provided to and approved by Little League Baseball, Incorporated.
I. A player will be deemed to reside within the league boundaries if:
A. His/her parents are living together and are residing within such league boundaries, OR;
B. Either of the player’s parents (or his/her court-appointed legal guardian) reside within such boundaries. It is unacceptable if a parent moves into a league’s boundaries for the purpose of qualifying for tournament play. As detailed later in these rules, the penalty for violation of this rule may, in Little League Baseball, Incorporated’s discretion, result in the disqualification of a player, team or entire league from regular season and/or tournament play.
"Residence," "reside" and "residing" refers to a place of bona fide continuous habitation. A place of residence once established shall not be considered changed unless the parents, parent or guardian makes a bona fide change of residence.
Residence shall be established and supported by documents, dated or in force between February 1, 2013 (previous year) and February 1, 2014 (current year), from THREE OR MORE of the following categories to determine residency of such parent(s) or guardian:
1. Driver’s License
2. Voter’s Registration
3. School records
4. Welfare/child care records
5. Federal records
6. State records
7. Local (municipal) records
8. Support payment records
9. Homeowner or tenant records
10. Utility bills (i.e., gas, electric, water/sewer, phone, mobile phone, heating, waste disposal)
11. Financial (loan, credit, investments, etc.) records
12. Insurance documents
13. Medical records
14. Military records
15. Internet, cable or satellite records
16. Vehicle records
17. Employment records
NOTE: Example – Three utility bills (three items from No. 10 above) constitute only ONE document.
Any documents submitted as proof of residence must show customary usage or consumption to demonstrate bona fide continuous habitation as determined by Little League Baseball, Incorporated in its discretion.
II. A player will be deemed to attend school in the boundaries if:
A. The physical location of the school where they attend classes is within the boundaries established by the local league. Note: This excludes home schools, cyber schools, sports-related schools, sports academies, or preschool or after school where a student participates outside of the primary school the player is enrolled.
"School attendance" refers to the (place) physical location the player in question attends school during the traditional academic year. Once established, a location of school attendance shall not be considered changed unless the child is enrolled and attends another school or is no longer enrolled in the previous school.
School attendance shall be established and supported by a document indicating enrollment for the current academic year, dated prior to October 1, 2013 and with the physical location of the school, from ONE of the following categories to determine school attendance by such player:
1. Official/Certified School enrollment record
2. School issued report card or performance record
3. A Little League issued school attendance form completed by the principal, assistant principal or administrator
It is recommended that the league require some proof of residence or school attendance within the league’s boundaries at the time the player registers. Players and their parents/guardians are advised that a false statement of residence or school attendance may lead to ineligibility to play Little League Baseball or Softball. Under NO circumstances does ANY person have the authority to grant a waiver that allows a child to play in a local Little League program IN ANY DIVISION, when that child does not qualify under these residency requirements. Any league who accepts any player outside of their boundaries and fails to properly document compliance with the "Residence and/or School Attendance Player Eligibility Requirement" or obtain a waiver through the Charter Committee may result in the disqualification of a player, team or entire league from regular season and/or tournament play.
If the claim for residency or school attendance is challenged, the above materials must be submitted to Little League Baseball, Incorporated, with an affidavit of residency or school attendance from the parent(s) or guardian. Little League Baseball, Incorporated shall have the right to request additional documentation in support of the claim of residency or school attendance. The parent(s) or legal guardian will be required to provide said documentation to obtain eligibility. Little League Baseball, Incorporated shall decide the issue in its sole discretion, and that decision will be final and binding. Residency or school documents must illustrate that the residence or school attendance (as defined above) was inside the league’s boundaries throughout the regular season (as of June 15 of the year in question).
In the case of a Regulation II(d) Waiver Form, or a Regulation IV(h) Waiver Form, the proof of residence for the FORMER residence of the parent(s) that was within the current league’s boundaries must be obtained. This proof of residence for the former residence must be supported by the same documentation as noted above.
Tournament Requirement for Non-Citizens: A participant who is not a citizen of the country in which he/she wishes to play, but meets residency requirements as defined by Little League, may participate in that country if:
1. his/her visa allows that participant to remain in that country for a period of at least one year, or;
2. the prevailing laws allow that participant to remain in that country for at least one year, or;
3. the participant has an established bona fide residence in that country for at least two years prior to the start of the regular season.
Exceptions can only be made by action of the Charter Committee in Williamsport. Any request for a waiver pertaining to the eligibility of a player must be submitted in writing, by the president of the local Little League through the district administrator, to their respective Regional Director not later than the date prescribed in Regulation IV(j). Requests submitted after that date will not be considere
PLEASE NOTE: We are adding to this section frequently because of many questions from new players and parents. We will try to let you know what to expect, from Opening Day ceremonies, to team practices, games and post-season tournaments, Little League World Series, and CSALL "Fall Ball". Check back often for updates.