HANDBOOK
FOR
Players, Parents
and
Coaches
OUR MISSION…
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mission of Zeeland Recreation Williamsport Little League
2
League Organization
3
Participation in other Leagues
6
Team Organization
7
Selection of Players
10
The Season
12
Tournaments
13
Special Events
15
Playing Time
16
Game Procedures
17
Guidelines for Managers
19
Guidelines for Players
20
Guidelines for Parents
23
This handbook is prepared by the Board of Directors
of the Zeeland Recreation Williamsport Little League
in an effort to answer common questions asked by
parents as they register their children for the program.
If you have suggestions for improvement, please notify
a board member, log onto our website and e-mail a
message or send a letter to the Recreation Department:
Zeeland Recreation Williamsport Little League
320 East Main Street
Zeeland, Michigan 49464
Phone 748-3230
www.eteamz.com/zrecwilliamsport
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Character, Courage and Loyalty
Little League Inc. is the largest and oldest sports
organization dedicated exclusively to youth baseball and
softball. Founded in 1937 in Williamsport, PA, Little League
has served millions of children on six continents and more
than 100 countries. Little League charters local
organizations, such as Zeeland Recreation, which meets the
rigorous sanctioning requirements and continues to comply
with those requirements.
In 1999, Zeeland Recreation formed a non-profit corporation
known as Zeeland Recreation Williamsport Little League
Baseball Inc. Status was granted in 2000 to Zeeland
Recreation Williamsport Little League.
Little League is a program of service to youth’s age’s 7-18
years. It is geared to provide an outlet of healthful activity
and training under adult leadership in an atmosphere of
wholesome community participation. The program inspires
youth with a goal and enriches their lives towards the day
when they must take their place in the world. It establishes
the value of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play.
Zeeland Recreation Williamsport Little League operates
under a charter granted annually by the national Little
League. Our league, which is operated through Zeeland
Recreation, must adhere to all rules and regulations
established by Little League. We are one of approximately
30 leagues that make up Michigan District 9. There are a
total of 16 districts in Michigan of which District 9 is the
largest.
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LEAGUE ORGANIZATION
Little League is an adult work project constructed, supervised
and assisted by parents who want to offer organized baseball to
their children. Zeeland Recreation Williamsport Little League is
organized as follows:
Zeeland Little League is unique in that the Recreation
Department saw a community desire to have more competitive
baseball played in Zeeland than what was organized through its
own recreation opportunities. In developing this Williamsport
League along with maintaining programs for those not desiring
the competitiveness of Williamsport will allow all those desiring
to play baseball of some sort to be given that opportunity to play
whether it is playing in a machine pitch league or playing
softball.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
The Recreation Department maintains the charter for Zeeland
Recreation Williamsport Little League and through its
coordinator runs the program. The Recreation Coordinator is
the League President and has all final say in decisions about
the league.
The Recreation Department elects a board of members, which
form commissioners for each league. In addition to the
commissioners there is an Umpire Coordinator. In addition,
each board member has specific responsibilities for at least
one important function in the operation of the league, some of
which includes clinic director, safety director, and umpire
scheduling and maintaining the website.
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LEAGUES
Depending upon the amount of players signing up for this
league will depend upon if we have any split divisions. If
enough players signup in order to have 10 or more teams
then Little League rules state that we must split the
division into 2 leagues, a National and an American
League.
LEAGUE COMMISSIONERS
The board designates one commissioner for each division.
Commissioners are appointed liaisons between the board
of directors and team managers. This person
communicates relevant information between the board and
the teams, resolves issues related to team composition,
parent complaints and disputes regarding game rules.
Parents should express their comments, concerns and
questions to their league commissioner. The
commissioner shall help facilitate the resolutions of all
game protests.
FIELD DIRECTOR
The Field Director is the Recreation Coordinator and is
responsible for assuring that the fields are ready for play.
This person will make the final decision prior to each game
whether the fields are playable. Any questions regarding
field safety or maintenance should be directed to the field
director.
It will be the responsibility of the team managers to either
reschedule or cancel games, consulting with the league
and umpire coordinator for rescheduling, which have been
postponed or cancelled.
