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2015 SCLL Handbook

2015 South County Little league General Information

Office Name Person President Dan KeefeVice President Rick McElligottSecretary James Oakley Treasurer Bob GauthierPlayer Agent Bob GauthierSafety Officer Calvin RussellInformation Officer Steve WaughField Maintenance Manager Brian OrthFundraising Coordinator Sponsor Coordinator Michael Luffred/Brian OrthEquipment Manager Warren CarringtonUniform Manager Michael LuffredVolunteer Coordinator Todd ChmielewskiTraining Coordinator Scott ThielSeniors/Juniors Commissioner Bob GauthierIntermediate Commissioner Bob GauthierMajors Commissioner Michael LuffredAAA Commissioner Todd ChmielewskiAA Commissioner Dan HarasinA Commissioner Warren CarringtonTee-Ball Commissioner Steve WaughScheduler Tim FieldFall Ball Coordinator Keith BonannoAll-Stars Coordinator Dan KeefeChief of Umpires John Bays Concession Stand Manager Shawn AldertonFun Tournament Coordinator Dan KeefeCapital Improvements Mike Hamilton

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Preamble Little League Baseball, Inc., has mandated that South County Little League (“SCLL”)

provide the following conditions for service in the Little League program. Failure to comply with these procedures would most likely result in SCLL forfeiting its charter and its privileges, including tournament privileges.

As a condition for service in SCLL, all managers, coaches, Board of Directors, members, and any other person who provides regular service to SCLL and/or has repetitive access to, or contact with SCLL players or teams, must complete and submit an official “Little League Volunteer Application” and copy of valid photo ID to the SCLL President on an annual basis. Refusal to submit a complete “Little League Volunteer Application” shall result in the immediate removal of the individual from service within SCLL

SCLL shall also conduct a background check for each person identified in Paragraph A above with the Virginia State Police sexual offender Internet database which lists convicted sex offenders that have committed sexual offenses involving minors. An individual who has been convicted or pled guilty to charges involving or against a minor, no matter when the offense occurred, shall not be permitted to work within SCLL. In addition, annual background screenings must be completed prior to the applicant assuming his/her duties for the current season. Background checks are not required for any person under the age of 16.

The SCLL President shall only share information contained in the “Little League Volunteer Application”, background check, or other information obtained through the screening process with other members of the Board of Directors of SCLL in order to make personnel decisions. The SCLL Vice President shall perform the annual background screening of the SCLL President. If the information obtained through any background check is public record and causes an individual not to be appointedor to be terminated, SCLL’s President (or Vice President as the case may be) will share all such public information with the parents/guardians of the children who have had contact with the individual. The SCLL President shall retain each Little League Volunteer Application, all background check information, and any other documents obtained on file for the current year of service of each individual identified in Paragraph A above. After SCLL has completed operations for the current year, the SCLL President shall dispose of all records unless the league has taken action or made a decision based upon information contained in the records in which case such records shall be maintained for a period of seven years.

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Table of Contents2014 South County Little League Handbook............................................................................................4

General Information....................................................................................................... .......................4Purpose.............................................................................................................................................4Field Locations.................................................................................................................................4

Lower Potomac Field Complex...................................................................................................4

League Composition (estimated ages only)......................................................................................5Fund raising......................................................................................................................................5Insurance Information.......................................................................................................................6Registration of Players......................................................................................................................7Refund of Registration Fees.............................................................................................................7

General Operation.................................................................................................................................7Concession Stand..............................................................................................................................7Volunteering and Volunteer Bond.....................................................................................................8

Field Preparation...................................................................................................................................8Pre-game warm up............................................................................................................... .............9Post-Game Cleanup..........................................................................................................................9

Field Decorum.....................................................................................................................................10League Clothing..................................................................................................................................11League Officials and Managers...........................................................................................................11

League Commissioners...................................................................................................................11Safety Officer............................................................................................................................... ...12Managers and Coaches...................................................................................................................12Umpires..........................................................................................................................................12Competition Committee..................................................................................................................13

