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Who is Grafton Little League and How Does It Work?

Grafton Little League (GLL), based in Grafton, WI, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates under a charter from Little League International.  The Mission of Little League International can be viewed HERE.

Grafton Little League was founded in 1975 and began with 48 players on four teams in a single division; in 2018, over 430 players will participate on 42 teams in 9 divisions.

The following is a high level look at how Grafton Little League operates.  Please feel free to contact any of the Board of Director members if you have questions.

 

RESIDENCY, SCHOOLS and ELIGIBILITY:

Children that reside within the GLL boundaries and\or attend a school within the GLL boundaries are eligible to play for GLL and are also eligible for GLL All Star teams.  Children that do not reside within the GLL boundaries and do not attend a school within the GLL boundaries are still able to play for GLL (pending roster availability) but these children are not eligible for All Star teams.

 

DIVISIONS:

T-Ball

• Boys and Girls aged 5-6 (Tee or coach pitch).  Exceptions will be made for 4 year olds if a parent agrees to manage or coach a T-Ball team.

Baseball

• Rookies - Boys and Girls aged 7-8 (Machine Pitch)
• Minors – Boys and Girls aged 9-10 (Player Pitch)
• Majors – Boys and Girls aged 11-12 (Player Pitch)
• Juniors - Boys and Girls aged 13-14 (Player Pitch)
• Seniors - Boys and Girls aged 15-16 (Player Pitch)

Softball

• Rookies - Girls aged 7-8 (Machine Pitch)
• Minors - Girls aged 9-10 (Player Pitch)
• Majors - Girls aged 11-12 (Player Pitch)

Challenger

• Boys and Girls aged 4-18 with intellectual and\or physical challenges

 

REGISTRATION:

Registration for T-Ball, Baseball and Softball is done online and starts January 1; baseball and softball registration runs for ~5 weeks, T-Ball registration runs for ~13 weeks.  There also is an in-person registration session offered at the Grafton Senior Center the last Saturday in January.  Challenger division registration is done in person.  T-Ball, baseball and softball players may be allowed to play up one division pending a skills evaluation.

A 0% interest, 4-installment payment plan is available when registering online.  If you are experiencing financial difficulties, Grafton Little League will work with you to assure that all children that want to play Little League Baseball, Softball or T-Ball have that opportunity; we have a limited number of scholarships available.

 

FUNDRAISING:

During registration, Baseball and Softball players will be required to purchase three BaseballMania game cards or one box of the World's Finest Candy Bars.  T-Ball players will be required to purchase one BaseballMania game card.  You can choose whether or not to resell the fundraising items or just keep them for your own use; reselling these items significantly reduces your registration cost.  If desired, you will be able to purchase and resell additional BaseballMania game cards and\or candy bars which will benefit GLL.

 

TEAMS:

Team managers, along with their assistant coaches, will draft the Baseball and Softball teams in late February; T-Ball teams will be formed in April.  Team managers will contact parents to introduce themselves and inform you what team your child is on.

 

FAMILY MEETING:

There is a Family Meeting in April at Grafton High School for players & parents.  At this meeting you will hear details about the GLL season; players will also meet their coaches, receive their team caps and BaseballMania game cards.

 

OPENING DAY CEREMONY:

There is an Opening Day Ceremony the last Saturday in April.  All teams will participate in a parade onto the field where we will introduce each team, their manager, coaches and sponsor.  After the parade there is a ball throw fundraiser contest.  The GLL scholarship winner is also introduced at this event who then throws out the season’s opening pitch.

 

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

Team managers will set the practice schedule and then communicate it to you.

• Practices are typically scheduled for weekday evenings and weekends.
• T-Ball and Rookies Baseball practice starts in May.
• Minors, Majors & Juniors Baseball practice starts in April.
• Seniors Baseball has 1-3 practices in early April.
  
• Rookies & Minors Softball practice starts in April.
  

 

GAME SCHEDULE:

Game schedules will be posted online and communicated to parents when completed.

• Games are usually played on weekday evenings and Saturdays.
• T-Ball and Rookies Baseball games are June - July.
• Minors, Majors & Juniors Baseball games are April - July.
• Seniors Baseball Games are April - mid May.
  
• Rookies, Minors & Majors Baseball will have a tournament in mid July.
• Rookies & Minors Softball games are May - July.
  

 

FIELD LOCATIONS:

Grafton Little League utilizes multiple fields.

• Little League fields 1 & 2 are located along 9th Avenue northeast of John Long Middle School.
• Little League fields 3 & 4 are located along 5th Avenue west of John Long Middle School.
• The Varsity field is located along 9th Avenue north of Little League field 2.
• The JV field is located adjacent to Grafton Elementary School.
  
• T-Ball games will be played on four grass fields adjacent to John Long Middle School.
• Baseball Majors & Juniors and the Softball teams will also play in other communities.
• There are two fields ready for play at the new GLL Complex, it is located at the corners of River Bend and Lakefield roads in the Town of Grafton.

 

COMMUNICATION:

Email and text messaging are the primary communication tools used by GLL.

• Team managers will communicate team specific information to you.
• The GLL President and other Board members will occasionally send mass emails to the entire league for league-wide news and special events.
•  Game and practice rain out information will be communicated via text messaging sent to your mobile phone.
• Email addresses for the GLL Board of Directors are posted on this website.  Please feel free to contact them with any questions or concerns.

 

PICTURES:

Individual and team pictures will be taken in May.

 

VOLUNTEERING:

It takes a large and dedicated group of passionate volunteers to deliver a successful Little League program for our players and parents.  Baseball and Softball players are required to pay a Volunteer Fee at registration; upon completing ~2-3 hours of volunteer work, a gift card (equal in value to the volunteer fee) to a local business will be given out.  Volunteer opportunities include manager, coach, board member, concessions, field maintenance, special events, etc.  There is a Volunteers page on this website with additional details.  Please consider volunteering your time to help GLL, it is a great way to give back to the community and it is very rewarding.

 

SPONSORS:

GLL has been very fortunate to have a core group of loyal sponsors that have been with us for several years; we also have new sponsors join us each year.  It is through the generosity of these sponsors that we are able to continue to offer our Little League program.  Please review our list of sponsors and consider using them for your needs and services when possible.  If you are a business interested in sponsoring GLL, please contact a GLL Board Member.

 

ALL STAR TEAMS:

GLL typically will field four baseball All Star teams (8-10, 9-11, 10-12, 13-14).  The All Star teams will represent GLL in district competition held in mid-July; the 12 year olds have the opportunity to advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.  Players that do not live within the GLL boundaries and do not attend a school within the GLL boundaries are not eligible for All Star teams.

 

END of SEASON PARTY:

There is an end of season party in late July or early August at Centennial Park or the Grafton Family Aquatic Center.  At this event we will play kickball or swim, eat a picnic meal and award trophies or medals for placement and participation.  This is a fun time to get together with your team to wrap up the season.

 

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP:

Each year Grafton Little League awards a $1000 college scholarship to a Grafton High School senior.  The primary criteria for evaluating applicants is:

• Years of participation in Grafton Little League
• Years of participation in Grafton High School baseball or softball
• Years of volunteering for Grafton Little League (umpire\assistant coach)