TEAM MEETING HANDOUT FOR PARENTS
By registering your Player each and every parent/guardian is automatically a Member of Redmond
West Little League with all the rights and responsibilities of membership. Little League is a volunteer
driven organization and as such, all parents are expected to actively participate. LITTLE LEAGUE IS
NOT A BABY-SITTING SERVICE.
A.
Absent Players. Team managers who have Players who miss three consecutive preseason
practices (without notification from the Player) must immediately notify the Player Agent. PLAYERS
WHO DO NOT SHOW UP FOR PRACTICE AND WHO DO NOT NOTIFY THE MANAGER MAY BE
DROPPED FROM THE ROSTER IF THE PLAYER AGENT DETERMINES IT IS WARRANTED.
Similarly managers who have Players who miss, or who the Manager knows will miss,
three consecutive GAMES must immediately advise the Player Agent. The Player Agent may recommend
to the Board that such Player be replaced on the team’s roster based on the circumstances unique to the
Player in question, consideration of Little League Rules and Regulations, replacement-Player availability,
the point in the season when the vacancy occurs and other relevant factors. At the Majors level, a team
must maintain a 12-Player roster at all times; therefore, “move-ups” from Coast level teams will
periodically occur throughout the season. (see “E” below) [1997 RWLL]
Failure by a Manager to report absences will result in disciplinary action. The Player
Agent will make a recommendation to the Board regarding need for Player replacement after talking to the
parent. The intent is to allow the Player to continue with the team when possible.
B.
Communication. Parents whose Players miss practices and/or games are responsible for
notifying Managers in advance and making arrangements to obtain any handouts or information they may
have missed.
C.
Safety. Parents are expected to make arrangements to have their children picked up
promptly from practices. In addition, parents who will not be in attendance at a game must make
arrangements for an adult in attendance to be responsible for their child should the game be called early or
should an injury occur. The Manager must be notified as to who the adult is. Failure to comply may result
in the Player's release from the League.
D.
Minimum Playing Times. At Majors, each Player on the roster and in attendance at a
game, except in extenuating circumstances, must play a minimum of three defensive innings and bat at
least one time. Parents shall be advised of these minimum playing requirements. They should notify the
Manager if they feel the requirements are not being adhered to. Managers who knowingly violate the
minimum playing time should be reported to the Player Agent. In discipline situations involving a Player,
the Manager may decrease the number of played innings below the required minimum but only if he has
notified the Player and the Player’s parents of his intentions and ONLY IF THE MANAGER HAS THE
EXPRESS APPROVAL OF THE PLAYER AGENT.
E.
Move-Ups. Very important! The RWLL system, as all affiliates of Little League
Baseball, is built around the Majors Level -- that is, the “Regular” Little League. The assumption is that all
Players aspire to play at the Majors Level, and it is the objective of RWLL to provide the opportunity for
each Player to play at the Majors Level. In order to maintain the structural integrity of the Majors Level,
and thereby the integrity of RWLL, the “instructional Levels” -- Coast and AAA -- must provide the pool
of Player talent available to establish and retain throughout the season the requisite full (12-Player) rosters.
[1996 RWLL]
Coast level Managers and parents understand that Coast level Players who attended Tryouts/Player
Assessments, but who were not initially selected for Majors teams, are subject to being called up to Majors
if an opening should occur at any time during the season. Managers and Coaches will support the League
in encouraging these moves. Players asked to move up and who decline SHALL HAVE NO FURTHER
OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY MAJORS THAT SEASON (INCLUDING PLAYOFFS [1997 RWLL]
[It is the League’s experience and that of Coaches who have been around for many years, that the
opportunity to move-up is invariably a successful experience for the Players involved.]
F.
Uniforms/Equipment. Players must wear League-provided uniforms and use Leagueapproved equipment. Teams are not allowed to purchase or upgrade uniform components that are provided
by the league (such as hats, sleeves, jackets, etc.). Teams may not have individual sponsors or ask parents
to provide team funds, uniform embellishments, or other team extras (except end-of-year party). Donations
must be made to the central RWLL treasury.
No separate team or All-Star jackets shall be offered.
Teams may purchase baseball pants, socks, and a generic “mock tee” or turtleneck shirt with no visible
logo or brand insignia. [2000 RWLL]
Equipment and uniforms must be properly cared for during the season and thoroughly
cleaned before being turned in. Uniforms are not to be altered in any way (i.e., do not cut off sleeves,
shorten the bodies, etc.). The Manager may be assessed a cleaning charge for equipment/uniforms not
thoroughly cleaned. Managers will be asked to inventory equipment at the end of the season and make
recommendations for replacements.
G.
Insurance. The League only has insurance at (and permission to use) certain school and
park facilities. Practices shall only take place at authorized locations and at authorized times. Insurance is
secondary in nature. Managers have insurance forms. Completed forms must be turned in to the President.