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UMPIRES
Adults and others who have an interest in umpiring are eligible
to be trained as umpires. There should be 2 umpires at every
game, with the exception of the Minor League games where
only a plate umpire is supplied, a parent or coach can be
utilized as a field ump, if desired. In addition to league
sponsored training, every umpire is encouraged to associate
with the Little League Umpire Registry for ongoing training
materials and opportunities. Managers, coaches, players and
parents must respect umpires. Once the game begins, the
umpire has the responsibility of enforcing playing rules and to
exercise judgment concerning the rules of the game, including
whether to postpone or cancel a game, which is underway.
DIVISIONS
Zeeland Williamsport Little League has 4 divisions each
comprising a different level of play. These divisions are
Minor (9/10 year olds), Major (11/12 year olds), Junior
(13/14 year olds) and the Senior (15/16 year olds).
Depending upon how many participants signup for our
League determines whether or not we split up a certain
division into a National and American League. If more
than 10 teams are in any division we must split the division
into 2 separate leagues.
TEAMS
Each division of each league is made up of teams,
typically with 12 players or less on each team. Team
organization is described separately
SAFETY DIRECTOR
The Safety Director, in close conjunction with the Recreation
Coordinator, is responsible for setting safety standards for our
league and regulating compliance. These standards are
established in conjunction with National Little League safety
programs, such as ASAP. Zeeland Little League has adopted
a Safety Manual, which has been approved by the National
Safety Directors office and is available at the recreation office
upon request.
CONCESSION WORKERS
Zeeland Recreation Williamsport Little League derives
substantial income from concession sales. A concession
director is responsible for inventory, equipment and
maintenance of the concession stand.
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TEAM ORGANIZATION
MANAGERS
It is impossible to overstate the importance of adults who
accept primary responsibility for your child’s baseball playing
experience. Zeeland Williamsport Little League strives to
engage qualified adults who possess the ability to model the
philosophy of our league and who have the commitment to
instill these values in each player. Manager training is a
critical component of our operation and one which we are
always trying to improve. Training little leaguers in the
fundamentals of teamwork, good sportsmanship and discipline
are our primary objectives.
We ask each manager to sign a “Code of Ethics” which sets
forth their responsibilities and the level of commitment
expected of them.
Parents of 8 and 10 year old players who are selected to play
up a league will be allowed to manage a team.
COACHES
Prior to the start of the season, prior to ability testing,
managers will be allowed to select a Coach from the
parents of the kids in their league. A manager with a
returning coach will not be eligible to select a second
assistant prior to the draft. Coaches complete the same
training and must adhere to the same philosophies as the
Manager.
Managers should select coaches who have the ability to
manage, so they can be considered to be a manager the
following year, if they desire to.
Coaches will not be allowed to drop an assistant coach,
keep the player and select another assistant for the new
year.
Parents of 8 and 10 year old players who are selected to
play up a league will be allowed to coach a team.
A good Coach:
A good Manager:
 Will be a positive roles model to players, fellow coaches
and fans
 Will coordinate a field and schedule practice
 Responsible for lineup cards and substitutions
 Will attend all of league meetings for regular or tournament
play, or designate an appropriate representative
 Will make reasonable disciplinary rules and stick with them
 Will make sure that injuries are reported
 Will establish a communication tree so all players can be
notified of schedule changes.
 Will find an Assistant Coach if the League has not
assigned one.
 Will find a Parent Representative
 Will find a Score Keeper for home games
 Will make sure the Assistant Coach, Parent Representative
and Score Keeper duties are performed
 Will make sure scores are e-mailed to website coordinator,
whether you win or lose.
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 Will either be assigned by the League or by the
manager
 May attend league meetings in place of the manager
 May fill in for manager during games
 Will help carry out practices
 Will be a positive role model to players, fellow coaches
and fans
SCORE KEEPER
The team manager selects a Score Keeper to keep the
official game score during home games. This can be a
Coach or Parent Representative. The Little League
provides score books which include rudimentary
instructions on how to keep score.
A good Scorekeeper:
 Will keep the official score in a scorebook (may be
audited by the league commissioner)
 Will be responsible for making sure the score is turned
into the head umpire after the game
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PITCH COUNTER
The team manager selects a Pitch Counter to keep the official
game pitch counts during games. This can be a Coach or
Parent Representative.
PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
Managers shall appoint a Parent Representative for their
team. Parent Representatives assist the manager in off field
activities, including uniform distribution, tournament selection
and direction, pictures and all matters of communication
between the team manager and team members such as game
or practice cancellation.
