MILLBURN SHORT HILLS YOUTH BASEBALL (MSHYB)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS or FAQ LIST

Question:        My kid wants to play baseball. Who do I contact?
Answer:        The best place to start is to email the League at mshll@verizon.net.  You can also call the League Phone number at (973) 379-5423. Don’t forget to give your name and a return phone number (preferably one that works).

Question:        Where do they play?
Answer:        Most Little League games are at Gero Park (also called White Oak Ridge Park) located at 333 White Oak Ridge Road. Some games for the youngest kids are played at Hartshorn School on White Oak Ridge Rd.  Most Senior League games are played across the street from Gero Park at Pingry Field (if necessary some games are played at the JV and Varsity baseball fields at Millburn High School).

Question:        I called the Millburn Recreation Dept. Why hasn’t anyone called me back?
Answer:        Although we work closely with the town, The Rec. Dept. does not organize or run MSHYB. MSHYB is a non-profit organization that runs Little League and Senior League baseball and is entirely funded by donations and earnings made from fund-raising efforts.

Question:        When does the season begin and end?
Answer:        Sign-ups for the regular season begin the previous autumn. By the end of January we have completed try-outs for new players and players are assigned in February. Games do not begin until early April. The regular season ends on Family Day which falls in mid-June.

Question:        What age can my child start?
Answer:        MSHYB baseball is available to children 8 to 12 yrs of age and Senior League from 13 to 15 yrs old.

Question:        What does it cost to join?
Answer:        While it costs MSHYB approximately $250/child to operate the program, there is no “fee.” We request monetary donations to allay these costs.

Question:        I heard there was a waiting list. Will my kid be on the waiting list if they don’t have the best skills?
Answer:        No, the waiting list is for players who did not sign-up on time. If your child signs-up on time and attends the new player tryouts he will be placed on a team. We want every kid who desires to play have the chance to do so.

Question:        I would like to help out but I don’t have the skills or time to coach. How can I help?
Answer:        We need help in many areas, coaching is only one of them. You don’t need to throw a split-fingered fastball to pick up a rake and help with fields. Nor do you need expertise in baseball to help in the snack bar, team parenting, fund raising, safety, public relations, the end of year picnic, and many other functions that contribute to a great experience for our kids. Tell your chain manager you want to help or call and leave your name and number (see #1).

Question:        But I’m a very busy person. What if I don’t feel like helping? Can’t someone else take care of all that stuff?
Answer:        At the very least, MSHYB requires all parents to serve a 2 hour shift PER PLAYER in the snack bar. All of us who volunteer are extremely busy in our lives, but we make the time because we believe it benefits the children. We highly recommend you get involved. The more you do with MSHYB, the more you see the joy that it brings to the children.

Question:        I want my kid to play on his best friend’s team. Can you arrange it so they are together?
Answer:        No. The team that a child plays on is based on his ability and space available on the team roster.

Question:        Somebody called me and said he is my child’s chain manager? What does that mean?
Answer:        MSHYB relies heavily upon people known as chain managers. Chain managers are responsible for: drafting your child, conducting try-outs to determine team placement, who will coach, when will parents serve in the snack bar and many more details. The chain manager is an extremely important point of contact for you and your child.

Question:        I know my kid is going to be the next Derek Jeter and should be playing on the top level. How do I get her there?
Answer:        Your child may or may not be a great ball player. It is up to your chain manager and his team of experienced coaches to decide what team the children will play on.

Question:        My kid is obviously the best shortstop on his team. Why does the coach keep putting in these other kids who stink?
Answer:        According to our league rules, every child must play a minimum amount of time in the field and at the plate. Just because a child is skilled in one area does not mean he should not learn and play other positions as well. By the way, many kids who start off with rudimentary skills become good ball players as they grow older. Keep negative opinions and comments away from children.

Question:        The team manager hates me and won’t let my kid pitch. How do I switch to another team?
Answer:        One cannot imagine why. When disagreements arise between parents and coaches the primary recourse, if you feel your child is being treated unfairly, is to talk with your chain manager.

Question:        I spoke with my chain manager but I’m still miserable. What do I do now?
Answer:        If you are still unhappy, the league has a designated Player Agent who will meet with you and the chain manager to resolve the problem with open honest discussion.

Question:        What is the Player and Parent’s Code of Conduct?
Answer:        MSHYB feels very strongly about a proper code of behavior for players, parents and everyone involved in Little League. The Code of Conduct outlines issues such as cheering for all children, refraining from foul language, and of course proper behavior by spectators and players. The State of NJ has passed laws suggesting that spectators exhibiting improper behavior may be removed from the playing premises. The League refuses to tolerate inappropriate behavior and will take action to stop it.

Question:        How can I find out the rules for my kid’s level?
Answer:        Local rules are posted in the lobby of the Gero Park building and are on this website under the handouts section. Copies of LL rulebooks can be obtained by writing to Little League National. Or you can ask you Chain Manager for a copy.

Question:        My team is supposed to play during my son’s Hip Hop recital. Why can’t you reschedule the game?
Answer:        Little League teams play over 450 games in an 11 week season. We have game fields in constant use and we must share practice facilities with girl’s softball, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls track, boys and girls traveling soccer and other recreation department activities. We have barely enough field space to take care of rainouts.

Question:        The umpire made a terrible call at the last ballgame, my kid was safe and he was called out. Where do I protest the game?
Answer:        MSHYB does NOT allow appeals of umpire’s judgement calls, whether you think they are good or bad. If an umpire needs clarification of a rule interpretation, then he will ask the Officer of the Day for help. Decisions are final and good or bad all players and fans must learn that calls do not always go the way they desire.

Question:        Hey, my kid had a great year and she wants to continue playing. Is there an All Star Program?
Answer:        MSHYB has a very successful All Star program that continues the baseball experience into the summer months. The All Star program is also highly competitive and not everyone will make a team.

Question:        What is the commitment for All Stars?
Answer:        Because the program is very popular and highly competitive, those children who make the team are expected to make a full commitment to the program. This means playing every day from mid-June to the beginning of August. It is not possible to attend sleep away camp, nor will absences from games and practices be tolerated. If you take long family vacations in June or July, then MSHYB All Star Baseball is not for you.

This FAQ list was written by C. Swanson – readers should keep their tongues firmly planted in cheek when reading some responses.
Editor’s note – answers expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily express the viewpoint of the entire board of MSHYB (not that the author really cares...).