Capitol Little League Frequently Asked Questions

Please take a moment to review this page. We hope that most questions parents have can be answered here.

Members and Board of Directors

     1.   Can I become a Capitol Little League Board member?
     2.   If I am not a member, can I attend the Board of Directors Meeting?
     3.   Do Capitol Little League Directors get paid?
     4.   I have a question/concern, who should I contact?
     5.   How often is the website updated?

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The League

1. Who is Capitol Little League?
The Capitol Little League (operated as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Charity) is sanctioned by Little League, Inc. of Williamsport, PA, the largest youth affiliated program in the world. The first Capitol Little League charter for baseball was in 1960. It is in District 2.

2. How big is Capitol Little League?
Our expectation for this spring is to have approximately 220 players in the league. Little League Baseball encourages boys and girls to become part of the little league experience. The league is comprised entirely of volunteers who freely give their time to help our Capitol youth learn the game of baseball and embrace the Little League Baseball motto: Loyalty, Character, and Courage. Thanks in advance to all of the volunteers who will help this spring be a successful endeavor for everyone!

3. What are the Capitol Little League boundaries?
A child must reside within this boundary or attend a school located within Capitol's boundaries to play in Capitol Little League. A child may play within the Capitol Little League who resides outside of this boundary, but will not be eligible for any All-Star team. In addition, a child living outside of our boundaries wishing to play with the Capitol Little League must be approved by Little League, Inc. There are certain exceptions if the child or the parent(s) lived within the boundaries and volunteered or played with the league prior to moving.

4. What sports and levels of play does Capitol Little League offer?
Capitol Little League offers T-Ball for boys and girls from ages 4–6 and baseball for boys and girls from ages 6–16.

5. How is the league organized?
Capitol Little League is chartered by Little League Baseball and must follow their rules, regulations, and guidelines. There are 6 divisions for boys and girls based on age:
T-Ball - 4, 5 & 6 Year Olds
Rookie Minors (Coach Pitch) - 7 & 8 Year Olds
Minor Baseball - 8, 9, 10 & 11 Year Olds
Major Baseball - 9, 10, 11 & 12 Year Olds
Junior Baseball - 13, & 14 Year Olds
Senior Baseball - 15 & 16 Year Olds

6. I noticed that there are overlapping ages for the divisions. Why is that?
Children's athletic skills, like other skills, progress at different speeds. Players are placed into divisions after being evaluated by coaches at the Minors and Majors division level to assess their ability to compete at that level yet. By allowing some amount of flexibility, Capitol Little League officials can place players in divisions that fit better into their level of play with player safety always being the most important consideration.

Volunteers

1. Does Little League perform background checks on its volunteers?
Yes. The local leagues are responsible for securing background checks on each adult volunteer over the age of 16.

2. What if I just want to be the “Team Mom” or just help with practice?
We encourage all parents to volunteer and get involved with Little League in some way. There are many areas where parents can assist. They can help the manager in practices, be the Team Mom, umpire, help with field preparations and maintenance, and keep the scorebook, to name just a few. However, all volunteers must fill out the Volunteer Application and submit to a background check before helping.

3. What are the responsibilities of a manager and a coach?
The team manager oversees the management of the team throughout the season. They are responsible for setting a practice schedule, developing a practice format, creating a lineup card for every game, and ensuring kids get their minimum playing time in each game. Managers are the focal point of the team and must be committed to following through with managing the team from mid-February to the beginning of June. Time commitment is usually around 8–10 hours a week depending upon the division. Managers need to be able to commit to be at most practices and games. Managers also must attend pre-season meetings as required by the league, and a manager's meeting with the division representative. As well, they must schedule and conduct a parent meeting prior to the first practice of the season. Managers are assisted by a volunteer team parent who helps with things like concession stand scheduling, fundraising events, uniform distribution, and picture day.

Two assistant coaches are allowed in the dugout during games. However, a manager may elect to use more than two coaches during practice. Coaches provide support during practice to ensure kids get enough attention while developing their skills. Coaches are under the guidance and direction of the manager. Typically, a manager will design a practice format and have assistants take care of coaching small groups of players, assisting with batting practice, hitting fungos, or other assistant duties. Assistant coaches should commit to be at all practices and games, generally about 6–8 hours a week depending upon the division. All actions of an assistant coach during games are the ultimate responsibility of the manager.

