: F.A.Q.'s

INDEX
1.  How are Manager's and Coaches selected? 
2.  What is the difference between a Manager and a Coach?
3.  How are Managers and Coaches trained and evaluated? 
4.  What are the divisions that make up BNLL?
5.  How does BNLL register players?
6.  How does the draft work?
7.  When will I find out which team my child is on?
8.  How and when are Board members chosen?
9.  How can I contact the Board of Directors?
10.  When does the Board meet?
11.  What are "Local Rules"?
12.  What is the "Player Agent"?
13.  How and when are uniforms ordered?
14.  How are fields maintained?
15.  How are umpires selected?
16.  What is TOC?
17.  How are All-Star players and Managers selected?
18.  What does the League do for fundraising?


1.  How are Managers and Coaches selected?
All Manager and Coach candidates (new and returning) may volunteer by signing up for the following season at the end of the current season or during player registration each year.  Managing and coaching a team represents a substantial commitment and responsibility.  The role offers those parents who are fortunate enough to be selected, an opportunity to have a significant and long lasting impact on a child's development.   Accordingly, the selection process is one of the Board's most serious responsibilities.   

Contrary to popular belief, managing in the previous season does not guarantee that a candidate will  be chosen again.  In addition, Board members receive no special consideration if they apply.  Certain Board positions (e.g., President, Vice President, Player Agent) are prohibited from managing a team by national Little League rules.    Most importantly, everyone who applies truly has an equal chance of being selected. 

Candidates are reviewed by a committee of Board members.  Selections are made very carefully with an emphasis on parent evaluations from the previous season, previous experience in working with children,  the candidate's prior conduct on the field and possibly a written statement.    A candidate's previous record of winning or losing is not a factor. Coaching candidates are also required to fill out, and pass, a background check performed by the President and Vice-Presidents of the league.

Comments and suggestions are collected each season, either through personal contact with the board or board member or via the League's Web site.  Additional evaluations may also be collected at the following year's registration.  BNLL takes these evaluations into consideration when selecting managers for the next season.  We assume that if a serious problem arises during the season that you will contact the appropriate Player Agent, but please use the evaluations to voice any praise or concerns.

Upon selection by the reviewing committee, the President presents the committee's recommendations to the Board for approval.  Final Manager selections are made and approved by the full Board

Coaches are chosen by their respective Manager from the list of volunteers and/or personal choices and are also subject to Board approval.  In rare instances, the Board may disallow a Manager's selection of a Coach, based on the criteria outlined above.   

2.  What is the difference between a Manager and a Coach?
Each team has a Manager and a Coach. Most teams will also have one or more Assistant Coaches.  The Manager is the person who is ultimately responsible for running the team.  He is responsible for organizing practices and games, distributing equipment, evaluating players and the overall organization of the the team.  The Coach assists the Manager in all of the above areas, including the running of practice and games.  


3.  How are Managers and Coaches trained and evaluated?  
Prior to the start of each season, all Managers and Coaches are required to attend the Coaches meeting and are strongly encouraged to attend a Coaching Clinic.  The League typically utilizes seminars offered by local High School and College coaches, as well as seminars offered by professional coaching instructors. In addition, Managers and Coaches are encouraged to attend the offered rules meeting put on by the Leagues Chief Umpire.

4.  What are the divisions that make up BNLL?   
The following are the divisions and age groups, in general, who play in those divisions: 

Division                Age
            T-Ball                    5-6 yrs 
            T-Shirt                   7-8 yrs 
            Minor                   9-10 yrs
            Major                    11-12* yrs 
            Jr. (SB Only)       13-15 yrs 
            Sr. (SB Only)         13-18 yrs

*Note:  In some cases, 11 and 12 year olds may play Minor or Major if the League determines that they are at risk of injury at a higher level.

The BNLL Local Rules and the Little League Baseball rulebook address, in detail,  the rules regarding which players may play in each division.  

 
5.  How does BNLL register players?
Registration is done in person for both new and returning players.  Registration is held each Spring at Boone Fairgrounds Community Building.  Flyers are distributed to all CUSD schools and an email reminder is sent to all returning players who provided an address.  In addition, notices typically appear in the Boone News Republican for two weeks prior to the first registration date.  

All new players must submit an original or certified copy of a birth certificate to enroll.

