Thousand Oaks Little League - 2021 Spring Season Green Book - Ngin
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2021 Spring Season Green Book Thousand Oaks Little League
About Thousand Oaks Little League ........................................................................................ 4
Parent Participation................................................................................................................................................... 4
Little League Membership........................................................................................................................................ 4
Sportsmanship .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Umpires .................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Discipline Committee ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Positive Coaching Alliance ...................................................................................................................................... 5
League Boundaries ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Residency and School Attendance Eligibility .......................................................................................................... 5
Out-of-Boundaries Returning Players ...................................................................................................................... 6
Little League Age ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Playing Fields ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Non-Permitted Items................................................................................................................................................. 6
Parking ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Uniforms ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Divisions of Play ............................................................................................................................... 7
Division Guideline for Parents ................................................................................................................................. 7
T-Ball and Coach Pitch Divisions (ages 4 to 6): ...................................................................................................... 7
Acorn Division (ages 6 to 9): ................................................................................................................................... 7
Minors Division (ages 9 to 11) and Majors Division (ages 11 & 12): ..................................................................... 8
Juniors Division (ages 13 & 14): .............................................................................................................................. 9
Seniors Division (ages 15 & 16): ............................................................................................................................. 9
Tryout / Evaluation Process (Juniors, Majors, Minors, and Acorn) ........................... 9
Team Assignments (The Draft) ................................................................................................ 10
Pool Players ...................................................................................................................................... 11
TOLL Pool Player Procedures................................................................................................................................ 12
Little League Pitching Rules ...................................................................................................... 13
TOLL clarifications: ............................................................................................................................................... 13
Maximum pitches per day: ............................................................................................................. 13
Days of rest requirements: ...................................................................................................................................... 14
TOLL Supplemental Pitching Rules ........................................................................................ 14
Acorn 1: .................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Acorn 2: .................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Minors & Majors: ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Volunteers ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Umpires .................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Coaches................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Other Volunteers..................................................................................................................................................... 15
2TOLL Café .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Major Events .................................................................................................................................... 16
Post-Season Tournament Play (All-Stars)........................................................................... 16
Manager Selection .................................................................................................................................................. 17
Player Selection ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Post-Season Age and Residency Verification ........................................................................................................ 18
Sponsorship Opportunities........................................................................................................ 19
2021 Player Registration Fees ................................................................................................. 19
Operating Costs............................................................................................................................... 19
2021 Board Members, Division Directors and Committee Chairs............................ 20
2021 TOLL COVID-19 Protocols .............................................................................................. 21
3About Thousand Oaks Little League
Thousand Oaks Little League (TOLL), established in 1968, is a non-profit community organization,
affiliated with Little League Baseball, Inc., and is also a chartered member of the Positive Coaching
Alliance. Overseen by an elected volunteer board of directors, TOLL provides its program to
approximately 450 youths from the eastern half of Thousand Oaks (see League boundaries). The
volunteer board of directors is elected annually under the TOLL Constitution as approved by Little
League Baseball, Inc.
The primary purpose of TOLL is to provide a program of organized youth baseball for all players
between the ages of 4 and 16 who live within its chartered boundaries, offering both formal
instruction and competition. The Little League baseball game is played under rules approved by
Little League Baseball, Inc. One key provision of the Little League rules is that every player is
assured of playing at least a minimum amount of time in each regulation game.
In addition to a regular season of competition, TOLL also fields teams in several post-season and
All-Star tournaments, providing an additional level of competition for our players. These post-
season games include the Little League Tournament, which leads to the Little League World Series
played each year in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
This handbook is designed to provide information about the Little League program and its events
throughout the season. If you need further information, a list of the TOLL Officers and Board of
Directors is included in this handbook.
Parent Participation
Participation from all parents of TOLL is vital to the success of the program. When called upon to
volunteer we highly encourage you to do so. Our league is 100% volunteer based.
Little League Membership
Every player registered in TOLL is a player member. Parents, and any other interested persons
over the age of 18 who support the Little League program, and are approved volunteers, are deemed
to be “Regular Members”. Regular Members in good standing are eligible to vote at the annual
General Membership meeting.
Regular (adult) Members are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors,
which are generally held on the second Tuesday of each month. We always need and welcome new
volunteers to join in on our Board Meetings.
Sportsmanship
During the season you will have many hours of enjoyment watching your children, their friends,
and their teammates play the game of baseball. They are really encouraged when you do so. You
will want to reinforce their successes and be compassionate about their losses and shortcomings.
Teach them to learn from both winning and losing and teach them by your example of good
sportsmanship both on and off the field.
Coaches are volunteering their time and devoting countless hours to teach the game of baseball to
your child. Positive comments are expected from both the parents and friends of the players.
4Umpires
TOLL uses both youth and adult umpires. The minimum age to umpire is 13. Training is offered
and proficiency is required. It is the policy of TOLL and Little League International, Inc. to support
the umpires in their control of the game; TOLL has a strict NO TOLERANCE policy with respect
to interference with, or abuse towards the umpires. Rowdy or uncooperative fans, coaches, or
players will be directed to leave the facilities. Play will not resume until such individuals have left
the facilities.
