Cambrian Park Little League

Cambrian Park Little League FAQ

Who do I contact if I have a problem that needs to be resolved?

What should I do if I need to report a disciplinary issue?

We take disciplinary issues serious and investigate all items that are brought to our attention. Please send an email to [email protected] or to report anonymously you may drop a written message into the comments box at the snack shack. Please see the Disciplinary Committee menu tab on the left for more info.

Boundaries

What are Cambrian Park Little League’s boundaries?Little League Baseball (LLB) Inc.; has established legal boundaries for each local league. The Cambrian Park Little League (CPLL) service area includes portions of San Jose, Campbell, and Los Gatos. A boundary map can be found here. If you have specific questions in regards to the boundary map please e-mail our info officer at [email protected].

What is “Document Verification” about?

Each baseball season requires verification of the player’s name, birth, and residency. Since player applications are completed online, parents will need to upload three (3) proof-of-residency documents (everyone must do this each year) and a certified birth certificate as required by Little League Baseball Inc. See here for more information.

Player Info

Is Little League Baseball just for males?

Absolutely not! About 2% of Cambrian Park players are female. NOTE: HOWEVER, Our area does have a huge kids softball league known as the West Valley Slammers who play at Bagby Elementary School.

What is my child’s baseball “league age”?

Look up your child's Little League Age. We refer to this as baseball “League Age.” Players new to the league will need to show a certified birth certificate to a league official at one of our Document Verification Dates. See here for more information.

What division can my child play in?

Cambrian Park has several divisions which are dominated by one or more core age groupings. You may request to play UP one division. A league official will contact you to discuss your situation and explain any process that must be completed.

Is there a Skills & Drills division offered this season?

Yes we do offer Skills and Drills in the spring! Please register on this site.

Expenses and Costs

How much does it cost to play spring baseball?

Player registration fees account for about ½ of our income. The remaining revenue comes from snack shack proceeds, fundraisers, sponsors and donations. See Player Fees page for registration fees.

What baseball equipment will my child need?

A uniform consists of a pair of baseball pants, a baseball belt, a jersey, a cap, and a pair of baseball socks. The jersey and cap are the player’s to keep in ALL DIVISIONS. CPLL will issue a uniform jersey, cap to each child for use during league games. You will need to buy white or gray baseball pants (with belt loops), a baseball belt and uniform socks. Your manager will provide more specifics on team colors. Rubber cleats are recommended for all athletes age 5 ~12. Metal cleats are permitted in the Junior through Senior division. All male players must wear an athletic supporter. Catchers must wear a cup. It is strongly suggested every player wear a cup. A fielding glove is mandatory. A soft flexible glove is vital for kids to learn as a stiff baseball glove is difficult to open and close. Consult with your local sporting goods store. Please consult with your coach in regards to the choice of a baseball bat before purchase. Most kids start selecting their own bat at the Minor “AAA” level. Select one that is light and can be swung quickly through the strike zone (please check new Little League bat requirements before your purchase). There is no advantage to a heavy bat at all if you can’t catch up to the pitched ball!

Practices and Games

Where are the games played?

The Skills & Drills, Challenger, Minor, AAA, Major, Junior, and Senior teams may play at other local schools depending on inter-league schedules. Maps to these fields can be found on the website. CPLL uses two sites to accommodate the divisions listed above. The Skills & Drills, Challenger, Tee Ball, Minor “A”, Minor “AA”, Minor “AAA” and Major Division play at Steindorf Elementary School. The Junior, Senior, and Big League division play at Ida Price Middle School.

When are the games played?

During the Spring Season All teams play at least two games a week, one during weekdays, typically Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Games on Saturday typically start at 9:00 am., 12 noon, or 3:00 pm and at 5:00 pm or 5:30 pm for weekday games. Challenger Division plays on Sundays. Players are usually requested to arrive at the field one hour prior to game time.

Fall Ball games are played only on Saturdays but are at away fields in our area some weekend. Practices are determined by your coach but they are usually limited to one night per week.

Are there time limits on games?

