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League FAQs
Sections
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Introductory Questions
Registration and League Eligibility
Age and Address Verification
12-Year-Old Little League Regulation V(a)
Spring Season Player Evaluations
Fall Ball
Introductory Questions
The following FAQ's address questions we commonly receive about Del Mar Little League. Please review the various sections, if you still have questions please feel free to contact us via email. The appropriate contact indentified in the FAQ sections.
Question: Where is Del Mar Little League?
Answer: Del Mar Little League, based in Del Mar, California. Our Little League is in the Southern California District 31, part of the Little League West Region. Del Mar Little League services the communities of Del Mar and Carmel Valley in San Diego, CA.
Registration and League Eligibility
The following FAQ's address questions we commonly receive about Registration and Little League Eligibility. Please review these FAQ's and contact us via e-mail at registrar@dmll.org if you have any questions.
Question: How do I know which Little League to register with?
Answer: If you are new the Del Mar Little League, please verify that you live within our boundaries. If you live North of Del Mar Heights road, your might be within the boundaries of Solana Beach Little League. All players will be required to show proof of age and address at our Age and Address Verification event (see more about this process in the Age and Address Verification Process Questions section below).
Question: What is the registration process?
Answer: Del Mar Little League uses a walk-in registration process. Online pre-registration is required prior to the walk-in Registration Day. The link for information on the registration process, forms, and access to the pre-registration site can be found on the Registration page of the website and will be posted on the main page during open registration.
Question: When does registration for the Spring Season begin?
Answer: Online registration for the Spring Season typical opens in October and runs until the end of November for the upcoming Spring Season. Registrations received after the walk-in Registration will be placed on a waitlist and processed on a first-come, first-served basis as space becomes available through vacancy, injury, etc.
Question: How can I be notified that registration for the Spring Season is open?
Answer: All regular communication to or league members are handled through periodic email notifications to our mailing list. If you'd like to join (subscribe) our mailing list, just click here and following the instructions on the page. After you have subscribed to the mailing list, you'll receive a confirmation message from the "list manager" asking you to confirm your action. Usually, you just need to reply to the message, but please follow the instructions to confirm your action.
Question: What age does my player need to be to participate in Del Mar Little League?
Answer: Del Mar Little League offers a program for players Little League Age 6 through 12
Question: What is my player's Little League Age?
Answer: Del Mar Little League uses the Age Eligibility requirements set forth by Little League International. Your child's Little League Age for the spring baseball season is considered to be his/her age as of April 30 of that year. For example, if your child is now 7 years old but will turn 8 on or before April 30, then they will play as a Little League 8 year old.
Question: My player will still be age 5 on April 30 but has played in other leagues, can he play in Del Mar Little This Spring?
Answer: Del Mar Little League does not offer a program for players younger than league age 6 and does not make any exceptions to this rule.
Question: Are there tryouts for Little League?
Answer: Players age 9-12 are required to attend a Player Evaluation Day in early January. Please plan on attending this event. The schedule for player evaluations is available on our Event Calendar. Check back on our website and/or
join our Mailing List for specific dates and times for the Player Evaluation Days. For more information on player evaluations see the Spring Season Player Evaluation Day Questions section below.
Question: What financial assistance is available?
Answer: Scholarships and assistance is available for families who require financial need. If you require assistance for registration fees or equipment, please e-mail scholarships@dmll.org.
Question: What other documents will be required?
Answer: A package of forms required for walk-in registration is posted during the open registration period. A medical release form must be completed and returned to the league before your child can participate in player evaluations (tryouts) or practices. To get a copy of the form, see our Documents Library. This form should be returned to the league at Registration Day. You may return also return the form at the Player Evaluation Day (players 9 and older) or at the first practice (players 8 and younger).
Age and Address Verification
The following FAQ's address questions we commonly receive about our Age and Address Verification event. Please review these FAQ's and contact us via e-mail at registrar@dmll.org if you have any questions.
Question: What is Age and Address Verification?
Answer: The Age and Address Verificaiton process provides parents and league official the opportunity to fulfill Player Age and Address verification required by Little League baseball.
Question: Why does Del Mar Little League do this?
Answer: Little League International requires all local Little Leagues to verify the Age and Address of all their players. Because we are affiliated with Little League, we are bound to this requirement.
Question: When is Age and Address Verification held?
