Annandale North Springfield Little League

Some of the Fall Survey comments are included here along with other Frequently Asked Questions.

In 2004 Fairfax County approved a $5.50 per player application fee that is incurred by ANSLL.

Our family is low income but we would like for our child to participate.

ANSLL recognizes scholarships through the Fairfax County Youth Sports Scholarship Program

I believe the program is great. Unfortunately, as it is with many great programs, it relies on a few people to make it work.

This is true to a point. ANSLL is an all volunteer organization but there are many volunteers, some put in less than 10 hours a season others put in over 500 hours, everyone can help somewhere. Please help where ever and when ever possible. Submit a volunteer form or email icanhelp@ansll.org and let us know you are willing to help the kids. We need your help even if you don't know a thing about baseball.

I understand Cal Ripken has a good book or two on technique. A bio of some of the old greats geared to the kids would help hold their interest, otherwise great program.

There are many reference materials available for baseball and Little League in particular. One would be surprised at the amount of material at the local public library. There are books, videos and DVDs available. Little League has produced some wonderful DVD's and videos. ANSLL also lists links to Tips and Drills on the ANSLL website.

Clinics on how to play different positions. For coaches as well as players.
Some winter baseball activities would be nice. I liked the catchers clinic in the spring - possibly more of those for other positions as well.

As stated earlier ANSLL is an all volunteer league. We need volunteers to help with clinics. ANSLL can reserve space from the County for a fee and hold clinics but we need volunteers to organize and participate in the clinics. Many of the organizers of the seasons work year round just getting the seasons ready to go. Please contact ANSLL's Coaching Coordinator Todd Thompson, about volunteering for clinics. We also have a great deal of information in our Coaches Corner. We also list camp information on our site.

Why is the registration held so early in the year?

Opening day for Spring is in April. Planning for the season begins in October and volunteers are distributing flyers at schools in December for registration in January, evluations in February, teams formed and begin to practice in March and opening day is in April.

ANSLL volunteers maintain the fields at Howery, Americana and Pine Ridge. Fairfax County has hundreds of requests for field space each year. By ANSLL maintaining the fields under the Adopt-A-Field program we are able to schedule games and practices with first priority. Under the county maintained fields other leagues share the fields with other organizations. Adopt-A-Field details

The fields are named for soldiers who were fatally electrocuted when the metal flagpole they were installing at Howrey toppled onto the 7200 volt roadside power lines.

All of the victims were enlisted men, members of the 77th Engineer Port Construction Company. The soldiers had been preparing the site for the baseball season as part of Belvoir's Community Assistance project.

The pole had been set into the concrete base but it started to sway and the soldiers tried to steady it. The pole toppled over onto the high tension line, there was a big flash of light and the 6 GI's lives were taken.

Keep up to date with ANSLL activities by viewing the ANSLL Calendar and ANSLL News pages of this site. ANSLL distributes information through a league wide email to be added to the list please email info@ansll.org and request to added to the distribution.

What is the draft system and how does it work?

Together the try-out and draft, or player selection system, are used to form teams for the player-pitch divisions (AA, AAA and Majors), in accordance with Little League International requirements. The purpose of this system is to ensure children are playing at a suitable level (based on their skill and age), and to establish an equitable distribution of player talent among the division teams. At the try-outs, managers observe every player hit, field, throw, and run; and rate their ability in each area on a 1 to 5 scale. At the end of the try-outs, each player is assigned a numerical "consensus rating". The Player Agent compiles the ratings, together with such data as age and experience. This information along with evaluations from last years spring and fall managers are used by the managers during the player draft. M anagers take the draft seriously and weigh their selections carefully to assu re proper placement.

Drafting is conducted from the top down; i.e., the Major League is formed first, then AAA, then AA. On draft night, players' names and ratings are posted and the managers select players from these postings. In the Majors, the team drafting order is decided by previous years ranking with the last place team choosing first. In AAA and AA the drafting order is decided by lot. Players not selected in the Majors automatically move to the minor league (AAA and AA) drafts and must be chosen there. Note: 12 year-olds will only be drafted into Majors or AAA. Little League rules prohibit a player from ever being told in what round and in what order of a round he/she was chosen. If a player refuses to play, drops out, is injured, or otherwise fails to participate on the team, the manager consults the League Commissioner and Player Agent and a replacement is "called up" (with the parents approval) from among the best available players in the next lowest league. That league then fills its resultant vacancy from the league below it, and so on.

Most of my child's friends were chosen for teams in a particular league, but my child wasn't and is playing at a different level. How can this happen?