Renewal............................................................................................................................... ................13

Appendix A – Full Season Team Volunteer SheetAppendix B – Game Specific Volunteer SheetAppendix C – Concession Stand Volunteer Roster

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2014 South County Little League Handbook

General Information

Purpose

South County Little League (“SCLL”) is proud to be a member of the Little League family and strives to teach children the game of baseball through a fun, learning experience that stresses good sportsmanship, leadership, and respect for others. The program is dedicated to helping children become responsible citizens, improving baseball skills and knowledge, and developing a healthy competitive spirit

SCLL operates under the belief that every child is a valued person and is dedicated to provide every player the kind of environment that will help teach him or her positive character traits that will have a lasting impact on their development as young athletes. The league recognizes the balance between competition and effort, valuing both. SCLL sets high standards, helping its young players achieve those standards through encouragement rather than fear and intimidation

The League is operated solely by volunteers and, in the long run, is only as good as the volunteers who help. Leadership from all able and willing adults is necessary

The SCLL Board of Directors stresses the importance of positive coaching. Winning is important, but the primary emphasis of coaches should be on the personal growth of players. The real value in youth sports is teaching the kinds of character lessons that are learned from trying one’s best – lessons that will bear fruit years later in aperson’s professional life, values, citizenship responsibilities, and family life. The League does not condone an unrelenting focus on “winningatallcosts.” This does not mean that SCLL is against competition; The League strongly believes the competitive spirit is what holds the sports experience together and serves as the foundation for playing great baseball. If a parent feels that a League coach or official is taking a “winning atallcosts” approach, the Board of Directors (“BOD”) should be promptly notified. Contact information for the BOD is available on the League website (http://www.scllva.org)

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Field Locations

Lower Potomac Field Complex

SCLL's main field complex:◦ LP #1 – 60 foot diamond

◦ LP #2 – 60 foot diamond

◦ LP #3 – 90 foot diamond

◦ LP #4 – Tball field

◦ LP #5 – 60 foot convertible to 70 foot diamond

Address is: 9519 Richmond Highway, Lorton

VA

Occoquan Fields 1 & 2

OCC #1 – 60 foot diamond

OCC #2 – 60 foot diamond

Located at the end of Occoquan Regional Park off of route 123 / Ox road

League Composition (estimated ages only)

Junior / Senior Divisions 1216 year old Player Pitch

Major Division: 1112 year old Player Pitch

AAA Division Player Pitch Baseball: 1011 year old Player Pitch

AA Division Player/Coach Pitch Baseball: 810 year old Player and Coach Pitch

A Division Machine Pitch Baseball: 68 year old

Tee Ball Baseball: 46 year old.

A child’s league age (the age used for placement within SCLL Divisions) shall be the child’s age. SCLL is a draft based league for AA and above. Ages will not always correspond to the level of play listed above.

Fund raising

Registration fees do not meet all of the financial needs of SCLL. SCLL is committed to an ambitious fundraising plan, including the following methods:

◦ Player Fund raiser: Little League Baseball allows players to participate in one

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fundraising event each year. In order to insure the quality and growth of the league and its facilities, the league is counting on the full membership to do its best to help make this fundraiser a success.

◦ Capital Development Auxiliary (“CDA”): Longterm spending needs for capital improvements must be met through corporate donations and auxiliary fund raising. The longterm capital improvements identified at the Lower Potomac Fields include but are not limited to: electricity, public water, sewer, restrooms, and lights for night games. These improvements will permit SCLL to continue to be a firstclass league, and will expand opportunities for tournament play and Fall baseball. Donations to the CDA will be recognized to the extent possible under Fairfax County Park Authority rules

◦ Team Sponsorship and Banner Advertising: Each year local businesses and organizations are asked to provide support in the way of sponsoring teams in SCLL. Sponsorship contributors receive positive exposure and advertising value from supporting the league. More importantly, they are aligning their business with an outstanding program that benefits the youth of the community. Teams will be required to display a banner with the name of their team's sponsor at all games

◦ Concessions: The concession stand, located at the Lower Potomac Fields, provides a valuable source of funds to the league by selling food, drinks, clothing, and other items

◦ Facility Improvement Fees (FIF): SCLL allows for families to donate $25 upon registration to allow the league to raise monies for capital improvements to the fields as well as fund installation of lights.