Answer: The Age and Address Verification process is done as part of the walk-in registration process. All new and retuning players must attend Registration Day to officially register for the spring baseball season.
Question: Who has to attend this event?
Answer: All players new and returning to DMLL.
Question: We played in Carmel Valley Youth Baseball last year. Do we need to attend?
Answer: Yes. Del Mar Little League is not affiliated with Carmel Valley Youth Baseball.
Question: We played in the Ecke YMCA T-Ball program last year. Do we need to attend?
Answer: Yes. Del Mar Little League is not affiliated with the Ecke YMCA.
Question: We played in another Little League last year. Do we need to attend?
Answer: Yes.
Question: What will happen if I do NOT verify my players age/address?
Answer: Your player will not be placed on a team and will not be permitted to participate in any Del Mar Little League activities.
Question: We played in Del Mar Little League last season, but we've moved. Do we need to attend?
Answer: Yes. If you still live within our boundaries, we only need to verify the new address. If you have moved out of our boundaries and wish to continue to play in Del Mar Little League, you'll need to fill out a waiver form. For more information about that process, email us at registrar@dmll.org.
Question: Our player is new, but we have an older player in DMLL. Do we need to attend?
Answer: Yes. You must verify the age and address of all players in the league.
Question: We played Fall Ball with DMLL. Do we have to attend?
Answer: Yes. Requirements to participate in our Fall program are different and we did not do a verification at that time.
Question: My player now lives with his (mother/father/other family member). Do I have to attend?
Answer: Yes, if your player's address has changed and they still live within the DMLL boundaries, you must attend the event
Question: What will happen if I fail to verify my players age/address?
Answer: Again, your player will NOT be placed on a team and will not be permitted to participate in Del Mar Little League.
Question: What documents do I need to verify Age?
Answer: Bring a certified birth certificate with embossed seal (no photocopies will be accepted) or your child's passport so that your child's age can be verified.
Question: What documents do I need to verify Address?
Answer: Little League requires three (3) separate items to demonstrate proof of residence so we can verify that you live within DMLL's boundaries. The documents will be reviewed and returned to you at the verification session.
Little League requires one item (and only one item) from any 3 or more of the following categories to demonstrate proof of residence:
1. Driver's License
2. Voter's Registration
3. School records
4. Welfare/child care records
5. Federal records
6. State records
7. Local (municipal) records
8. Support payment records
9. Homeowner or tenant records
10. Utility bills (i.e., gas, electric, water/sewer, phone, mobile phone, heating, waste disposal)
11. Financial (loan, credit, investments, etc.) records
12. Insurance documents
13. Medical records
14. Military records
15. Internet, cable or satellite records
16. Vehicle records
One item and only one item may come from any one category. In other words, three utility bills (three items from No. 10 above) will not suffice to establish residency since they come from only one category. To satisfy the proof of residency requirement, there must be a document from two other categories.
Question: Will your league make any exceptions?
Answer: No, we cannot. No verification, no baseball, no kidding.
Question: I have other questions. What should I do?
Answer: E-Mail our league registrar at registrar@dmll.org and well try to respond as quickly as possible.
12-Year-Old Little League Regulation V(a)
In 2008, Little League International enacted a regulation requiring that all league age 12-year-olds be placed onto a Majors Division team. The following FAQ's provide more information about this regulation and outline the options and choices that parents have regarding it. Please review these FAQ's and contact us via e-mail at playeragent@dmll.org if you have any questions.
Question: What is Regulation V (a)?
Answer: Little League Regulation V (a) is stated as follows:
"The selection of players for the various teams within a league shall be in compliance with the Little League Draft Selection System as detailed in the Operating Manual. NOTE: All candidates who are league age twelve (12) must be drafted to a Little League Major Division team, or to a Junior League team. Exceptions can only be made with written approval from the District Administrator, and only if approved at the local league level by the Board of Directors and the parent of the candidate."
Question: What does the new regulation mean?
Answer: Regulation V (a) states that all 12-year-old players must play in the Majors division of Little League. Parents who wish to have their child play in a non-majors division must submit a Regulation V (a) Waiver Form to the District Office. Without the form, Del Mar Little League is required to place your league age twelve-year-old player onto a Majors team.
Question: My player is not league age 12. Does the regulation affect him?
Answer: No. The regulation only affects players who are league age 12.