Tee Ball – 75-minute games.
Minor “A” – 90-minute games.
Minor “AA” – 100-minute games.
Minor “AAA” – 6 inning games. 1st and 2nd scheduled games on Sat. are limited to 2 hours 15 min.
Majors – 6 inning games. There are no time limits except darkness.
Juniors – 7 inning games. There are no time limits except darkness.
Seniors – 7 inning games. There are no time limits except darkness.
Challenger - approx. 60-75 minute games

How often and where will my child practice?

Practice schedules are determined by the team managers, with the approval of the Board of Directors, and shall be limited as follows: Tee Ball -Practice sessions usually last 60-minute sessions and begin early March Minor A/AA/AAA-Practice sessions are usually 90 ~ 120 minutes per sessions. Any combination of practice sessions and games are typically limited to a max. of three (3) per week (i.e., 2 games and 1 practice, 1 game, and 2 practices,etc.). Majors/Juniors/Seniors-Practice sessions are usually 90 ~ 120 minutes per sessions. Any combination of games and practices typically limited to a max. four (4) per week (i.e., 3 games and 1 practice, 2 games, and 2 practices). Special Practices-Managers may schedule additional practices (i.e., batting cages, pitching practices, etc.). Challenger Practices - Manager will advise the schedule as teams are formed. CPLL receives school practice field assignments from the Cambrian School District and the City of San Jose. You will know which field you practice on once your child is placed on a team and your team manager contacts you.

When will practices begin?

Depending on weather and team assignments, practices typically begin:

Tee Ball – Early March
Minor “A” – Mid February
Minor “AA” – Mid February
Minor “AAA” – Mid February
Majors – Early February
Juniors – Late February
Seniors – Mid May

All players are advised to bring a windbreaker, jacket, or sweatshirt to every game and practice.

If my child is not as good as the other kids, will he/she have a chance to play?

Every child on every team will play a minimum number of innings each game. LLB rules and CPLL local rules strictly enforce minimum playing time:

Tee Ball – 75-minute games. Everyone bats each inning, everyone plays each inning.
Minor “A” – 120-minute 6 inning games. Everyone bats each inning, 9 outs on defense.
Minor “AA” – 120-minute 6 inning games. Continuous batting order, 9 outs on defense.
Minor “AAA” – 6 inning games. Continuous batting order, 9 outs on defense.
Majors – 6 inning games. 1 plate appearance, 2 innings on defense minimum.
Juniors – 7 inning games. 1 plate appearance, 3 innings on defense minimum.
Seniors – 7 inning games. 1 plate appearance, 3 innings on defense minimum.

How long will the season last?

Each division has its own length as indicated below. If there are rained out games, we try to schedule Fridays and Sundays for makeup games.

Tee Ball – Early March through mid-June
Minor “A” – Mid February through mid-June
Minor “AA” – Mid February through mid-June
Minor “AAA” – Mid February through mid-June
Majors – Early February through mid-June
Juniors – Late February through mid-May
Seniors – Mid May through late-June
Challenger – Early March through mid-June

Can my child be placed on a team with one of his friends?

In the Skills & Drills, Challenger, Tee Ball, and Minor “A” division we will make every effort to honor your request (indicated from your online player application). All other players are placed on teams by means of a player draft system in an attempt to balance the talent of each team. Brother/sister option: Although not required, it is CPLL’s practice to honor requests of parents that brothers and sisters be assigned to the same team. Such requests must be directed by email to [email protected] prior to the draft.

If my child is unhappy with the team he/she has been placed on, can he/she switch teams?

Only in extreme cases do we allow children to switch teams after the teams have been formed. Such requests must be made to the player agent via an email to [email protected]. Parents must submit in writing, any reason(s) they do not want their child to play for a certain manager/coach. All players who are affected will be handled on an individual basis and all requests will be kept confidential.

Team Formation

When will I find out what team my child will play on?

All teams should be formed by the end of February. Your child's manager should notify you of the first team meeting shortly after the draft. We attempt to limit roster size to 13 players. This depends on the number of players in each division and the number of qualified managers available.

What is a player freeze?

In the Little League player draft system used by CPLL, the manager's children are frozen and cannot be drafted by another manager.

When are player tryouts?