Insurance Information

SCLL provides insurance for all players and volunteers involved in the Little League program. Insurance coverage is mandated by Little League Baseball, Inc. and is included as a portion of the Charter fee paid to Little League Baseball, Inc. Players, managers, coaches, volunteer umpires, official scorekeepers, player agents, and safety officers in performance of their duties in authorized activities are covered

Coverage is extended to include coaches appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors as “assistant coaches,” or “helpers” provided International Headquarters is notified with a list of names. This insurance policy is a supplementary policy. This means it picks up where the insured's coverage leaves off. Claims filed must include proof of primary insurance or information on the lack of

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insurance. Further information is available from the Safety Officer

Registration of Players

Notice of registration shall be made to eligible players within the SCLL boundaries.

Each player shall be registered at a designated time and place or electronically. Upon request by SCLL, A birth certificate, showing a Federal or state seal, or other state or federally issued identification that contains birth date information, must be furnished. (Hospital birth or baptismal records are not acceptable.) A parent or guardian must register the child. A child must be registered prior to participating in skill evaluations, practices or games.

Refund of Registration Fees

If a member decides to withdraw, he/she must notify the Player Agent or President in writing affirming the player(s) withdrawal from the league. Upon written request, a refund of 100% (minus a $5 processing fee) will be provided for registrations received before the end of the skill evaluation; or 50% (minus $5 processing fee) for refund requests received before the day of the major league draft (regardless of level).

After the day of the Majors draft date, no refunds will be provided.

General Operation

Concession Stand

The overall operation of the concession stand and grill will be the responsibility of the Concessions Manager(s).

Before the first game, the Volunteer Coordinator, with the Concession Manager’s approval, will organize a written schedule for the volunteers, with the following requirements:

◦ Parents from nonSCLL teams will not be asked to volunteer at our concession stand.

◦ 4 volunteers are needed for the concession stand during each assigned time slot, two of which must be over the age of 18. The others may be minors over the age of12.

◦ The grill will only be staffed with an adult 18 years of age or older. No money will be handled at the grill area.

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o The visiting team will be responsible for concession duty. Each team will supply a minimum of one person for the entire shift. The shift will not be broken up into sessions.

◦ Parent volunteers may not bring their younger children (<12 years old) into the stand with them.

The concession stand will only be open during scheduled or make up games.

The Concession stand will be staffed 30 minutes before the first game until the games on all fields are complete. Volunteer(s) must continue to work at the stand until relieved by the next volunteer(s).

No food, drink or supply purchases will be made without prior approval of theConcessions Manager(s) or the SCLL President.

Volunteers will observe all posted rules of operation and safe food handling.

Volunteers at the concession stand should sign the volunteer log.

Volunteering and Volunteer Bond

Example Team and pergame volunteer worksheets are supplied as Appendix A andAppendix B at the end of this document.

A $50.00 “bond” will be collected at registration. During each season, every member will have the opportunity to volunteer for a committee or work party to meet the minimum of 6 hours of approved volunteer time per family.

The SCLL Volunteer Coordinator will use the information the Team Volunteer Coordinator submits to track the volunteer’s hours, and credit will be given to each family that meets the minimum of 6 hours at the next year’s registration. A family must also successfully participate in the league’s fund raiser to fulfill its volunteer obligation and return any league property. A list of families that have fulfilled their volunteer requirement each year will be maintained and available at future registrations.

When a family no longer wishes to participate in league activities and has met all minimum hours, participated in the league’s fund raiser, and returned all league property, the bond will be refunded when requested in writing to the league President. If a written request is not made for the funds after 1 calendar year of last participation, they will be considered a donation to the league.