A good Parent Representative:
 Will provide the team sponsor with a team schedule and
invite the sponsor to games
 Will form part of a “communication tree” between the
manager and players
 Will make sure uniforms are distributed at the start of the
season
 Will help the players make tournament team selections
 May assist with paperwork and injury reporting
 May share the job with other parents on the team
 Will be a positive role model to players, coaches and fans
PLAYERS
They are the reason we’re all here.
A good Player will:
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Be at practice on time
Be encouraging to teammates
Be respectful to coaches and game officials
Practice at home
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SELECTION OF PLAYERS
Zeeland Williamsport Little League is committed to providing
leadership, skill-developing and playing opportunities for
players of all skill levels of competitive baseball. Thus all
players who register for the Williamsport League will be
selected for a team.
To be eligible, players must reside within the boundaries of
the Zeeland Williamsport Little League Charter. If a player
moves outside of the boundaries, he may still continue to
participate in the Zeeland Williamsport Little League.
Ages are based upon what the age of the player is before
May 1st.
If there are more than 10 teams per League then teams will
be divided up creating a National and an American League
within that particular division.
Siblings are kept together unless requested otherwise by
parents.
ALL OTHER DIVISIONS – REGULAR SEASON
Selection is the responsibility of the team manager and
occurs during a player selection draft organized by your
Little League Board and is held after the ability testing day.
All returning kids will stay on the same team. New or
moving up kids will enter the draft. Kids wanting off a team
will be a HAT pick and will not attend the draft and will be
picked last at random.
The eight-year old players who tried out for the 9/10 year
old draft and were selected by the board to participate in
the 9/10 year old Williamsport League will be placed in a
hat and their names will be drawn after all eligible players
in the 9/10 year-old draft have been selected.
10 year olds who tried out for the 11/12 year old league
and were selected by the board to participate in the 11/12
year old league will be placed in a hat and their names will
be drawn after all eligible players in the 11/12 year-old
draft have been selected.
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The ability testing day is designed to familiarize each manager with
all of the players available and to provide a learning environment for
players, covering the skills of throwing, catching, fielding, hitting,
pitching and base running. A few days later a draft will take place
where managers choose players to fill their rosters. A typical roster
consists of 12-14 players.
At the pre-season coaches meeting, unless a league has to be
divided because of participation numbers, each manager is
assigned a core team with an incomplete roster. Players who are
returning to the same Division are kept on the same team as the
previous year, except under unusual circumstances. The remainder
of the team is chosen through a rotation starting with the team that
attained the lowest win-loss record during the previous season.
During the draft the bottom and top teams will have double picks,
when starting the rotation over.
All first-year players in a Division are selected in the draft.
Manager and coaches’ children are applied to each team right away
for a starting total team count; preliminary rounds will be used to get
teams within 2 players of each other.
Preliminary rounds are comprised of older players in the draft who
are new to the league this year and did not play last year.
The 3rd and 5th rounds will be used to level the teams out.
Parent request to keep non-sibling “buddies” together is not
permitted.
Those players not showing up for the ability testing day or opting off
from their last years team will be kept out of the draft. Their names
will be placed into a hat and will be drawn out only after all players
that are eligible for the draft have been chosen.
THE SEASON
ABILITIES-TESTING
A player abilities testing day is held in mid-March to “tune
up” players’ skills which have been out-of-practice during
the winter months. It also provides an opportunity for
managers to select their teams for the upcoming season.
PRACTICE
Although teams can practice as soon as their full roster is
established, most teams do not start to practice until after
spring break. This gives a 2-week practice season. You
can expect 2 practices each week, usually on weeknights,
with some teams trying to get in 3 practices.
REGULAR SEASON
The regular season typically runs from the end of April until
mid-June. During the season, you can expect 2 games
per week on various weeknights or Saturday, depending
on what division your child is in, with a total of 12-15
games scheduled. Cancellations may be made up on
Saturdays or weekdays but only as fields allow.
TEAM TOURNAMENTS
District 9 Team Tournaments are held from mid-June to
the end of June for the Major and Junior Divisions.
LITTLE LEAGUE ALL STAR TOURNAMENTS
Little League All-Star Tournament teams begin practice
near the end of June and start games in early July.
Divisional tournaments typically last through mid-July. If
they are lucky enough, a team may make it through
divisional, state and regional play and end up in the Little
League World Series during the month of August.
After the last eligible player is drafted, the next manager in line will
draw a name from the hat and all other managers in order will draw
until all players are drafted, to complete the filling of their roster.
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TOURNAMENTS
At the end of league play there are a few opportunities for
tournament play. Depending on the division level, the
opportunities vary, and guidelines for eligibility vary also.