Discipline Committee
The TOLL Board of Directors formed a Discipline Committee for the purpose of investigating
instances of rowdy or uncooperative fans, parents, players or coaches. The Discipline Committee
will investigate these matters, including interviewing participants, and make recommendations for
further action to be approved by the Board of Directors, including games suspensions.
Positive Coaching Alliance
TOLL has partnered with Positive Coaching Alliance to encourage our players through Positive
Reinforcement. We hold MANDATORY live workshops led by a PCA trainer for parents and
coaches. Our goal is to provide parents and coaches with tools they can use during the season to
help improve our players’ performance, promote valuable life lessons and help our players honor
the game of baseball.
League Boundaries
The boundaries as established by Little League International, Inc. determine who is eligible to play
baseball with TOLL. If you live within the boundaries described below, your child is eligible to
play, and we would love to have your family join our League!
The TOLL boundaries encompass residential areas EAST of Moorpark Rd. in Thousand Oaks. This
includes all of Westlake Village, the portion of Lake Sherwood that is east of extended Moorpark
Rd., and all of Oak Park and Agoura Hills west of Las Virgenes Road.
All participants in TOLL will be required to show proof of residence (utility bill or equivalent) as
well as proof of age (ORIGINAL birth certificate) before their registration for the current year is
effective.
Residency and School Attendance Eligibility
In an effort to accommodate Little Leaguers wishing to play with their classmates, and ease the
burden on parents and guardians, Little League has amended its residency requirements to allow
children to play in the local league whose boundaries encompass the player's school, regardless of
the player's home address. To verify enrollment, parents will need to bring an official school
document, such as a report card or school enrollment form, confirming enrollment in the school for
the current academic year, dated before October 1st, 2019.
The above rule regarding residency based on school location is an ADDITIONAL OPTION to the
regular rules regarding residency based on home address and is NOT A REPLACEMENT for
those rules: "Players will be eligible to play with that league only if they reside OR the physical
location of the school where they attend classes is within" the league boundaries.
The above birth certificate and residency requirements apply to both regular-season and
post-season play and are mandated by Little League International. There are NO
5EXCEPTIONS to these rules.
Out-of-Boundaries Returning Players
If an in-boundaries player began his Little League “career” or otherwise legally played in TOLL,
then subsequently moved out of TOLL boundaries but continued to play in TOLL uninterrupted
(without playing in the league his/her new address falls in or skipping a season in TOLL) they CAN
CONTINUE to play in TOLL. Specific documentation of the previous and current addresses and
District approval are required; please contact the Player Agent for details. These rules are referred
to by Little League International as “II (d)” or “2(d)” regulations and apply to both regular-season
and post-season play.
Little League Age
It is important for you to know your player’s “League Age”: this is the age that the player will be
on August 31, 2021. Whenever the term “age” is used for registration, tryouts, or elsewhere in the
TOLL program, it is always in reference to the player’s Little League Age. The TOLL website has
a convenient chart that will show a player’s League Age based on their birth month and year. Please
refer to that chart during the registration process.
Playing Fields
The principal playing fields for TOLL are located at Colina Middle School (west of Erbes Road, at
1500 Hillcrest Drive). T-Ball, Coach Pitch, Acorn 1 & 2, Minors, and Majors divisions play at these
fields. The Juniors teams play at Waverly Park, Conejo Creek South (near the AYSO soccer fields),
and Moorpark Little League fields. Seniors teams play at Conejo Creek South.
Practice fields are scarce in the Conejo Valley, but we historically have obtained a permit for the
use of several public park playing fields. These are multi-use fields, and their condition is not always
ideal for baseball, but we are grateful that we are able to use them.
Non-Permitted Items
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any Little League game or practice, activities, or facilities.
Tobacco (in any form), as well as Vaping devices in all forms, are not allowed at any school fields
or facilities. Dogs (or any other animals) are not allowed on any fields, except for service animals,
for any reason, including hot weather. Anyone bringing an animal onto the property will be
immediately asked to leave. The Conejo Valley Unified School District requires that we enforce
these rules, and TOLL expects that everyone will help to support these regulations. Violators of
these rules will be directed to leave the premises.
Parking
Parking at Colina is limited and many families may be forced to park on nearby streets, including
Hillcrest and Rancho Road. On most Saturdays, we may also use the parking lots at Ascension
Lutheran Church. Please observe all parking regulations at each of these facilities or your vehicle
may be ticketed and towed by local law enforcement. TOLL is not responsible for parking
violations. ALL SCHOOL ORDINANCES WILL BE ENFORCED.
Uniforms
All players will be issued a uniform prior to the start of the season, which will include a hat and
jersey. The player is responsible for providing baseball pants, socks, a belt, a baseball glove,
baseball shoes (with plastic or rubber cleats), and an athletic supporter and cup (Acorn and above).
6Metal cleats are allowed in Juniors and Seniors Divisions only.
Divisions of Play
Division Guideline for Parents
Many parents have asked, "Which division is best for my child?” TOLL strives to place all players
in the appropriate division of baseball, based on their age and skill level. All players above the T-
ball and Coach Pitch divisions participate in try-outs, divided up by division, where coaches can
evaluate their skills in fielding, batting and pitching. If a player exhibits skills that are significantly
above or below other players in that age group, coaches can recommend a player move to a higher
or lower division as appropriate. TOLL wants all players to learn how to play and enjoy the game
of baseball and to continue to develop their baseball skills as they grow. The vision of Little
League International is that by the time your child is 11, he or she should be ready to play in the
Majors Division.
