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 Full
FAQ list below
Sponsorship / Website / Misc Q&A
Q: I am interested in becoming a league
sponsor. What should I do?
A: As a non-profit
organization, RBGSL depends greatly on the generous contributions of
sponsors. We have a number of sponsorship programs and benefits, (described
here). If you are ready to sign-up as a sponsor or just simply have
sponsorship questions you’d like to ask, please contact our Sponsorship
Director, Rich
Dahlberg. RBGSL sponsorship is great for the girls,
great for the league, and provides your business valuable community
recognition and visibility throughout the year (not only the season, but
also at the RB Grand Slam Summer Jam tournament).
Q: How do I submit pictures for the website?
A: Throughout the year,
parents, friends, Board members, and general RBGSL softball fans may take
pictures of softball teams, games, fans, and individuals participating and
surrounding various softball activities. People may choose to make their
pictures available for posting on our website by submitting them to our
webmaster
(provide picture).
For a larger number of pictures, please burn them onto a CD-ROM or DVD and
make arrangements to get them to our webmaster. Pictures must be
appropriate for our website. Due to website storage limitations, not all
images submitted will be posted and some may be rotated in for short
periods.
Q: How do I report website problems and/or
errors?
A: If you find incorrect
information, broken links, or typos on this web site, please bring the
problem to our attention by sending an
email to the webmaster. Our
webmaster will look to correct the problem as soon as possible.
The RBGSL website is best
viewed using Internet Explorer at 1024x768 resolution. Please let the
webmaster know about any graphics problems or bugs when using this
configuration. In other configurations there may be minor abnormalities,
however please notify the webmaster if there are any major problems, and
specify what configuration you are using when viewing these problems.
To request a picture, name,
or specific content be removed from the website, please send your request to
our
Webmaster
(content removal request).
Q: Does RBGSL offer programs other than spring
recreational softball?
A: RBGSL is primarily a
recreational softball league that encourages broad participation by all
girls, ages 4 through 16. Our main season is our spring recreational season
which runs from late-January through mid-May.
RBGSL also offers
opportunities for advanced levels of play. All-Star teams are formed at the
conclusion of the regular spring season and participate in tournaments
throughout the Southern California area. These teams play from May through
July.
Our FallBall season runs
from late-August through early-November. FallBall participation is limited
based on facility and coaching availability. Like spring Rec season,
FallBall emphasizes teaching and instruction, with the girls given the
opportunity to learn new positions and develop new skills.
Q: Who do I call if I have problems with my
manager/coaches, uniform, umpires, etc.?
A: We encourage you to talk
to your team manager first. Communication is very important! They should
pass it on to the division representative, who will communicate with the
rest of the Board if necessary. If you feel you cannot talk to the team
manager, or if you do not achieve satisfaction by that route, then please
contact the RBGSL Player Representative,
Jack Steenstra, or you may
contact any Board Member to forward the problem to the appropriate party.
Q: Can I attend RBGSL Board Meetings if I’m not
on the board, and where and when are they?
A: Absolutely. Anyone is
welcome to attend – whether it is to just see how the Board operates or to
bring a specific topic before the Board. If you have a topic to raise,
although not a requirement, it would be greatly appreciated if you contacted
the Board President,
Vice President, or
Player Agent in
advance so that an agenda topic can be added and appropriate meeting time
allocated.
Coaching / Helping Q&A
Q: I might be interested in coaching, but I’ve
never coached before or I’m not very experienced at softball. Is this a
problem?
A: No problem! If you have
patience, integrity, love kids, and want to help the community, those are
the qualifications we’re looking for! We can teach you how to organize a
practice and how to instruct softball skills. That’s the easy stuff. Please
see an RBGSL Board member during registration to learn more about applying
for a coaching opportunity.
You may also wish to
volunteer as an assistant coach. No application is required to assist; just
indicate this on the registration form, or contact the applicable Division
Representative prior to Skill Assessments. You may still volunteer as an
assistant coach later, but the league can better plan team formation if they
know in advance which adults are willing to support with assistant coaching
duties.
Q: Does RBGSL offer player and coaching
instruction?
A: Yes! We offer a number
of clinics and instructional classes for both players and coaches. Some are
free of charge, while others require a modest fee to offset costs. Coaches
are required to attend a clinic before the season starts, and have the
option of attending an ASA sponsored clinic as well.
Players have a number of
softball skills clinics available, including pitching, hitting, and fielding
clinics. Please refer to the RBGSL Training/Clinics page
here for more
information.
Q: How can I help? What volunteer positions
are still needed to help out teams?
