FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)

17) Does the WFBL perform background checks on its volunteers?

Answers:

1) I am new to Woodbridge, so can you give me some details and insight on the League Divisions within the WFBL and how the League is made up?

The WFBL was established back in 1972 and is currently chartered with Babe Ruth League Inc., headquartered in Trenton, NJ. We are comprised of the following League Divisions :

Division                       Ages (as of April 30th of the current year)

Instructional Tee Ball    4 (Girls and Boys)
Tee Ball                       5 & 6 (Girls and Boys)
Rookies                       7 & 8 (Girls 7 and Boys, 7 & 8)
Boys Minors                8, 9 & 10 
Boys Majors                11 & 12
Babe Ruth Prep           12 & 13
Babe Ruth                   14 & 15
 

*Note this is a change from past years - the new date is now APRIL 30th as established by Babe Ruth League International.

*The WFBL will allow 12-year olds who are in 7th Grade and have the ability to play on a 90' Baseball diamond an opportunity to register for Babe Ruth Prep but must be approved by the State Commissioner to be able to participate in Prep.

Tee Ball is an instructional Division that plays on Wednesday evenings (games) and Saturday mornings (practices).  The basics of the game are taught with Coaches in the field closely instructing the players.  Games last only about an hour or so and are extremely low key ; no scores are kept, so everyone goes home a winner !!

Rookies is a Coach pitch Division that plays games twice during the week and practices once on Saturday.  This is a step up from Tee Ball where catchers are used and fundamental baseball rules are applied during the course of each game.  Coaches again are on the field to offer instruction and like Tee Ball, no scores are kept and all games end up in a tie !!

Boys Minors and Majors Divisions play games twice (at times three times) during the week and practice once.  If games are rained out during the week, they are made up on Saturday during the designated practice time slots.  Players pitch in both these Divisions and there are trophies for League Division winners.

Babe Ruth Division is a major step up from Boys Majors as it is played on a 90’ diamond, up from a 60’ diamond, and it is much more competitive.  It is for the serious Player only.  There is a separate 13 year-old Prep Division that allows the Players to become acclimated to the larger field. 

Last year, the WFBL had a total of {40} Teams, including Teams from the Bethany Summer League {BSL}, who is an integral part of our overall League Charter.  

2) Do you have a Girls Softball program?

We did have a Girls Softball program for many years but no longer administer it through the WFBL. The new Beth – Wood Softball Little League administers Girls Softball for Players between the ages of 7 – 15. You may contact them directly to obtain further information : Susan Kelly (Beth – Wood Softball VP) at 203-393-1160.

3) Who can sign up to participate in the WFBL ; do I have to be a resident of Woodbridge?

You MUST be a resident of Woodbridge and have a legal address to register in the WFBL. If you go to school at Ezra Academy in Woodbridge but reside in New Haven or a surrounding Town, you are NOT eligible to participate.

4) When does the Season begin and when does it end?

The WFBL Season begins the first week in April with practices, once all the Teams are formed. Official games start the last weekend in April / first week in May and extends through the third week of June or so, when school ends. For those Players interested and talented enough, All Star play then begins and runs through the early part of August. For Babe Ruth, their Season extends a bit farther into the first week of July, when All Stars begin.

5) When is Registration ; when are games and practices scheduled?

Registration for the WFBL will be held on January 16th, 19th, 24th and 26th for the 2008 season {all to be held in Center School - either the Cafeteria or Room #16} – go to the WFBL Registration icon to obtain further information and download the necessary Registration forms!!

Games are normally scheduled during the week (Monday – Friday), with a few games but mainly practices held on Saturdays. There is no schedule for games or practices on Sundays. In case of rain-outs for the Boys Minors / Majors, there will be mandatory make-up games that following Saturday in the time slots designated for practices (no make-ups however for Tee Ball and Rookies).

6) What is the Registration cost for each League Division in the Spring and when is it due?

Registration costs are as follows, for the Spring Season of 2008:

4's Tee Ball          $   80.00
Tee Ball               $   95.00
Rookies               $ 125.00
Boys Minors         $ 150.00
Boys Majors         $ 160.00
Babe Ruth            $ 275.00

Payment is due immediately at Registration, which will be held mid to late January

7) How does the League determine where my son / daughter will play this year ; what is the age cut-off date and can it be waived?

Your son or daughter will be placed in a respective League Division based on his / her age as of APRIL 30th of that calendar year, which has been set and established by Babe Ruth League (for a description of the League Divisions, refer to Item No. 1 above).

This cut-off date cannot be waived as we must abide by League policies, especially when it comes to insurance purposes. Unless there is an extenuating circumstance to keep a Player down a year (which can only be approved by the WFBL Board of Directors), all Players MUST play with their peers on the same age level, without exception.

8) I have heard that my son / daughter may have to attend a try-out or screening this year – what is this, why is it done and what should we expect?

Every child who registers gets placed on a Team!! To form our Teams, we hold Try-outs / Screenings provide a one-time opportunity for Team Managers to evaluate the talent of new Players (throwing, catching and hitting) so they may draft them accordingly as to their ability. These screenings are normally held inside a batting cage facility or a gym during the month of February on various dates during the week and on the weekends.

For Boys Minors, this Division will again be totally redrafted like last year, which established a sense of equality and parity for all the teams.  It is MANDATORY for all Players ages 9 & 10 to attend this screening.. 

