Fall Ball Q&A

1) WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please contact Amy Corbett via email.

2) HOW OLD MUST MY DAUGHTER BE TO PLAY?
Generally, your daughter must be entering grade 4 in the fall. Exceptions can be made for older third graders who have played 2+ years. (Technically, per the next question, she should have been born by 12/31/2001.)

3) WHAT ARE THE AGE GROUPS/DIVISIONS?
Unlike rec play, which is driven by grade level, Fall Ball is driven by your daughter's birth day as of January 1, 2011. There are 4 age groups - 10 & Under (girls born between 1/1/2000 - 12/31/2001), 12U (girls born between 1/1/98 - 12/31/99) , 14U (girls born between 1/1/96 - 12/31/97), 17U (girls born between 1/1/93 - 12/31/95).

Within each age group, there are three divisions: RED (travel teams), WHITE (recreational), BLUE (between travel and recreational). We will build teams based on enrollment - there is no guarantee we will field teams for all divisions within each age group.

4) HOW ARE TEAMS SELECTED?
In Mid-August, once registration is completed, the travel committee will meet to divide girls up first by age group, and then by division. We will make every attempt to match each girl with the appropriate skill level (Red, Blue or White division). You will be notified in late August.

5) CAN MY DAUGHTER BE ON A TEAM WITH HER SISTER OR HER FRIENDS?
We will attempt to fulfill friend requests in the Blue and White divisions. Sisters in the same division will be placed on the same team unless you request differently.

6) MY DAUGHTER HAS NEVER PLAYED BEFORE. DOES SHE NEED TO HAVE EXPERIENCE PLAYING SOFTBALL TO REGISTER?
We welcome girls at all age and ability levels. If she has no experience and we are able to field a White division team, she will be placed on that team.

7) WHAT IF WE DON'T LIVE IN BETHLEHEM?
The majority of girls are from the towns of Bethlehem and Ravena, but any girl residing in Albany County is eligible to play. In limited instances, we may allow a girl from outside of Albany County to play as well.

8) WHEN IS THE FALL BALL SEASON?
Fall Ball will be played on Sundays in the fall. Likely September 12/19/26 and October 3. On each Sunday, your daughter's team will play 2 games (so 8 games in total). Please note that games may not be back-to-back (your games may have a game between them so you'd have a 2 hour break). Rainouts might be rescheduled for October 10.

9) WHERE, WHEN & WHAT DAYS ARE PRACTICES?
Practices will be held at either the Line Drive or Elm Avenue fields. Since there are only games on Sunday in the fall, there is plenty of practice space. Specifics will be communicated by the team manager.

10) WHERE & WHEN DO WE PLAY GAMES?
Teams travel to play their games in Fall Ball. Games are played throughout the greater Albany area, typically within a 30 minute drive. There may be one Sunday when your daughter plays at our fields at Line Drive.

11) WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?
The league supplies basic equipment including batting helmets, bats, balls and catcher’s gear. However, you may choose to purchase these on your own. Included in the registration fee are: team shirt (for all divisions), ASA registration, insurance, umpire fees, and basic equipment. You will need to provide:
    • Softball Glove
    • Cleats
    • Sliding Shorts (recommended for all age levels)
    • Sliding Pads (sliders to protect below the knee)
    • For Safety, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that girls use a mouthguard or facemask

12) ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL TRAINING AND/OR CLINICS?
Not for Fall Ball.

13) HOW CAN I HELP OUT?
There are many ways! Each team needs volunteers and your support is key to ensuring a successful league for the team. Your fees do not pay any salaries – we are all volunteers! Here are positions you may consider:
    • Manager: Total administrative and operational responsibility for your team.
    • Coach: Primary role is to teach the girls and assist the Manager
    • Team Parent: Administrative right arm of the Manager ensuring that non-operational tasks required are supported and that the league communication loop is open to all parents.
    • Scorekeeper: Maintain the game records for the team and ensure that the game publicity provides recognition to both individual girls as well as to the team (training available)
    • Field Prep: Drawing baselines and equipment set-up/storage (training available)

14) WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION FEE?
The fee is $40 per girl. Registration runs from July 15 to August 15.

15) WHAT IF I WANT A REFUND?
Our goal is to be flexible and fair. Any reasonable situation which arises, we will respond to. We ask for you to understand our needs of a time frame wherein we can fairly respond. Once teams have been formed and uniforms ordered, barring highly unusual or unforeseen circumstances, refunds will not be issued.   The deadline to request a refund is August 31.

16) CAN I REGISTER ON-LINE?
Yes - click here to go to on-line registration. There is no mail-in registration for Fall Ball.