A: Our league is made up
entirely of volunteers and we could use as much help as you are willing to
lend. At the first team meeting, your manager will be asking for volunteers
to help as “Team Parent”, scorekeeper (for Div-1 through Div-3) and other
duties as needed. Please step forward and help out. All families on all
teams will have a time during the season where they will help on a 2-3 hour
shift at the snack bar. At least one member of a familiar is expected to
participate (but sometimes whole families choose to run a shift!)
Q: What does a Team Parent do?
A: The team parent is the
liaison between the manager and the other parents. The team parent helps
with the distribution and coordination of uniforms when they arrive and
coordinates the making of the team banner. The Team Parent also makes
scheduling arrangements for parents to take turns bringing after-game
refreshments. In addition, the manager may make other requests, such as
asking the Team Parent to make phone calls to remind players of practice
times, etc.
Q: How else can I help?
A: Show your support by
attending as many games as possible and by helping out during practices, if
you can. Keep in mind that these are young children out on the field and
they need lots of encouragement. Don't yell at them when they make a
mistake; they will feel bad enough already! Be positive!
We appreciate and welcome
criticism of a constructive nature. But keep in mind that there are many
different ways of doing things; don't criticize a manager or coach simply
for doing things differently than you would. If you have a legitimate
complaint or suggestion, we do want to hear from you.
The only way to make things
get done your way is to do them yourself, i.e. become a coach. Every year we
need coaches. This is a fun and rewarding experience that while it does
require some time, can have a significant impact on the lives of a number of
young people. We require that all of our coaches attend an RBGSL coaching
clinic. If you are interested in coaching let us know right away.
If you are interested in
helping even more, and can invest a little more time and want to have more
responsibility, we have a way! Our league is run by a small, hard-working
group of volunteers. Every year we need new members for the Board of
Directors. If you are interested, talk to one of the current
Board
members.
Game / Practice Scheduling Q&A
Q: What is the schedule for practices and
games?
A: Prior to Opening
Ceremonies and the first games, your child's manager will be given a
practice schedule that will include one practice on a weekday evening and
one practice during a weekend day. When games begin, coaches have the
option of continuing a single weekday evening practice. For most age
divisions there are two games per week. One will be scheduled on a week day
and one on the weekend.
The game schedules will also
be published on the website – under the appropriate division level within
the Rec Season tab. We cannot honor requests to switch teams because of
scheduling conflicts, inconvenience, etc. We ask parents to work their
schedule around their player's schedule as best they can. Keep in mind that
once you have met your team, you may be able to arrange carpools.
Q: What if my daughter is unable to attend a
game due to illness, family function, or school event?
A: It will be the player,
parent, or guardian’s responsibility to inform the manager of her team as
soon as it is know that a player will not be able to attend a scheduled game
or practice. In all divisions except T-Ball, paid umpires officiate the
games. The league is responsible to pay the umpires once they arrive at the
field. We don’t want to pay umps to show up and go home, and it is unfair to
managers and coaches that rush home from work and end up forfeiting games
because of lack of information from player’s families. Obviously if a player
becomes ill that day we can not expect several days notice, but a call or
email to the manager is expected.
Q: What if it rains?
A: On rainy days, we are
sometimes able to determine whether or not there will be games early in the
day, at which time the division representatives will notify the managers,
and the managers will notify the players. We will also try to post rain out
status on the website.
If you do not receive a
phone call from your manager or team parent, it is important that you still
show up for your game, so that you do not place your team in jeopardy of a
forfeit (remember -- even if it's raining in your part of town, it may be
dry at the ball fields).
Once a game is started, only
the umpires at the field can call a rained out game. For T-Ball divisions,
since there are no umpires for these games, the managers can call rain outs
if conditions are too wet to play.
If your game has been rained
out, you will be notified by your manager of your game's rescheduled date as
soon as it is available. Updated schedules are also posted to the website.
On particularly rainy years, not all games are able to be rescheduled.
Since T-Ball and Rookie divisions are non-competitive, they are infrequently
rescheduled due to weather.
Please do not call the
division representatives or the league scheduler to inquire about
rescheduled game dates or to request dates for reschedules. Only managers
should contact their division reps if there are questions about rescheduled
games.
Q: Do I have to stay at practices and games?
A: We strongly encourage
parents of every division to be there at all times, however, if you must
leave, be sure that you are there, on time, to pick your daughter up. The
manager cannot leave the field until he/she makes certain that all players
have gone.
Equipment / Uniform Q&A
Q: What equipment should my daughter have?