Field Preparation The home team shall be responsible for preparing the field for play. Fortyfive (45) minutes prior to a game during the week and the first scheduled game on

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Saturday, the game infield will be cleared of all players to allow for field preparation. Field preparation should be completed in no more than 15 minutes to allow for each team to take 10 minutes of infield practice before the start of the game.

◦ The infield will be raked, and any damage to the pitching mound repaired

◦ The infield baselines should be measured and lined using a string

◦ Bases will be put out, pitching machine if used and the scoreboard equipment set up

Pregame warm up

One hour before a game, the home team shall get the first 30 minutes in the batting cage and the visiting teams shall get the second 30 minutes. If time does not permit, the batting cage time shall be split accordingly with the home team batting first

Thirty (30) minutes before game time the teams will commence pregame practice.Each team shall have ten (10) minutes sole possession of the field for infield/outfield practice with the home team taking their infield/outfield practice first

Prior to the start of the second and subsequent scheduled games on Saturday, the homeplate umpire may shorten the pregame infield/outfield practice in the interest of maintaining the game schedule for the day

All batting practice will be conducted in the batting cage

No players may practice batting on the ball field during warm ups

There will be no use of the batting cage by teams playing during their game. Teams for the next scheduled game may use the cages to warm up their teams.

Post-Game Cleanup Each team will clean up its dugout and pick up all trash around the bleachers after

every game

◦ The team managers are responsible for ensuring that the field, dugouts, and surrounding areas are clear of trash following each game

◦ Team managers (home and visitor) are both responsible for dugout cleanup.

◦ Visiting team is responsible for field maintenance procedures at the Lower Potomac Fields (e.g. raking the infield, pitchers mound, and homeplate area) following each game.

The managers shall ensure that after the last game is played on any day the equipment shed is closed and locked after securing the umpire gear, liming

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machine, pitching machines and generators, bases, etc. in the shed; and the scoring keyboard is returned to either the concessions stand or equipment shed

Visiting team will empty the trash cans using garbage bags provided by SCLL as needed and deposit them in the dumpster by Lower Potomac field 2

Field Decorum All managers must be properly attired and conduct themselves in an exemplary

manner. This includes the wearing of appropriate shirt, trousers (Bermudas) and shoes, and using proper language at all times.

THE USE TOBACCO OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN ANY FORM IS PROHIBITED ON THE PLAYING FIELD AND DUGOUTS. This is an official Little League Rule and will be enforced.

Further, FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY PROHIBITS THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITHIN ANY PARK FACILITY.

Only the manager and two (2) adult coaches are authorized to be on the field of play for each team. Only these adults are allowed inside the fence (or in the dugout area) during the game.

These individuals shall not leave the bench or dugout except as permitted by the OR&PR published by Little League Baseball, Inc. Two adults (manager or coaches) are permitted in the 1st and 3rd base coaching boxes during their team's atbat. If a player is a base coach, he or she must be an eligible player in the uniform of his/her team and wear a batting helmet.

One adult manager or coach must be in the dugout at all times during the course of the game.

Only the manager is permitted to discuss a rule interpretation with the umpire.

Failure of a manager to comply with decorum rules above shall result in the manager receiving a warning from the SCLL President. A second failure to comply will result in the manager appearing before the Board of Directors or a designated committee of the Board to show cause why he/she should not be removed from the league as a manager.

If a manager is ejected from the game, and that game is continued to a later date, the disciplinary action still applies, and the SCLL President shall advise the umpires of the continued game of this fact.

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League Clothing Player uniforms (shirts and hats) worn during all regular season games shall be those

provided by SCLL. If SCLL does not purchase an item or direct what style or color should be worn, e.g., pants, belts and socks, the manager of the team may choose the color and style as long as it is consistent with the requirements of Little League International.