Some of these tournaments offer chances to play in different
communities. In all cases your participation, whether as a
player, coach or spectator will be as representatives of
Zeeland Williamsport Little League and the community. The
Manager and Assistant Coach will be expected to attend all
meetings that apply to your team and tournament play.
TEAM TOURNAMENTS
Your regular season team will automatically be entered in the
Division 9 (Grand Rapids area) team tournaments. The
tournament is a double elimination, and you may play in
Zeeland, or any other District 9 field.
Managers are expected to attend the meeting or send a
team representative in their absence. If you have questions
about tournament play, please ask a tournament director,
umpire or board member for help.
Most confusion revolves around three items, although there
are many other differences as well. Player eligibility, playing
time and pitching rotation rules will be strictly monitored.
Failure to comply with the rules, formed by the International
Little League Committee, can result in penalties ranging from
forfeiture of games to revoking Zeeland Little League
charter.
LITTLE LEAGUE ALL STAR TOURNAMENT
The Williamsport Little League All-Star Tournament starts
after the team tournaments finish. Each year, you can
expect the tournament to begin approximately July 5.
These games will typically begin immediately following the
regular season of play. Your team will be matched with other
District 9 teams who finished in a similar place in their
standings at the end of May. This balances the play in each
of the different classes.
For this tournament new teams are formed. Each division
will have one all-star team. If there were enough teams in
the regular season to have a National and an American
League then each of those leagues will have an all-star team
also.
You will know the time and location of the first tournament
game several days prior to the game. Other games are not so
simple however. The District 9 committee schedules games
based on who wins or loses in the previous day or two, so you
will know about your next game with only a 1 or 2 day notice.
The tournament culminates at different points. The Minor
tournament ends with a final champion from District 9 going
to the state level. Both the Major and Junior tournaments
can advance to the state, region and national level. The
Major division tournament is best known for ending at the
Little League World Series, held in mid August in
Williamsport, PA.
Tournament rules are significantly different than regular
season rules. There is a manager’s meeting prior to the
tournament to cover differences in tournament rules.
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MANAGER SELECTION
The league board chooses the managers for Little League
All Star Tournament teams in late June, after 7 or 8 games.
Selections are made based on which managers have
demonstrated throughout the games the qualities consistent
with the Zeeland Williamsport Little League philosophy, and
are best suited to represent Zeeland, with no regard given to
the manager of the team with the best win/loss record. Little
League Tournament team managers must be able to commit
to the time required. All other managers within the league
are encouraged to assist as a coach during tournament
practices.
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TEAM SELECTION
Separate teams are chosen to represent the American League and
National League of each division if the number of players in the
beginning of the season warranted there being two leagues for a
division. The Williamsport Little League All-Star team manager
compiles a roster, generally after consultation with each of the
managers in that league.
The Williamsport Little League Tournament All-Star Team manager
is encouraged to attend as many games during the regular season
as is possible in order to get the best combination of players that
can be compiled.
The manager must take into account not only the abilities of the
players being looked at but also the positions in which they play or
can play. A team cannot be comprised of all 1st basemen or
outfielders.
All players must meet the eligibility requirements established by the
National Little League, including age, established with a valid birth
certificate, pictured ID of parent and two different proofs of
residency.
SPECIAL EVENTS
PLAYING TIME
The Zeeland Recreation Williamsport League Board has
decided to adopt a policy with playing time, for the Minor
and Major Leagues, which makes managers play their
players in a more balanced playtime than is required by
the Official Little League Rules.
All managers, for the 9/10 year old league, will be required
to play all players as evenly as possible. It is
recommended that, if a team has 12 players, six players
play a full game and six play a half-game. Those playing a
full game would be the six to play a half-game the next
game.
Playing time for the 11/12 year old league will be equal
play for the 1st half of the season, the 2nd half will follow the
mandatory play rule found in the official LL rule book.
Players should not be expected to play the same position
all season, managers are encouraged to move players
around the field to get additional learning chances on how
to play.
Limited playing time can be used at the managers
discretion to penalize players for poor attitudes, lack of
effort, missing practices, or coming to games late.

Zeeland Recreation will offer Insurance Coverage for all
Zeeland Recreation Williamsport All-Star Teams wanting
more Tournaments other than the one provided by
Williamsport Little League.
The League President and/or League Commissioner has
the right to review a managers scorebook or player log in
order to monitor playing time.