4. How are managers selected?
Capitol Little League is actively seeking manager candidates at the time of registration. Any adult who has turned in a completed Volunteer Form and passed the background check may manage a team. No baseball experience is necessary. It is Capitol’s Board of Director’s decision to approve persons recommended by the President and wishing to fulfill a management position. Management positions are not reserved on a year-to-year basis. Each year a person wishing to manage must volunteer for the position, be recommended by the Capitol’s President and approved by the Board of Directors. Coaches are generally hand-picked by the manager of each team and must also be approved by Capitol's Board, complete a Volunteer Form and pass a background check.

5. I am in high school and would like to volunteer. Can I get community service hours credit for doing this?
Absolutely. We welcome teenagers to come and help us. Please click on our volunteer section to learn more. We have had teen volunteers in the concession stand and have had them keep official scorebooks. We can sign off on community service hours for you.

6. Why is it necessary for Capitol Little League to have a Work Bond Program?
In order to get the assistance necessary to run the league successfully without over imposing on our members' time, as well as to remain sensitive to the increasing costs of youth athletics. The work bond program was instituted in 2014. This type of work bond is consistent with the other youth sports organizations in our area.

7. What is the Work Bond?
A $50 Work Bond is collected at registration. If you choose to volunteer 6 hours or your time to Capitol Little League, your $50 will be refunded at the end of the season. If you do not intend to volunteer for work hours, you may indicate this on your Work Bond Reimbursement form that you completed as part of your registration packet. If you do not volunteer 6 hours by July 31st, the $50 will not be refunded. These "opt-out" fees will be used to fund the workers needed for our season to run smoothly. Those who do not check the box will be notified about signing up for volunteer hours.

8. What jobs can I do to complete my Volunteer hours?
As a component of the 6 hours, each family is being required to work 4 hours, or the equivalent of 2 games in the concessions. Please note that 1) your concession hours do not have to be during your child’s game, but must be at a game within your child’s division and 2) only family members 18 years of age or older are allowed to work in concessions. You are responsible for insuring that your family covers this shift.

Additionally, each family is asked to provide an additional 2 hours of time. This time can be as a manager, coach, team parent, umpire, scorekeeper, work on Field Day, Picture Day, Opening Day, or other opportunities that may be presented during the year. For positions such as coach, manager and team parent, credit will be given based upon the official Team Rosters maintained by the Player Agent. If the official roster is incomplete, no credit will be issued.

9. How will I receive credit for my Volunteer Hours?
Volunteers will need to input their hours work into into our online tracking form to ensure they receive proper credit for their work hours. This online tracking is necessary to insure that all hours have been worked. The volunteer committee will record the total hours per family. Once a family has met their requirement you will be reimbursed the $50 the manner that you indicated on the Work Bond Reimbursement form completed at registration.

Sponsorship

1. How can I sponsor a team?
Please contact the League President or a Board Member or you can download our Sponsorship Registration form our website.

2. If I sponsor a team, can I pick the team’s name?
Capitol Little League currently uses Major League Baseball Team names (Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, etc.) for all teams. Capitol Little League will attempt to honor requests for specific teams where possible, but cannot guarantee it. Please discuss any specific requests with the League President.

3. If I sponsor a team, can I sponsor a specific child’s team (my son, granddaughter, etc.)?
As with the team name, Capitol Little League will make every attempt to honor the sponsor’s request. Again, please discuss any specific requests with the League President.

4. If I am not able to sponsor a team, are there other ways to sponsor CLL?
Yes, there is. You can sponsor Capitol Little League in several ways. One is through a team sponsorship, or your business can purchase a sign to go on the outfield fence by just giving a donation. See our Sponsorship Opportunities form for more details.

5. I do not have a business, can I still sponsor?
Yes, you can. We accept non-business sponsors as well.

6. Can I help provide a player scholarship for other children?
Yes, you can provide a scholarship donation or just a donation when you register. Scholarships are needed and much appreciated every year.

