Newton East Little League: Spring Program

2010 Spring Registration is Now Open

On-line registration for the 2010 Spring baseball season (all leagues) is now open.


Paper registrations are available for all leagues (including leagues where on-line registration has closed).  To obtain a paper registration, please email info@newtoneastll.org. Player registrations received after on-line registrations have been closed will be put on a waiting list.  In order to keep roster sizes reasonable, players will be assigned to teams on a space available only basis.

Please read the information below and then proceed to the online registration link at the bottom of the page.



2010 Spring Information

Dear Parents, Friends and Players,

Welcome to the 2010 season of the Newton East Little League baseball program. We look forward to working with you and your children during the coming year. On behalf of the Newton East Little League Baseball board of directors and volunteers, we hope to give you the very best program available.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY: Newton East Little League (NELL) serves eligible boys and girls aged 5 to 12 who were born on or between the dates of May 1, 1997 and April 30, 2005. (see age chart below for eligibility). All new (i.e. first time) applicants to NELL, must reside in, or attend the public schools in, the school districts of the Memorial-Spaulding, Bowen or Mason-Rice Elementary Schools. The only way we can accept a new/first time, out of district applicant is if we receive a written waiver from the player's assigned little league. Without such waiver, we will not accept the application. 

WAIVERS: National Little League Baseball requires that each league go through a waiver process for out of district applicants.  Both the NELL President and the President of the league in which your player resides must approve this waiver application. In the case of Players who cannot play on Saturday, please note that ONLY Newton South Little League schedules Saturday games.  NELL’s Farm League plays ONE scheduled game per year on Saturdays.  We cannot guarantee that other Newton Leagues will approve your waiver request.

REGISTRATION FEES: The fee for NELL is two-tiered: for T-Ball and Farm League players, the cost is $110; for AA, AAA and Major League players the fee is $135. If you have more than one child in NELL, you will receive a $30.00 fee reduction for each additional player. It is the policy of Newton East Little League to waive player registration fees in the event of financial need. A strictly confidential letter accompanying a paper registration form requesting the fee waiver is all that is necessary (please see next section for details).  

SCHOLARSHIPS: Newton East Little League has maintained the Zisi Scholarship Fund to aid families facing economic hardship. The application process is a simple one; all that needs to be done is to write a letter. This letter is only reviewed by our Treasurer/Player Agent and does not require financial documentation.  Newton East Little League is sensitive to both family needs and privacy.  If you wish to take advantage of the Zisi Fund, please email our Treasurer/Player Agent Bob Gelles for a hard copy of our application form.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: The registration deadline is February 10, 2010. After February 10, 2010, a late registration fee of $15.00 will apply. Player registrations received after March 1st will be put on a waiting list and players will be assigned to teams on a space available only basis.

T-BALL - kindergarten and younger: Players need to be five years old on or before April 30, 2010 in order to enter the T-Ball program (see age chart below). Games will consist of players hitting off a tee for two or three at-bats per game. Some players may get the opportunity to face “live” pitching as the season progresses. All games will be played at the Memorial-Spaulding two fields or the diamond(s) behind the Solomon Schecter Day School on Stein Circle in Oak Hill Park. For more information, contact T-Ball Commissioner, Greg Wallace. 

FARM LEAGUE - 1st and 2nd grade: This is a noncompetitive program geared toward instruction and fun. All players bat three times per game and play in the field 2 to 3 innings. Coaches provide pitching. Games are played at the Bowen School or Oak Hill Middle School fields. For more information, contact Farm League Commissioner, Eddie Murray.

AA LEAGUE - 3rd grade: This is a competitive program with standings and playoffs. At this level kids perform the pitching duties and must therefore face the live pitching of their peers for the 1st time. All players play a minimum of 3 innings in the field and bat in rotation. Some game rules are modified to fit the age and experience of the kids. Games are 6 innings. Games will be played at the Oak Hill Middle School fields. For more information, contact Minor League AA Commissioner(s), Roei Biberstain and Dave Goldblatt. 

Important Information for players in the 4th through 7th grade.

» If your child is in 4th grade and is a 9 year old according to the table below, he/she is not age eligible to attend the major league tryouts and therefore is not eligible to play at the major league level. He or she he will be assigned to a AAA league team.

