FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I register my child?
   •  www.algomalittleleague.com
     Click Registration Link
2. What forms are required to play Little League?
   • Birth Certificate to prove age, parent conduct form, concussion form, and medical release form.  Forms completed as part of registration.
3. Can my child play for Algoma Little League if we live outside of the boundaries?
   • SPRING SEASON:
     • Kids ages 4-7 can play for Algoma Little League with no boundary restrictions.  It doesn't matter where you live or what school you attend.  
     • Kids ages 8-16 must either live in Algoma Little League Boundaries (see boundary map) or attend Cedar Springs Schools.  Kids ages 8-16 are also eligible if they have younger siblings ages 4-7 that choose to play Algoma Little League.  Kids who were in our boundaries or used to attend Cedar Schools, but have now moved, are also eligible if you have played in our league the previous season.  If your son or daughter does not meet these requirements, we may be able to apply for a waiver from your "home" league and if they sign off, your son or daughter can play.  
     • Kids ages 4-7 may remain in our league once they turn age 8 as they will be grandfathered in
     • Any questions on these requirements, please contact us
   • FALL SEASON:
     • Anyone can play for Algoma Little League in the fall no matter where you live!!!!
4. Can I request a team or coach?
   • Tee Ball and Coach Pitch - You can request for your child to play with friends/family and request a specific coach.  We will honor requests unless that specific team is full. 
   • Minors, Majors, Juniors, and Seniors – Unfortunately we cannot guarantee your kid(s) will be placed on the same team you request.  We will do spring player assessments and coaches will do a “player draft” to avoid stacking of teams.  Parent requests will be given to coaches but again, we cannot guarantee they will be honored.  A player draft will also be done for fall ball.
     
     **Coaches – your kid(s) will be on your team**
5. When does Little League start in the spring and fall?
   • Spring – Practices will start mid March, weather pending.  Games will start typically around the 3rd week of April.  We will take the week of spring break off. 
   • Fall – Practices will start early-mid August.  Games will start at the end of August
6. When does Little League end in the spring and fall?
   • Spring – 1st or 2nd Saturday in June.   
   • Fall – Early October
7. What days will my child be playing on?
   • Tee Ball – Monday, Wednesday
   • Coach Pitch – Tuesday, Thursday, possibly a few Saturday mornings
   • Minors – Monday, Wednesday, possibly a few Saturday mornings
   • Majors – Tuesday, Thursday, possibly a few Saturday mornings
   • Juniors / Seniors – Days will vary throughout the week, mostly Tuesday/Thursday
8. Will my child be playing every Saturday?
   • NO.  We try to avoid Saturday games when possible.  Unfortunately with limited fields and depending who we inter-league with, most teams will play at least a few Saturday games.  No Saturday’s for Tee Ball and very few, if any Saturday’s for Coach Pitch.  For fall ball, no Saturdays!
9. What time do games start?
   • Spring – 6:15pm during the week and 9am, Noon, or possibly 3pm on Saturdays
   • Fall – 6:00pm (No Saturdays)
10. How many games are normally scheduled throughout the season?
    • Tee Ball:  14 games
    • Coach Pitch:  14 games
    • Minors / Majors / Juniors:  15 games + Tournament
11. Can my child play up or down a division based on experience?
    • Kids can play up 1 division if they are ready but cannot play down a division
12. What equipment am I required to purchase for my child?  Glove
    • Cleats (Minors, Majors, Juniors, Seniors).  NO METAL CLEATS!!!
    • Fielding Mask (Girls Coach Pitch, Minors, Majors, Juniors Softball)
    • Baseball / Softball Pants (Minors, Majors, Juniors, Seniors) (Boys – Grey, Girls – Black)
      
      **We recommend all kids, including Tee Ball, wear cleats & baseball pants.  We also recommend kids have their own batting helmet, bat, batting gloves.  We will provide each coach with a limited number of batting helmets and bats to use**
13. Are their specific bat requirements or can my child use any bat?
    • Yes, we follow all Little League Rules in terms of bat requirements
      • Tee Ball – Must use a USA Tee Ball Bat
      • Coach Pitch, Minors, Majors – Must use a USA Baseball bat (must have USA sticker on it)
      • Juniors can use a USA Baseball bat or BBCOR certified .50 bat
        
        ****Wood bats can also be used for minors, majors, and juniors****
        ****Please see our website for how to pick a correct bat size for my kid(s)****
14. I’m interested in coaching, what experience do I need and how much time commitment is required?
    • Each team will have at least 1 head and 1 assistant coach.  For minors, majors juniors – we would like 1 head and 2 assistant coaches if possible
    • Tee Ball / Coach Pitch coaches – NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.  Sign up, have fun with your kid(s), and make new friends!!!
    • Minors, Majors, Juniors, Seniors – We highly recommend some baseball or softball knowledge but it’s not required.  You’ll for sure want to familiarize yourself with Little League Rules!
    • Time Commitment – Each team is expected to schedule a minimum of 2 practices per week once the season begins up until their first game.  Depending on division:
      • Tee Ball and Coach Pitch practices typically run 1 – 1.5 hours. 
      • Minors, Majors, Juniors typically around 2 hours. 
        
        Once games start, coaches can practice on non-game days by reserving a field when they are open.
15. How come I am not getting email communications?
    • You may not be in our email directory.   To add your email to the directory, please email [email protected] and we will add you
16. Weather Policy
    • West Michigan weather can change rapidly.  We will do our best to make a decision by 4:30pm for weekday games and 8:00am for Saturday games.  We will base our decision on weather, field conditions, and safety of the players.
    • League policy – If temps are below 40 degrees, games / practices will be cancelled.  We do not cancel for light rain unless field conditions are not safe. 
    • If weather conditions change rapidly while games are being played, delays and cancellations are determined by the umpires and board member on site.
17. If games are rained out or cancelled due to cold weather, will they be made up?
    • We will do our best to make up games so kids can get their games in.  For Tee Ball and Coach pitch, we will make up games at the end of the season.  For Minors, Majors, Juniors, we will make up games if time permits before tournaments start.  If it's not possible to make games up, they will be considered just cancelled.