7. Are my charitable contributions and donations tax deductible?
Yes, the Capitol Little League is operated as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Charity. One hundred percent (100%) of all contributions go directly to Capitol Little League! You will have to check with a CPA and/or the IRS to see how it would apply to you.

Registration and Fees

1. When is Registration?
Please check our Events Calendar for up to date information. We will post the date when it is time. The usual time period for the season is:

    January—Spring season online & in-person registrations begins
    February—End Registrations and begin player evaluations and draft (Majors)
    March—Draft remaining divisions (T-Ball, Rookie Minors, and Minors). Practice begins
April—Games begin
    June—Regular season ends and tournaments begin

2. What are the registration fees for Capitol Little League?
This information will be posted on the Registration page in the Latest News section of our Home page. The registration fees are reviewed each year by the Board of Directors. Capitol Little League still has some of the lowest registration fees in the district.

3. What is included in the registration fee?
Your registration fees include a uniform shirt and cap. You will have to provide all other equipment including pants, socks, belt, shoes, etc.

4. Can I register my child online and is it safe?
Yes, our online registration process is safe and secure. Parents must remember that the registration process will not be complete until all paperwork is received. (i.e., Birth Certificate, Proof of Residency, Medical Release, et.).

5. Are credit and debit cards accepted at walk-up registration sessions?
We accept Visa and MasterCard payments if you register online. Walk-in registration fees must be paid by cash or check.

6. Is there a refund policy?
Refunds of 50% will be made prior to team assignment. No refunds will be made after team assignments. Players who live outside the Capitol Little League borders and incorrectly register are subject to the refund policy. Internet fees charged by the service provider for online registration are non-refundable.

7. How is the registration fee used?
Our budget addresses equipment, uniforms, field improvements, field maintenance, post-season tournaments, and administrative expenses.

8. Why do I need to bring a birth certificate and proofs of residency to registration?
These documents are needed for the Age and Address Verification process.

9. What is Age and Address Verification?
The Age and Address Verification process provides parents and league officials the opportunity to fulfill Player Age and Address Verification required by Little League baseball.

10. Why does Capitol Little League do this?
Little League International requires all local Little Leagues to verify the Age and Address of all their players. Because we are affiliated with Little League, we are bound to this requirement.

11. What documents do I need to verify age?
Bring a certified birth certificate with embossed seal (no photocopies will be accepted) or your child's passport so that your child's age can be verified.

12. What documents do I need to verify address?
Little League requires three (3) separate items to demonstrate proof of residence so we can verify that you live within Capitol Little League's boundaries. You can find the documents needed on the Proof of Residency document located under the Resources/Capitol Little League Forms tab . The documents will not be returned to you at registration so please bring a photo copy if necessary. A more detailed explanation can be found on our Latest News Registration page.

13. Can I use a work, school, church, or other address instead of my personal residence to be in your league?
No, Little League Baseball requires that your personal residence is used to establish which league your child plays in.

14. Will your league make any exceptions?
No, we cannot. No verification, no baseball, no kidding. Sorry, but it is a Little League International rule.

15. Please explain the Little League assistance program and is financial assistance available?
Capitol Little League's policy is that no child will ever be turned away from our program due to a financial hardship. We have started a player scholarship program to help cover some of the cost of registration expenses only.

16. Are scholarships available?
As we stated, it is Capitol Little League's goal to include every eligible child who wishes to play Little League. We understand that families come into hard times and need financial assistance at times. To receive a scholarship, simply complete the Scholarship Request form and bring it in person to registration with a copy of your registration information. There will be only a limited number of scholarships available. Capitol Little League does require that parents make a commitment to volunteer in exchange for the financial commitment we've made with your family. See details below.

Volunteer Requirements for Scholarships
Full Scholarship (per child) = 6 evenings volunteering in the concession stand or participate in either field maintenance or scorekeeping.

1/2 Scholarship (per child) = 3 evenings volunteering in the concession stand or participate in either field maintenance or scorekeeping.