All player candidates must attend 50% minimum of the scheduled tryout sessions in order to be drafted onto a team. The draft system balances talent among teams. These sessions (grouped by age) typically last about 2.0 hours. Tryouts give the managers an opportunity to assess player skills prior to the draft. All players are placed on teams. Please visit our homepage under the evaluations menu button for league tryout dates/times. Skills & Drills, Challenger, Tee Ball, and Minor “A” division players do not have tryouts. They are assigned to a team by the division director.

If my child misses evaluations session will he/she be cut?

All players will be assigned a team. If a player does not make the minimum 50% of the tryouts offered, the player agent has the authority and option to remove the player from the draft system and place the player on a team at the end of the draft.

Can I make a special request regarding the division my child plays in?

You can “request” this via the online player application (or via an e-mail to [email protected]) for consideration. A league official will contact you about the process. The final decision rests with the player agent.

How many managers/coaches can a team have?

Minor "AAA” may have 1 manager and 2 coaches on the field.
Minor "AA" may have 1 Manager and 3 coaches on the field.
Minor "A" may have 1 manager and 4 coaches on the field.
Tee Ball may have 1 manager and unlimited coaches on the field.
Unlimited approved assistant coaches during practice are permitted. All managers, coaches, assistant coaches must be on the approved volunteer list before taking the practice or game field with the players. At least One (1) adult must be in the dugout at all times.

League Related

When is Opening Day?

Opening Day will be in March (See Calendar for exact date & time) at Steindorf Elementary School on the Major Field. Opening Day ceremonies start at 10 am and end around 11 am. The first game for each division starts at 12 noon on this day (not all teams have a game on Opening Day).

What is an Opening Day Ceremony?

Opening Day is a celebration of our players, volunteers, and our new spring season. We celebrate our new season with Pancake Breakfast, the “Parade of Players”, the accomplishments of our league, and players from the previous season with our “All-Star” introduction. A local VIP is selected to throw out the first pitch. This is Rain or Shine In most cases we'll get back to you within 48 hours unless the message states otherwise.

Are there team pictures?

Yes, your registration fee includes a Memory Mate (team picture, individual portrait, and a photo button). See the calendar for Picture Day date & time. Each player must bring a completed form. Additional pictures may be purchased on Photo Day. More details to be provided to each player's parents by the Coach and/or the Team Parent.

Do players get trophies?

1st and 2nd place teams in each division get trophies. All other players will receive a participation Medal in the Tee Ball through AA Levels.

How are managers and coaches selected and trained?

Cambrian Park selects managers and coaches that have a sincere interest in kids and a respect for the game of baseball. All regular and active volunteers 16 years of age and older must complete a volunteer application, pass a nationwide background screening check every year, be appointed by the league president, by the Board of Directors. Managers and coaches are offered training by the league including skills, drills, and how to run a practice. Additionally, managers and coaches must attend the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) training once in their volunteer career, and attend refresher/update training in First Aid and baseball skills every three years.

Are there any Local & Ground Rules?

Official LLB Inc. “Rules and Regulations” are used. In addition, CPLL has adopted “Local and Ground Rules”. For more information click on the Documents menu button (top of the homepage) and select CPLL Local & Ground Rules. You will need Adobe Acrobat reader to view this document.

If my child decides to quit can I get a refund?

Yes, (less $30.00 non-refundable fee) up until Opening Day.

Volunteering

Who is responsible for staffing the Snack Shacks?

Every family will be responsible for working one 3-4-hour shift at our snack shacks during the season. The snack shack is overseen by a shift supervisor. No Children are allowed in the snack shack during the family’s shift and the age requirement for working in the snack shack is 18 years of age or older. Exceptions may be made if a request is made to Snack Shack Supervisor seven (7) days in advance of snack shack duty. PLEASE NOTE: A REQUEST FOR A MINOR WORKER IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF APPROVAL.

Do I have to participate in the Hit-A-Thon Fundraiser?

Yes! We ask that you make a “best effort” to raise a minimum $50.00 (or you can buy out this fundraiser). It cost about $275 per player to run our league and the only way we can keep our registration fees low is to have fundraisers.

Who umpires games?

Cambrian Park uses “trained umpires”. Most umpires are also coaches. Some of our officials are volunteers and some get a small stipend. The stipend helps defray costs of their personal equipment. Umpires at the Junior level and up are obtained from the Silvercreek Umpire Association.