Southwestern Youth Association Sports

SYA Little League Baseball FAQs

Spring 2024


How can I be sure my child resides within the SYA Little League boundaries?

Please check our boundary map on the SYA Little League web site. If you are still unclear after viewing the map, try the text version. Otherwise, please email us. Players that also attend school within our boundaries are also eligible to play with us, after some basic forms are completed in conjunction with the school the player attends.

How do I register for SYA Little League?

SYA Little League currently accepts online registration. You may register during open registration beginning around December 1. Early Bird Discounts – $15 – ends December 31, 2023. Late fees - $25 - apply February 1. While registration is open, waitlists begin around March 1 for Rookie, Coach Pitch and TBall, all kid pitch levels will will go to a wait-list starting around February 24.

What are the fees for the 2024 Spring Season?

See the Fees page for details.

Why is concussion training mandatory?

As a condition of participation in SYA Activities as a coach, manager or assistant coach you must complete the online concussion training education through the INOVA Sports Medicine Concussion Program and acknowledge that the training has been completed.  If you are volunteering as a coach, assistant coach or manager click here to find the information on concussions and to select the appropriate video.

Why two levels of TBall?

Since Little League is implementing a new age determination date for all players at these levels, SYA Little League determined that we may have many players that will not reach the age of 4 until later in 2024. Having these first time players playing against 5 and maybe 6 year olds we thought we be a little too much so we divided the levels. Parents still have the option to choose which level, however please take into account your child when registering. Should we not have enough players for one of the TB levels, SYA Little League may decide to consolidate into one TB level. This determination will be made in late February if it does happen.

Where will practices and games be held?

SYA is allocated by Fairfax County use of up to 20+ fields located across the Centreville/Clifton area. SYA Sports also has two fields available for practices/games at SYA Sports Park. Games are scheduled by SYA for each level as are practices, which are allocated based on level and Managers’ requests.

How can i make a special request after I've gone through the registration process?

No problem. There are two ways we will get your special request entered into your registration information. Send an email with the request and it will also be captured in your registration information. For player pitch levels, players are drafted onto teams and the special requests are generally secondary to the draft.

What size glove or bat should i buy?

While there is no specific science to selecting the right size glove or bat, many online baseball stores have various guidelines to choosing a glove or bat. Kids come in all different shapes and sizes, so here is one guide that provides guidelines in determining size. Look for our Equipment Exchange over the winter for trading in for “bigger” used equipment.

Please note that any bats used in baseball must have the USA Baseball logo on them. All other bats, except wood, are illegal. See this article about the new bat standard from USA Baseball.

My son or daughter should be playing in a level that I am unable to register for, either in a higher level or lower level?

The best thing to do is complete the registration for the age appropriate level and select the mail-in option for payment. Then send an email with the request and we will respond to the request as well as make any updates on the registration.

When does the season start?

Practices will begin in early to mid-March for all levels. Games will begin early April. Season ends around June 15.

How often will practices be held?

Practices vary by level, with Majors practicing 2-3 times per week prior to the start of games. TBall and Coach Pitch practice 1-2 times per week. This varies based on Manager and field availability.

Will we be able to pick our practice night?

Practices will be limited to the number of fields accessible by the League. Managers make requests, and the League allocates practice times and fields. While every effort is made to honor requests, it is very difficult to meet every parent and manager request.

How often do teams play games?

A typical week would look like this for teams:

  • Majors: 1-2 practices and 2 games
  • AAA: 1-2 practices and 2 games
  • AA: 1-2 practices and either 1-2 games 
  • Rookie: 1 practice and 1-2 games
  • CP: 1 practice and 1-2 games
  • TB: 1 practice and 1-2 games

A second game during the week may occur at the lower levels depending on the total number of teams and how many Saturdays are in the season. Rainouts are also rescheduled during the week. If a manager has the energy and fields are available, teams may practice an additional night. SYA limits teams to four team events per week once the season starts, five prior to the season starting.