17. How are other revenues generated for Capitol Little League?
As you know, operating such a program requires a lot of volunteer time and costs a great deal of money. In order to keep the registration fees affordable for all, Capitol Little League must turn to corporate and community sponsorships for much of our financial support to make up the difference needed to provide uniforms, upgrade equipment, pay for upkeep of the facilities, insurance, and other direct expenses of running the league. In addition to registration fees and corporate sponsorships, Capitol Little League usually has one large fundraiser for the year. This fundraiser supplies approximately 1/4 of the operating expenses for the year.

Teams and Player Evaluations

1. How are teams formed?
Minors and Majors teams, players ages 8-12, will under go a player evaluation process. Player evaluations are typically conducted in February.  Please review the current league Events Calendar for specific player evaluation dates. A player selection process (draft) is held with the Minors and Majors division managers in attendance  to determine which players are ready to compete in which division. Majors players are typically in the 10-12 age range although there are exceptions for a limited number of 9 year olds. Players that are not drafted into the Majors divisions are eligible to play in the Minors division. A draft is held with the Minors mangers and team placements are decided based on that player selection process. Once drafted onto a Majors team, the player will remain on that team for the duration of their time in the league with few exceptions. Skill, experience and athleticism are the essentials to determine these division assignments although safety of the player is always the primary consideration.

6 year olds may participate in the Minors divisions program (Rookie) after participating in one season of T-Ball.

12 year olds must play in the Majors division unless a parent signs a waiver for them to participate in the Minors program.

Friendships and carpool circumstances may be considered ONLY when organizing teams in the non-competitive divisions such as T-Ball and Rookie (Minors).

2. What are player evaluations?
Player Evaluations is an event that the Capitol Little League holds in which a player's current baseball skills are evaluated and assessed by Little League division managers.

3. What happens at the player evaluations?
Players will be rated on the following skills:
      (1) Fielding fly balls
      (2) Fielding ground balls
      (3) Throwing
      (4) Batting
      (5) Running
      (6) Those interested can also be evaluated for Pitching and Catching

4. How long do the player evaluations last?
It will vary depending on the number of players, but somewhere between 90 minutes to two hours. Player evaluations are scheduled throughout the day in various groups, typically organized by divisions. Please check the Events Calendar on our website for the appropriate time for your player(s).

5. Do I have to participate in player evaluations?
All players MUST attend a player evaluation based on the division they played last season, except players in T-Ball and Rookie Minors Every manager must be able to evaluate all the eligible players in the draft pool. If a player does not attend a player evaluation then the player is not eligible to play in Capitol Little League. This is a Little League International rule. If your child cannot make any of the scheduled player evaluations please contact the Player Agent or VP of your Division ASAP.

6. We have finished player evaluations. How do I know what team my child is on?
Check the Capitol Little League Events Calendar for the scheduled draft days. The draft is held immediately after player evaluations. Capitol Little League asks that all Managers contact their players within one week after the draft to set up their first meeting or practice. If you have not been contacted within that time, please contact the Player Agent.

7. Can players play "up"?
Yes, providing that the proper paperwork and requirements are met. While it is generally not recommended, there are some children who have the skills and abilities where it would benefit them. Players wishing to play up must try out for their current age division and for the division they wish to play in. However, the decision to move the child up will be up to the managers of the division the child is requesting.

8. If my son or daughter is 6, should I move them from T-Ball to Rookie Minors (Coach Pitch)?
If your child has played at least one year in T-Ball then you may be able to move them up.
Move up to Rookie Minors (Coach Pitch) if your child can:
    consistently throw a baseball accurately in the air at a distance of 15 to 20 feet (e.g., when playing catch)
    consistently catch a reasonably thrown baseball from 15 to 20 feet (e.g., when playing catch)
    consistently field a ground ball on an infield surface
    easily hit a baseball off of a tee every time

If your child struggles with any one of these fundamental skills, T-Ball will provide a better environment for improving.

9. If you are considering moving up from Rookie Minors (Coach Pitch) to Minors here are a few questions to ask yourself and your son/daughter regarding last year’s experience.
    Was she/he able to make contact with the bat against 80% of the pitches received?
    Did she/he feel confident and was able to consistently catch the throws that hit her/his glove?
    Did she/he feel comfortable with the speed of the throws that were caught?
    Was she/he comfortable with the velocity of the balls hit her/his way?

