Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does the season begin?

Please check the CCLL calendar page for exact league dates and events. Typically, the season consists of player registration in Dec/February, player assessments in mid February,  practices which begin immediately after the draft in late February, regular season games in early March, playoffs in late May/early June and then culminating in All-Star selection and play throughout the months of July and August.

2. How long will the season last?

The CCLL regular game season usually runs Feb through May with playoffs last two weeks in May into the first few days of June (typically during the last week of the local school schedule).  The season is extended for players that are selected to the All Star tournament teams. Parents who want their children to be considered for All-Stars need to understand the potential impact upon summer vacation plans. All Star teams typically play well into July and August.

3. Where are CCLL games played?

The main complex for CCLL players is at Harry Daniel Park at Ironbridge (fields 1-4).  Because of the number of fields, the league does use fields at the local high schools, middle schools, elementary schools or Goyne Park, Ecoff, Matoaca Middle School, and Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks Parks for a LIMITED number of games but mostly for practices.  Please see the Field Info page for precise address to all fields. Please check your team schedule and the Field Info page page to be sure of the exact location.

4. What days and times are games played?

Fields are in constant use. Fields at Ironbridge are scheduled for play nearly seven days a week. Games during the week begin at 6pm with the second game on each field beginning at either 7:30 or 8pm.  On Saturday, games begin as early as 8:30am and are scheduled in two hour increments with the last game scheduled for 8pm.  However, games at Ironbridge on Sundays are reserved for make-up games (rain or other weather related cancellations) and do not begin until afternoon.

5. Who umpires CCLL games?

CCLL uses a combination of parent volunteers and paid umpires. The majority of those umpires are from the paid umpire pool but it is important to understand that the pay is MINIMAL and most of those umpires are players in the league ages 13-16 who do so primarily for the love of the game.  All umpires are required to attend training clinics. A plate umpire and a field umpire are used in all games unless a scheduling issue arises causing a shortage of available umpires. In the Buddy Ball and Rookie divisions, coaches manage the flow of the game and umpires are not assigned.

6. When will practices begin?

Practices begin immediately after teams are formed. And this is normally in late February / early March. Your team manager will call you to let you know about the practice schedule and the practice fields.

7. How often and long will my child practice?

Practice frequency and duration are up to the team manager. Generally, it is recommended that Buddy Ball and Rookie teams practice no more than one time per week for no more than one hour. Machine Pitch teams practice an average of 2 times a week for anywhere from 60-90 minutes. Minor and older division teams may practice 2-3 or more times a week prior to games starting and 1-2 times per week after the season starts. These older divisions normally have practices that last around 2 hours.

8. What if I have not been called?

If by mid-March your child has not received a call about placement on a team, please contact the player agent at playeragent@ccllbaseball.com.

9. What equipment will my child need before the first practice or game or player assessments?

Players should arrive at their first practice with a glove, hat, baseball pants, and rubber molded cleats (metal spikes may be used at Intermediate, Junior, and Senior levels only). A baseball bag is recommended to transport bats, batting gloves, water bottles, hats, and other items. While the league does NOT provide practice uniform items, they do provide a game hat, game jersey, game pants and belt, game socks, gear for catchers, helmets, and balls. However, for hygiene reasons, many children bring their own helmets for personal use.

10. Are there any uniform supplies my child needs?

A uniform consists of a pair of baseball pants, belt, a baseball jersey, a hat, and a pair of baseball socks.  CCLL will provide each player a team jersey and a team hat.  The jerseys don't provide much warmth, so it is a good idea to purchase a long-sleeve baseball shirt to match the color of your child's team. Your manager will provide more specifics as for the color and style.  However, if your child desires to pitch, no WHITE long sleeve shirts as it is a rules violation.  Rubber cleats are highly recommended, and steel spikes are not allowed except at the Intermediate, Junior, and Senior levels. A quality leather glove is HIGHLY recommended. It is recommended to stay away from vinyl and simulated leather gloves that may be cheaper, but tend to cause the player a great deal of frustration.  All players should bring a windbreaker, jacket, or sweatshirt to every game and practice, especially early in the season. Additionally, it is a Little League requirement that all male players wear a protective cup at every game and practice.  This is enforced by team coaches and league officials throughout the season.

11. What do my fees cover?

As discussed in the answer to the “uniform” question, most of your child’s fees go to cover the expense of the league furnished uniform.  Of the total fees paid, approximately 50%-60% are used to cover those expenses.  OK, then what happens to the remainder?  From the remaining fees, the league is responsible by its charter with Little League International to cover expenses such as Liability Insurance, certain equipment items (helmets, catcher’s gear, baseballs), tournament entry fees, and umpire expenses.  In addition, the league is responsible for a portion of the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities.  Although they are county owned facilities, the league must make any improvements above and beyond the minimal requirement of the Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department.  When you see items such as new batting cages, replacement nets for the cages, upgrades to the bullpens, field maintenance equipment necessary to have fields playable on severe weather days, dugout additions, covered stands for the scorekeepers, and other such items, those expenses must be covered by the league.  As you can imagine, the fees alone will not pay all of those expenses.  That is where our sponsors come into play.  When you consider just the uniform items provided alone and then compare the CCLL fees to other leagues in the area, you will find that we have succeeded in keeping our fees lower than other local leagues yet still provide your child much more in return for those fees.