» If your child is in 4th grade and is a 10 year old according to the table below, he or she is eligible to play in the Major League, provided that he or she attend one of the major league tryouts. He or she may be drafted by a Major League team or assigned to AAA league team, depending on his/her performance at the tryout and his or her performance during the previous season.

» If your child is in 5th or 6th grade and is at least 10 years old according to the table below, he or she is eligible to play in the Major League, provided that he or she attend one of the major league tryouts. He or she may be drafted by a Major League team or assigned to AAA league team, depending on his/her performance at the tryout and the coaches evaluation during the previous season.

» If your child is in 7th grade and is little league eligible according to the table below he or she is eligible to play in the Major League, provided that he or she attends one of the major league tryouts. He or she may be drafted by a Major League team or assigned to a AAA league team, based on his/her performance at the tryout and on the coaches evaluation from the previous season.

» If your child played on a NELL Major League team last  Spring and is still league age eligible according to the table, he or she will play automatically on the same Major League team during the upcoming Spring season and therefore should not attend the major league tryouts.

» Important: If you tryout for the major league and are drafted, you must play in the major league.  You may not change your mind after the draft has been completed. 

AAA LEAGUE - 4th through 7th grade: This is a competitive program with standings and playoffs. The AAA level is for those kids who have either not been drafted into the Major Leagues or simply chosen to play at this level. All players play a minimum of 3 innings in the field and bat in rotation. Games are 6 innings. Games are played at the Bowen School or Oak Hill Middle School fields. For more information, contact Minor League AAA Commissioner, Mike Quinn.  

MAJOR LEAGUE -4th through 7th grade: The Major League is our most competitive league with a heavy emphasis on winning and requires a significant time commitment. The Major League is open to players who are aged 10 to 12 according to the league eligibility table below. To be placed on a Major League team you must try out. Once placed on a Major League team, the player will remain on that team until their eligibility expires. Under NELL rules, all players must play at least three innings per game in the field and receive one at-bat. Games are played at the NELL’s Jay Gordon Field on Homer Street, with some inter-league games versus Newton Central Little League at the Cabot School. For more information, contact Major League Commissioner, Jeff Goldstein.

MAJOR LEAGUE TRYOUTS:  Sunday March 7, 2010 at Newton North High School (NNHS) Indoor Recreation Area at the following times: 10 year olds: 4:00pm, 11 year olds: 5:15pm, 12 year olds: 6:30pm (see age chart below for eligibility).  10 year olds may tryout for the majors while all 11 and 12 year olds are strongly encouraged to try out if they are not already in the Major league.  According to Little League International rules, all 12 year olds will be assigned to major league teams unless a waiver is obtained allowing them to play in AAA so it is important for 12 year olds to attend the tryouts.  Please arrive at tryout sessions early and be prepared to wait.  We try our best to adhere to the times listed but often it is an inexact science.  Only players will be permitted into the tryout area.  Players should wear sneakers and bring their own baseball gloves.  Bats are provided, but players may provide their own.  We request that you attend the Sunday tryout unless you are sick or away as time is limited on the alternate date.  Please enter NNHS gym from the Hull Street entrance.  Tryouts are on the top floor.

ALTERNATE TRYOUT DATE: For 2010, we will not have an alternate tryout date.  Please contact info@newtoneastll.org if you cannot attend the tryout on March 7, 2010 or if you have a 12 year old that is requesting a waiver to play in AAA.

TEAM ASSIGNMENTS:

T-Ball: This league is formed with regard to school district as much as possible.

Farm League: This league is formed with regard to school district as much as possible.

AA & AAA: Minor League teams are formed based upon player’s school and skill level (determined by prior season player evaluations prepared by each coach). Requests for specific team placement with a friend will not be accepted at the Minor League levels. Please note that every effort is made to place at least two children from a school on the same team.

Major League: The Major League Teams are created through a draft system. In order to be considered for the Major Leagues, you must attend one of the two tryouts.

Players will be notified of team assignments as follows: Majors (March 22) and AAA (1st week of April); All other leagues (2nd week of April). If you have not heard your team assignment by April 6, please email info@newtoneastll.org.  
 