A: The players need to
provide their own glove and softball cleats. Personal bats, helmets, and
balls are optional; league bats, helmets, and balls are provided to each
team by RBGSL. If you do choose to buy your child a bat, be sure it is
marked as a softball bat (not baseball!). If you do choose to buy your
child a helmet, it must have an attached face mask and chin strap, and both
the helmet and facemask must be stamped as NOCSAE certified.
As part of your registration
fee, the league provides the uniform jersey and socks – that the girls get
to keep. Some teams choose to get visors, which are a small extra cost.
Q: I’m thinking of buying my daughter a new
bat. What is the appropriate size?
A: Generally, lighter is
better (and, no great surprise, more often than not dads buy bats that
are too heavy!).
Bats have two
specifications: length (inches) and weight (oz.). They are usually shown on
the knob of the bat as “28/18”. The first # is the length; the second # is
the weight. Sometimes bats are described with a minus factor (i.e. “-10”).
This refers to the difference between length and weight. Bats with a factor
of -10 or greater are best (but slightly more expensive).
Each team is allocated
league bats for use during the Rec season. It may make sense to see how
your daughter swings some of these first so you’ll have some idea of what
she has the most success with.
Some length and weight
ranges folks have had success with:
|
Age |
Bat length |
Bat weight |
|
4-6 years old |
24"-26" |
14-16 oz. |
|
7-8 years old |
26"-28" |
16-18 oz. |
|
9-10 years old |
28"-29" |
17-19 oz. |
|
11-12 years old |
30"-31" |
18-21 oz. |
|
13-14 years old |
31"-32" |
19-23 oz. |
|
15+ years old |
32"-34" |
20-24 oz. |
Q: I’d like to buy a ball my daughter can
practice with. What size should I get?
A: T-ball and Rookies use a
10” ball. Div 1 uses an 11” ball. Div 2 and 3 use a 12” ball.
Q: Can I have a certain number for my uniform?
A: We will certainly try to
accommodate number requests if we know them in advance of ordering
uniforms. Mark the registration form with your top three preferences for
uniform numbers. Also, after the draft when your manager/coach first
notifies you of the team you’re on, make sure they also have your top three
preferences on their list. After that, we’ll try our best. Note: In case
it helps, by ASA rules, ‘03’ and ‘3’ are considered different uniform
numbers, just as ‘00’ and ‘0’ are considered different uniform numbers.
Q: When and how will I get my uniform?
A: When you show up for
registration, you will have the opportunity to try on a jersey to determine
your size. After the draft, uniforms will be ordered in the team colors.
Team managers will get the uniforms in advance of Rec season opening
ceremonies and the first league game.
Q: Must I wear my uniform to all games?
A: Yes. You must wear
your complete uniform at each game. If you are not in your uniform you may
be ineligible to play in that game.
Shirts must be tucked into
pants. Cleats must be worn. Shoelaces must be tied. No jewelry may be worn
except for a medical alert bracelet. If eyeglasses are worn, they should be
shatter-proof safety glasses.
If it is cold, you may wear
a long sleeve shirt, light sweater, or long-underwear under your uniform.
You may wear a jacket over your uniform any time you are in the dugout area.
Q: Do I get to keep my uniform?
A: Yes. And if we don’t
say so ourselves, RBGSL uniforms are especially attractive and are not the
plain t-shirt type. You’ll be stylin’.
Registration Q&A
Q: How do I register to play RBGSL softball?
A: If you’ve never played
with RBGSL before, simply sign-up at one of the scheduled registration
events in December or early-January. Check this website main page for
dates and times.
If you have played with RBGSL
before, you can register by mail. Download registration forms
here,
then fill them out and mail them to the address on the form.
If none of these options work
for your circumstance, please email our Registration Director,
Jackie Trishman.
Q: What if my daughter hasn’t played before?
A: No problem! That’s what
our recreation league is all about – learning to play. RBGSL spring
recreation season is open to all girls, regardless of experience. The
season is designed to be instructional, challenging, and fun!
All age levels, every year,
have players that are new to fastpitch softball – even within 12-and-under
(12U) and 14-and-under (14U) age groups. Each year the teams are created
from scratch using a skill assessment and drafting system aimed at balancing
the teams in abilities. Every team has a mix of new players and experienced
ones.
Q: Can players live outside of Rancho Bernardo
and still play in RBGSL?
A: Yes, absolutely. There
are no geographical restrictions to playing in RBGSL. You may live anywhere
and still be eligible to play in our league.
Q: Can I register by mail?
A: Yes and No – it depends.
Yes, you may register by
email if you a returning RBGSL player (click
here for info on
this).