12. What size bat does my child need?

Little League has important bat information HERE.  Bat length is a matter of preference and each player will have to determine what length they prefer.  Bat diameter however is regulated by level or division of play.  Bats will have the diameter stamped or printed on the side to make it easy to ensure you are purchasing the right bat. 

13. How many players are on a team?

While the answer to this question is dependent upon the number of players registered and the corresponding number of volunteer coaches available, CCLL has does everything possible to keep EVERY team at 13 or less players.  Historically, our Buddy Ball teams carry around 8 players.  Rookie teams will carry 13 players since they are allowed more players on the field at any given time.  At all other levels, we typically fill each team with 12-13 players. By doing so, it provides for smaller group instructional sessions with your coaching staff AND it provides greater playing time opportunities. However, sometimes the number of players assigned is determined by the number of teams we have which is based on the number of managers that volunteer.

14. Can my child be placed on a team with one of their friends?

CCLL allows friends to request to be placed on the same team together only in the Buddy Ball and Rookie divisions. At the other levels, only “sibling options” (brother/sister considerations) are accepted.  For those levels, there are absolutely no requests due to the player selection process of the draft. The upper division teams are created using a balanced draft process that helps to promote even and competitive leagues and teams.

15. If my child is unhappy with the team they are placed on, can they switch teams?

Parents are allowed to notify the Player Agent PRIOR to the draft of only ONE manager or coach they wish not to play for in a particular season.  No more than one request is allowed and under no circumstances will requests be accepted stating the team or manager/coach for whom they will play.  Such requests must be made in writing to CCLL player agent for consideration by the CCLL Board. Once teams have been selected, players will not be moved to another team within the same league or level as it not only impacts that player but also another player who would be required to be moved from their current team to ensure balanced teams.  Under extreme extenuating circumstances (safety for example) a player may be moved to another league/level but any request is highly unlikely to be approved, and in most cases we will ask the player to remain with their team.

16. If my child decides to quit, is it possible to get a refund?

A refund is available upon request prior to the close of registration.  After teams have been selected and the uniform fitting process has been completed, any refund will be reduced by the cost of the uniform.  There will be no refunds after the regular season begins.

17. Can I keep my child down in a lower division or bring him/her up a division a year early?

Let’s tackle the first piece of the question first.  Yes, a player may be kept at a lower division for safety or skill considerations, depending on the age division.  Please contact the player agent for more information.  The second piece of the question is just a little different.  Since the teams are set by the draft, players may be assessed to play at a higher level or division but it is up to the managers/coaches at that level to rate the player such that he/she warrants being drafted by the required round for their age at that level or division.  Specific requirements may be found at the Downloads page (CCLL Draft Rules & Procedures).

18. How does the draft work?

Managers and coaches are free to draft any age appropriate player they desire during the draft.  The draft is conducted after player assessments but prior to the start of any practices.  The draft order is established by random draw and each manager makes their selections from the approved player list until each round is completed.  The subsequent round is conducted in reverse order so that a single manager or team does not have the first pick of every round.  Those players rated during assessments are eligible to be drafted by name.  Those players not present at their specified player assessment are selected through a “hat pick” process described in a later FAQ below.  Specific requirements for the entire draft and draft eligibility may be found at the Downloads page (CCLL Draft Rules & Procedures).  The draft does not apply to the Buddy Ball and Rookie levels. 

19. What are “hat picks"?

Hat picks are reserved for those players who do not participate in the player assessments.  Since the managers and coaches were not able to rate the player during those assessments, those players names are place in a “hat” and made available to all of the managers for a particular age group at that level or divisions draft.  Those players are “drafted” by “blind draw” from the hat.  This is done for both new AND returning players who do not participate in the player assessments.  New players are placed in the hat because MOST managers/coaches are not aware of that player’s skill level.  Returning players are placed in the hat because not all managers/coaches (especially those new to the league) are aware of that player’s skills.  This helps to ensure that the draft is not “manipulated” by players not participating in assessments to the benefit of those select few who may be aware of their skill set.  Please consult with player agent.

20. How can I find out about the status of fields for game days and practices?

Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation will make a decision by 4 pm each weekday in the event of inclement weather and the fields need to be closed.  After 4 pm on weekdays and on weekends, CCLL will make that decision.

Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation website