When are practices?
Team Managers will schedule practices around their own schedule with input from the team regarding athlete availability. Most practices take place in the late afternoon /early evening on a weekday. Most teams practice once or twice per week. Practices will begin in February.
How many games per week?
All divisions play two games per week except Tee Ball, which plays once per week.
When are the games played?
Games are on weekday evenings or Saturdays. Teams will typically have one game during the week and one game on the weekend. Complete schedules will be available in mid to late February.
When will I found out when my coach/team is?
Tee Ball and Farm coaches will be assigned by the end of January. Minor B and above coaches will be assigned by the first week of February. For Tee Ball and Farm, player and coach requests are accommodated when possible. For Minor B and above, teams are determined by a draft process. Once coaches are assigned, they should contact you via email or text. If you do not hear from a coach in the timeframe above, please contact the appropriate player agent.
What equipment and uniform should I purchase?
Uniforms: Long Beach Little League provides a jersey, pants, and a hat. Parents must provide a belt, cleats and an athletic cup. (Many athletes find that sliding shorts style athletic cups are most comfortable.) Once you have an assigned team, your manager will let you know what color socks and belt you will need.
Equipment: Managers will have helmets, catchers gear and balls available for all athletes to use. Each child will need to provide their own baseball glove. If you would like to purchase your own bat please see the Little League requirements at https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/bat-information/. Other items that are not required but can be helpful include a baseball bag/backpack, batting gloves (not recommended for tee ball) and a personal batting helmet. Please look out for an equipment swap closer to the beginning of the season. If you have questions about appropriate equipment, please reach out to the appropriate level player agent.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes. If you would like to request financial assistance, please contact the Treasurer.
What other expenses should I expect?
Typically, the team parent will arrange for names to be embroidered on all hats and a team banner to be created, which costs approximately $20 and is payable to the team parent at the start of the season. In addition, LBLL participates in Dirtbag Day (Baseball Game at Blair Field) each year, which includes the teams walking the field in a small parade and tickets to the game. Tickets for the event are approximately $20-$25 per person and due to the team parent mid-season. Small costs may be associated with team activities such a pizza party. In addition, many teams, especially in the younger divisions, do a rotation for parents to provide the team post-game snacks.
When are tryouts?
Tryouts are scheduled for Farm through Majors (up to league age 12) on January 7-8, 2023. All athletes wanting to play in Minor B or above MUST tryout, even if they have played or tried out previously. All athletes league age 9 or above MUST try out, even if they wish to play Minor C. Athletes will be assigned a draft date and time based on age and last level played. Tryouts for 50/70, Juniors (age 13-14) and any make-ups will be held later in January. If you have concerns about the tryouts or scheduling, please contact the upper division player agent.
Is volunteering required?
LBLL has a volunteer buy-out process by which each player is charged a $100 buy-out at the time of registration, which is refunded upon completion of specified volunteer work. A detailed buy-out policy is currently being formulated and will be shared prior to the beginning of the season. A confidential background check is required for all volunteer roles.
What’s next?
The FUN begins. Game schedules will be provided to you by the coaches or team parents in February. Follow the Long Beach Little League Facebook and Instagram pages to get updated information. Encourage your child to play catch, practice informally, introduce young children to baseball concepts, or take older players to the batting cages. Support LBLL by thinking about possible sponsors. LBLL runs entirely on volunteer support - we always need more volunteers to help with the fields, the snack bar, umpiring and with the kids. Look out for announcements regarding umpire and scorekeeper trainings.
The Long Beach Little League Board is here to ensure every child has a great experience and parents are well informed. Please reach out to any of us with any questions or concerns. We can assist with everything from policies to coaching concerns, but we cannot help if we do not know there is an issue!