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Santa Cruz Little League

Santa Cruz Little League

Parent Resources

Welcome to Santa Cruz Little League! 

SCLL offers divisions for players who are league age 5 through 13. The divisions are Tee Ball, Farm, A, AA, AAA, Majors, Intermediate and Challenger.

The SCLL Spring season runs from early March to early June. Generally, each team plays twice a week (one game during the week and one on Saturday) with the older divisions having practices 1-2 days per week.

Sign-ups start in late October each year, with discounts usually provided if you register by late December. Evaluations (for players in AA Divisions and above) take place in early January, with team drafts/assignments taking place by the end of January. Practices for the Majors division start in early February, and the younger divisions begin in late February. 

Opening Day is typically the first or second weekend in March. 

Games take place on the ball fields at Harvey West Park. Practices can be at Harvey West or a number of other locations around the city such as Mission Hill Middle School, Branciforte Middle School, Westlake Elementary and other places. 

SCLL also has a Fall Ball program that runs from September to October. The emphasis of Fall Ball is skills development and building a love of the game. There are assigned teams and games but generally no practices. 

For more general information about how Little League works, please see the Parent's Guide to Little League


Parent FAQ

When are player evaluations?

Evaluations take place in early January. See the Evaluations page on our site for more details. 

When do I find out what team my player is on?

The AA, AAA, and Majors draft meetings usually occur in mid January after player evaluations are finished. Managers make every effort to contact their players right away. Tee-ball, Farm and Single A teams are formed in February. We'll send an email out to everyone registered when teams are formed. You'll likely hear from your team manager before you receive our email.

When do practices begin?

AAA and Majors teams begin practicing in late January or early February. The younger divisions (AA, A, Farm, Tee-Ball) begin practicing shortly after teams are formed. Most teams have one weekday afternoon practice and one weekend practice. A team page will be created for each team, and will feature a calendar with practice times and game times once the regular season schedule is complete.

When do games begin?

The opening ceremonies are in early March at Harvey West. We have a parade with all the teams, announcements, and there are usually a few games played on Field 1 later in the day. We also try to have team pictures that same day. 

What time are games played?

Saturday games start as early as 9 in the morning and run over the course of the day. Weekday games generally start at 4pm for the younger divisions. Older divisions' games can start as late as 6:30pm (on fields with lights). 

Do teams still practice once the regular season starts?

During the season, the older divisions practice more often (1-2 times per week) than the younger divisions (0-1 times per week). Each division has a limit on how many "events" they can have a week during the regular season. An "event" can be a practice or game. 

When is the regular season schedule posted?

Usually mid- to late-February. Stay tuned to the SCLL website for for news.

When does the season end?

The Tee-Ball, Farm and A seasons end mid- to late-May. The AA, AAA, and Majors regular seasons end in late May and then division playoffs begin. Playoffs typically last 1-2 weeks, and division winners progress to the District Tournament of Champions. Read more about the post-season here

How and when do we get uniforms?

A player game jersey and hat is included with your registration. You will need to provide a belt, pants, socks and (optional) undershirt. The team manager will let you know what color to buy for these items, depending on the team's jersey colors. 

Your manager or team parent will hand out the jerseys and hats to players when they become available, which is typically a week before opening day. 

What equipment do we need? 

Your player will need a glove and cleats. Additional items you may want to purchase (but don't have to) are a bat and helmet. 

If you do buy your own bat, please make sure it meets the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat) as adopted by Little League (see more details on bat standards). 

Each team in the league will be issued a set of bats, helmets and catcher's gear (face mask, chest protector, shin guards, catcher's mitt), so you do not have to invest in these things if you don't want to.

Code of Conduct

Click here for the code of conduct form

We, the Santa Cruz Little League, have implemented the following Sport Parent Code of Conduct for the important message it holds about the proper role of parents in supporting their child in sports. Parents should read, understand and sign this form prior to their children participating in our league. 

Any parent guilty of improper conduct at any game or practice will be asked to leave the sports facility and be suspended from the following game. Repeat violations may cause a multiple game suspension, or the season forfeiture of the privilege of attending all games.

Preamble

The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principals:

  • Trustworthiness
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Fairness
  • Caring
  • Good Citizenship

The highest potential in sports is achieved when competition reflects these “Six Pillars of Character”.

Agreement

I Therefore Agree:

  1. I will not force my child to participate in sports.
  2. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth and not adults.
  3. I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may effect the safety of my child, or the safety of others.
  4. I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
  5. I, and my guests, will be a positive role model for my child 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 events.
  6. I, and my guest, will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing or taunting: refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
  7. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health or well being of the athletes.
  8. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
  9. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials, spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or ability.
  10. I will teach my child that doing ones best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.
  11. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
  12. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.
  13. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also de emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
  14. I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
  15. I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
  16. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.
  17. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team, or assistant coaches.
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