Question: How is this different from prior years?
Answer: In prior years, not all 12-year-old players were drafted onto a Majors team. 12-year-old players who were not drafted into Majors played in our Minor AAA division instead. Minor AAA is the highest Minors division in Del Mar Little League and is composed mostly of league age 11-year-old players.
Question: My 12-year-old player wants to play on the Majors team. What do I need to do?
Answer: Nothing! Simply register your player and have him attend the Majors Player Evaluation Day in January. All league age 12-year-olds who wish to play in the Majors division and who participate in the player evaluations will be drafted onto a Majors team in Del Mar Little League.
Question: Why wouldn't I want my 12-year-old to play Majors?
Answer: The Majors division is the most advanced and most competitive division in Little League. The "minimum playing time" rule in Majors is different than the rule in our Minors division (see minimum playing time FAQs below). Some children MAY have a better experience playing in the fully competitive division (Majors). Other children MAY have a better experience in a division where more playing time is guaranteed and there is a greater opportunity to play different positions (Minors).
Question: What are the minimum playing time requirements for Majors?
Answer: Majors players must play a minimum of 2 defensive innings per game. There are no "minimum infield" position play requirements.
Question: What are the minimum playing time requirements for Minor AAA?
Answer: Minor AAA players must play a minimum of 5 defensive innings per game. Of these 5 innings, players are required to play at least 2 innings at infield positions.
Question: What is the time commitment for Majors and Minor AAA divisions?
Answer: Both Majors and Minor AAA teams play 2 games a week and typically have 2 practices. Teams in the Majors division play more games and typically have longer, more intensive practice than Minor AAA teams. The time commitment is generally higher for Majors players than for Minor AAA players.
Question: If I submit a waiver, will my player get "promoted" to Majors later in the season?
Answer: No. Once a waiver is submitted and approved, the player will not be permitted to play in Majors.
Question: If I submit a waiver, will my player get to play pitcher in Minor AAA?
Answer: No. Twelve-year-old players have always been prohibited from pitching in Minor AAA.
Question: If I submit a waiver, can my player participate in All-Stars?
Answer: No.
Question: If I submit a waiver, is it possible my player may end up in Minor AA instead of Minor AAA?
Answer: No. 12-year-old players who submit a waiver will be drafted into Minor AAA, unless arrangements are made with the Player Agent. In some cases, Minor AA may be a more appropriate division for players.
Question: What will happen if I do not submit a Regulation V (a) Waiver form?
Answer: If you do not submit a Regulation V (a) Waiver, your player will be drafted onto a Majors team.
Question: If my player is drafted onto a Majors team, can I request a waiver later in the season and move him to Minor AAA?
Answer: Probably not. Switching divisions mid-season causes many complications that are detrimental to both divisions of the league. If you have concerns about the commitment or participation levels of the Major Division, you should consider these carefully and seek the advice of the Board of Directors prior to the Player Evaluation Days. Players drafted onto Majors teams will, most likely, be required to complete the season on that team and in that division.
Question: When do I need to complete the waiver?
Answer: The waiver must be completed and approved by District 31 officials prior to our Majors draft. If your waiver form is not approved before the Majors draft, your league age 12 year old will be drafted onto a Majors team. The Majors draft will be held shortly after the January Player Evaluation Days. If you intend to complete a waiver, please submit it at the Majors Player Evaluation Day in January.
Question: Does my player need to attend the player evaluations if I fill out a Regulation V (a) waiver?
Answer: Yes. All players league age 9-12 must attend the Player Evaluation Days at their scheduled time. All league age 11 and 12 year olds must attend the Majors Player Evaluation Day.
Question: Where do I submit the waiver?
Answer: To the league Player Agent or bring it to the Majors Player Evaluation Day in January.
Question: Where can I get more information?
Answer: Send an email to playeragent@dmll.org
Question: How can I obtain a Regulation V (a) Waiver Form?
Answer: Click here.
Spring Season Player Evaluation Day Questions
The following FAQ's address questions we commonly receive about our Majors and Minors Player Evaluation Day events. Please review these FAQ's and contact us via e-mail at playeragent@dmll.org if you have any questions. Note: Some of these questions refer to "League Age", which is the age of your player on April 30 of the upcoming season.
Question: What are player evaluations?