League Officials and Managers

League Commissioners

Each League Commissioner shall be appointed and approved by the Board ofDirectors

Commissioners enforce the policies and procedures contained in this document and the SCLL local rules

Each Commissioner, in conjunction with the SCLL President and/or Manager Coordinator, must hold an orientation meeting prior to the start of the season with the Managers and Coaches of the league they oversee. This meeting will serve to familiarize everyone with the expectations, policies and procedures of the league, and address any issues or interpretations

Monitor of the web site to ensure game results and pitch counts are posted by the manager

Be the liaison between their division's parents/coaches/managers and the Board ofDirectors

Resolution of conflicts among all league participants including conflicts arising during the games. The league Commissioner may not intervene in the playing of a game unless so requested by the homeplate umpire or manager

Communication of league information, including weekly posting of standings for applicable divisions, the promoting of game news writeups by team representatives, and coordination with the designated Schedule Coordinator concerning the scheduling of makeup games

Assist the Equipment Manager in coordinating equipment distribution and return, and assist with setting up the order for his/her League Division’s uniforms

Support and assist all SCLL fund raising campaigns

Safety Officer

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Coordinates all safety activities including supervision of ASAP (A Safety AwarenessProgram)

Ensures safety in player training, safe playing conditions, and coordinates injury reports

The Safety Officer or Manager of the Day (MOD) will suspend all play when lightening is either seen or detected. This will be announced via bull horn from the Concession Stand.

Reports suggestions to Little League International through the ASAP system

Managers and Coaches

Individuals interested in a managing a team shall notify the Board of Directors and be available to be interviewed by the SCLL President and Board of Directors prior to being approved. Priority at all levels may be given to those candidates who attend SCLL sponsored manager training sessions and previous service to the League

Each Manager must name at least one at AA and above; only one of the named coach's child(ren) are protected during the draft.

Each coach shall be nominated by the team manager, appointed by the SCLL President and approved by the Board of Directors

Umpires

The SCLL Chief of Umpires is responsible for scheduling umpires for all games unless other arrangements have been made by the Board

◦ All teams will identify a volunteer umpire for each game

▪ Those individuals volunteering for umpire duty will be provided training seminars by SCLL

▪ Umpire scheduling is via the SCLL web site

Umpire duty will count for volunteer credit hours

The home team shall provide the plate umpire

The visitor team shall provide the field/base umpire The plate umpire will be required to wear umpire equipment that will be supplied by

SCLL if the umpire does not have their own equipment

Youth umpires (< 18 years of age) are utilized throughout the season at the Minor leagues (A, AA, AAA). If a youth umpire is assigned to a field, and adult umpire must also be on the field as an umpire

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Competition Committee

The Competition Committee is comprised of the commissioners, player agent, chief of umpires, and is chaired by the Vice President

The committee is responsible for maintaining the local rules, nominating team managers for board approval and for ruling on any appeals

As special situations and unforeseen matters arise, the committee may alter or amend local rules and this handbook

Renewal The SCLL member handbook will be reviewed by the SCLL Competition Committee

and revised accordingly, on an annual basis. Any SCLL member is invited to submit recommendations for changes and modifications to the SCLL Board of Directors for consideration during the annual renewal process.

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Appendix A – Full Season Team Volunteer Sheet

Team Division

South County Little League

Spring 2014

Position Role Volunteer

Manager Manages the team

1st Coach Named coach: Coaches aspects of the team

2nd Coach Named coach: Coaches aspects of the team

Team Parent Keeps paperwork, runs team parties, car pool coordinator

1st Umpire Umpire for the team

2nd Umpire Umpire for the team

VolunteerCoordinator

Fund raisingCoordinator

Coordinates and tracks volunteer hours for each player's family. Assigns work details (Game Volunteer Sheet)

Coordinates team participation in the league fund raising initiatives

Appendix B – Game Specific Volunteer SheetTeam Division

Home/Visitor vs Team

South County Little League

Spring 2014

Position Home Visitor Assigned to

Field Prep (+45 minutesprior to game time) X

Field Cleanup (+10minutes after game Xcompletes)

Garbage Empty X

Umpire Plate X

Umpire Field X

Additional Team Duties X X

Appendix C – Concession Stand Volunteer RosterTeam/Division:

Date:

Time range:

Volunteer 1

Volunteer 2

Volunteer 3

Volunteer 4