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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ALAMEDA LITTLE LEAGUE

Q. What are the ages for Alameda Little League?

A. The ages for Alameda Little League are 4 through 12. Since Little League made rule changes regarding league age please refer this 2015 Age Chart.

Q. How do I know to register for T-ball/Farm or Baseball?

A. If your player is age 4 through 6, they will play in T-ball/Farm. If they are 7 and have played in T-ball and Farm for a couple years, register them in Baseball. They must then attend evaluations which are scheduled in mid-January. If they are not drafted onto an A Division team they will be assigned to a Farm team. A lot of the 7 year olds who attend evaluations are drafted. All players age 8-12 MUST attend evaluations and are drafted onto Baseball Division teams. Depending on evaluated skills they will be in A (7-9 y/o), AA (8-10 y/o), AAA (9-11), or Majors for 11 and 12 year olds.

Q. Do you have any more information about the "Challenger" Division?

A. Yes. Challenger has two divisions. One for 4 to 18, the other for all older. We will exclude no applicant. Alameda Little League is working with the city to build a new field named Challenger Field just for them. This is the most exciting change in Little League that we have ever made. 

Q. What are the fees?

A. The fees for all divisions, T-Ball through Majors are $125 if you register before January 1. After January 1 the fees will go up to $175.

Q. What does the League provide and what does the parent provide?

A. The League provides a uniform shirt and hat, as well as the fields, helmets, catching gear, and baseballs. The player will have to provide baseball glove, pants, shoes, socks, belt, and athletic protector. We suggest that other than practice pants, parents wait until their team Manager advises on the color of pants, socks and belts for uniform wear. As for the selection of a glove, we suggest strongly that you do NOT buy a glove that is too big or stiff for the player to open and close. Bats are often shared, but if you buy a bat please consult the website for legal bats. Don’t spend too much on bats at early ages because they grow out of them quickly.

Q. Where are the fields located? Are all games played there? Is there sufficient parking?

A. The Google Earth picture at the top of the League website shows our 4 diamonds, two at Rittler Park on the corner of Otis and Grand, and two behind Wood Middle School and Lum Elementary School. You will notice the building in the center, which is our Snack Bar and rest room facility that Alameda Little League built in 1999. Almost all games are played at this location, and parking is available at the schools as well as on the street. We maintain our fields, including the two at Rittler Park, and we are proud to have some of the finest Little League baseball diamonds in Northern California.

Q. When are games played? When are practices?

A. All T-ball and farm games are played on Sundays, starting March, and ending in June. Practices are determined by the team Manager and are usually twice a week before games begin. After games begin, practices are usually once a week and could take place on any field in the City of Alameda.For Baseball Divisions A, AA, AAA, and Majors, games begin in March and end in June. Usually, teams will have two games per week, and practices are determined by the Manager. Teams will practice a lot between the draft in the first week of February and start of games in March.All parents are urged to understand that team and League schedules will change and that you must be adaptable.

Q. When will we know which team our player is on?

A. For T-ball and Farm, the Manager will call you toward the end of February. We take longer to form these teams because parents of the players in T-ball/Farm are newer to the League and sometimes don’t know the process. We suggest that when you register you note any friends your player would like to play with. We attempt to assign teams based on geographical area, school attended, and friends noted on the application.For Baseball Divisions the process is totally different. All players MUST attend evaluations in January. The baseball draft occurs in the beginning of February and players will be called by their new team Manager during that week. Practices will start immediately thereafter.

Q. We’ve heard about the Opening Ceremonies. What are they and when do they happen?

A. Opening Ceremonies have become a huge community event in which all of our 70+ teams parade in front of judges located at the Snack Bar with their original team banners. Starting with the tiny T-ball teams and ending with our rather big 12 year olds in the Major Division, players form a line on the track at Wood School and make a parade that has become a great tradition that is attended by as many as 1000 people, including City dignitaries. All players get a free hot dog lunch as well! This kick-off event of the season is scheduled in March. You will be notified by your team’s manager.

Q. How can we sign up to volunteer and help the League?

A. Alameda Little League, like all Little Leagues throughout the world, is a volunteer non-profit organization whose purpose is to teach our youth the game of baseball while also teaching them life lessons, sportsmanship, and how to be a good citizen. We need Managers, coaches, Snack Bar volunteers, Umpires, and field preparation volunteers. If you would like to manage or coach, please contact our President Ron Matthews at
ron-matthews@comcast.net. If you would like to help in the other areas, please step up and tell your team manager at the first team meeting. We need you!Q. What can I do as a parent to support my child?A. Parent support during both games and practices is critically important to the success of the League. Be supportive of the team by ensuring your child attends each practice on-time. Be a positive role model during games, whether you are a manager, an assistant coach, or simply a spectator. Finally, please keep the following in mind:

• Always be positive and enthusiastic.
• Show your child positive reinforcement.
• Observe practices and games to learn proper techniques to practice with your child.
• Encourage your child toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game.
• Teach your child to always play by the rules.
• Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than a victory.
• Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
• Let the managers and coaches do the coaching.
• Let an umpire be the umpire. Recognize that the umpire is the closest to the play and that each umpire will "call them as they see them".