If the answer is "yes" to these questions, they could probably move up to Minors and have a good experience. If not, they may want to get a bit more experience and be one of the more confident and stronger players in Rookie Minors (Coach Pitch).

10. Can I request a specific manager and/or that my child play with their friends on the same team?
In the T-Ball and Rookie Minor divisions we will try to honor special play requests. However, we do not guarantee the request will be met. In Minors through Majors divisions we do not accept special play requests. Teams in these divisions are selected via the draft process.

11. What if I have an issue with my child's manager?
Speak with the manager about your concerns before discussing them with anyone else especially other parents. Ninety-nine percent of the time this will take care of the issue. If you still are not satisfied, your next contact would be to the VP of the division and the three of you should sit down to discuss the concerns.

12. If my child is unhappy with the team they are placed on, can they switch teams?
Only in extreme cases does the league allow children to switch teams after the teams have been formed. Such requests must be made in writing to Capitol Little League for consideration by the Player Agent. Approval requires extenuating circumstances, so any request is highly unlikely to be approved, and in most cases we will ask that the player remain with their team. Team balance is established early on, and changes of this type are difficult, if not impossible, to implement without upsetting the balance that has been established.

13. When are team photos taken?
Team and individual photos will be taken on opening day. A schedule will be posted on the homepage.

Equipment

1. What equipment will my child need before the first practice or game?
Players should arrive at their first practice, ready to play ball with a glove, hat, rubber molded cleats, and practice baseball pants for the older division boys. A baseball bag is recommended to transport bats, batting gloves, water bottles, hats, and other items.

2. Are there any uniform supplies my child needs?
A uniform consists of a pair of baseball pants, belt, a baseball jersey, a hat, and socks. Capitol Little League will provide each player a team jersey and a team hat. Players need to provide the baseball pants, belt, and socks. The jersey and hat are the player's to keep. Your manager will provide more specifics as for the color. Rubber cleats are highly recommended. Steel spikes are not allowed in the Major Divisions and below. In the early part of the season, players should bring a windbreaker, jacket, or sweatshirt to every game and practice if the weather is cool.

3. What kind of glove should I get my child?
A quality leather glove is a must and it is recommended to stay away from vinyl and simulated leather gloves that may be cheaper, but tend to cause the player a great deal of frustration. It is impossible to form a pocket in gloves made of vinyl or simulated leather. Therefore, the ball tends to pop out when the player attempts to catch it. Please see the Parents Corner page for more information.

4. What equipment does my child need to play Little League?
At minimum, your child will need a baseball glove and boys also will need to wear an athletic supporter with a hard cup. The league will supply a team shirt and hat. Most children will also require uniform pants, belt, and (non-metal) cleats, which the league does not provide. The league provides each team with several bats, batting helmets, and catcher gear. Players can bring their own helmets and catchers equipment if they choose, but are not required to furnish these items themselves.

5. What size bat should I purchase for my child?
This is a rather complicated question since kids come in all shapes and sizes. The basic concept is that first you pick the weight of the bat, and then you pick the length. A batter's power is determined by bat speed or how fast he can swing the bat through the strike zone. Therefore, the weight of the bat is the main determining factor in how fast a player can swing the bat. The rule of thumb is that your child should be able to hold the bat in one hand, extend his arm until the bat is at shoulder height, and then hold it for 20 seconds. Make sure the bat doesn't dip and that the child is not doing gyrations to keep the bat up. This will give you the weight of the bat that your child can effectively handle. Now find the longest bat with that weight. The longer the bat the more of the plate the batter can cover. When looking at bats you'll hear a term called "drop". Drop is the length of the bat (in inches) minus the weight of bat (in ounces). For example, a 30-inch bat that weighs 20 ounces has a drop of -10. The greater the drop, the more effective the bat. Grip is another important factor. Your child should be able to comfortably grip the bat. Other factors include the material used in the grip, the size of the butt, the construction of the bat, etc. The bottom line is: (1) the bat must not be too heavy for the child, (2) it should be long enough to cover the plate, and (3) it should be comfortable in your child's hands.