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Other area Tournaments for All-Star Teams are available.
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Williamsport playing rules will be in effect if there is a playoff game at the end of the season.
Managers may take their teams to other Tournaments, as in
respect to the Holland Wooden Shoe, however the financial
part will have to be either sponsored or paid by the
participants/player.
Williamsport playing rules will be in effect during the Team
and All-Star Tournament games.
In the 9/10-year-old division all players will be in the
batting order (Rocket Rule).
Playing time rules other than the Williamsport defined rules
is not for the 13/14 year old division.
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GAME PROCEDURES
FIELD PREPARATION
The Zeeland Recreation Department prepares the fields at all
of our field locations, with the Field Director making sure each
field is ready for play.
CONCESSIONS DIRECTOR
The Concessions Director will ensure that the concession
stands are fully staffed with personnel and supplies.
EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
Balls, batting helmets, safety supplies and umpires are
provided for each game.
UMPIRES
The Zeeland Little League will provide umpires for each game.
No game may proceed without an umpire. The head umpire
is in charge of all aspects of the game once play begins. After
each half inning the head umpire should check with both
teams scorekeepers to verify the score of the game. After the
game the head umpire calls the scores for each game into the
umpire coordinator.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Each team must have at least 9 players to start the game. No
game may be started with less than 9 players. That team,
who will record a 7-0 loss, will forfeit said game. It is possible
for both teams to forfeit.
START TIMES / FORFEITS
Games must start within 5 minutes of the scheduled starting
time unless delayed by an official. Any team, which is not
ready to play ball, will forfeit the game and record a 7-0 loss.
The umpire is responsible to record the official time.
TIME LIMITS
No inning will start more than 90 minutes after the start of
the game for Minor and Major League games. 120
minutes for Junior League games. The umpire will keep
the official time. Any inning starting prior to the time limit
must be completed, regardless of length.
During Tournament play all games will be played in their
entirety, Major / Minor Division (6 innings) and Junior
Division (7 innings)
OFFICIAL SCORE KEEPER / REPORTING SCORES
The home team must provide a scorekeeper to keep the
official scorebook. The scorebook must be made available
to the visiting team, umpires, field director or league
commissioner upon request. The head umpire must
confirm to both teams the score at the end of each half
inning. The head umpire must report the final score to the
umpire coordinator at the conclusion of the game day.
GAME DELAYS
Prior to the start of the game, the Field Director and the
Recreation Ground Crew makes all decisions regarding
suitability of the fields for play. Once the game has
started, the umpire makes all decisions regarding delays
and cancellations.
RAIN OUTS / CANCELLATIONS
Incomplete games cancelled for any reasons are to be
rescheduled by the Team Managers, if fields allow. Any
team, which cannot make the rescheduled time, will forfeit
the game.
ZEELAND WEATHER LINE
(616) 748-3235
INJURIES
Injuries, which occur during the games, are to be reported
by the umpire, manager, coach, parent representative,
player or parent as circumstances allow. Forms are
available at all fields or within the managers team folders
handed out at pre-season meetings. There can never be
too much reporting.
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ZEELAND WILLIAMSPORT LITTLE LEAGUE
GUIDELINES FOR MANAGERS
All Managers are required to read and adhere to the following
“Commitment to Coaching”.
“As a Zeeland Williamsport Little League team manager, I
understand I am committed to all of the following:
A. Attend all meetings and clinics sponsored for managers
by the Zeeland Williamsport Little League.
B. Have a working knowledge of the National Little League
rules and our local rules, which pertain to the division, you
are coaching.
C. Organize and conduct regularly scheduled practices.
Typically this means twice per week prior to Opening Day
and one practice per week during the season.
D. Assure that each player is in full uniform for each game.
E. Communicate with players, parents and league officers
your practice schedule and expectations as a manager
and make your self available to each player and parent to
address any concerns they might have regarding your
team.
F. Familiarize yourself with important dates, which affect
your team, including post-season tournament
opportunities.
G. Arrive at each game at least one half-hour before it starts
and exchange lineups and flip for home/visitor team.
H. Delegate scorekeeping and concession workers, if
required.
I. Insure a safe practice environment. Report every injury to
the Safety Officer and parents of the injured player. Keep
medical emergency forms and first aid kit available at
practice and games.