In accordance with Little League's national rules, all players must live within the boundaries of Boone National Little League. You must play in the League where you reside.  For a map of League boundaries, please contact us.

6.  How does the draft work?
Before the start of each season, BNLL conducts a draft of all T-Ball, T-Shirt, Minor, Major, Jr. and Sr. players.  The draft is usually conducted over the first weekend in March with Softball on Saturday and Baseball on Sunday. Oldest players will be drafter first,
All players who registered are included in the draft.  Each division is drafted privately with only the Managers, 1Coach, the Player Agent, the President, Vice President, and league administrative volunteers in the room.  No teams in Little League are “stacked”.   On draft night, Managers draw randomly for draft positions, and draft in that order in a serpentine order.

Each Manager uses their own rating system, based on their evaluation of player's abilities, attitudes, and knowledge of the player.  The League does not assist Managers with evaluations or selection.  If a team seems “stacked” in any given year, it's a combination of the Manager's evaluation and draft ability, as well as the skill of the team's coaching staff.  Note that the son/daughter of each Manager is "frozen" and automatically assigned to that Manager's team and the same is done for one (1) Coach on that same team. All other players are fair game and may be drafted by any team.

Draft selections are kept secret until  players have been notified by their managers.  No one should ever reveal to a parent or player where in the order the player was drafted - it does no one any good to know that Johnny was the first pick or Joey was the last pick.

7.  When will I find out what team my child is on?
All players should receive a phone call from their manager by the end of the draft weekend.  Practice typically begins in late March.  Most of these teams will at least have a team meeting before that first practice.  T-Ball, will hear from their new Manager and begin their practices a bit later as their season does not begin until mid- May.

All teams should have a parents’ meeting, with or without the players depending on each individual manager’s style.  This is your opportunity to volunteer as a team parent, scorekeeper, etc.  Players generally receive their uniforms and a practice and game schedule at this meeting.   

8.  How and when are Board members chosen?
Each year BNLL holds elections for Board member positions at the conclusion of the season.  Board members serve for 3 year terms.  Elections are usually held in September.  Prior to the election, the notification of election will be made available on the website as well as through Boone News Republican and KWBG (1590 AM).   Any adult falling within the BNLL boundrie who attend the election may vote.  Proxy voting is not permitted.  

Sitting Board members may or may not choose to run for re-election.  In addition, the floor is open for write-in nominations at each election.  Any parent may run.  No Board member is guaranteed a spot on the next year’s Board, nor is any Board member guaranteed any position, i.e. Manager, All-Star Manager.  Assignment of specific Board positions (President, Commissioner, Player Agent, etc.) is done at a subsequent meeting. 

If you are interested in being considered for the Board, please contact the President before September 15th.      

9. How can I contact the Board of Directors?
Board members may be contacted via mail, telephone or email: 

          Boone National Little League
             314 West Second Street
             Boone, IA 50036
             (515) 432-7985
             kwbeaman@msn.com

Mail is generally picked up one to two times weekly.  Mail is either held and distributed to the addressees at the next Board meeting, or delivered in between meetings.  If you choose to send a complaint letter, please provide your name so someone can contact you.  Any anonymous letters will not be given consideration.   

BNLL does not have an office with a full-time staff.  A league volunteer checks the voice mail (usually on a weekly basis) and delivers messages to Board members. 

Most Board members have email and prefer communicating via email.  If you click on the Board of Directors box on the Home Page of the website, you will see a list of all Board members along with direct links to their email.  

10.  When does the Board meet? 
Board meetings are usually held on the monthly/bi-monthly during the of off-season on Sundays @ 6 pm and every other Saturday @ 7 am thoughout the season. All meetings are held at the Boone Little League Headquarters Building unless noted.  If you would like to speak at a Board meeting, please feel free to attend and voice any suggestions or issues you may have.  We encourage participation!  The calendar and specific meeting times are available on the BNLL web site's calendar page.

11.  What are "Local Rules"?  
Each year the Board approves "Local Rules" for the upcoming season.  All chartered Leagues, including BNLL, are governed by the rules established by Little League Baseball, Inc..  Each league implements local rules that cover any issues specific to their individual League's need.  Local rules may only add to Little League’s rules, and may not contradict them.  All managers receive a copy of the Local Rules as well as the Little League Baseball rulebook.  Local rules are also available on the BNLL Web site.  
 

