FAQs and Help

Here are some answers to our frequently asked questions.

League

Is Warren Park Youth Baseball (WPYBLL) part of the Chicago Park District?
No, we operate outside of the CPD but work very closely with them to secure field time and coordinate some maintenance of the fields. Starting in 2019, the Chicago Park District will be imposing a fee of $10 for each player registered through Warren Park Youth Baseball Little League.

Are we affiliated with the official Little League Baseball organization?
Yes, WPYBLL is a chartered league under the official Little League Baseball organization.

What is house baseball?
House baseball is open to players ages 4-16 and there is no tryout required. It is an environment where players learn the game of baseball in a fun and relaxed environment.

What is Warren Park All-Stars baseball?
Warren Park All-Stars (formerly the Warren Park Warriors) is the league's travel program that is exclusively for players registered in the Warren Park house baseball league. It was designed for players who are a little more serious and looking to play more baseball. Players must try out for this team. An additional 10-12 games plus two tournaments are played for the All-Stars and there will be additional practices on the weekends.

What are the Chicago Warriors and Chicago Baseball Club?
Chicago Baseball Club is a for profit organization started by one of Warren Park's own, Joe Perona. Its primary focus is players development but it also provides administration and oversight for Warren Park's Warriors travel program.

The Chicago Warriors are a full-time travel program established by Joe Perona and Chicago Baseball Club. It is open to players of Warren Park, but playing at Warren Park is not a requirement.

Does WPYBLL make any money?
Warren Park is a not-for-profit organized under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code and as such is exempt from income tax. We operate on a break even basis.


Are donations to Warren Park tax deductible?
Donations to Warren Park Youth Baseball are tax deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. Bequests and gifts to WPYBLL are also tax deductible. Copies of the tax letter are available upon request.


Does WPYBLL offer coaches training?
Yes, each Spring a clinic is held for all coaches to learn how to teach the fundamentals and run a practice.

 

If I wanted to get involved in WPYBLL or serve on the board, who do I contact?
WPYBLL is as strong as the volunteers that commit their time. If you are interested in serving on the board or volunteering in any capacity, please contact us.


Is there a WPYBLL lost and found?
Not officially.  First, check with your coach to see if anyone has reported any found items.  Second, check in the Lockbox at the field you think you lost the item. Your coach will have a key to this box as well as any commissioners.

What are the player ages by division?
We follow Little League rules, all "league" ages are determined by the child's age as of August 31.
Basic Ball: 4-5
Basic Ball Plus: 6
Coach Pitch: 7-8
Minor: 9-10
Major: 11-12
Junior: 13-16


What does my registration fee pay for?
Registration fees cover the following major organizational expenses: Uniforms, umpires, field use fees, insurance, website, equipment, field maintenance, trophies and t-shirts, the Opening Day parade and the end of year picnic.

I know I missed signup deadline...is there anyway I can get on a team?
You may sign-up for the wait list.

Is there a waiting list?
Yes, you may sign up for the waitlist by registering your child. There are no guarantees, however, that a spot will be made. If your child is placed, you will be contacted by the league.


What is your refund policy?
There are no refunds after February 28, 2024. If registration is cancelled before February 28, 2024, as $25 cancellation fee will be applied.


How do I choose the right division for my child?
The system will automatically place your child in the age-appropriate division.


Can my child play in a division outside their age?
Any placement outside the posted age divisions will need approval from the a league executive. We allow girls to play down a year based on their age. This is the only exception that does not need approval. For any of these inquiries, please contact the league at [email protected].


Teams

When will I know what team my son/daughter will be on?
Teams are constructed in early March, after registration closes. You should be contacted by the league and your coach by March 15th. You will receive a notice via email from the league.

Can I request a teammate?
We will accept teammate requests in Basic Ball, Basic Ball Plus and Coach Pitch. We will do our best to honor these requests, but placement on the same roster is not guaranteed. Requests above Coach Pitch division are not accepted.

Can I request a coach?
Coach requests are accepted at all levels. Placement on a coach's team depends on the division and coach. By selecting a preferred coach, it will give your son or daughter the ability to be placed on their team.

