Our weather policy is covered in detail in the Local Rules and ByLaws available as part of our League Documents. To summarize, for games, we try to make the call by 4pm for weekday games and as soon as possible for weekend games. As soon as the decision is made, the announcement is posted to Facebook and an email is sent to parents. For practices, unless Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation closes the fields, the decision to cancel is up to the team manager. We don't have the manpower to check every practice field and in some cases, even when the infield is too wet, managers may elect to use the outfield grass, etc.

For baseball, a jersey and hat will be provided to each player by the league. For softball, a jersey, socks, and a belt will be provided by the league. Managers will be provided team bats, helmets, and catcher's gear, and baseballs/softballs.

For baseball, players will need baseball socks, baseball pants, and a baseball belt. For softball, players will need softball pants and a fielder's face guard (optional). The colors will depend on what team drafts them, the team manager will then let you know what color will be needed for the season. For gear, players will need a glove and bat. Optionally, parents may choose to purchase a personal bat and/or helmet.

Baseball
T-Ball - Bats must be marked as approved for use in T-Ball
Minors (includes Machine Pitch, AA, and AAA) - Bats must be USA Baseball certified. Look for the USA Baseball logo on the taper of the bat.
Juniors - Bats must be USA Baseball or BBCOR certified.
Seniors - Bats must be BBCOR certified.

Softball
Softball bats must have a rating of 1.20 BPF

The detailed process by which all star teams are formed is included in the league bylaws. In short, players from each team nominate candidates who are then voted on by the managers within that division. This process fills the first 9 slots with the remaining 3 or 4 selections made by the manager of the all star team choosing from any other eligible and available players.

For a team preparing for a district tournament, you can expect to practice 6 days a week for 2 or 3 weeks prior to the tournament. Once the tournament begins, you could be playing games as far away as Matthews County and you could be playing every night for several days until your team is eliminated or emerge as champions. If you win districts, another round of practices commence preparing for the state tournament and so on. Normally state tournaments involve hotel stays for up to 5 days. Of course this depends on where that particular tournament is being hosted. Host league/districts are on a rotation schedule.

Yes, there is an additional fee to participate in all stars. This helps cover the cost of uniforms and additional practice fields.

Yes. SCLL will match all fundraising a team does up to $1500 to help with the expenses incurred by parents for tournaments beyond the district level. Teams are free to fundraise however they want as long as it meets a "family friendly” standard.

The specific roles of each position of the board are detailed in the league constitution. Each member of the board is an active member with specific responsibilities covering scheduling, equipment, umpires, player agents, president, etc. This is not a position which involves just voting on league issues.

The league holds an annual meeting on the first Tuesday of October every fall in accordance with our league constitution. Prior to the meeting, the league solicits league participants for those willing to serve in order to develop a list of candidates. Then, approved league volunteers are given an opportunity to vote by absentee prior to the meeting or in person at the meeting. Those candidates receiving 50% +1 of the vote are elected to the board.

Each term lasts 1 year, from annual meeting to annual meeting. There are no term limits.

Following the annual membership meeting where the new board is selected, the newly elected board members hold a meeting where each board position is nominated and voted on by the board.

Contact the Umpire in Chief at [email protected]. He can provide you with all the information needed to volunteer as an umpire.

Yes, every single person who you see on the field or off filling a role with SCLL is a volunteer. While the umpires are volunteers, we do offer some incentives for those who are willing to step up and become umpires. Free registrations, discounted uniforms, invitation to an annual umpire dinner, etc are just some of the incentives offered. Email the Umpire in Chief at [email protected] for more details.

As mentioned above, our umpires are all volunteers and we are always in need of more. Our umpires strive to cover each and every game, but that is not possible with the current number of available umpires. The vast majority of our umpires either no longer have kids in the league or never did have kids in the league. We need current league parents to get involved and fill this important league role. To step up and be part of the solution, send an email to [email protected]. We have multiple highly experienced umpires who would love to get you started as an umpire and make sure your experience is a positive one.

In the absence of an umpire, the game must go on so someone (coach, parent, etc) needs to jump in and make sure the kids get to play the game.

There is no set age requirement for umpiring games in Little League. It really depends on the individual. Generally speaking, around the age of 12 are ready to start, especially if they have been playing for several years and have a good understanding of the game. In SCLL, a junior umpire (<18 yrs old) will always be paired with an adult on the field.

Yes. JD Palatine or JDP is an official partner of Little League International and contracted to handle all the necessary background checks for Little League volunteers. They are a US based company (Pennsylvania) founded in 2009.