Game Play

1. What rules does Little League use to play?
Little League plays under a set of rules published by Little League International out of Williamsport, PA. The rules are based on the Official Baseball Rules (OBR) used by Major League Baseball (MLB) with some changes for the safety of younger players and adaptations to play the game on fields with bases 60 feet apart versus 90 feet apart.
In addition, each Little League publishes their local ground rules. Most of these center on how the minor division and below will play their games.

2. What are the differences between Little League rules and Ground rules?
Little League rules are those rules to which we are strictly bound. Little League rules are strictly adhered to at the Majors level of play. Each year Little League publishes updated rules that are well founded in history and are focused at every kid getting a chance to play Little League. Ground rules are those rules adopted by the Capitol Little League Board to enhance the game for the players. The ground rules generally apply to the Minors and lower levels. An example of a ground rule is a continuous batting order where all the kids attending the game bat in succession until all have batted. After all have batted, the batting order reverts to the top of the batting order. Ground rules are posted on the Divisions page on the Capitol Little League website and are voted on each year.

3. What is inter-league play?
Little League rules allow Capitol Little League to schedule games with adjoining leagues if this is mutually agreeable. In general, Capitol Little League will pursue inter-league play opportunities when possible in the upper divisions.

4. Are there time limits on games?
Yes, the time limit varies by division. Shorter time limits also come into play on weeknights to prevent keeping kids out late on a school night.

5. Who decides if a game is rained out?

If it is not a thunderstorm or pouring rain at game time you should show up at the field with your player. The ultimate responsibility for safe playing conditions lies with both team managers. If there is a disagreement between the mangers regarding the cancellation of the game, the VP of the division will be contacted to mediate the disagreement. Game cancelations or suspensions should be based solely on the safety risk to the players and on no other competitive considerations. The league suggests to team mangers, especially in the competitive divisions, that they make every attempt to play all games as scheduled because make ups create many scheduling problems.

If play is halted due to rain, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THE PARK. A “rain delay” is much different than a “rain out”. Parents will be allowed to take their children to their car, but please do not leave until directed to by the Manager. Lightning may also cut a game short without any rain present. A 30 minute delay is mandatory for any sign of thunder OR lightening. Each instance of thunder OR lightening requires an additional 30 minute wait period. Obviously, safety is a concern here and Capitol Little League will always err on the side of caution.

6. How can I find out if a game is rained out?
This is the more difficult question. As noted above, if a decision is reached early enough, it will be posted on the website (www.capitol-ll.org). However, if the decision is later, there is not enough time to call everybody that might be playing that day. When possible, check with your Manager to see if they have been notified. Most Managers will attempt to contact their players once they know the game has been rained out, which is why it is important that Managers have as much contact information as possible. If you have not been contacted, then it is best to simply go to the field and find out. Don’t be fooled by the weather conditions at your house or office. Numerous times it is raining in one part of town and nothing at the field. If you don’t know, then continue to the field.

7. Are there any rules around minimum playing time?
Rules vary by division regarding playing time.

T-ball—All players play in the field and all players bat each inning.
Rookie Minors (Coach Pitch)—Continuous batting order (no offensive substitutions, every player is on the batting lineup even if they don't play the field that inning) with 10 fielders
Minor—9 or 10 players in the batting order with 9 or 10 fielders on defense
Majors and above—9 players in the batting order with substitutions

Minimum play for divisions above Rookie Minor (Coach Pitch) is one at bat and two innings in the field. Note: any player who arrives after the start of the game is not required to get minimum play at the manager's discretion.

8. If my child is unable to attend practice, will he/she still get to play in the game?
As stated above, Little League requires that all players play a minimum of two innings in the field and get a minimum of one time at bat. However, it is very important that your child attend as many of the practices as possible so that he/she can continue to improve their skills while also working with the other players to learn to play as a team. In the Minor Division and above, the team’s discipline plan will decide the playing time for excessive missed practices. Ultimately, time of play, as well as position of play, is determined by each team's manager.