12.  What is a Player Agent?
The Player Agent is a Board member who acts as a liaison between parents, players, managers and the Board.  The primary mission of the Player Agent is to represent the player's interest in all League matters.  The player agent can resolve issues regarding such things as the appropriate level for a player, manager conflicts and attendance problems.  

If you have a problem, you are always encouraged to address it with your child’s manager first.  We have one player agent per division (Baseball/Softball), over 800 players and over 1400 parents!  If  you have a problem or question that your Manager cannot resolve, please contact the Player Agent.  Her email address can be found on the Web site's Board of Directors page.  (Note:  If you contact the President or other Board member instead, the first question you will be asked is “Did you talk to the Player Agent?”. )

13.  How and when are uniforms ordered?
"Who ordered XL pants for my 5 year old?"  A common question.  Uniforms are usually ordered in  early December to ensure that uniforms are delivered in time for the start of the season.  This occurs before the draft has taken place.   Accordingly, we must estimate the number of teams and players we will have in each division based on the number of players registered at this time, so that the appropriate number of uniforms can be ordered.  Usually we guess correctly.  Occasionally, we don't.  Uniforms are ordered in a range of sizes appropriate for each division.  The League always allows a player to exchange a uniform for the proper size.  Sometimes it just takes a week or two to sort things out at the start of the season.  
 

14.  How are fields maintained?
The BNLL hires a full time head groundskeeper for the Little League complex. This ensures the best possible playing conditions for every child involved. In addition, the board of directors elects a head of "Buildings and Grounds" to oversee the grounds keeper and assist in major renovations or additions.Boone National Little League is very fortunate to have a community of vendors who dedicate thier time and resources to help keep the costs down and provide us with one of the nicest parks in Iowa if not the country. The City of Boone owns the park we play on, but leased it to the Little League for $1 for the next 50 years.  The City also pays for the water and gas for the league which is greatly appreciated.  

15.   How are umpires selected?
All BNLL umpires are parent volunteers. These individuals play a vital role in the running of the League and their role and responsibilities often get taken for granted.  They all do their best to call a game fairly and accurately.  Players, parents, coaches and managers are expected to show the utmost respect for these individuals. By having the volunteer umpires, we are able to keep the cost per player in our league to one of the lowest in the state. 

Prior to the start of the season, all umpire candidates attend a comprehensive "Umpire's Clinic" to prepare them for the season.  If you are interested in volunteering, it can be both fun and rewarding.  Volunteers are taken each year during registration and throughout the season.  No previous experience is required at the lower levels.


16.  What is TOC?
You will frequently hear older players and their parents discussing "TOC" as the regular season winds down.  "TOC" is short for the "Tournament of Champions" which is held after the regular season has ended.  It's a very exciting time for those teams and gives every child a chance to play in a tournament setting.


17.  How are the All-Star players and managers selected? 
The announcement of which players and managers have been selected for the All-Stars is made on or around June 15th per National Little League regulations. Players lucky enough to be selected at the Majors level have the opportunity to compete at the local, regional and national level, with the finalists competing each year in Williamsport, PA in the Little League World Series!

Because the All-Star process generates a large number of inquiries, the league has developed a separate, more detailed information page on its web site to address these specific parent and player questions.  The information can be found by going to our "HANDOUTS" page and clicking on "All-Star Policies and Procedures".

18.  What does the league do for fundraising?   
While the concession stand is the League's primary source of fundraising, each year BNLL also hold a candy sale each April. World's Finest Chocolate is the provider of these great bars and drops and is a fundraiser that the Boone Community has come to love and look forward too. T-Ball players raise funds with the help of Randy's Good Stuff. They provide a wide range of food items for everyone in the family. The funds raised each year are instrumental in allowing BNLL to provide things such as high quality equipment, uniforms and facilities for the League's players.  

During the course of the season, all teams at all levels are required to work one of the Concession stands.  The Concession stand schedule will posted on the League's web site and distributed to all Managers.  Parents are required to sign up for their time at registration or they may choose to pay $20 and have the league hire someone to work for them. All parents who sign up for a time are required to work their shifts or they will be charged a $30 no show fee. By working the concession stand, this helps keep our costs down as well as the proceeds benefit the league as a whole.

All teams playing are strongly encouraged to purchase their team snacks from the Concession Stand.  It's not only easier, it helps the kids!