No, you may not register by
mail if you are a new player to our league. New players must attend
one of the registration sessions (click
here for info on that).
First year players must register in person so we are able to check her birth
certificate to verify her age. It’s also a good time to ask any other
questions you might have to our RBGSL reps.
Q: Can I register on-line?
A: Unfortunately, no. We
currently support registration both in person for all participants and via
mail for returning players. Online registration would increase registration
costs and create internet security requirements we have opted away from at
this time.
Q: What division will my daughter be in?
A: The Amateur Softball
Association (ASA), which RBGSL is affiliated with, determines “league age”
for the entire year based on the child’s age as of January 1st
for that given year. Sometimes folks get confused and think it is related
to grade in school, which it is not.
The table below shows the ASA
age-to-division relationships and the specific birth years used for all
RBGSL seasons within 2010 (Rec season, All-Stars, FallBall).
|
“League Age” |
Birth Year for 2009
Season |
Division Level |
also known as… |
|
4-6 |
2002,2003, 2004 |
T-Ball |
6U |
|
7-8 |
2000, 2001 |
Rookies |
8U |
|
9-10 |
1998, 1999 |
Division 1 |
10U |
|
11-12 |
1996, 1997 |
Division 2 |
12U |
|
13-14 |
1994, 1995 |
Division 3 |
14U |
There can be exceptions to
this, where a girl will “play up”, but this is determined by the Board on a
case-by-case basis. An example of this is if a 6-year-old girl has played
T-Ball before and is physically ready to react to a live pitched ball;
typically the league would let her play in Rookies if her parents request
it.
Q: What if my daughter drops out after I have
already registered? Can I get a refund?
A: You may receive a
full refund up until practices begin .
After that we are unable to provide a refund.
Q: When is the last day to register and be
assured of being placed on a team?
A: The deadline to register
for our 2010 season is January 5th If you
register on or before this deadline, you are assured of being placed on a
team.
If your registration is
received afterward, you will be placed on a team only if there are any
openings remaining. Please contact the Registrar for information. Our goal
is always to get every interested girl playing ball. There is a
nominal $10 late fee for registrations received late.
Q: What do our fees pay for?
A: Fees pay for items such
as: jersey, matching socks, photo package, team balls, insurance, umpire
fees, field maintenance (beyond what city covers), major equipment such as
pitching machines, minor equipment such as bats and catchers gear, printing
expenses, and some clinic subsidies.
Q: I've registered my child for spring Rec season.
Now what?
A: Mark your calendar and be
sure your child attends the Rec season Skill Assessment (click
here
to see that schedule). T-Ball girls (ages 4-6) do not attend the skill
assessment. Following this, the coaches will use a drafting system to form
and balance the teams in abilities. Within a week of the Skill Assessment
you will hear from your child’s coach, providing you with information about
first practices, team rosters, team contact information, etc. Also check
the website homepage (www.rbgirlssoftball.org)
for relevant season startup information.
Q: Last year returning players could win prizes
for referring new players to the league. Is there such a contest this year?
A: Yes there is. Click
here
to download information on the referral program/contest.
Q: I have read all the registration Q&As from
this FAQ page, but I still have questions or concerns. What should I do?
A: We don’t want your child
to miss out, so please contact our Registration Director,
Jackie
Trischman,
with any registration questions you might have (646-9635 or
RBGirlsSoftball@gmail.com)
Game Rules Q&A
Q: How long are games?
A: For T-Ball, all games
have a 1:15 (one hour, fifteen minute) time limit.
For Rookies, all games have
an 1:20 time limit after which no new inning may be started, and a 1:45 drop
dead time (at drop deads, the score reverts back to the most recent full
inning completed).
For Division-1 through
Division-3, all games have a 1:30 minute time limit after which no new
inning may be started. There is no longer a drop-dead time.
Q: How many players are required to start the
game?
A: Seven players are
required to start the game.
Q: How many outfielders play at once in a
game?
A: In T-Ball, Rookies,
and Div-1, there are four outfielders (Left, Left Center, Right Center, Right). In
Division-2 and Division-3, there are only the standard three outfielders
(LF, CF, RF).
Q: May base runners advance on an overthrow?
A: In T-Ball, base runners
do not advance on overthrows.
In Rookies and above, base
runners advance two bases on any overthrow that leaves the field of play and
goes into dead ball territory. The two bases are determined to be the next
two bases for all runners based on where the runners were when the
fielder released the ball (e.g., with runner on first and ball put in play
by batter, if an overthrow to first occurs where the throw leaves the
fielders hand prior to the batter reaching 1st but after the base
runner coming from first has already reached 2nd, then the batter
is awarded 2nd base and the base runner is awarded home).