While actual division placement is based on the draft, families can use the following guidelines
when registering their player and participating in try-outs, based on a player's League Age. If you
have any questions, please contact the Vice President - Baseball.
T-Ball and Coach Pitch Divisions (ages 4 to 6):
The primary objective of the T-Ball and Coach Pitch divisions is to provide an environment in which
4 - 6-year-olds will have fun during the season and experience baseball play at a rudimentary level.
This division is strictly instructional – T-Ball batters hit off a tee, and Coach Pitch involves soft-
toss coach pitching. Game scores are not kept, and competition is downplayed. Although there may
be some overlap, we recommend that players age 4/5 (with no prior experience) play in T-Ball and
players age 5 (with 1 year of experience) and 6 (with no prior experience) start in Coach Pitch.
These 2 divisions emphasize instruction, teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, encouragement, and
fun. There are no tryouts/evaluations in T-Ball or Coach Pitch.
NOTE – If a player is League Age 6 and has at least one year of prior baseball experience, we
recommend that player first register and try-out in Acorn 1.
Acorn Division (ages 6 to 9):
There are two levels within this division: Acorn 1 and Acorn 2. Both levels are also primarily
focused on instruction, player development and encouragement, however, both Acorn 1 and Acorn
2 are competitive divisions, including umpires, scorekeeping, and playoffs at the end of the season.
The primary difference between the 2 levels involves pitching. The Acorn 1 season is machine pitch,
with no walks. The Acorn 2 season is divided; the first half is kid/coach pitch, with no walks; the
second half is kid pitch with walks. The Acorn 2 level plays on fields that are smaller than 60-foot
base paths and 42-foot pitching distance.
Both Acorn 1 and Acorn 2 have other supplemental rules unique to that division that are provided
to managers and coaches at the start of each season. All coaches, players and parents should become
familiar with the supplemental rules to make watching the games more enjoyable.
Age Considerations in the Acorn 1 divisions
All players for either of the 2 levels of the Acorn division must participate in try-outs. During the
try-outs, player safety and skills appropriate to the level of play will be considered when evaluating
the players.
League age 6 – We recommend that 6-year-olds with at least one year of baseball experience,
7register and try-out for Acorn 1. Subsequent drafting to an Acorn 1 team or assignment to a Coach
Pitch team will be based on the player’s evaluation and approval by the Division Director. Player
safety and skills will also be considered.
League age 7 – We recommend that all 7-year-olds first register and try-out for Acorn 1. Those
players with more experience are encouraged to also try-out for Acorn 2. Subsequent drafting to an
Acorn 2 team or Acorn 1 team will be based on the player’s evaluation and approved by the Division
Director.
League age 8 – We recommend that all 8-year-olds first register and try-out for Acorn 2. If the
player is a first-year player or there are safety concerns, the player may be considered for the Acorn
1 level.
NOTE – If a player is League Age 9 and has at least one year of prior baseball experience, we
recommend that player first register and try-out in the Minors division.
Minors Division (ages 9 to 11) and Majors Division (ages 11 & 12):
Both play under similar rules and on fields with 60-foot base paths and a 46-foot pitching distance.
Age Considerations in the Minors and Majors divisions
League age 9 – We recommend that all 9-year-olds with at least one-year experience in organized
baseball first register and try-out for Minors. If the player is a first-year player or there are safety
concerns, the player may be considered for the Acorn 2 division.
League age 10 – We recommend that all 10-year-olds first register and try-out for Minors.
League age 11 – We recommend that all 11-year-olds first register and try-out for Majors. By the
time players reach this age, they generally have participated in baseball for more than 1 year and
have developed the baseball skills required to play in Majors. If the player is a first-year player or
is a safety concern, the player may be considered for the Minors division.
League age 12 – All 12-year-olds are required to register and try-out for Majors. Only in rare
instances can a 12-year-old be considered for Minors. Parents must contact the VP – Baseball prior
to registration if they believe they have a 12-year-old that would be a safety concern if they played
in Majors.
Again, player safety and skills appropriate to the division will always be considered and evaluated
during the try-out process. There is no automatic or guaranteed “playing up” or “playing down”.
These decisions are only considered after all players have completed the tryout process.
If a player, who has attended tryouts, is a first-year player and has been evaluated to have skills
significantly below those of this age group, the Division Director will discuss the situation with the
parent prior to the draft to determine the appropriate division for the player. A player who has been
evaluated to “play up” in higher divisions will not necessarily be notified in advance if they have
not been drafted to a team in the higher division. The first notification to any player in any division
of draft results and team selection is generally the first contact by the coach who selected the player
onto his team. The draft generally takes place at the end of January.
Please note: The Little League International Official Rule Book refers to the divisions “Little
League Majors” and “Little League Minors.” In TOLL, the “Little League Minors” division is
comprised of TOLL Acorn 1, Acorn 2 and Minors; the “Little League Majors” division is comprised
of TOLL Majors.
The following table summarizes the recommended division for players at each age for the Little
8League program. You can also find this table on the TOLL website.