The purpose of this commitment is to increase the quality of
each player’s baseball experience. As in everything else,
the more you put into the coaching, the better coach you will
become. Coaching is a wonderful opportunity to have a
positive impact on your child and their friends. Thank-You
for volunteering and good luck this season. The Zeeland
Williamsport Little League Board is available to offer
assistance wherever possible.
“I authorize Zeeland Recreation Williamsport Little League to
authorize a background history on myself by using
background checks that are currently available and
understand I may be disqualified as a volunteer in the event
the background check reveals a criminal record which may
endanger the safety of any child.”
ZEELAND WILLIAMSPORT LITTLE LEAGUE
GUIDELINES FOR PLAYERS
Please speak with your little leaguer to make sure each
player understands and abides by the following expectations:
COMMITMENT
1. Players are expected to:
 participate in team practices, scrimmages, games
and tournaments
 arrive on time
 bring necessary equipment
 pay attention to and follow directions of the manager
and coach
 learn and follow the rules of the game
 try their best at all times
 learn from your mistakes
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2. Players should also:
 spend time at home playing catch, whiffle-ball and other
games which use and improve baseball skills
3. Zeeland Williamsport Little League suggests the following
priorities:
 Family
 School and Church
 Sports team and School activities
 Other recreational sports
EXPECTED BEHAVIOR
As a player, I will make every effort to:
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follow the discipline rules developed by the coach
hustle on and off the field
stay with my teammates in the dugout during games
understand and follow the safety rules of the game
cheer on and support my teammates
obey the umpires on the field
maintain my cool when I make a mistake
be a good sport at all times
show respect for the umpires, other players, spectators
and coaches
win or lose gracefully
develop self-control
take responsibility for myself
learn from losing as well as from winning
show respect for the equipment and fields provided for
my use
wear and maintain my uniform with pride
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EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Players are required to provide:
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white baseball pants
baseball glove
shoes – tennis shoes or baseball shoes
hard protective cup (catchers required)
Players may optionally provide:
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Little League approved baseball bat
batting glove
Little League approved catching equipment
Little League approved batting helmet
Players must wear full uniforms during games, including cap,
shirt, pants and socks. No jewelry is allowed except that
required for medical reasons.
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ZEELAND WILLIAMSPORT LITTLE LEAGUE
GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS
What makes the difference in your child’s baseball experience
starts at home. Little League baseball, like all extra-curricular
events, is not about finding after hour’s baby sitting service. The
values of teamwork (developing a sense of working together
toward a common goal) and sportsmanship (learning to perform
with grace while being challenged), start and end when they see
and hear good examples from their families and the closest
people to them in their lives.
If we work together, Little League baseball can provide a child
with a learning experience while playing at the same time.
YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD
 Be a positive role model at home and at games. Support
them whether the player or the team succeeds or fails.
Don’t criticize the coach, players or other parents. Model
for them the best ways to accomplish teamwork and
sportsmanship.
 Make sure that your players (and teammates) get to
practice and games, all the time and on time.
 Play baseball with them. That’s the surest way to help
them improve as a player and its QUALITY time.
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YOU CAN HELP ZEELAND WILLIAMSPORT LITTLE
LEAGUE
Volunteer your time, your skills and your resources –
like the coaches, board members, the members of
municipal departments – to make sure we have enough
people to fill all of the jobs that need to get done.
Provide creative suggestions for improvement – don’t
just complain. We are constantly looking for new
solutions and for people to help improve our league. If
you notice a weakness, there are usually others who do
as well. If it hasn’t been addressed, ask how you can
help to address it. Remember: “if you aren’t part of the
solution, you may be part of the problem.”
Bring your concerns to the right people. If you have
questions or concerns, don’t wait. Bring it to the
League Commissioner, or a Little League board
member, RIGHT AWAY. We (players, parents,
coaches, umpires and league organizers) are all
interested in the quality of the experience for the teams,
family and fans, not just the quality of play on the field.
Voice your concerns in the right way. Yelling not only
raises tension for the team but also sets a poor
example for your child. Find the right time and place to
have an intelligent discussion. Behavior that affects the
play, the integrity, or health of any participants, by fans,
coaches, players or any one associated with Zeeland
Little League Baseball, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
YOU CAN HELP THE TEAM
 Help the team organization. Become the team’s “Parent
Representative”. Share the burden of sending messages
or calling players and parents when it needs to be done.
 Volunteer to keep score for your team.
 By helping the coaches keep their mind on coaching the
team and developing players, you will be a role model
showing positive participation and will help the quality of
the team.
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