In our many years of running the AYRA organization, there are, inevitably, many questions that are asked over and over again. Here you'll find many of them. If you have a question and answer you'd like added to this list, please contact a member of the Board of Directors.
Can I get a refund if my child ends up not playing?
Yes, but there are some conditions. Before the registration deadline, you may ask for a refund for any reason, less a $10.00 administrative fee. After the registration deadline, registration fee refunds shall be denied except for the following reasons: 1) there is a significant change in the player's medical condition, 2) the family moves out of the area, or 3) an American/Capital League player makes his/her High School varsity or junior varsity baseball team. Refunds will be allowed only for these three reasons, less a $10.00 administrative fee (Reason #3 gets a full refund, no administrative fee). All requests must made to the President of AYRA Baseball.
What is the birthdate cutoff for my league?
The birthdate cutoff for determining a player's age is April 30.
For example, if I wanted to determine if my son could play in the International League (9-10) this year (2009), I would compare his birthdate with the cutoff date. So let's say my son was born in 1998. If he was born on or before April 30, this means he would be 11 by the cutoff date so he would have to play in the National League (11 - 12) instead. However, if he was born after April 30, he would be 10 at the cutoff date so he would still be able to play in the International League.
Can my child play in a league even though he/she does not qualify based on the birthday cutoff?
Yes. A player can step up (play in a league above where the player should play) or step down (play in the league below where the player should play). However, there are restrictions.
To step up, the player must demonstrate baseball skills considerably better than a typical player at that age group. The League Commissioner for the league the player wishes to step up to must have either first hand knowledge of the player's skill or discuss with a coach who has first hand knowledge of the player's skills. If the League Commissioner feels the player's safety will not unreasonably be in jeopardy and feels the player could be reasonably successful when stepping up, the League Commissioner can approve the step up.
Step down requests are for those players whose safety would be a major concern if that player was to play in his/her normally assigned league. Step down requests are typically made for players that are very small in physical size, physically uncoordinated, or have a physical/mental impairment/disability. The League Commissioners of both leagues involved must agree to the step down. Being held back in school is not a valid reason for a step down request. Players that step down will not be allowed to participate in post-season tournaments outside AYRA, or All-Star games.
Step up/step down requests are handled on a case by case basis. Parents wishing to step their child up or down must contact the League Commissioner to discuss this. Step up/step down requests for the convenience of the parents will not be honored.
Does my child have to try out for a baseball team?
It depends. For the recreational teams in Pioneer 1 and Pioneer 2, no. Players are assigned teams by request, neighborhood, and school. For the recreational teams in International and above AYRA holds MANDATORY player evaluations in mid-March of every year. The evaluations are designed to gauge the skill level of players in key skill areas such as pitching, hitting, throwing, fielding, catching, and running. The evaluations are then used in a draft to pick players for the teams to try and make teams as even as possible.
For travel teams, yes, try outs are mandatory. Since travel teams are put together for an entire year at a time, travel try outs are held in the fall with a supplemental try out held in early spring if teams still need players to fill out their rosters. Contact the Travel Coordinator for more detailed information
What equipment do I need to provide for my child?
Jerseys, hats and socks are provided by AYRA. The only required pieces of equipment you must supply your child in order for him/her to play is a glove and a cup. Cleats are recommended, but not required. Bats are not required; however, AYRA does not provide bats to the teams. Most teams have several players that provide their own bats for the team to use.
Does my child have to wear a cup?
Yes, this is an important safety issue. Cups should be worn for every practice and game. A player that is not wearing a cup is not permitted to participate in the practice or game. Exception: Pioneer 1 and female players are exempted from this rule (it is left as a parental decision in these cases).
Can my child wear a batting helmet I provide for him?
AYRA permits the use of personally supplied safety equipment provided the equipment meets NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) Standards. NOCSAE is the governing body for setting safety standards for athletic equipment manufacturers. Equipment that meets these standards will have a stamp on it that states "Meets NOCSAE Standard". Parents providing personal safety equipment for their child(ren) must physically show the player's coach that the equipment meets the NOCSAE standards before that equipment can be used at any practice, game, or AYRA event. It is the PARENT'S and PLAYER'S responsibility to properly maintain and regularly inspect their personally supplied safety equipment. Additionally, it is the PARENT'S and PLAYER'S responsibility to ensure that no other player uses their personally supplied safety equipment. Sharing personally supplied safety equipment is NOT permitted.
Will my request on the registration form be honored?
AYRA commissioners do everything they can to honor all requests. However, sometimes there are unavoidable situations that may require us to deny a request. Additionally, in the International League and older, requests are considered, but are often overridden due to the draft. The draft is designed to balance teams as much as possible so this may preclude us from honoring your request.
When do the seasons run?
For recreational teams, spring season practices begin the first week in April. Spring season games begin the 3rd or 4th week in April and run through the middle of June, typically ending before the last day of school. However, depending on weather, makeup games may push the end of the spring season further into June.
AYRA also chooses the best players from the recreational teams at the end of the season to form an All-Star team that is entered into at least two All-Star Tournaments in our region. These tournaments are typically in late June and July.
For recreational teams, fall season practices begin in late August. Fall season games typically begin the second weekend in September and run through the end of October.
For travel teams, the beginning of practice and games is dictated by the travel team coaching staff. Winter workouts at indoor facilities are typical for travel teams. Contact the Travel Coordinator for more detailed information.
When and how often will my child practice/play?
The answer to this question varies based on what league your child plays in and what season we're talking about. Let's take these one at a time:
Pioneer 1: Spring season - Practice once or twice a week before games start. Once games begin, you will play two games per week and they are typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Pioneer 2: Spring season - Practice twice a week before games start. Once games begin, you will play two games per week and they are typically on Mondays and Wednesdays. A weekend practice is at the coaches discretion once games begin, but could fall during the week. Either way, there is always a practice sometime during the week once games start. Fall season - Practice twice a week before games start. Once games begin, you will play one game per week on the weekend, typically on Sunday afternoon. A weekday practice is typical once games begin, but could fall during the weekend. Either way, there is always a practice sometime during the week once games start..
International: Spring season - Practice two or three times per week before games start. Once games begin, you will play two games per week and they are typically on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays. Fall season - Practice twice a week before games start. Once games begin, you will play one game per week on the weekend, typically on Sunday afternoon. One or two weekday practices is typical once games begin, but could fall during the weekend. Either way, there is always a practice sometime during the week once games start.
National, American, and Capital: Spring season - Practice two or three times per week before games start. Once games begin, you will play two games per week and they vary throughout the week. A weekend practice is typical once games begin, but could fall during the week. Either way, there is always a practice sometime during the week once games start. Fall season - Practice twice a week before games start. Once games begin, you will play one game per week on the weekend, typically on Sunday afternoon. One or two weekday practices is typical once games begin, but could fall during the weekend. Either way, there is always a practice sometime during the week once games start.
Travel: Practice and game schedules are dictated by the coaching staff and the leagues the teams play in. There really is no typical case.
It is important to remember that these examples are typical, not set in stone. Practice and game frequency and days may vary based on the constraints AYRA must deal with on a yearly basis.