2010 LITTLE LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY & LEAGUE AGE TABLE
Child born between May 1, 1997 and April 30, 1998 12 years old
Child born between May 1, 1998 and April 30, 1999 11 years old
Child born between May 1, 1999 and April 30, 2000 10 years old
Child born between May 1, 2000 and April 30, 2001 9 years old
Child born between May 1, 2001 and April 30, 2002 8 years old
Child born between May 1, 2002 and April 30, 2003 7 years old
Child born between May 1, 2003 and April 30, 2004 6 years old
Child born between May 1, 2004 and April 30, 2005 5 years old

These requirements are mandated by National Little League and are strictly adhered to by NELL in the formation of teams. First time players must provide a copy of their Birth Certificates to NELL, prior to playing in a game.

GAME SCHEDULES: All levels of NELL will have games scheduled on Sundays after 12:00pm and at least one week night after 5:30pm. Major Leaguers can expect to play twice and sometimes three times a week. Minor, Farm and T-ball players can expect to play twice a week (except in case of make-up games due to rain outs). The season runs from late April to mid-June. The schedule for exact dates, times and places for the games will be distributed to the players by their coaches before the start of the season and will also be available on-line.

2010 Opening (closing) Dates (as of 19-Dec-09 - subject to change):

  • Majors: April 25, 2010 (playoffs June 6-15)
  • AAA: April 25, 2010 (playoffs June 6-13)
  • AA: April 27, 2010 (playoffs June 8-13)
  • Farm: April 27, 2010 (ends June 13)
  • T-Ball: April 25, 2010 (ends June 13)
PRACTICE SESSIONS: Practices are held at the manager’s discretion. One can expect many practices before the season begins, which must be taken seriously in terms of commitment and attendance. Practices will begin in early April.

EQUIPMENT: Players will be provided with a baseball cap and jersey. Non-metal cleats (recommended) or sneakers are the only footwear allowed. Each player should have their own glove. Some bats will be provided but players are encouraged to bring their own.  Players should wear baseball pants (not provided) for games and either baseball pants or long pants to practices.

DONATIONS & SCHOLARSHIPS: Many in our community have been extremely generous over the years in donating to our two special funds: The ZISI Scholarship Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund. The Zisi Fund was set up by our late Secretary in honor of his late son, Charles, to ensure that any child who wishes to play in our program may do so, regardless of their financial situation. The Capital Improvement Fund is used to upgrade and maintain our fields, equipment and for other league improvements.

POLICY ON PLAYING OTHER SPORTS: We do not wish to place a limit on children playing multiple sports, but some of these situations have presented problems in the past. The city’s policy is that any child playing two sports will split time equally. Games supersede practices in either sport. When a game or practice conflict does arise with two sports, children are required to alternate their attendance. Weekend Little League games are played on Sundays, rather than Saturdays, hopefully eliminating most conflicts. If you do not feel that your child can make a legitimate commitment to NELL, we suggest that you do not sign up your child for our program.

WINTER CLINICS AT NEWTON HIGH SCHOOLS (not affiliated with NELL):
  • NNHS Pitching Clinic: A clinic for pitchers who are at least 8 years old will be held at Newton North HS (in the Exhibition Gym) by Newton North LL’s Terry Morris every Saturday at 2:00-3:00 (*time is not yet finalized; could be 2:30-3:30) from Jan 9, 2009 through March 7, 2009 (no session Feb 20). For information call (617) 527-0149.
  • NSHS Pitching/Catching/Fielding/Hitting Clinics: Ron Jordan (varsity baseball coach at NSHS) has once again teamed up with Gardy O'Flynn (varsity baseball coach at Ipswich High) to offer their Bombers (fielding/hitting) and Pitching Fix (pitching/catching) clinics.  Just go to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=aq8dxbdab.0.0.vsmqnycab.0&ts=S0424&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pitchingfix.com%2F&id=preview and click on the Newton Clinics icon at the top of the page for more info and special combo packages and pricing. Also, feel free to contact Coach Jordan with any other questions at his email eastbostonbombers@gmail.com or by phone at (781) 913-3770.

INDOOR BASEBALL FACILITIES:

 

Please click here to begin the registration process.


Handout: Spring 2009 Baseball Program