9. I think my son/daughter is a pretty good player. How does the league choose All-Stars?
The division managers independently submit their top 12 or 13 divisional candidates to the Player Agent. The top vote getting candidates are selected to the divisional All-Star team. Be sure to be cognizant of your family's summer vacation schedule if you believe your player might be picked to play for the Capitol Little League All-Star team. The district All-Star tournament is normally the first two weeks of July. The sectional and state tournaments are on the following weekends.

Umpires

1. The umpires did a really bad job at umpiring our game, who can I complain to?
Umpiring is one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the Little League program. The volunteer umpire is as much a part of Little League as the volunteer manager, coach, or concession stand worker. If you feel the need to complain about a call, feel free to contact the Umpire-in-Chief and volunteer to umpire a few games. It will give you a different perspective on the game and make you appreciate that these volunteers are willing to give their time back to the game. Besides, by umpiring, you have the best seat in the house.

2. What if I am afraid of making the wrong call as an umpire?
Most people seem to not be interested in being the umpire. Why? Because they may feel that they will make a mistake, or they do not want to cause issues with other parents, or that they just don't know what to do. Umpires make mistakes, they are human after all. But remember, when calling fair/foul, safe/out, balls and strikes; an umpire may make over 600 calls in a game. There are bound to be some mistakes. It is a judgment call and umpires call it like they see it.

The Umpire-in-Chief is there to help and provide instruction for anyone who asks and is willing to take the time to help out all the kids of Little League Baseball.

REMEMBER, Little League is about the kids learning the game and having fun. The umpires are there to help aid in the learning process by applying the rules. Without the rules, nobody learns or has fun.

3. OK, I will try it. How do I volunteer to be an umpire?
Great! First, fill out a Volunteer Application and become a General Member of the League. The Umpire-in-Chief will get with you and go over the Little League Rules and Local Ground Rules. Your first few times to umpire will probably be in the field with a more experienced umpire behind the plate. Second, relax and go out there and just call it like you see it.

4. Can I get a Rule Book or more information on umpiring?
The League is only supplied with a few Rule Books every season. Each Team Manager will receive one. You can purchase a Rule Book at Little League Online at a reduced rate for League Members. You can also check out the Umpire Resource page on this website.

5. Do umpires get paid in Capitol Little League?
This depends upon the divisions. The younger divisions, T-Ball and Rookie Minors is reliant 100% on volunteer umpires. The older divisions, Minors through Seniors are paid certified umpires.

Members and Board of Directors

1. Can I become a Capitol Little League Board member?
Each year in August, typically at Closing Ceremonies, the Board of Directors must be re-elected. Any league member in good standing can ask for their name to be placed on the ballot for the board elections. All applicants must undergo a background check.

2. If I am not a member, can I attend the Board of Directors Meeting?
Yes. If you are interested in attending a board meeting and have a specific issue that you would like brought before the board, please contact the board president to have your issue placed on the formal agenda. League & community members are welcome to attend our monthly meetings. Although you will not be able to vote on matters, you can be recognized to state your opinion on different subjects. There are times that the Board of Directors will enter into Executive Session. During this time, all non-Board members will be asked to leave the meeting temporarily. .

3. Do Capitol Little League Directors get paid?
No. Unlike some other Youth Sports Organizations, the Board of Directors for Capitol Little League is 100% volunteer. No Director receives any financial compensation for their services to the League. Additionally, Board members are required to pay the same registration fees for their children as everyone else.

4. I have a question/concern, who should I contact?
Questions? Suggestions? Ideas? Concerns? Want to help? Check out the Board Members page to find the appropriate Board Member to contact.

6. How often is the website updated?
Capitol Little League is a volunteer organization. The website is updated frequently by several volunteers; as such, the information on this website is subject to change without prior notice.

Website Manager

CAPITOL LITTLE LEAGUE

Frequently Asked Questions

The League

Volunteers

Sponsorship

Registration and Fees

Teams and Player Evaluations

Equipment

Game Play

Umpires

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The League

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CAPITOL LITTLE LEAGUE

LITTLE LEAGUE® International