Fox Chapel Baseball and Softball Association (FCABSA) strongly recommends that all players register within their correct age division for any given season. Even though some players may exhibit some natural talents toward the game, most youth players will benefit greatly by playing in their actual age group.
FCABSA recommends that a player with a strong drive and desire in baseball or softball register in the appropriate group based of birth date and take advantage of opportunities to be called up for teams in an older division. Nonetheless, there may be some players who could be advanced in size, strength and skills to the point where the child could truly benefit from play at an older division for an entire season. Then, it may be possible to make an exception and allow such a child to play up.
Requirements for requesting to play up:
All players hoping to play up must make the request to the respective FCABSA Baseball or Softball Commissioner prior to or at the time of registration for the upcoming season by emailing [email protected].
Players must have two coaches (not a parent of the requesting player) recommend that the player move up to the next division.
The Commissioner will review the player's previous season-end evaluation relative to other players in the divisions they are requesting to exit and enter.
The decisions will be made by the Commissioner, Director and/or Coaches of the divisions in question. The number of players that will be approved to play up will be small and the decision will be final. A player will request to play up prior to each season.
If there is a difference in the cost of registration from one division to another, the difference will appear as a balance on the registering parent/guardian account. (example - if a player is requesting to move from A or 8U ($90 fee) to AA or 10U ($100 fee), an additional $10 balance adjustment will appear and will need to be paid to cover the differing costs from one level to another).
The date(s) of player eligibility are determined by the league in which the player participates. This policy and any policy pertaining to playing down an age division primarily applies to FCABSA in-house leagues and does not override the rules or regulations of the external leagues or tournaments in which FCABSA may participate.