Answer: "Player Evaluation Day" is an event that the League holds in which a player's current baseball skills are evaluated and assessed by Little League division managers.
Question: Who has to attend the player evaluations?
Answer: All players who are Little League Age 9 through 12, except for those players who played Majors in the previous spring season.
Question: Where are the player evaluations held?
Answer: Player evaluations are held at the Ashley Falls field.
Question: What happens at the Player Evaluation Day?
Answer: Players will be rated on the following skills:
(1) Fielding Fly balls (about 3)
(2) Fielding Ground balls (about 3)
(3) Throwing (from outfield and infield positions)
(4) Batting (about 3 pitches each)
(5) Running (home to second base)
Question: How long does the player evaluation last?
Answer: It will vary depending on the number of players, but somewhere between 90 minutes and two hours. Player evaluations are scheduled throughout the day in various groups, typically organizaed by players last name. Please check the schedule on our website for the appropriate time for your player(s).
Question: What do I need to bring?
Answer: A glove, cap and cleats. Your player may also bring his own batting helmet. Players should not bring their own baseball bats. For safety reasons, NO PLAYER BATS ARE ALLOWED AT THE PLAYER EVALUATIONS! Please make sure all of your player's gear has a name and phone number on it and that it is kept together, preferably in a player bag. Also, please bring water and food, as needed.
Question: If my player has a bad evaluation day, will he get "cut" or dropped?
Answer: No. All registered player's that attend the Player Evaluation Day will be drafted onto a Majors, Minor AAA or Minor AA, or Minor A team.
Question: If all players get assigned to teams, then why does my player need to attend the Player Evaluation Day?
Answer: So that your player can be drafted into a division that is appropriate for his skill and so that teams can be constructed of equal talent. Little League International requires Leagues to evaluate and assess each players skills. The Player Evaluation Day is the most effective way to do this.
Question: Why are there two different Player Evaluation Days?
Answer: Because 9 year old players are not eligible for Majors, there are separate player evaluations for the Majors and Minors divisions.
Question: Which player evaluation session should I attend?
Answer:
League Age 9 year olds must attend the Minors player evaluation session.
League Age 10 year olds must attend either the Majors or the Minors player evaluation session.
League Age 11 and 12 year olds must attend the Majors player evaluation session.
Question: If it rains before the Player Evaluation Day, will the event still be held?
Answer: Yes, but only if the fields are safe. If a rainout is called, it will be posted on the website along with the reschedule information. Please check our website if you are unsure on the day of the player evaluation.
Question: What happens if my player misses the Player Evaluation Day?
Answer: All players MUST attend a player evaluation session according to their league age schedule. Player evaluations are required to ensure that all managers have an equal opportunity to evaluate all eligible players prior to the draft. When a player misses the Player Evaluation Day, this is not possible.
Players who do not attend player evaluations may be declared ineligible. Ineligible players will not be drafted onto a team and may be replaced in the draft by a player who is on the waitlist. Accordingly, it is critical that your player attend either one of the scheduled player evlauaion or make-up sessions for their age group.
Question: Is there a make up date?
Answer: Yes. The make-up date is typicaaly the Tuesday or Wednesday following of each Player Evaluation Day session. Please see our website for specific dates.
Question: My player is League Age 8. Can he/she attend the Player Evaluation Day?
Answer: No. League age 8 year olds are NOT eligible to attend player evaluations for Minors or Majors and will be placed on our Minor A division.
Question: My player is League Age 9. Can he/she be evaluated for Majors?
Answer: No. League age 9 year olds are NOT eligible for Majors.
Question: My player is League Age 10. Can he/she be evaluated for Majors?
Answer: Yes. Please send an email to playeragent@dmll.org to let the league know that you are planning on attending the Majors player evaluations. League Age 11 and 12 year olds do not need to e-mail the player agent.
Question: My player is League Age 10. Which Player Evaluation Day (Major or Minors) should he/she attend?
Answer: League age 10 year olds may attend either the Majors or the Minors Player Evaluation Days. To be considered for the Majors division, they must attend the Majors Player Evaluation Day. After the try-out, if they are not drafted onto a Majors team, they will be drafted onto a Minors team.
Question: My player is League Age 10. Should he/she attend both Majors and Minors player evaluations?