How is team selection done?
Basic Ball, Basic Ball Plus, and Coach Pitch
Rosters are assembled based on coach preference, teammate requests and school enrollment. If there are more requests to play for a coach than we have available roster spots, we will ask the head coach for roster input. We do our best to honor these requests, but understand there are limitations to roster size.

BRING YOUR OWN TEAM FOR BASIC BALL, BASIC BALL PLUS - If you want to eliminate the uncertainty of roster selection, you can assemble your own team with a head coach for placement in our TBall or Rookie divisions.

Minor, Major and Junior
Rosters are assembled using the following guidelines:

Minor
A head coach may protect up to 6 players. The coach's available protected list will be based on player preferences from registration and it must be a player that is new to the league or he/she has coached in the past two seasons. Once a protected list has been assembled for each coach, all remaining players will go into a free agent draft. Free agents are then selected by coaches at the league's draft in early March. All Warren Park All-Star players shall be evenly distributed amongst the available teams within the division by the travel coordinator.

Major
Chicago Warriors and Warren Park All-Star players participating in the division will individually placed on teams by the travel coordinator, Mario Sandoval and registration coordinator, Adam Sawyer. An even distribution will be done across rosters based on age and ability.

Additionally, a head coach may protect up to 4 players. The coach's available protected list will be based on player preferences from registration and it must be a player that is new to the league or he/she has coached in the past two seasons. Once a protected list has been assembled for each coach, all remaining players will go into a free agent draft. Free agents are then selected by coaches at the league's draft in early March.

Junior
A head coach may protect up to 6 players. The coach's available protected list will be based on player preferences from registration and it must be a player that is new to the league or he/she has coached in the past two seasons. Once a protected list has been assembled for each coach, all remaining players will go into a free agent draft. Free agents are then selected by coaches at the league's draft in early March.

Can I switch teams or can players agree to swap roster spots?
No, roster assignments are done by the league and are final.

Uniforms

When will my son/daughter get their uniform?
Uniforms are ordered in mid-March once rosters are assembled. Uniforms typically arrive in the 3rd week of April and will be distributed to the head coach of each team. The head coach will arrange for pick up.

Volunteering
What do I do if I am interested in coaching?
On the registration form you will be given an opportunity to volunteer to coach. Or contact [email protected].

If I wanted to get involved in WPYBLL or serve on the board, who do I contact?
WPYBLL is as strong as the volunteers that commit their time. You can volunteer during registration for known areas of need. If you are interested in serving on the board or volunteering more in any capacity, please contact us.



Season
When does the season start?
Coach Pitch, Minor & Major will start Saturday, April 22nd. Scheduled practices will be assigned up to two weeks prior. Basic Ball and Basic Ball Plus will start Monday, April 24th. There will be two scheduled practices up to two week prior. This age division does not typically practice during the season.

What days are the games?
Basic Ball  - M, W or F at 5:30 or 6:30 PM. No more than three games per week.
Basic Ball Plus - Tu, Thu 5:30 or 6:30 PM. No more than three games per week.
Coach Pitch - M, W, F at 5:45 PM as well as Saturday afternoons. Rain outs played on Saturday, Sunday or regularly scheduled game day.
Minor - Tu, Th at 5:45 PM, Saturdays at 9:00 or 11 AM Rain outs played on Saturday, Sunday or regularly scheduled game day.
Major - M, W, F at 5:45 PM; Saturday and Sundays at varying times.
Junior - Th, F at 5:45 PM or 7:30pm. Sunday mid-late afternoons.
All divisions except BB and BB+ can expect some Saturday games.

1) We will do our best to make decisions on game cancellations by 3:30 PM on the day of the game. In the event that we are waiting to see how the fields respond to overnight rain, we may be delayed in making that determination so please do not flood us with inquiries.

2) If there is inclement weather forecasted to arrive near game time, it is up to both the coaches and the umpires to determine whether a game can be played. If the weather arrives during the game, it is up to the coaches and umpires to determine if the game can continue. If there is lightning sighted and thunder follows within 30 seconds, a game must be suspended for a minimum of 15 minutes. Play may resume if there is no additional lightning sighted. In the event of suspension due to lightning, all players, coaches, umpires and spectators seek shelter.

3) If we determined a game can't be played due to weather or field conditions, a text alert will be sent, it will be posted to our website and Facebook page.