Age No Organized 1-year Organized Recommended
Baseball Baseball Division
Experience Experience
4 x x T-Ball
5 x T-Ball
5 x Coach Pitch
6 x Coach Pitch
6 x Acorn 1
7 x x Acorn 1
8 x x Acorn 2
9 x Acorn 2
9 x Minors
10 x x Minors
11 x Minors
11 x Majors
12 x x Majors
Juniors Division (ages 13 & 14):
Juniors is generally for players who have “aged out” of the Little League Majors division and wish
to continue their baseball career prior to or immediately upon entering high school. Games are
played on a regulation-size field (90-ft base paths, 60-ft pitching distance). High-school players in
this age group can join the program once their season has ended. All players (with the exception of
current high-school players) must complete a tryout. Teams are redrafted every year.
Seniors Division (ages 15 & 16):
15- and 16-year-old players and some 14-year-olds participate in this division. Games are played
on a regulation size field (90-ft base paths, 60-ft pitching distance). High school players in this age
group can join the program once their high school season has ended. Due to the historical difficulty
in finding enough players to fill teams in this division, players from outside TOLL boundaries are
frequently registered in Seniors, and the Senior division is not sanctioned by Little League
International.
Tryout / Evaluation Process (Juniors, Majors, Minors, and Acorn)
The purpose of the tryouts/evaluations is to determine the players’ skills in order to provide
managers with sufficient information to draft balanced teams. TOLL makes every effort to build
balanced teams. There are no “cuts” – every registered player will be assigned to a team and will
play throughout the entire season. All managers/coaches must attend evaluations so they can
determine the players’ skills and prioritize their draft preferences for their teams. At the evaluations
the player is asked to demonstrate a series of skills designed to show his/her ability in fielding,
throwing, catching, hitting, and running the bases.
Players do not have to wear a baseball uniform to tryouts but must wear baseball cleats for safety
reasons. The baseball cleats must be plastic or rubber; metal cleats are allowed in Jr. and Sr.
divisions only. Players must bring their glove and hat. Players may bring a favorite bat, provided
it meets regulation size/weight/etc. for the division in which they are trying out (please visit
littleleague.org for approved bat info). Evaluations are first-come, first-served based, and parents
should be prepared to stay and watch their players through the tryout/evaluation process. We cannot
guarantee specific times, other than scheduled start times, or advance any player in the tryout order,
9unless under exceptional circumstances as determined by the Player Agent.
T-Ball and Coach Pitch players do not attend evaluations, except for 6-year-olds who have played
at least one year in a program of organized baseball and who wish to be evaluated for potential play
in the Acorn 1 division. All other players must be evaluated - including those who played in
previous years. If team rosters become filled, late registrants and/or players who fail to attend
evaluations will be placed on a waiting list until a vacancy occurs during the season. Because
we strive for competitive balance in each division, the addition of a late registrant to a team is
at the discretion of the Player Agent and Director of that particular division. Therefore, it is
of the utmost importance for all players to attend the evaluations scheduled by TOLL.
As discussed above under “Age Considerations” players in certain ages may be considered to play
in a division above or below their age group based on skill level and/or safety considerations. These
determinations can only be addressed after the player has attended evaluations/tryouts and will be
made after discussions between the manager/coaches, the Division Directors and the VP-Baseball.
Please first register your player and attend the tryout based on the age recommendations provided
in the chart above. There is no guarantee that your player will be drafted into a lower or higher
division.
Please note that divisions are NOT organized by players’ grade levels in school – the divisions are
organized by League Age and by skill level as determined by the coaches. For example, there may
be players who are 7, 8, and 9-years old all on the same Acorn-2 team. Highly skilled 2nd graders
may play on a team that also includes 3rd and 4th graders.
All players, except T-Ballers/Coach Pitch, and including those players participating in the Senior
division, and current high-school players whose participation in tryouts might potentially represent
a violation of school district athletics rules, must attend the evaluation process. It is important to
review the schedule closely and identify the location, date, and time for which the
tryouts/evaluations for your particular age group will be held. Players must check in and be assigned
a tryout number prior to proceeding to their respective fields. If team rosters become filled, late
registrants and/or players who fail to attend evaluations will be placed on a waiting list until
a vacancy occur during the season. Because we strive for competitive balance in each division,
the addition of a late registrant to a team is at the discretion of the Player Agent and Director
of that particular division. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance for all players to attend
the evaluations scheduled by TOLL.
If a change in schedules is necessary because of weather or unforeseen circumstances, updates will
be posted at the Colina Fields and on our website. If in doubt, show up! The fields may be okay to
play on even if it’s raining elsewhere.
Players must check in and be assigned a tryout number prior to proceeding to their respective
fields.
Team Assignments (The Draft)
T-Ball and Coach Pitch team assignments are not made via a draft. We encourage teams of players
be formed based on friendships, schools attended, neighbors, etc. This is to promote the “fun”
aspect of baseball at the younger ages by allowing players to be on a team with other players they
know. If a player does not request a specific team, the Division Director will assign a player to a
team. We strive to place 10 - 12 players on each team.
