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FAQs

Registration Financial Aid  Tryouts & Team Assignments
 Divisions & Playing Fields  Uniforms and Needed Purchases  The Season
 Code of Conduct  Practices  Regular, All-Star Games & Tournaments
 Individual Playing Time  Absences & Lateness  Insurance & Safety Issues
 Game Cancellations  Communication  Sponsors & Contributors
 Refund Policy  Teen Umpires  

Registration

When can I register my child?
Registration is held during the months of October, November, December, January and early February. Everyone who registers on time is guaranteed a space on a team!  To be notified of the start of registration, please join our email list.  Once registration closes, a waitlist begins.

What is the waitlist?
The waitlist is a list of children who did not register on time and wish to play on a team. Your child may be on the waitlist because registration has closed and we are reviewing what spaces are available, if any, in each division. The waitlist is first-come, first-served.  When you are on the waitlist there is no guarantee your child will be able to register and play. We will notify you via email if a space is available. Since very few spaces open up during the season, you may want to find an alternate youth baseball program for your child if you have been waitlisted.

How can I register my child?
You can register your child online. We utilize Blue Sombrero to process our registration . Please note, even if you have provided us with a copy of your child's birth certificate before, our new system will require a digital upload of the document to process your registration this season. If you have not registered via our system before, follow these instructions to create your account and then proceed through the registration process.

How much is the registration fee?
The registration fee is $100 for our Softball Division, $125 for our Tee Ball and Rookie Divisions and $150 for our AAA, Majors, Juniors and Seniors Divisions.

How can I pay for my registration fee?
We only accept registrations online; you must use a major credit or debit card to pay your registration fees.

What does the registration cover?
The registration fee covers the cost of your child’s uniform and playing equipment as well as fees for umpires and league insurance policies. All children must have their own gloves. Boys must wear athletic cups.

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Financial Aid

Is financial aid available?
Yes, financial aid is available. No child will be turned away because of an inability to pay.  You should not let a lack of funds stop you from registering your child on time. The league will waive all or part of the registration fee if you need financial assistance.

We encourage families to pay at least a portion of the fee for each child since our fees are kept deliberately low (lower than that of other leagues) in an attempt to make it possible for everyone to play. The actual cost to run this program is about $239 per player. If you need financial assistance, please let us know what amount, if any, you can contribute by clicking on this link to request financial aid. All information will be kept confidential.

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Tryouts & Team Assignments

Does my child have to try out for a team?
No one has to try out for a team. Everyone who registers will be assigned to a team and will play in every game. To help us balance team strengths, all NEW players (7 years of age and older by August 31st) must undergo a skills assessment. Skills assessments are a series of hitting, throwing and catching exercises. There will be no evaluations of new players ages 6 years and younger or of 2019 returning players.

If there are no tryouts, how will my child be placed on a team?
In all divisions, the team selection process is designed to achieve maximum balance in baseball skills and ages. Tee ball assignments are by committee. Rookie, AAA and Major, Juniors and Seniors assignments are made by division drafts based on your child’s skills assessment.

How do I find out what team my child is on?
Your team manager will call you to introduce him/herself. If you do not hear from your manager by date listed on the calendar, please email [email protected] to obtain your child’s team, manager’s name and manager’s telephone number.

Can my child switch teams?
Subject to the approval of the player agent, you may be able to switch your child to another team. Because of the number of teams in a division and managers’ preferences, we are unable to accommodate requests based on practice schedule conflicts.  Please be mindful that only the player agent can add or remove players from a team.

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Uniforms and Needed Purchases

When does my child get a uniform?
Uniforms are distributed before Opening Day, the first Saturday in April.  In 2020, our Opening Day has been set for April 4. Your manager will inform you of the distribution date, time and pick-up location. You must make every effort to pick up uniforms as indicated or, if absolutely necessary, call your manager to make alternate arrangements. Harlem Little League provides uniforms, however, once worn; they become the property and responsibility of the player. Uniforms consist of a shirt, pants, socks and a cap. Replacement of any part of the uniform is at the expense of the player’s family.

What if my child’s uniform is too big/small or missing a part?
If you have any concern about your child’s uniform, please tell your manager. If your child is unable to wear his uniform shirt and/or pants, please do not wear them. Take the article of clothing to your manager to have it replaced. If that uniform part is in Harlem Little League’s warehouse, you will receive a replacement by your next game. If not, we will have to order the appropriate size. While your child is without their uniform, please have him or her wear a T-shirt and sweatpants that matches the color of their team.

What do I need to buy for my child to play?
All players need their own gloves. Please make sure you put your child’s name on his or her glove in case it is misplaced or lost. All male players must have an athletic cup. Athletic cups MUST BE WORN for all practices and games. If an umpire or a league official observes a player participating without a cup, the manager will be instructed to take the player out of the game. Cleats can be worn, but they are NOT REQUIRED. Cleats may only have rubber soles.

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The Season

When is the season?
The playing season begins in April and ends in June. Practices begin in mid-March depending on the weather. Please check the calendar for dates of other Harlem Little League events.

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Code of Conduct

Are there codes of conduct for players and volunteers?
Yes, players and volunteers are expected to behave in a manner that reflects the integrity and spirit of the league. No abusive language or profanity is allowed. Likewise, illegal drugs and/or alcohol are not allowed on the playing field or in the parks. There is no abusive physical contact with a player or volunteer. Any player or volunteer violating the code of conduct can risk suspension and/or dismissal from Harlem Little League by the Board of Directors.

