Frequently Asked Questions:


Where does HPYBL play games?

Practices and games take place at West Homewood Park on West Oxmoor Rd.  (see directions)

 

When does the spring season start and end?

Evaluations of players take place in beginning/middle of February, practices start around the 3rd week of February, and games begin in March.  The season ends no later than the end of school, often a week or two before school ends for summer.

 

How many games do the kids play?

The number of games will vary with age.  Ages 5 – 18 must play a minimum of 12 games (including playoffs).  4 y/o play 6 – 8 games.  Each age group (5 – 18 y/o) will play between 12 – 18 total games (including playoffs)

 

How many times a week do they have practices and games?

During the spring season each team practices once per week and plays 2 games/week; 1 on a weekday and 1 on Saturday.  HPYBL does not practice or play games on Sundays during the Spring season.  Fall baseball is only played on Sundays, there are no practices, just games.

 

How is my son/daughter placed on a team?

For ages 5 – 8 the VP for the respective age groups will choose the teams aiming for equal skill level based on evaluations of players’ ability to throw, catch, and hit.  For ages 9 – 12 a draft is held whereby coaches draft players who, based on evaluations, are ranked in different levels of skill.  Every coach chooses a player a skill level 1, then 2 etc.  If a player is chosen by a coach one year, they are NOT automatically on that coach’s team the following years.  Each player is re-drafted at the start of a new spring season.

 

Are sibling’s automatically placed on the same team?

Yes, assuming they are eligible for the same age group.  If they are playing 9 – 12 y/o, the coach he drafts one would automatically draft the other during round for that child’s skill level

 

Can a coach or teammate be requested?

Yes, those requests can be made during registration.  However, the request may not be granted.  It is responsibility of each age group VP to create a league of teams that are evenly matched.  That is the first priority. 

 

How are coaches chosen, can anyone volunteer to coach?

Yes, anyone can volunteer to coach.  The success of HPYBL is based on parent volunteers and we encourage parents to get involved.  Head coaches are nominated and must be approved by the HPYBL board.  Parents should first make their coaching interest known during the registration process.  The head coach is responsible for choosing assistant coaches.  At the lower age groups many assistants are needed during practice and games and we encourage all parents to get involved. 

 

What does my son/daughter need to participate, what do they get with registration?

Players need a glove, baseball pants, and cleats.  Each player gets a hat, shirt, and socks as part of the team uniform.  HPYBL provides each team with baseballs, a tee (for T-ball), helmets, heart guard and catcher’s gear.  HPYBL does not provide bats.  Many players own bats and they are often shared amongst the players on a team. 

 

What types of bats are used in HPYBL?

Cap league and tball use “tball” bats.  These are usually 24 – 26” long and 12 – 16 oz in weight.  Players 7 y/o and older commonly use “big barrel” bats.  These aluminum bats are 2 5/8 – 2 ¾ in. in diameter.  Players can use bats 2 ¼ in in diameter. 

 

My son/daughter has their own helmet, can they use it?

Yes, however it must have a face mask attached to it.

 

What kind of baseballs are used in Tball?

Cap league and Tball use softie baseballs.  They are regular size, but softer

 

What is the best size glove for a child in Tball?

Gloves come as small as 9”, however these are often too small to catch a regular size baseball.  10” – 10.5” gloves are probably the best size for 5 and 6 y/o playing Tball.

 

Are there substitutions during games? Do kids have to sit on the bench?

Ages 4 – 8 everyone plays in the field and everyone has a place in the batting order.  T-ball and Machine Pitch typically carry 11 players.   All 11 play in the field and the batting order goes from #1 - #11.  From age 9 and up only 9 defensive players are permitted on the field.   Teams may consist of 10 – 12 players.  The batting order always consists of total number of players on a team.  However, kids may rotate in and out of defensive positions.  This is often related to who is pitching or who will pitch.  HPYBL monitors the daily and weekly pitch count for each player and that will require a coach to make substitutions accordingly.

 

Can a child play up?

Yes, but it is discouraged.  The age cutoff is 4/30.  A child should play in the age group based on their age on 4/30 of upcoming season.  Players with summer birthdays have a choice to play their age or play with their grade.   Kids enjoy playing with their classmates, so we encourage kids to stay with their grade.

 

What is travel ball?

Travel competitive baseball is growing and more popular than ever.  Anyone can form their own team and invite the players they want to be a part of their team.  Currently, there are many organizations that provide tournaments for any [travel] team to participate in.  Homewood supports travel baseball for teams consisting of players who are registered for the Spring season of HPYBL.  The coaches and team rosters must be registered and approved by the HPYBL board.  Registered teams are not permitted to participate in travel tournaments that conflict with HPYBL spring season schedule.  Please see travel ball rules.

 

What is Metro Sports Baseball?

“Metro” is the organizing body for the following youth baseball programs around Birmingham:  Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Trussville, Pell City, Oak Mountain, Hoover East (Spain Park), and Shades Mountain (Hoover).  Metro governs the rules played by each participating city.  Each participating city sends teams to participate in the Metro All-Star Tournament. 

 

How are all-star teams chosen?

Parents are asked to fill out an all-star form which outlines commitments necessary for all-star competition.  Parents/players who agree to participate become eligible for all-star voting at the end of the season.  Coaches vote on the top 12 players in their league.  The top 12 form the national league team.  If there are enough eligible players a second, or third, team will be selected through vote.  These teams are categorized as American league teams.

 

Where are all-star tournaments played?

Homewood all-star teams play in tournaments hosted by Metro programs around the Birmingham area.  The tournament takes place at the same park and games are typically scheduled over a 2 week period.

 

Is there really Tball (5/6 y/o) all-stars?

Yes, but it is not for everyone.  The Hoover Athletic Association hosts a Tball tournament every June.  This is not a Metro sponsored tournament.  The process for choosing the Tball all-stars is the same as other age groups.  HPYBL supports participation in Tball all-stars as it provides an opportunity for practice, repetition of baseball skills.  Many kids enter the all-star season unable to catch and throw, but leave having mastered those skills.