10All other team assignments are done via a Draft, to be held near the end of January after
evaluation/tryouts have been completed. TOLL strives to ensure reasonable competition between
teams in the same division; however, managers are generally free to draft the players they feel will
best fill out their team (pitching, batting, fielding, catching), based on the evaluations/tryouts, which
are generally held in early January. Drafts are generally done is a sequential “serpentine” style
manner until all players registered in that division have been selected.
Note – Players new to the league may not be drafted if birth certificate and proof of residency have
not been reviewed by TOLL.
The draft meetings are “closed” – only the President and VP-Baseball, the registrar/player agent,
the Director of the division, and the teams’ manager/head coaches may attend these meetings. No
information from these meetings will be shared with anyone other than the above-named
parties, including player ratings or the draft round that any player was selected.
All team assignments are for the duration of the season. Once team assignments have been made,
your team’s manager will give you your team’s game and practice schedule at one of his or her
parent meetings. T-Ball teams usually practice once or twice a week and play one game a week on
Saturdays. Coach Pitch will generally play 2 games per week. Teams in all other divisions usually
practice once a week and play two games a week. Little League International has a specific rule
whereby no team may have more than 3 “touches” per week, meaning any combination of practices
and games. There are generally no games or practices on holidays. As a general rule, team/carpool
requests will try to be accommodated in the T-Ball and Coach Pitch divisions, but not in Acorn 1
and higher divisions (except for special circumstances approved prior to the draft by the Board of
Directors).
Pool Players
Due to COVID-19 Guidelines, there will be no pool players in the 2021 Season
The intent of the Pool Player policy is to eliminate forfeits due to lack of a minimum number of
players for a specific game, and NOT to supplement a team’s roster. TOLL will adhere to the pool
player rules and guidelines as stated in the official Little League rule book:
Section V-(c): A pool of players from existing regular season teams can be created with
players that are willing to participate in extra games during the regular season when teams
face a shortage of rostered players for a regular season game. NOTE: Players may not be
“borrowed” from an opponent. They must be assigned by the Player Agent.
Guidelines:
1. The league’s Player Agent will create and run the pool. The league’s Player Agent will
use the pool to assign players to teams that are short of players on a rotating basis.
2. Managers and/or coaches will not have the right to randomly pick and choose players
from the pool.
3. Under this option, when a player participates in a game on a team other than his/her own
team, such player will not be permitted to pitch in that game.
4. Pool players that are called and show up at the game site must play at least nine
consecutive defensive outs and bat once.
In addition to the above Little League regulations, TOLL will adopt these additional local rules:
a. A team needing pool players may fill their roster up to ten players only. The coach may
request pool players to make a total of either nine players or ten players, at the coach’s
discretion.
- Little League rules prohibit the starting of a game with fewer than nine players.
11- TOLL has adopted a local rule that allows a game to be completed with less than
nine, should a player need to leave a game due to becoming ill or injured, or other
valid reason for leaving the game early.
b. No coach, manager, parent, or other league member or official may contact a pool player
on their own or otherwise attempt to influence the pool player process. Little League
regulations, the Player Agent is the only person authorized to arrange for pool players.
In the event the Player Agent is unavailable, the Division Director will act as a secondary
point of contact.
c. Except under extraordinary conditions, pool players will play a maximum of one (1)
inning in the infield. Pool players will not be allowed to play pitcher or catcher, and
they will bat last in the lineup.
d. If a rostered player arrives late or is otherwise unexpectedly available to play the game,
making a pool player unneeded, the pool player will still play for that team – in other
words, if a pool player is requested and shows up to play, he or she will be allowed to
play.
e. Little League guideline #4 above will be modified such that the minimum number of
outs need not be consecutive.
f. No regular rostered player who arrives at the start of a game and remains until its
conclusion will play fewer innings than a pool player.
g. If fewer than seven regular rostered players are available for a game, the game will be
rescheduled.
h. Pool players will wear their own team’s regular uniform.
i. Pool players will not be allowed during end-of-season playoffs without explicit approval
by the executive committee of the TOLL board of directors.
j. The Player Agent will maintain a database of pool player activity and will regularly
report such activity to the TOLL board of directors.
k. Managers needing pool players should make every attempt to give the Player Agent at
least 48-hours’ notice. The earlier the notice, the better. There are no guarantees that a
pool player can be provided, especially with short notice.
TOLL Pool Player Procedures
Inclusion on the pool player availability list is 100% voluntary. A player can request to be put on
the pool player list as part of registration. In addition, before opening day, the Player Agent will
send out at least two requests to the Division Director and/or team managers and/or directly to all
regular rostered players’ families to recruit pool players. Pool players do not need to be “nominated”
by their coach; any rostered player that wants to be on the pool player list will be included.
When a pool player is requested by a team manager, the Player Agent will follow the below
procedures:
Little League rules state that the player agent will contact potential pool players on a rotating basis.
The TOLL pool player list is alphabetical by last name. Pool players will be contacted by the Player
Agent in alphabetical order, alternating the order between seasons from A-Z and Z-A. The Player
Agent may choose another process to ensure random selection if approved by the board of directors.
When a coach requests a pool player, the Player Agent will email or text a request to the first three-
to-four players on the pool player list who have not yet played as a pool player. If the Player Agent
has not received a positive response within a day, the Player Agent will send out a second request,
this time to all players on the list who haven't played yet. If still no response in a reasonable time,
then a request will be sent out to the entire list, including those who've already played a pool game.