Q. How do I stay up to date on important ALL information?

A. Visit our website at www.alamedalittleleague.org for the most up to date information. Once you register and provide an email address you will receive emails from the player agent.

Q. What if I have a question that isn’t covered here?

A. You may contact Ron Matthews at the above e-mail address, or call him at 769-6031. He will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Registration for the 2015 Little League Season is now opening. Click here to be taken to the Frequently Asked Questions page. All divisions (Baseball, T-Ball/Farm and Challenger) are able to register. Please see the article below about the Challenger Division. The early-bird rate is $125 for those registering on or before 12/31/14. Registration rates increase to $175 on 1/1/15 except for Challenger. Sibling discounts are available.

Player evaluations are held in mid-January with practices begining in February. Games will start in early to mid March and played into early/mid June.

After four hot and dusty afternoons in Lafayette, Alameda's 12's emerged as champions once again, this time capturing 1st place in the 12U division of the second annual all-wood-bat Buckeye Classic.

In the first of two on Saturday 7/26, Ari Chertock tossed a complete game 6-0 shutout against a revamped Pinole Hercules squad.   In the second game, Alameda missed opportunities early on vs. Walnut Creek, falling behind 5-2, but rallied in the final innings and secured a 5-5 tie as Jeriah Lewis stole home with two outs in the sixth.

On Sunday, Joe Boyden went five strong innings as Alameda bested Continental 3-0.  Faced with runners on 1st and 3rd and nobody out in the sixth, Alameda wrapped up the victory on three subsequent pitches - Sophie Nilsson gunning a runner trying to steal second, Nilsson then teaming with Jackson Rodriguez to nail a runner at the plate on a wild pitch, followed by a comebacker to Rodriguez for the last out.  Alameda earned the top seed heading into the semifinals.

Reinforcements arrived on Tuesday, as Joe Gibbons twirled a complete-game 6-3 victory over gutsy Pinole.  In the championship game Wednesday, Alameda went up 3-0 early against rival Lafayette only to see the game tied on a 3-run bomb by Lafayette's Nick Kresnak.  Alameda stemmed the tide and came through with some clutch hits and baserunning to extend the lead to 7-3, which is how it ended on a sparkling 1-6-3 double play turned by former A's Joe Depinna, Rodriguez, and Seamus McGuinness.

Rodriguez was named tournament MVP for his steady play at shortstop, constant havoc at the plate, and four scoreless innings of relief.  Dallas Rider, Ronald Robertson, and Joe Boyden crushed the ball all weekend, right fielder Aeneas Pardo made a diving catch to remember, Jake Avellar did a great job on the bump against Walnut Creek, and KW Quilici saw his first action in over a month, playing a flawless first base on Sunday.  Fellow injured reservists Max Nyrop and Tristan Good manned the ice chest and spray bottles for their weary comrades. 

Alameda All-Stars Red 9/10 played Lafayette in the Summer Baseball Classic Championship Game this Saturday at noon in Albany. They won 4-2 and went 4-0 in the SBC. Congratulations 9/10 Red!

Alameda 9, Clayton Valley 3
Alameda 15, Pinole Hercules 3
Alameda 12, Albany 11

Championship Game:
Alameda 4, Lafayette 2 

Click here for the 9-10s SBC tournament bracket.

Front Row L-R: Ryan Chang, Thomas Cooke, Konrad Matz, Teddy Hernandez, Landon Marsh, Kyle Spaulding, Jason Cibull
Middle Row L-R: Owen Firestone, Kai Berzabal, Jonathan Schnoebelen, Shamar Cook
Back Row L-R: Coach Nate Firestone, Coach Cloud Schnoebelen, Coach Robert Matz, Manager/Coach Steve Spaulding 

Alameda All-Stars Blue 11/12 played Lafayette in the Summer Baseball Classic Championship Game this past Saturday in Alameda. Alameda won 15-2 and went 4-0 in the SBC:

Alameda 21, Lafayette 6
Alameda 2, Clayton Valley 1
Alameda 7, Continental 5 (7 innings)

Championship Game:
Alameda 15, Lafayette 2