H.
Bylaws. Bylaws, financial and other such information can be obtained from the League
Secretary or President. Parents shall be informed as to the dates and times of the General Meetings for the
season.
I.
Practices. Teams are not allowed to begin practicing until after the official Equipment
handout Date established by the Board each season. The Board has determined that official or unofficial
practices shall not start until on or after March 1 for several reasons: starting earlier puts pressure on
Players and parents who have basketball/skiing commitments, it gives certain teams an unfair edge, and in
most cases Manager/Coach training has not been completed. [1997 RWLL]
1.
During the Preseason. [1998 RWLL] Majors teams shall practice no less than
two (2) nor more than four (4) times a week.
2.
During the regular season. except in extenuating circumstances, Majors teams
shall meet no more than four (4) times per week (including practice and games). TEAM
BATTING PRACTICES SCHEDULED AT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FACILITIES SHALL BE
CONSIDERED AS AN OFFICIAL PRACTICE.[1996 RWLL]
3.
"Time out" shall be used in discipline situations. The Board must approve other
forms of discipline, such as lap running, pushups, or any other method. Discipline methods designed to
belittle or cause embarrassment are not allowed. Moreover, reducing game playing time below the required
number of innings is not allowed without prior approval of the Player Agent and notification to the Player
and the Player’s Parents. PARENTS SHALL RECEIVE A COPY OF THE TEAM'S DISCIPLINE PLAN.
4.
While attendance at practices is not mandatory, Parents and Players must
recognize that Player improvement and ability to work as a team comes from practice and game situations.
However, consistently missing practices and/or games may lead to a Player being dropped from the roster
(see “A” above).
5.
Managers may consult with the Player Agent regarding Players who miss a
significant number of practices and/or games to determine if the Player should be replaced on the roster.
J.
Park Maintenance. Each field preparer shall be trained in proper care of the field. Before
the team leaves, it is the Manager's responsibility to insure that the Parents/Players have cleaned the stands
and the dugout.
K.
Conflicts. Managers must advise Parents and Players of their willingness and desire to
work with Players who are having problems with either the Manager, a Coach, another Player, or anything
else. If Players cannot resolve problems through their Manager then they understand they may contact the
Player Agent.
L.
Volunteers. Little League is a volunteer driven organization. All parents are expected to
volunteer in some capacity at their Team and/or League level in addition to park cleanup.
M.
Respect for League Volunteers. All Parent and Player Members must treat Umpires,
Scorekeepers, concession workers and each other with respect. Complaints should be directed privately to
the Chief Umpire, the Head Scorekeeper, Complex Manager on duty or President. Everyone should respect
the fact that all positions are held by volunteers, not paid professionals.
N.
Respect for Players. All cheering must be positive (comments such as "She can't hit it,"
"She can't throw strikes," or "He's a looker," etc., are not allowed). Fans who are negative towards the
Umpires, the Managers or Players may be asked to leave the park.
O.
Manager/Coach Evaluations. Players and Parents will be asked to fill out evaluations on
as many Coaches and Managers as they wish at the end of the season.
P.
Generally, Majors Players shall be automatically released from their teams and the teams
disbanded at the end of each season. Returning Majors Players are guaranteed a Majors placement in the
upcoming season. [1998 RWLL]
Q.
Post-Season Tournaments. Parents shall be notified of dates for Little League sponsored
tournaments. RWLL generally sponsors Majors Baseball and Softball all-star teams. RWLL may also
sponsor “Eleven-year-old” baseball and softball teams (consisting of selected Players from Majors rosters
only) and “Nine/ten year-old” baseball and softball teams (consisting of Players from Coast and Majors
rosters only). RWLL also participates in the “Redmond City Tournament.” Parents shall be made aware
that other tournaments are not sponsored by Little League, that they may not use the Little League name,
equipment or uniforms, and that there is no Little League insurance. It is also recommended that Managers
putting together these teams call the team a "select" or "invitation" team to cut down on hard feelings.
[1998 RWLL]
R.
Standings. Each member shall be informed of the format to be used to establish
standings. Also, members shall be informed about league policy regarding tie-breaking steps and League
policy regarding making-up end of season rain-outs.
S.
Physician’s Care. PLAYERS WHO ARE UNDER THE CARE OF A DOCTOR OR
WHO SUFFER ANY MEDICAL IRREGULARITIES MUST PRESENT A STATEMENT FROM THE
DOCTOR AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICES AND GAMES.
T.
Injuries. Managers should notify parents of all practice and game injuries.
U.
Rule Changes. Proposals for rule changes must be submitted to the Board in writing by
November 30 (P.O. Box 273, Redmond, Washington 98073-0273).