Q: When does the play end after the ball is
hit?
A: In T-Ball, the play
ends when: (1) the ball is held by an infielder after making a play on a
base runner, (2) the ball has left the field of play (typically via throwing
error), or (3) the ball has reached the infield after being thrown from the
outfield. Play has also been known to end when more than one 4-year-old is
involved in a play and all coaches and many fans are laughing too hard to
breathe.
In Rookies through
Division-3, the play ends when the pitcher has the ball in the circle and is
not “making a play” or attempt on a base runner. Any base runner off a
base, must immediately choose a single direction (forward or back) and
continue to that base until they have reached it safely or until a play is
made upon them (if a play is made on them, they can choose to reverse
directions if they wish to). A base runner not choosing a direction,
“dancing”, or changing direction without having a play made on them can be
called out by the umpire.
Q: Can runners lead off and steal bases?
A: In T-Ball, runners may
not leave take a lead from a base until the pitched ball has crossed home
plate. They may not steal bases at any time.
In Rookies through
Division-3, runners may take a lead from their base only after the pitched
ball has left the pitcher’s hand. If a runner leaves early, they may be
called out.
At the Rookie level, one
base may be stolen per batter, and home base may never be stolen.
In Division-1, one base may
be stolen per pitch, and home base may never be stolen.
In Divison-2 and Division-3,
multiple bases can be stolen up until the ball has returned to the pitcher
in the circle (and the pitcher isn’t “making a play” or attempt on a
runner). Even home base may be stolen. Wild pitches, passed balls, and bad
or casual throws back to the pitcher can be costly, so ball players need to
be paying attention.
Q: How long can pitchers pitch?
A: In Rookies, pitchers may
make an appearance in no more than two innings of a game.
In Division-1, pitchers may make an appearance in no more than three innings of
a game. In Division-2, pitchers may make an appearance in no more than
four innings of a game. In Division-3, it is unlimited.
Q: Can games end in a tie?
A: During the regular
recreational season, if the score is tied after the time limit has occurred
and the last inning completed, then the game shall simply end as a tie and
scored in the standing as such.
However, during the playoff
tournament at the end of the season, if the score is tied after the above
time limits, extra innings shall be played using the International
Tie-Breaker Procedure until a winner is established. The International
Tie-Breaker Procedure is that each team begins their at bats with a runner
placed on second base. The runner on second base shall be the player that
was last out the previous inning.
Q: How many runs can be scored in a team’s
half-inning?
A: The half-innings shall
end after 3 outs or after the maximum number of runs have scored according
to the division level being played. The play in which the third out occurs
or the above maximum number of runs occur will end the half-inning after the
umpire stops play. Regardless of how many runs have scored on that play, the
score entered in the official score book shall not be more than the maximum
runs shown above for that half-inning.
T-Ball: all batters hit
once in an inning, no matter how many runs have scored. When the last
T-ball batter has hit, all baserunners run around the bases to home.
Division-1 and
Division-2: for all innings but the last inning, the maximum number of runs
for a team’s half-inning is four (4). The last inning, if called as “Open”
by the umpire, allows for unlimited runs.
Division-3: for all
innings including the last inning, the maximum number or runs for a team’s
half-inning is six (6).
Q: What is a “Mercy Rule”?
A: 15-Run Mercy Rule: For
Division-1 through Division-3, if a team leads by 15 or more runs, the
manager of the other team has the option to stop the game. There is no
15-run mercy rule in T-Ball and Rookies as total runs score is not tracked.
Q: What about scores, standings, playoffs, and
trophies?
A: All girls in all
divisions receive participation trophies.
For Division 1 through
Division 3 (10U, 12U, and 14U), scores and standings are kept and will be
posted on the website. There will be playoffs in these divisions, and the
season standings will determine the playoff seeding. Trophies are given out
to the teams that finish at the top of these playoffs.
For Rookie and T-Ball
divisions, scores and standings are not kept. The purpose is to
encourage managers to give all kids equal playing time at a wider range of
positions, and not worry about the score.
For Rookie division (8U),
there will be an end-of-season playoff single elimination tournament. There
is no seeding for these playoffs; playoff match-ups are determined by random
draw. Trophies are given out to the winning team of these playoffs.
To see a
list of RBGSL documents for download, click "Documents".
For specific
FAQ questions and
answers on this page, click category buttons to the
left to see a pop-up list of questions (then jump to the answer by simply clicking on the question).
To look
through all Frequently
Asked Questions across all categories, just scroll down and begin
reviewing.
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