Is there a code of conduct for parents and fans?
Yes, Harlem Little League's Parent Code of Conduct can be found in full here. In short, parents and spectators are expected to be positive role models for children and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event. Parents and spectators will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures. 

Any parent or spectator guilty of improper conduct at any game or practice will be asked to leave the sports facility and be suspended from the following game. Failure to comply with directions of game or league officials may result in a call to the NYPD. 

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Practices

When are practices held and how often?
Team practices are scheduled by managers and/or coaches and are usually in the late afternoon. At least one practice per week is required, but managers are encouraged to schedule more. Please make sure you or someone designated by you brings your child to practices and remains with him/her. If you cannot stay for the entire practice, make sure you return on time to pick the player up. It is an inconvenience for volunteers to have to remain at the fields waiting for parents. Players 9 years of age and older are encouraged to develop the habit of letting their managers know if they cannot make practices or games.

Who should I call about practices or games?
Call your manager or coach if you have questions about practices and/or games.

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Regular, All-Star Games & Tournaments

When are games played?
Most games are played on Saturdays. Game times vary from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., depending on the division. Divisions at the Rookie level and above often play twice a week, on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons.

Will I receive a game schedule?
Yes. Each player receives a season schedule before Opening Day. Any game schedule changes will be announced by the League and communicated to you by your manager. Game changes will also be reported via email, social media and on the website. Please note: Team managers cannot cancel games; only league officials can.

Can my child play in the All-Star Game?
Any registered player who receives the most votes by his or her teammates to play in the All-Star game can play.

Can my child play in the Little League World Series Tournament?
Eligibility to play in the Little League World Series is determined by Little League Baseball, Incorporated’s age and residency requirements. All players must live within Harlem Little League’s boundaries and must be the correct league age for the division the team has entered. There are no exceptions to these rules. Any player who violates these eligibility requirements will forfeit the tournament team’s wins, can be barred from playing in Harlem Little League and can jeopardize the League’s charter.

Players who are selected to play in the Tournament must be committed to compete in all Tournament games starting the end of June until August, or the team is eliminated from its bracket, whichever comes first.

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Individual Playing Time

Will my child get a chance to play in each game?
Yes. Every player who shows up on time and attends weekly practices must play at least two consecutive innings in the field and bat at least once. If your child does not get to play, s/he starts in the next game. Please remember, regular attendance at practices as well as games is important. It helps the players learn to play as a team. Frequent absences from practices are not in the best interest of the player nor the team.

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Absences & Lateness

What happens if my child misses a game?
Players who intend to be absent must call their manager or coach. Parents, if you know in advance your child will miss three or more games during the season, PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER HIM/HER. Absences affect not only your team, but also opposing teams. Official games can only be played if at least nine players are present from each team. Players missing two games will be warned about possible removal from the team. If a player misses three or more games or practices, he/she may be removed from the team at the manager’s request, with approval from the League.

What happens if my child is late to a game?
He or she may not get to play. Coaches are not obliged to play any child who arrives 15 minutes after a game has started or after the time designated for pre-game practice or warm-up. So, be sure your child is on time.

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Insurance and Safety Issues

Does Harlem Little League have insurance?
Absolutely! Harlem Little League carries accident and general liability insurance for its players and volunteers. 

What happens if my child gets hurt during a game?
If your child gets injured while at practice or at a game, his/her coach or manager will apply basic first aid. If the manager or coach believes the injury is serious, he or she will call EMS and make an attempt to contact the parent and/or emergency contact listed on your child’s application.

If your child gets injured on his way to, from or during a game or practice, a notice of claim will be sent to the appropriate insurance organization. All accidents must be reported via email to the safety officer within 24 hours. If you have medical insurance, Harlem Little League’s accident insurance will be secondary. If you do not have medical insurance, our insurance will be your primary insurance.

Accident reports and any safety questions can be emailed to [email protected].

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Game Cancellations

Can my manager/coach cancel a game?
Absolutely not! Only league officials can cancel games and/or make changes to schedules. Managers and/or coaches can, of course, cancel their team practices.

What happens when it rains? 
League officials decide if fields are playable on the day of games, not before. If games are canceled due to bad weather, league officials will notify managers and parents. Check the website or our social media feeds for more information. 

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Communication

Are parents informed of league events on a regular basis?
Yes. Harlem Little League maintains utilizes email and social media to deliver messages about schedule changes and game cancellations. Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Sponsors and Contributors

What roles do sponsors and contributors play?
League sponsors, team sponsors and contributors provide the bulk of our financial support. They step forward to make the League possible for our children. Their contributions help keep registration fees low. You are encouraged to patronize their businesses and thank them for their support.

Who are Harlem Little League’s current sponsors?
Harlem Little League’s sponsors are listed here.

How do I become a sponsor or make a contribution?
It’s easy. Team sponsors are $1200 and League Sponsors are $5000 – $25,000. Email [email protected]
for more information.

Contributions can be mailed to Jim Hudgins, Treasurer, Harlem Little League, c/o 94 Grand Avenue, Englewood, NJ, 07631. Please make checks or money orders payable to Harlem Little League. All donations are tax deductible.

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Refund Policy

What is Harlem Little League’s refund policy?
Your registration fee is refunded less any applicable processing fees. Refunds are given only if your child does not play and he or she has not received a uniform. It takes approximately three weeks to process a refund.

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Teen Umpires

How do I become a teen umpire?
To become a teen umpire, you must be 14 to 18 years old; committed to attending the mandatory training clinics and umpiring games throughout the season. No experience is necessary. Teen umpires receive a stipend for each game umpired.


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