Can we request a specific coach or teammate during registration?

The League does its best to accommodate requests in the lower divisions (TBall, Coach Pitch, and Rookie), although we cannot guarantee requests will be granted. In the upper, player pitch divisions (AA, AAA, and Majors), the player tryouts, evaluations and drafts will determine team placement.

How are players assigned to teams and divisions?

For Majors, AAA, and AA, all players, except Returning Majors player, must attend a tryout. Following the completion of the tryouts, drafts are held to determine teams starting with the Majors level. For details on the draft procedures, see the Standard Operating Procedures on this SYA Little League web site. For all other levels, players are assigned based on requests, neighborhood, and other factors. The League does its best to honor all requests at Rookie and lower levels. NOTE: Depending on the registration numbers AAA and AA may be just one level.

How do i become a Manager?

Applicants – Volunteers – must apply online by January 1 to be considered. The specific date will be in the registration article on our home page. For all levels, the League works with all candidates to select Managers and pair them up with assistant coaches. All applicants are notified prior to the player tryouts, once the numbers of teams are determined of their status. Please note that all applicants will go through a background check per Little League Baseball rules.

How do i become a Volunteer?

This is the easiest thing to do! Just say, “Yes!” when your team coach asks for help. Team Parents organize after-game snacks, team parties, and any other festivity the team dreams up. You can also support the league by volunteering as little as an hour a weekend to work the Snack Shack, umpire a game, work on fields or help out with other league activities. All league volunteers are subject to a background check as required by SYA Sports and Little League International.

What is the Volunteer Opt-Out Fee?

SYA Little League is a volunteer organization that needs the support of the community (especially parents) to operate and provide a great atmosphere for their kids to enjoy baseball. During the registration process, parents are asked if they would be willing to volunteer some of their time in support of SYA Little League. Adult volunteers are needed and expected to volunteer during the course of a season in any of the areas to include Snack Shack staffing, field maintenance, fundraising, umpiring, or many other areas were we need your help and support. Sorry, being a scorekeeper or team parent doesn’t count towards this as the volunteering should be in support of the league, not a team. Parents may choose to opt-out of this support by paying an additional $50 fee per family. This will get them out of volunteering their time as the league will avoid sending volunteer emails to all opt-out parents. For all those who said they would volunteer, expect to see various emails on opportunities on how you can support SYA Little League.

What equipment does the League provide?

The League will provide each player a Washington Nationals provided team uniform shirt and hat. Each player is required to provide an athletic cup (boys), baseball glove, and baseball pants; Optional items include: bat, batting helmet, and baseball cleats (optional at lower levels). Players also need to provide a water bottle and a strap for glasses. Glasses must have non-breakable lenses. If you have a catcher, they may have their own catcher's gear - teams will also have a set for sharing.

Does SYA Little League have insurance?

Yes. We purchase our insurance through SYA Sports to include accident and general liability. More information can be provided.

What are the Opening Ceremonies?

The Opening Day Ceremony provides the SYA Little League community the opportunity to kick off the season with all our players.This year we are planning to have ceremonies just prior to the start of games - details will follow on our home page, but plan on April 6, 2024.

End of Season Awards

End of season awards are provided for all TB and CP Players and will be given to the managers to distribute to their teams at the end of the season. SYA Little League also provides trophies to the regular season division champions at the Majors and AAA levels, plus playoff champions at the Majors, AAA, and AA levels. Runner-up medals are awarded to the second place team in these playoffs. All Star players and Special Games players are recognized with medals.

 

Quick Links

Quick Links

About SYA

Quick Links

Sports

Travel Sports

Connect
Contact SYA
Office Location:
5950 Centreville Crest Lane
Centreville, VA 20121
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 471
Centreville, VA 20122
Phone: (703) 815-3362
Fax: (703) 815-2180
E-mail: admin@syayouthsports.org