Sheldon Little League FAQs
Q: How do I register?
A: You're in the right place! You can register from our website at the top right. If you haven’t already played with the league, you will need to create a Sports Connect account (choose 'REGISTER') and add your players details (name, date of birth, etc) to see your player's eligible divisions and complete the registration process. If you have played with the league before, choose 'LOGIN' from the top right (your login is your email address), select the division for your player and complete the registration process.
Q: What division should I register my child for?
A: Little League uses a "league age" when determining eligibility for divisions. League age is calculated differently for boys and girls. The easiest way to determine your child's division level is to use the league age calculator from Little League International. Sheldon Little League recommends at least 1 year of play at the lowest division a child is eligible to play before moving to a higher division (example: 1 year of t-ball before moving to coach pitch).
Q: Is there financial assistance available?
A: Yes, financial assistance is available through T-Mobile's Call Up Grant. Applications for this grant are handled through Little League and funds are distributed directly to approved families via an electronic debit card to maintain confidentiality. Additional assistance may be provided by Sheldon Little League, please email [email protected] with any additional questions or inquiries.
Q: When are practices and games?
A: Practices are determined by the team managers in collaboration with the coaches and with other teams, and based on field availability. Prior to the Coaches/Managers meeting, we are unable to share the schedule for practices and games because registration is still occurring. The schedule is determined by the number of teams, which is determined by the number of players, which is unknown until registration closes. Typically, tee ball and coach/machine pitch divisions practice twice per week until games begin and then they may reduce practices to once per week. Tee ball games are typically on Saturday mornings at 9:00 or 10:00. Other divisions' games may be Saturdays or in the evenings on weekdays. Your player's team manager will share the practice and game schedule with the team.
Q: How many children are on a team?
A: Typically 10-13 children but can vary. Majors teams must have equal number of players. Minor teams can have any number of players.
Q: How are teams formed?
A: Varies but we like to have children play with their classmates.
Q: What is the length of the season?
A: Teams will be formed in mid-March. Practices start anytime when the "first practice" is listed on the calendar to first week of April. Games start mid-April. Games likely stop mid-June, although t-ball could be done as early as June 1.
Q: How many games will my child play?
A: T-ball will have weekly games scheduled. Coach Pitch will have 1 to 2 games per week schedules. All divisions above AAA (Player Pitch, Majors, 50/70, Juniors and Seniors) will have a minimum of 2 games per week, double headers scheduled on Saturdays and may require travel to other leagues along the I5 corridor.
Q: How many practices do you have per week? Does this change when you start to play games?
A: Typically 2-3 practices per week, depending upon division/age of children. Once games start, the number of practices can be altered. Practices range from 60 minutes at the T-ball level and 90 minutes to two hours or more at the Majors level
Q: Where are practices and games?
A: Practices are held at Sheldon area baseball fields (Holt, Gilham, Buena Vista, Willagillespie). As some teams can be formed from Coburg, coaches may also hold practices in Coburg. For T-ball and Coach Pitch divisions, games are played strictly on Sheldon fields. For AAA and above (Player Pitch, Majors, 50/70, Juniors and Seniors) mid-week games will be played on fields throughout the Eugene-Springfield-Thurston-Cottage Grove areas, weekend games may require travel to leagues along the I5 corridor.
Q: How long do games last?
A: T-ball games last for 3 innings or 60 minutes. Coach Pitch division games last a minimum of 5 innings or 90 minutes (no new inning will start after 90 min or after 6 innings have been completed). AAA (Player Pitch) division games last 105 minutes (no new inning will start after 105 min or after 6 innings have been completed). Majors games have no time limit but are finished after 6 complete innings have been played. Regardless of division, all play is stopped at sunset.
Q: What equipment do I need for my child?
A: Uniforms (hat, jersey, pants, belt, socks) are provided by the league and included in registration fees. The league also provides batting helmets and catchers gear. Each child should have a baseball bat, glove and cleats. Personal protection gear (cup) is recommended for boys at the AAA (player pitch) division and above. Optional equipment for your player is a batting helmet and baseball bag.
Q: Are coaches provided or are they volunteers?
A: SLL is a volunteer run and operated non-profit organization like all Little League organizations world-wide. Stated another way, there are no paid positions in Little League. Please sign up to volunteer on website if you are interested. Some ways to get involved is coaching, field prep before the season begins, field prep on game days, score keeping, helping with concession stand, helping coaches keep kids on the bench focused during the games, shagging balls during a game, helping run drills during practice, umpiring and helping coaches with other various tasks. Also, we have vacant board positions for this year or you can join next year’s board members. As you can see, there are many ways to get involved. The more volunteers we have, the more smoothly SLL will run and the more fun our children will have while playing baseball.
Q: What if we live outside the league boundary but my child attends school within the boundary? Can they still play in Sheldon Little League?
A: Yes! If you live outside the league boundary, but your child attends school within the boundary, you may request to play within the league by completing the School Enrollment Form.
Q: Are we required to do fundraising?
A: SLL has 1 major fundraiser, Closing Ceremonies at PK Park. You will receive more details from your coach and the league during the season.