Petaluma National Little League: Registration FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions we get about Registration and the process.  If you don't see your question answered here, feel free to contact a Board Member, email info@petalumanational.org or ask one of our volunteers at Registration.

When and where is Registration for the 2010 Season?

What do I need to bring to Registration? 

You will need an original copy of the registering player's birth certificate and two items that prove residency within the PNLL Boundary.  Examples of proof of residency would be a utility bill, cable bill, loan documents or a driver's license.  Don't forget to bring two (2).

What forms will I be required to fill out for Registration?

It is required that we obtain a Registration Form and Medical Release for each player. 

If you would like to volunteer, we will ask you to fill out a Volunteer Application and a copy of your driver's license for a background check. 

All of these forms can be found HERE.  We strongly recommend that you download these forms and fill them out prior to coming to Registration.

Why all these documents just for my son/daughter to play baseball?

The requirements for registration are not set by PNLL.  Little League International sets the requirements for registration and we are required to adhere to them.  Most of these requirements are to ensure fair play and eligibility.

How do I know if we live within the PNLL league boundary?

You can check to see if you live within the PNLL league boundary HERE. 

What if we lived within the PNLL boundary last year, played at PNLL and moved out of the PNLL boundary?

You have two options.  If your new residence is in another league's boundary, you can register and play there.  We don't want you to leave though.  Often, relationships and friendships are formed within a league that can be hard to part with.  In these situations, we can fill out what's called a Regulation II (d) Waiver form that will allow you to still play at PNLL.  Be advised though, if you do register and play at another league for ONE season, you no longer have the option of returning to PNLL. 

If you need a waiver, please bring it to the attention of one of our volunteers at registration.  Also, bring proof of residency for your current residence AND the residence that made you eligible to play at PNLL last year. 

OK, so I don't live within PNLL's boundary, but I really want to play at PNLL.  Is there anything we can do?

In very rare circumstances, Little League International will allow players who live outside a league's boundary to play in that league.  However, these are rare occasions and extenuating circumstances are required for Little League to even consider it.  Petaluma has some of the best Little League organizations around.  If you aren't within our league boundary, we're sure you'll find Petaluma American and Petaluma Valley Little Leagues great places to play.  The board members, parents and players at these leagues are wonderful people.

How do I determine a player's "League Age".

League age is determined by how old the player will be on April 30 of the current season they are registering for.  A simple way to determine league age is to download THIS chart.  Or, you can go HERE and use Little League's Age Calculator.

Now that I've determined my players league age, what division will he/she play in and who decides which team they'll play on?

7 year old players will play in the Mini or A division.  This is a coach or machine pitch division.  Players are assigned to teams by the Board.  Some 8 year old players will also play in the Mini division depending on their experience and skill level.  League age 6 year old players are also eligible to play in the A division IF they have played one previous season of coach pitch or t-ball at the Boys & Girls Club.

The AA Minor Division consists of 8 and 9 year old players.  Players are placed on teams by the Board with balance and fair play in mind.

The AAA Minor Division consists of 9, 10 & 11 year old players.  Players are drafted to teams by the AAA Division Managers and Coaches.  Any 9 year old not drafted to a AAA Minor team, will play at the AA Minor level.

The Major Division or ... what Little League International considers "Little League" consists of  10, 11 and 12 year old players.  Players are drafted to teams by the Major Division Managers and Coaches.

Players 13 & 14 years old will play in the Junior Division and Players 15 & 16 years old will play in the Senior Division.  These players are also drafted to teams by the Junior & Senior Division Managers and Coaches.

How much is Registration?

Registration is $150.00 for the first player and $125.00 for each subsequent sibling.  So, if you are registering two children, your registration fees would be  $275.00.  Three children would be  $400.00.

Will my son/daughter have to try out for a team?

It's more like an evaluation than a "tryout" because all players will make a team.  All players age 8 and up MUST attend evaluations.  Any player that does not attend a minimum of 50% of the evaluations must be placed on a team in the lowest division he/she is eligible to play for that season.  For example, if you have an 11 year old player that has a very high skill level and belongs in the Major Division, but misses evaluations .... he/she must be placed in the AAA minor division.  It is imperative that all players attend evaluations. 

If you can't make evaluations, please contact the Player Agent to make arrangements.

What should my player expect at evaluations?

Evaluation day is when Managers and Coaches get a chance to see the player's skills.  They're not always looking for the player than can hit doubles off the wall, steal bases with ease and throw 90 mph.  Hustle, attitude and potential are often just as important to our Managers and Coaches as skill right out of the box.  Although we strongly encourage players to play catch and get the cobwebs out now, everyone understands that it has been several months since the kids have seen a baseball.  Players can expect to be put through hitting, fielding, throwing, running and fly ball drills. 

