West Raleigh Baseball: Fall Season Info

Fall Program Overview
West Raleigh's Fall Ball program will have some "major" changes from 2006. A major change for this year will be the implementation of the Cal Ripken Baseball "Major 70" rules, which feature 70 foot bases, leading off base, and stealing (for the 10-11 age group). The other major change is the addition of the Girls Softball program for fall. After a successful inaugural Spring season West Raleigh Baseball continues build the softball program.




Monday, July 11
Questions and Answers
Q: How can I register my child for West Raleigh Baseball?
A: You can either register online using the links on the West Raleigh Baseball website, or you can attend Walk-In Registration. Times and dates for Walkin Registration are prominently posted the West Raleigh Baseball website.

Q: Who can I talk to about West Raleigh Baseball if I have a question?
A: The best thing to do is send an email to the Baseball Operations Manager, Rich Fountain. To send him an email, please "Click Here!

Q: What are the as-of birthdates for the various leagues?
A: West Raleigh Baseball follows the Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken as-of age dates. For all baseball leagues, the playing age for Fall Ball is the player's age on April 30 of the current year. For Girls Softball players' ages are determined as of January 1st of the current year.

Q: Is Fall baseball focused more on competition or on player development?
A: In Fall ball, West Raleigh focuses more on preparing players for the competitive upcoming Spring season, but retains a balanced focus on competitiveness.

Q: Is my child guaranteed placement on a team?
A: Unfortunately the answer is no due a limited number of roster spots available. The number of spots available to new players is not known until registration of returning players is complete. Only returning players and registrants that have siblings already in the league for a full year or more are guaranteed placement.

Q: My child played in West Raleigh in Spring - is he guaranteed a spot in the Fall program?
A: No. The fall and spring programs are separate. Children who have not played Fall Ball in West Raleigh are considered new players. The exception is for the Minor League, where Spring players are guaranteed Fall Ball roster spots.

Q: If my child is a new player, is he/she required to come to a tryout?
A: Yes, all new players are required to come to the try-out day scheduled.

Q: Can I request a particular team?
A: No. Placement is through a round robin selection process.

Q: Can players "play up" an age group?
A: No - and there are no exceptions.

Q: What if I am out of town during try–outs?
A: If you qualify for a guaranteed placement, you will be placed on a team based on a drawing. New players must try out! The only opportunity for new players who do not try-out is that if roster spots remain after placing all player who tried out. Then, team placement would be based on a drawing after those that do try out or are guaranteed spots are all selected. This situation has not occurred in many years.

Q: When are we notified and are there refunds?
A: You will be notified of your child’s team placement status usually within the week following the league draft. Registration fees for those players who are not placed on a team will be fully refunded by mail approximately 2 weeks after the teams are selected. If you decide not to play after registering and being drafted, you will receive a refund, minus a $25.00 administrative fee. If the uniform has already been ordered when you withdraw, you will forfeit your registration fee since this affects other players that could have been selected.

Q: Why can't registration refunds simply be applied to the credit card I used during online registration?
A: Active.com, the online registration service used by West Raleigh Baseball does not offer this service....all refunds must be directly from West Raleigh Baseball.

Q: Are there Select or Travel Teams in Fall?
A: No. West Raleigh's fall program is more instructional than competitive in focus, and travel teams are primarily to sharpen competitiveness. This certainly has a place in developing players, and we believe that by limiting this to our Spring program we provide an appropriate balance between competition and instruction.

Q: Does West Raleigh form All Star teams in Fall?
A: No, in 2005 West Raleigh is only supporting Spring/Summer All Star play.

Q: Are there separate National and American Leagues in Fall?
A: No - In fall, the National and American Leagues are merged.