If still no response, then the Player Agent will start calling pool players. These calls will be made
12in no order other than to players the Player Agent thinks are most likely to want to play. The intent
of this process is to allow all listed pool players a chance to play a game as a pool player before
starting back at the top of the list or offering a second game to a player.
There are no guarantees that a pool player can be provided, especially with short notice, and so this
process is subject to modification depending on how much notice is given before game day by the
manager in need of a pool player. For example, if the manager advises the Player Agent of a need
for a pool player only one day prior to the game, the Player Agent may send the first request to
every pool player who hasn't played yet, and after a reasonable time go directly to calling pool
players.
Little League Pitching Rules
Please see the TOLL Supplemental Rules at end of this section. TOLL Supplemental Rules
supersede Little League rules in any conflict between the two.
Pitchers - Regulation VI:
(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch.
o Exception: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more
innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.)
TOLL clarifications:
• There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.
• If a player has caught in any part of four innings he or she cannot pitch, even if it’s
only one pitch in an inning.
• The innings caught do not need to be consecutive.
(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot be returned as a pitcher.
a. Juniors and above only: a pitcher remaining in the game on defense but moving to a
different position, can return as a pitcher any time in the remainder of the game, but
only once per game.
(c) The manager must remove the pitcher when he or she reaches the limit for his/her age group,
but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:
Maximum pitches per day:
League Age Pitches
7-8 50 pitches per day
9-10 75 pitches per day
11-12 85 pitches per day
13-16 95 pitches per day
17-18 105 pitches per day
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI(c) for his/her age group while
facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs:
1. That batter reaches base;
2. That batter is put out;
3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning.
Note: a pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for
the remainder of that day.
13Days of rest requirements:
(d) Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
1-20 pitches in a day: no days of rest are required
21-35 pitches in a day: one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed
36-50 pitches in a day: two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed
51-65 pitches in a day: three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed
66 or more pitches in a day: four (4) calendar days must be observed
The pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she
reached during that at-bat, provided that pitcher is removed, or the game is completed before
delivering a pitch to another batter.
For pitching limits for players ages 15-16, please see the Little League Official Rule Book.
TOLL Supplemental Pitching Rules
Acorn 1:
• Pitching machine will be utilized for all games.
Acorn 2:
• Pitchers may pitch a maximum of either: 3 innings, or 9 outs, or 30 pitches per inning, or
50 pitches per day.
• Once the limit is reached, the pitcher cannot finish the batter.
• A pitcher is allowed a maximum of 75 pitches in a 7-day span (Saturday-Friday). The
Little League standard ‘days of rest’ still apply to all pitch counts.
Minors & Majors:
• A pitcher league age 9-10 is allowed a maximum of 113 pitches in a 7-day span
(Saturday - Friday). The Little League standard ‘days of rest’ still apply to all pitch
counts.
• A pitcher league age 11-12 is allowed a maximum of 128 pitches in a 7-day span
(Saturday - Friday). The Little League standard ‘days of rest’ still apply to all pitch
counts.
The pitching week will reset on Saturday every week.
Volunteers
All parents are strongly encouraged to volunteer some of their time during the season. There are
many volunteer opportunities available such as coaching, scorekeeping, umpiring, team parent, or
field preparation, maintenance, and clean-up. There are additional opportunities such as the
Opening Day ceremonies, Special Events, League-sponsored tournaments, or you can sponsor a
team through monetary contributions. When your team’s coach or your team parent approaches
you to volunteer some of your time to the success of your team and the League, please do so
enthusiastically – and keep in mind that without our parent volunteers TOLL would not exist.
During the 2019 season, TOLL processed over 200 volunteer applications.
14Little League International is dedicated to the safety our baseball players and requires all volunteers
that have contact with the players (coaches, team parents, etc.) complete a very simple online
background check.
Umpires
TOLL uses both youth and adult umpires. Minimum age to umpire is 13. Prior Little League
experience is preferred but not required. Training will be offered, and mandatory training clinics
are held. Youths willing to meet the training and proficiency requirements are always needed and
interested persons should contact the Umpire-In-Charge or another TOLL board member.
It is the policy of TOLL and Little League International, Inc. to support the umpires in their control
of the game; TOLL has a strict NO TOLERANCE policy with respect to interference with, or
abuse towards the umpires. Rowdy or uncooperative fans, coaches, or players will be directed to
leave the facilities. Play will not resume until such individuals have left the facilities.
The League will not tolerate any interference with the umpires, and parents are expected to set an
example for their children by respecting the decisions of all league officials, including umpires.
Intimidation of umpires or league officials by spectators is not in the spirit of Little League Baseball
and will not be tolerated. In case of disputes, the Team Manager or Head Coach is the only
person entitled to discuss the matter with the umpire.
Coaches
Each year we need over 120 team managers and assistant coaches to conduct our TOLL program.
Coaches are the heart of the Little League training program. Interested persons should contact the
Division Director of the age group you would like to coach. It is preferable that new coaches have
some experience, but that is not a requirement.
