Your Voice is a way for readers to share questions with us, and an opportunity for Little League® to provide some important information and guidance. We are excited about our continued conversations, and, as always, we invite you to share your thoughts, suggestions, and questions to [email protected].
Marc from South Carolina – Where can I find the 2018 age chart for Little League Baseball®?
Little League – The age chart has been updated to reflect the league age for all Little League Baseball players based on the new league age determination date of August 31, 2018. Downloading the 2018 Little League Baseball Age Chart is an easy way to determine the age of your Little Leaguer®.
Little League Baseball players born between May 1 and August 31, 2005 will be grandfathered as league-age 12-year-olds for the 2018 season. More explanationof the history and adjustment of the League Age Determination Date is available on LittleLeague.org.
The Little League Softball® age determination chart is also currently available.
Bill from Kansas – Are the new USABat Standard bats required for use during this year’s Fall Ball season?
Little League – Current Little League-approved baseball bats USABat Standard bats may be used in any Little League second season, Fall Ball, or training and development program for the remainder of this year. Baseball bats marked with the new USABat Baseball Bat Standard label are currently available for purchase at retail outlets, such as DICK’S Sporting Goods, however the. USABat Standard bats must be used for Little League Baseball and Little League Challenger Division beginning on January1, 2018. More information on the new bat standard can be found at LittleLeague.org/BatInfo.
Mavis from Illinois – I had some issues with the way my league was run this past year. What can I do to share my concerns?
Little League – The first step toward getting a better understanding of your league’s operation is seek out a member of the current Board of Directors. Ask when your league plans to hold is annual general membership meeting and attend that meeting. If you are told there is no such meeting planned, then contact the League President and ask that one be scheduled. You are likely to be asked to present your concerns during this meeting.
Every Little League is operated by a Board of Directors made up of local volunteers. If you have an interest in providing input and want to have a hand in league operations, let a member of the Board know, so that you can be considered as a candidate for the incoming Board. A new Board of Directors is elected each fall.
Alicia in Kentucky – Is Fall Ball supposed to be competitive like All-Stars?
Little League – Fall Ball is not typically operated liked a local league’s regular season, and certainly is not designed to be competitive like the Little League International Tournament. The purpose of Second Season, Fall Ball, and TAD(Training and Development) season is to give children added field time to work on their developmental skills and fundamentals, and an opportunity to keep playing through the summer and into autumn months. The same is true for adult volunteers, who may also be looking to get more experience as a manager, coach, or umpire heading into next season.
Brandon from South Dakota – My teenage son is looking for volunteer opportunities so he can complete civil service hours to put toward graduation. Does Little League offer any programs for high schoolers?
Little League – There are always possibilities to volunteer in Little League, and teenagers can contribute in a variety of ways. One area if interest unique to baseball and softball would be umpiring. Many leagues offer a junior umpire program where teenagers are partnered with a veteran volunteer umpire, or a crew of umpires.
Another option would be as a “buddy” in the Little League Challenger Division®. A local Little League operates the Challenger Division and, in many instances, interleague with other programs, and becoming a buddy is a great way to help out as a volunteer.
Volunteering to work a couple of games per week equals a few hours per game. Over the course of an entire season, a junior umpire or a Challenger Division Buddy could easily accumulate dozens of hours to help satisfy the volunteerism/civil service requirement that many schools are now requiring for graduation while also making a difference within the local league.