Evaluations are split over a two day period.  This allows Managers and Coaches to spend more time with the kids and get a better feel for what Division and team they should play.  It will also alleviate some conflicts with a concurrently running CYO basketball season

When and where are evaluations?

Evaluations are February 6th & 7th and will be held at Carter Field.  Exact evaluation times will be determined by age and first letter of the player's last name.  Please check the site frequently for exact times for each age group.  They have not been established yet.  Automated calls to all registered players will be made with reminders of evaluations.  Keep in mind that it's winter.  We may need to make last minute time and venue changes.

My son/daughter is 12 years old, but he/she isn't really a strong player.  Can they play in the AAA Minor Division?

No, Little League International mandates that all 12 year old players be drafted Major teams.  It is possible to obtain a waiver in extreme circumstances, but it is very rare that we would encounter such circumstances.  Also, 12 year old players aren't allowed to pitch at the AAA Minor level. 

How often do teams practice and where are the practices?

How often a team practices is entirely up to the Manger of the team.  Practice locations are also up to the team Manager.  The majority of practices take place at locations other than Carter field.  In general, you should expect to practice twice per week.

How often and where are the games?

You should expect to play 2 games per week on average in all Divisions.  A , AA and Major Division games all take place at Carter Field.  Junior and Senior Division games are played at PALL, PNLL & PVLL fields.

Whoa!  You guys have increased the Registration fees!  Why would you raise the fees during tough economic times like this?

Well, there are several reasons the Board increased the Registration fees again.  I'll be as brief as possible.  

PNLL is a nonprofit organization.  We're not supposed to be too far "in the black" at the end of any year and we aren't.  Typically, we just about break even.  This year, the board and league is faced with additional expenses again that are above and beyond our typical yearly expenditures.

As stated PNLL is an all volunteer organization.  As with any volunteer organization, there is often a shortage of volunteers.  The same volunteers end up performing multiple tasks.  One of the most time consuming, never ending, tasks is field maintenance.  The other leagues in town sub-contract the maintenance of their playing fields.  In the past, PNLL fields were maintained by our volunteers.  This is simply too much to ask of the small number of volunteers we have.  Last year, our playing fields were professionally maintained by Empire Landscape ... and there was a noticeable difference.  We will be sub-contracting our field maintenance again this season.  Adding to our costs of field maintenance is the fact that PNLL is the only league in town that has four fields.

Tough economic times are also a driving factor in the increase of fees.  Another large portion of our operating capital comes from sponsors.  In 2009, we lost some of the sponsors we have counted on for many years. This season, we are concentrating more of our volunteer's time to obtaining new sponsorship for the League.  However, we anticipate losing more of our regular sponsors again this season.

Due to the economic stresses that families are enduring, PNLL is also anticipating the need to Scholarship more players than ussual.   

Even though our fees have increased .... PNLL still has lowest registration fees in town.  We're sorry if the increased fees present financial difficulties to our parents and players.  If you need assistance with the registration fees, speak to a board member at registration.  We'll be happy to help.

But I heard the league has a cash surplus.  Why the fee increase if the league has cash on hand? 

As many of you know, Regency Centers purchased the property that includes Carter Field some years ago.  Since that time, Regency has been very gracious in allowing the league to continue its use of the playing fields free of charge.  This generosity continues today.  The plan was that Regency would construct a new Target shopping center and, in conjunction with the city, build PNLL a new facility.  Since the purchase of the property, Regency has experienced many stumbling blocks in their effort to construct the new shopping center.  Essentially, they are sitting on real estate they can't use at the moment.  Recent developements are very encouraging though and a new field may be in our future.

At the General Meeting of the Membership in September 2008, the Membership voted to set aside the bulk of our funds for use in construction at the new facility.  Some may feel that these funds should be used to improve our current facility since the new ball park has only been a discussion for many years.  Although it would be un-popular, Regency has every right to refuse to allow PNLL to use the facility.  We are a league without a permanent home.  No one knows how long we'll be allowed to use the current facility.  It is essential that we have the necessary cash on hand to make a new home for the league in the event we lose access to the Carter facility.

With the increased fees, parents and players will not see new uniforms, greatly improved playing fields and paved parking lots.  What they will see is far better maintained fields, new safety improvements at the park for the players and their families and Managers and Coaches who can focus on the kids instead of mowing grass and pulling weeds.

I missed all three registration dates.  What do I do now? 

Contact the Registrar or Information Officer.