All team managers are required to have a team meeting with parents prior to the first practice. Each
team manager will notify parents regarding the time and place of this meeting. Many questions
about the season will be answered here, and parents should make every effort to attend. A better
understanding of the program will help you to assure your child of a fun and productive season.
There will be mandatory coaches’ meetings and clinics. These meetings and clinics are designed
to help coaches teach the fundamentals of baseball and will help them set up and run practices and
games. The meetings and clinics are required for managers and coaches from all divisions.
Other Volunteers
Team Parent –The Team Parent generally assists the manager with team administrative activities,
calling players with schedule changes, organizing fund-raising activities for the team, maintaining
the team roster, scheduling pictures, parties, etc. Contact your team’s manager if you are interested
in this important position.
Field Cleanup Days – Every team will supply volunteers to come to the fields and help with pre-
season cleanup and maintenance. This is the day that we come together to make our facility look
its best for Opening Day and the upcoming season.
Field Maintenance – Every team is required to have someone help with setting up and tearing down
the playing fields. Responsibilities include chalking fields, watering the infield dirt, dragging the
fields, and emptying the trash cans.
15Scorekeeper – The scorekeeper sits in the score booth during the games and maintains the official
scorebook when their team is the home team, and also keeps the coach’s scorebook if requested to
do so. The scorekeeper must attend all games; it is recommended that each team have a main
scorekeeper and a backup. The scorekeeper’s clinic is mandatory for all (new and returning)
scorekeepers. Managers are also required to attend the scorekeeping clinic.
Contact your team manager for more information about any of these important volunteer
positions.
TOLL Café
The TOLL Café offers a variety of great, freshly prepared foods, and is open during all games for
the convenience of players and spectators. The Café is a modest source of income for the League,
and we appreciate your support.
Running the TOLL Café is a big undertaking. To ensure that the TOLL Café has sufficient staff to
function, TOLL has instituted a $40 per family volunteer fee for the season. A family member must
volunteer at least 3 hours in one shift to satisfy the volunteer commitment. Return of the volunteer
fee will be done towards the end of the season.
For the security and safety of our Café staff, a coach or parent from each team of the last game of
the day (in all divisions) must stay at the fields until the Café is closed and locked up and our staff
has left the parking lot.
Major Events
As permitted, in addition to games and practices, there are many other TOLL events and fundraisers
which will make your player’s Little League experience a rewarding one.
Opening Day – The day begins with the traditional Pancake Breakfast. Team pictures for all teams
will be taken during the morning. Opening Day ceremonies follow. All teams are introduced at the
ceremony, and all teams and players are required to participate, even though some teams may not
have games that day. Many other activities are planned, so bring your friends and family to enjoy
all-you-can-eat pancakes and plan on spending the day connecting with friends and having lots of
fun!
Restaurant Nights – Support your League by dining out and having a portion of the proceeds
donated back to TOLL. Locations and dates TBA. Please check our website.
Friday Night Under the Lights – Games played at night under lights. There will be specialty food
and lots of other fun activities for all ages. These are great family events.
Annual Fundraiser Night and Dinner – This annual fundraising event is key to the League’s
ongoing success and is a fun occasion for all TOLL baseball families.
Champion’s Day – The League will hold its annual Champion’s Day program following the
championship games in all divisions on the last Saturday of the regular season.
Post-Season Tournament Play (All-Stars)
Each year Little League International holds All-Star tournaments at the Little League Minors level
(8 - 10 year-olds and 9 - 11 year-olds) that offer successful teams competition in District, Sectional,
16and State tournaments, Little League Majors level (10 - 12 year-olds) that offer successful teams
competition in District, Sectional, State, National, and World Championship tournaments, and
Junior League (13-14 year-olds), and Senior League (14-16 year-olds) levels, both of which
compete up to World Championships. Additionally, TOLL enters 7/8 and 8/9 teams in at least one
regional tournament in the post-season every year. TOLL enters teams in all of these tournaments,
which usually start in mid-June/Early-July and may continue into August or longer depending on
the success of each individual team.
All-Stars can be a large time commitment for families during the early part of summer. Players are
required to attend substantially all practices and be available for tournament play, some of which
may take place away from Thousand Oaks. Towards the end of the regular season, families will be
asked to complete an All-Star Commitment Letter indicating your willingness to make the time
commitment for All-Stars. If TOLL does not receive an All-Star Commitment letter prior to the
selection of the All-Star team, your player will not be considered.
Manager Selection
Regular-season Managers or Coaches who have an interest in managing a post-season All-Star team
must notify their Division Director. All-Star Manager Candidates need only have been a regular-
season Coach or Manager – Managers or Coaches from either the team with the best regular-season
record or the playoff winner are not an “automatic” choice. The League President, League Vice
President and the Division Director will interview all interested candidates individually. After
interviewing each candidate, the President, Vice President and the Division Director will vote. The
selected candidate will be notified by the Division Director immediately.
Player Selection
The Player Agent will request from each regular-season Manager (excluding T-Ball/Coach Pitch) a
list of player nominations. All players must have an All-Star Commitment Letter on file in order to
be considered.
• The list will consist of players that the Coaches and Managers feel are the strongest, most-
qualified All-Star player candidates on their regular-season team, regardless of the players’
previous all-star or travel-team experience. The list can include as many players from their
team as they feel are qualified.
