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Frequently Asked Questions

General Information    Coaches and Umpires      Financial

General Information

Which Little League do we belong to?
We are the Centennial Lakes Little League (CLLL) located serves youth in the Lino Lakes, Centerville, Lexington, Circle Pines and East Blaine.  We are chartered through International Little League in Williamsport, PA.  We also run the girls Centennial Lakes Fastpitch league.  Please see the section on Fastpitch for more details.
 
Are there residency requirements for CLLL?

Yes, to play in baseball, players must reside within our league boundary.  Consult our Little League Boundary Map for specifics.  If you live outside of our boundaries you must obtain a waiver to play in our league for any post-season (All-Stars) play.  When you register you will be asked questions about residency and directed to the process of obtaining a waiver if necessary.

Starting in 2014, Little League now allows for a player to live outside our league boundaries and play in our league if you go to school in the Centennial School District, live outside our boundaries but played with our league last year, or qualify under a few other exemptions.  See Little League International's Residence and School Attendance Player Eligibility Requirements for full details.

 
 
How old does my child have to be in order to be eligible to play Little League? What is League Age?
Little League baseball is for children ages 4-12 and is based on how old the child is as of August 31st (generally) of the year they will be playing, known as "League Age". See the Age Chart or our Little League Age Calculator to figure out your child's "League Age"
 
Are there any volunteer opportunities?
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities you can do for both your team and for the league. At the team level, you can volunteer to coach, assistant coach, team parent (team manager or organizer), field preparation, or be the scorekeeper for your team. At the league level there are also many committees and events that you can participate in including, opening day ceremonies, fundraising, league publicity, picture day, team/league sponsorship, newsletter, fall ball, team parent orientation, tournaments, or assisting with the league's communications efforts. By participating in these positions, you are helping the Little League Organization to provide the best possible playing opportunities for your child! If you are interested in helping please email the office with what you are interested in at clittleleague@comcast.net.
 
Who should I contact to get more information about CLLL or to get an answer to a specific question?
The roster of board members is posted on this website. Each board member can answer the questions pertinent to their area of responsibility.
 
Who do I contact if I have a problem that needs to be resolved with the league?
This depends on the nature of the problem or issue, as follows:
 
For issues regarding your Child’s selection to a particular team, please contact the League Representative for your division.  This can be found on our Baseball Board Members page or Softball Board Members page.  If there are questions regarding league rules and more specifically, Centennial Lakes Little League rules, please read through the house rules posted on the website in our league manual.
 
 

How do I know if a game or practice is cancelled due to weather?
Our league rarely cancels games due to weather forecasts.  Games are not called until game time AT THE FIELD.  Once onsite, the umpire or both coaches with the umpire (or both coaches if no umpire) decide to cancel the game.  Parents and players should expect the game to be played as scheduled.

Games can be called due to severe weather such as heavy rain or lightning, but players and parents should be aware that Summer weather can be spotty.  Inclement weather at your workplace or home is usually quite different across town at the ballpark.  Safety will always be our utmost concern, but every effort will be made to start and complete each scheduled game.

Please consult our FIELD STATUS before calling your coach or the league offices.

 

What are the differences between Little League rules and house rules? (Baseball/8U CPSB only- 10U SB and above uses MN Softball Rules)
Little League rules are those rules to which we are strictly bound. Little League rules are strictly adhered to at the Majors level of play. Each year Little League publishes updated rules that are well founded in history and are focused at every kid getting a chance to play Little League. House Rules are those rules adopted by the Centennial Lakes Little League Board to enhance the game for the players. The house rules generally apply to the Minor League and below levels. An example of house rules is a continuous batting order where all the kids attending the game bat in succession until all have batted. After all have batted the batting order reverts to the top of the batting order. House rules are posted on the CLLL website and are voted on each year.
 
Are there time limits on games?
Yes, there are time limits on some games when it is necessary to clear the field for another game.  Time limits are detailed in the house rules for each level of play in our league handbook. Any game can also be called due to darkness (by the home plate umpire) in the interest of safety for the players.
 
Are there must-play rules? Does everyone get to play regardless of ability?
Yes and yes. The must-play rules become less stringent at higher levels, but all players must play in every game, regardless of ability. In general, CLLL house rules require more play for each child than the standard Little League rules do.
 
What is inter-league play?
Little League rules allow CLLL to schedule games with adjoining leagues if this is mutually agreeable. In general CLLL will pursue inter-league play opportunities when possible in the upper divisions. At lower levels, where the number of teams is greater, there is less inter-league play. The extent of inter-league play may vary from year to year.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
How many teams are in each division, and how is that determined?
The number of teams in each division may vary from year to year, as this is a function of how many children register, their ages, and their skill level.
 
Is there post-season play? How are teams selected?
Invitational Tournaments and All-Star play for 9 to 12 year old players start the last week of June and run through the first week of August. The process of selecting the all-stars at each level varies by age level with players for the 9, 10, 11 and 12 yr old levels selected by an all star tryout.
 

Coaches and Umpires

What is the process for selecting coaches? 
Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches apply to manage/coach by using our On-line registration system for coaches and volunteers.
 
The CLLL Board reviews all applications and in some cases interviews coaches to determine eligibility.  The major focus is coaching background and skills, communication ability to children and parents, and commitment.
 
All coaches and managers must pass a thorough background check including a criminal background check before managing.
 
A Recommended List of Coaches/Managers, based on the number of teams needed for each division, is presented to the Board for discussion and final approval by the President of the league.  
 
National League coaches participate in an interview process with a selection committee.  Any coach interested in the National League is encouraged to contact the President or League administrator to convey interest.
 
How many coaches can a team have?
CLLL policy is 3 Coaches at the National Level and 2 Coaches at all other Levels, all of whom must be approved by the CLLL Board of Directors.
 
 
Who umpires the games? How can I become an umpire?
At the Minors and Majors level the games are umpired by anyone interested that is 13 years old or older, including adults. The umpires are trained prior to league play and depending on years of experience and skill are assigned to the various levels. The umpires are paid a fee for this work. Fans should not be communicating (good or bad) about umpire calls. It is the responsibility of the Coaches on each team to communicate with the umpires if there is an issue. At the T-Ball and Coach Pitch levels, umpires are not needed since the coaches and parent-umpires are on the field and fill in as umpires. Volunteers are a key in making this a successful program. If you are 13 or older and interested in being an umpire please contact the league office.  There is umpire training offered every April for interested parties..
 
 

Financial

Is financial assistance available?
CLLL's policy is that no child will ever be turned away from our program due to a financial hardship.  Scholarship requests should be directed to the Administrative Coordinator at the office.   If someone would like to sponsor a scholarship, please contact the office..
 
Is it possible to get a refund if we change our mind about playing in CLLL? 
Refer to the Handbook on line for our refund policy as there are deadline dates for refunds.  Please note: for those trying out for a traveling team (e.g. softball or National League baseball), not making the traveling team of your choice does not warrant a refund and is past the refund date.
 
How do I sponsor a team?
There are many levels of sponsorship available.  Please take the time to review and consider which level of sponsorship is appropriate for you.  You can obtain a form listing levels of sponsorship, which can be completed and mailed into CLLL headquarters along with your donation.