Many children of the same age differ in physical development, motor skills, or athletic ability. For example, an 11-year old player of marginal ability may receive a lower consensus rating and may be deemed not ready for Major League play. Placement in the AAA League would be suitable for the skill level, would likely mean more playing time, and would be better for the child's self-esteem and development. In the long run, the wisest decision is for the child to play at the appropriate skill level. Little League, like most youth sports programs, can't guarantee that school or neighborhood friends will always be on the same teams together. We're obligate to distribute playing talent across the league as equitably and fairly as we know how. Of course, the draft and consensus rating aren't foolproof. Occasionally a few players who shine during evaluations play poorly and some who are lackluster at evaluations turn out to be exceptional during the season. Any unusual or special-needs circumstance regarding team or division placement will be considered on a case-by-case basis if brought to the PlayerAgent's attention, but teams are drafted using Little League guidelines.

Keep in mind it is sometimes more important for that player, and their development, to have a greater role on a team than to be at a higer level, just because some of their friends are there. Many kids would rather play at their level, have a good/great season, than be on a team and not contribute as much. Much of this can be deflected by the parent when they talk with their child. Explain the opportunities ahead of them more so than what level they are at.

I don't think my child is ready to play in the recommended League. What can I do about it?

Your child will be chosen to play in a particular league because collectively, the managers believe that he/she has the skills to do well there and thus get the most enjoyment out of the Little League experience. They believe it would be inappropriate and un-fair for an above-average player to "play down", just as it would be for a less skilled player to "play up". Before ruling out the league's recommendation, consult the Commissioner, team manager, or Player Agent first. We recognize that there may always be mitigating circumstances. The Player Agent will consider parent special requests on a case-by-case basis if made in advance of evaluaions.

What can be done about the quality of umpiring?

All of our umpires, both youths and adults, are volunteers. Frequently, because we lack enough parent volunteer umpires, the League has been forced to ask managers and coaches to find additional time to umpire games outside of their own leagues. All umpires are required to attend a League-sponsored umpire clinic. Like players, not every umpire is of equal ability, but all of them are dedicated to doing the best job they can, sometimes under conditions made very difficult by unsportsmanlike spectators. If you have never umpired game try volunteering, attend the clinic in March and make some calls.

What can I do if I or my child have a problem with the manager and/or coaches?

Managers and coaches are parent volunteers, although there are some without children in the program who enjoy the game and teaching the kids. Managers must attend a managing clinic and receive guidance on good coaching techniques. While the League appreciates the willingness of managers and coaches to give their time and energy to the program, we realize that in rare instances, not everyone has the temperament of suitability for youth sports. If you or your child are dissatisfied with any aspect of a manager's or coach's conduct, we recommend that you (1) raise the matter directly with the manager or coach. If you do not obtain a satisfactory response, (2) raise it with your league Commissioner. If the problem persists, (3) notify the League president or a Board member.

Majors and the 9-10 District Tournament play begins late June/early July and continues under a double-elimination system until one team wins the District 10 championship. The District 10 winner competes for the state title, the (Majors) state winner plays for the regional championship, and the regional champs go to the Little League World Series as seen on ESPN. Teams are voted on by managers based on player ability and availability (not on vacation),

The Minors begin early June due to the shortend season participation of this tournament will be decided at the April Board of Directors meeting.

Is it really necessary to make up rained-out games? Sometimes the rescheduling is inconvenient for us.

Just as in professional baseball and virtually every team sport, the standings determine the regular season champions and also determine the seeding for play-off purposes. Sometimes, whether a team finishes first or in last place hinges on playing as much of the regular season schedule as possible. Make-up games are arranged only after both managers agree to the time and date worked out through the Commissioner. Teams are strongly encouraged but never forced to play make-up games. Standings and records are maintained at the Majors, AAA, and AA leagues.

My child doesn't know anyone on the team this year and it's a difficult adjustment. How do we handle it?

The longer your child participates in youth sports programs, the greater the odds are that he/she will play with different teammates each season. Rather than this being a detriment, Little League has found that among the beneficial and enriching aspects of the program are the opportunities for both players and parents to make new friends and to help players mature socially as well as physically. At the player-pitch level, the need to equitably distribute playing abilities across the league means that no guarantees can be made that players will be on the same team as a favorite classmate, friend, or neighbor. Our obligation is form teams as evenly matched as possible overrides what might for the moment seem reasonable. We would urge you to encourage your child to give his new team a fair chance before giving up. Make sure the manager and coaches are aware of any problems.