Answer: No. Your 10 year old player should only attend one Player Evaluation Day. However, if your child wants to be considered for the Majors Division, then he/she must attend the Majors player evaluations. If your League Age 10 year old does not want to be considered for the Majors Division, then he/she must attend the Minors player evaluaions.
Question: My League Age 10 year old will attend the Minors Player Evaluation Day. Can he/she participate in Majors later this year?
Answer: No. To participate in Majors, players MUST attend the Majors Player Evaluation Day.
Question: My player is League Age 11. Can he attend the Minors Player Evaluation Day?
Answer: No. League Age 11 year olds that did not play on a Majors team the prior year must attend the Majors Player Evaluation Day.
Question: My player is League Age 11. He/she does not want to play Majors. Which player evaluation should we attend?
Answer: All League Age 11 year olds that did not play on a Majors team the prior year must attend the Majors player evaluations on Saturday. It is important that all players that are Little League Age 11 be evaluated by the same group of Majors and Minors Managers that will be in attendance at the Majors Player Evaluation Day. The league Player Agent will be on hand to discuss your options you have for ensuring that your 11 year old is drafted onto a Minors team. Players that are League Age 11 that go to the Minors player evaluations on Sunday will not be given a number and will not be allowed to participate.
Question: My player was on a Majors team last year. Does he need to attend the Majors Player Evaluation Day?
Answer: No. Returning "titled" players are the only League Age 11-12 year olds who are not required to attend teh player evaluaion sessions. Those players have already been selected to a Majors team.
Question: My player was on a Minors team last year. Does he need to attend the Player Evaluation Day?
Answer: Yes.
Question: My player is League Age 12. Does he have to attend the Player Evaluation Day?
Answer: Yes, unless he/she was on a Majors team in the League last spring.
Question: I'm not sure what "League Age" my player is. How can I tell?
Answer: The Little League Age calculator is available at this link.
Fall Ball
The following FAQ's address questions we commonly receive about our Fall Ball program. Please contact us via e-mail at fallball@dmll.org if you have any other questions.
Question: What is Fall Ball?
Answer: Fall Ball is a recreational baseball program hosted jointly by Coast Juniors, Del Mar and Solana Beach Little Leagues, open to players who will be little league age 7 through 14 in the up coming Spring baseball season.
Question: What are the Fall Ball Divisions?
Answer: Fall Ball is divided into four age-based divisions:
Ages 7-8: Coach Pitch
Ages 9-10: Minors
Ages 11-12: Majors
Ages 13-14: Juniors
Question: When is the season played?
Answer: Typically, Fall Ball begins in September and runs through the middle of November, ending just before Thanksgiving. The exact schedule will be released after all players have been registered.
Question: How are teams formed?
Answer: Players are grouped according to skill level, determined by the Player Agent, and assigned to teams accordingly. Since the league is instructional (standings are not kept), try-outs and drafts are not held for Fall Ball.
Question: When are teams formed?
Answer: Teams are formed after the first 3 or 4 instructional clinics are complete, typically the week before the first game.
Question: When do teams practice?
Answer: Teams do not meet for field practices. Traditionally, Fall Ball includes 3 or 4 instructional clinics conducted by local baseball professionals before the games start and optional weekly team batting practices at a local batting facility once games begin.
Question: When/where are games played?
Answer: Games are played on Sundays, typically between 9:00A and 4:00P. Ashley Falls, Del Mar Heights, Del Mar Shores, Del Mar Hills and Earl Warren fields are all used in Fall Ball. Games start after teams are formed, typically after the first 3 or 4 instructional clinics are held.
Question: Why are games played on Sundays instead of Saturdays?
Answer: Games are played on Sundays so that Fall Ball doesn't conflict with other sports (soccer, football, etc) that are usually hosted on Saturdays during the fall season.
Question: What does my player need to provide?
Answer: The league will provide jerseys, caps, bats, balls, batting helmets and catchers gear. Players are expected to bring their own fielding glove, baseball pants and cleats. Only Little League approved bats may be used in Fall Ball.
Question: How much are the fees?
Answer: Fees for Fall Ball are $130 per player (subject to change).
Question: How is Fall Ball different from the regular Spring Season?
Answer: The purpose of Fall Ball is simply to offer an "off season"
league for players who want to keep their skills sharp. Fall Ball is more developmental and relaxed with a specific focus on allowing those players who are graduating to the next level a chance to experience and practice the skills that will be expected of them in the following spring season.
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