For Boys Majors, this Division is re-drafted every year to establish a sense of equality and parity for all the teams, so all Players ages 11 & 12 MUST attend this mandatory screening. 

For Tee Ball (ages 4 and 5/6) and Rookies (ages 7/8), there are no screenings for these Divisions.

9) Do I need to bring my child’s Birth Certificate to Registration?

If your child is registering in the WFBL for the first time, you must bring a copy of his / her Birth Certificate to Registration so it may be verified with the date on the Registration form. We do not have to keep a copy once it is checked.

10) What is All Stars and how long does this last?

All Stars is made up of separate Teams with ages of 9, 10, 11 & 12 (as well as 13, 14 & 15 for Babe Ruth). This is extremely competitive and involves total commitment from the middle of June through the first week in August or so, where each All Star Team may play in excess of 25 games (not including practices). If your son / daughter is of All Star caliber and you agree to abide by the criteria set forth by the WFBL in our All Star Policies, they may be nominated to play on that Team (note that not all Players who are nominated are selected, as there may be try-outs if the Players nominated exceed the amount of Players a Team will carry). Note there are specific restrictions pertaining to the commitment All Stars require, so if you are seriously considering this, please make sure you plan your vacations in mid to late August to avoid problems.

We also have  'B' All Star Teams that allows Players who cannot make the total commitment to play on the 'A' Teams an opportunity to play competitive baseball during the summer due to vacations or camp.  This has met with much success in past years and we plan to continue it, as long as there is enough interest to form these Teams.

11) What is the difference between a Team Manager and a Coach?

In addition to coaching the Team, the Manager is also responsible for scheduling practices, establishing the line-up for each game, Player substitutions during the game, his / her Team’s equipment, drafting his / her Team Players, make Player nominations for All Stars and is the main Team point of contact between League Officials and his / her Team. He / she is also responsible for the conduct of not only his / her Players and Coaches but the spectators for his Team as well.

The Coaches take their direction from the Team Manager and may be asked to manage the Team in his / her absence.

12) How can I become involved in managing, coaching or just volunteering within the WFBL?

If you are interested in Managing and / or Coaching your son’s / daughter’s Team, so note this on the Player Registration forms when you submit same during physical Registrations that will be taking place during the month of January. 

We are always looking for volunteers, whether it be a Team Parent or scorekeeper; the WFBL would not be as successful without your help!!

13) What is a Team Sponsor and how can obtain a form ; can I sponsor my son’s / daughter’s Team?

You can become a Team Sponsor by clicking on the icon WFBL League Team Sponsors, download the appropriate Team Sponsor form and send it in with your check by the end of March, 2008 (the earlier the better, as Teams tend to fill up with Sponsors very quickly). As a Sponsor, not only does your Sponsorship help outfit that Team, you also get your Company Name printed on the Team hats, get a free ½ page AD in our 2008 Program Book and receive a Team photo at the end of the year.

Note that preference will be given to those Team Sponsors who have sponsored Teams in the past over those doing it for the first time. If there is already a Sponsor for the Team you would like to sponsor, you can either opt to sponsor another Team in the WFBL or as some have done in past years, opt to have a sign erected on the outfield fending at the Acorn Hill ballfields (or you can do both, if you so desire). For the Sponsor Fence Signs, click on the WFBL Sponsor Fence Signs icon, download the appropriate form and send it in with your artwork / check accordingly. It’s just that simple …

 

14) Can I request that my son / daughter be placed on a Team with a specific Manager / Coach or with a friend of theirs?

For the Tee Ball and Rookies League Divisions, if you would like your son / daughter to play with a friend due to car-pooling purposes or whatever the reason may be, the WFBL can accommodate most requests (as these are not competitive Leagues and we try to keep the children together with their friends). We request that when you turn in your son’s / daughter’s Registration form, you clearly note your desire of the children you would like them to be with ; when the Teams are formed, the League Officials will then attempt to accommodate most requests accordingly. We cannot promise every request will be granted however …

However, for Boys Minors and Majors, as these are competitive Divisions, the WFBL can NOT accommodate any requests as these Teams are selected during a League Division a Draft that is held during the early part of March, following the try-out / screening process. 

The Managers select Babe Ruth Teams predicated on each of the Players’ ability to provide parity to each Team and as such, they also can NOT accommodate any requests to place Players together on the same Team.

15) What equipment do I need to purchase for my son / daughter?

The WFBL provides batting helmets, baseballs, Team jerseys / hats, stirrup socks (for Boys Minors Division and up), catcher’s equipment (shin pads, face mask, chest protector and catcher’s mitt for Rookies Division and up), medical kit with ice packs as well as Tees for the Tee Ball League Division. 

Parents are responsible for providing baseball gloves, baseball shoes (no metal spikes), bats and baseball pants for their children.

16) Does the WFBL have a Fall Ball Season ; if not, who can I contact?

The WFBL will be sponsoring Fall Ball Teams, which Season occurs from September through November. If your son/daughter is interested in playing Fall Ball in 2008, the WFBL will have a spot on the Registration form so you may indicate your interest at that time. The WFBL will then contact you and will hold a physical sign-up during the month of June (before the regular Season ends) so you may register your children to participate.

17) Does the WFBL perform background checks on its volunteers.

Yes, the WFBL performs background checks on an annual basis on all of its volunteers, Coaches, Managers, etc. who participate in the WFBL. This form is available both at physical Registration and on the WFBL Web Site.