• All nominated players will be considered for All-Star selection
The Player Agent will collect these lists and collate them into one comprehensive list of nominees
for each age group. The list will include the players’ names, regular-season teams, and league ages.
Once the nominee list is complete, the League President will call a meeting for each division that
will include the League VP, the Division Director, the Player Agent, and all regular-season
Managers from each division (the “selection committees”).
The Division Directors will distribute the nomination lists to the managers for review and
discussion. If after reviewing the list of nominations, any Manager feels that any player that was
not nominated from any team should be considered for any reason, that player’s name will be added
to the list. Players who “played up” in the next division or age group during the regular-season are
not guaranteed selection to an All-Star team; however, excluding 6-year-olds playing in AC-1, they
must be included in the nomination process and considered by the committee (including input from
the players’ regular-season Managers and/or Coaches) for selection in their appropriate age group.
The Division Directors will then lead an open, candid, and civil discussion amongst the
Managers and Coaches regarding the strengths of each nominated player. These discussions are
confidential and will not be discussed outside of this selection process. After all the Managers
17and Coaches have had an opportunity to discuss the strengths of every nominated player, the
group of Managers and Coaches from each division will then vote for and select nine All-Star
players. The All-Star Manager will then select an additional number of players from the
nomination list to round out the team:
- The 8 - 10-year-old, 9 - 11-year-old, 10 - 12-year-old, and 13 - 14-year-old teams are
limited to a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 14 players.
- Senior League teams are limited to a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 players
Alternates are not authorized by Little League Baseball and shall not accompany the team or be
listed on the Eligibility Affidavit. The announcement of the names of the selected All-Star Players
will be made no earlier than the approved date set per Little League regulations.
All rules and regulations as published in the official Tournament Rules and Guidelines for Little
League Baseball will apply and will be adhered to. The 7/8 and 8/9 post-season teams are not Little
League “sanctioned” teams; however, TOLL will abide by the same regulations that govern the
sanctioned teams for the older age groups.
Please feel free to contact any TOLL board member with any questions or concerns.
Post-Season Age and Residency Verification
Anyone playing on a Little League post-season team must have a certified, ORIGINAL,
government-issued birth certificate (not a hospital certificate) to deliver to the team manager before
they are allowed to play in any post-season games. A photocopy is not acceptable. Without this
certified copy of the birth certificate, a player will not participate in tournaments. Note: passports
are not an acceptable form of age verification.
Additionally, residence within TOLL boundaries must be established and supported by documents,
dated or in force between February 1 of the previous year and February 1 of the current year, from
THREE OR MORE of the following categories to determine residency of parent(s) or guardian:
1. Driver’s License
2. Voter’s Registration
3. School records
4. Welfare/childcare 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
17. Employment records
NOTE: – three utility bills (three items from No. 10 above) constitute only ONE document.
18Sponsorship Opportunities
TOLL provides an outstanding youth sports baseball program for both boys and girls ages 4 to
16. We utilize America’s favorite pastime to develop the hallmarks of a positive growth
environment while encouraging teamwork, sportsmanship, self-esteem, and confidence. Through
our efforts we hope to provide the children of our community the necessary skills to become
effective leaders of tomorrow. Although this is our mission, we cannot do it alone . . . we need your
help. By sponsoring TOLL, you will help us continue to make our children better stewards of our
great community. Listed below are ways in which you can make the difference.
$500 “Homerun” Sponsor (renewal rate available)
3’ x 7’ foot full color banner hung on an outfield fence, acknowledgement on League’s website
(with company link) and listing in the yearbook. Homerun sponsors will be able to renew their
sponsorship in future seasons for $250 (this renewal rate is good for three years).
$250 “Triple” Sponsor
2x4 foot full color banner hung on an outfield fence, acknowledgement on League’s website (with
company link) and listing in the yearbook.
$50 “Game” Sponsor
Your name on a baseball to be placed in the fence.
$350 “Team” Sponsor (one season)
Company or family name included on division banner, acknowledgement on League’s website
(with company link) and listing in the yearbook. NOTE: One Team Sponsor is required by each
team.
$260 “Player” Sponsor (one season)
The league offers scholarships to players that are not able to pay registration fees. This sponsorship
includes a listing on the League’s website (with company link) and listing in the yearbook.
TOLL is a tax exempt 501(c) (3) organization – Tax ID # 23-156367.
2021 Player Registration Fees
Includes: Jersey, Hat, Basic Picture Package, Yearbook
TBALL $99 (EARLY BIRD) / $125 (AFTER 12/15/2019)
COACH PITCH $150 (EARLY BIRD) / $175 (AFTER 12/15/2019)
ACORN 1 through JUNIORS $260 (EARLY BIRD) / $310 (AFTER 12/15/2019)
***EARLY BIRD ENDS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020***
REQUIRED SNACK SHACK VOLUNTEER FEE: $40/ONE PER FAMILY (Jr’s
exempt)
SIBLING DISCOUNT: $20/EACH ADDITIONAL SIBLING
Operating Costs
Approximately 65% of all TOLL income is derived from contributions by parents in the form of
registration fees for their players. The League depends on these fees to continue the TOLL program.
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