QUESTIONS?   Answers to most questions are available On our website.  Please make sure to read ALL information in the pertinent sections of our website prior to submitting inquiries to our email address.   

INFORMATION

Information for Divisions, Players Ages, Player Fees, Season Practice Start Dates, Typical Game Dates, Game Start and End Dates, Playoff Dates, and Typical Game Locations is summarized below.

PLAYER FEES AND ELIGIBLE BIRTH DATES
Click here to view the player fees and eligible birth dates info.

FAQ’S – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1)  In which age group will my child play?

Baseball Age cutoff date is April 30th of the current year. (Your age on May 1st is your age for the season)

    Softball cutoff date is Jan 1st of the current year.  

Use the below link to find your competition age for the 2023 season 

https://www.usssa.com/baseball/AgeCalculator/

A child’s birth date determines the age group in which they will play.   The cutoff dates and eligible ages for the various age groups are summarized in the ‘PLAYERS FEES AND ELIGIBLE AGES section in the REGISTRATION Section.

For our younger children, multiple programs may be available depending on the child’s age, skills, and comfort level.   For example, children may be eligible for both T- Ball or one of our 8U Baseball or 8U Softball programs.   Please reference the Division Name and Player Eligible Birth Date Range in the table above the FAQ section to determine which program(s) are available for your child. 

2) What is the cost?

Players fees vary by Division and Age Group.  Please reference ‘PLAYERS FEES AND ELIGIBLE AGES section in the REGISTRATION Section for a summary of Players Fees. There is only a one time registration fee.  NO fundraising and NO required parent volunteer hours. 

3)   When and where will my child play?

Exact dates and locations will be given to head coaches after the schedules have been established by SEBA


 4) When do practices begin? 
-Approximately one month prior to the start of the season.
-The Draft for Most Divisions is held the first week of April
        -You will be contacted by your coach following the draft 
        -Weather permitting, practices will start in mid- April

  5)  When does the season start and end?
-we will stay consistent with prior years.
-Games will start Mid May for Tball thru 12u
-14u and 18u start after the school seasons
-Tball and 8u games will be over by the 4th of July
-All other divisions will conclude in mid to late July

*These dates are subject to change

 6)   Can my child play up an age division?

GIYRA Baseball and Softball Association encourages players to participate in the age group established by their birth dates (see FAQ No. 1). Exceptions to allow players to 'play up' in higher age divisions can be made providing that the following criteria are met:

1)  The safety of the player and the team is not at risk.
2)  The player’s athletic abilities support playing at a higher division.
3)  The number of players on the teams within specific divisions effected by player movement can accommodate player movement.

Parents or guardians of a child seeking to play up in a higher age division must send an email to [email protected] with the request. 

The GIYRA Baseball and Softball Board will review the request and recommendation at a future Board meeting.  Parents or guardians will be notified within one week of the Board’s decision.  The timeline for decisions on player movement will vary by Division and Age Group. If approved to move up to higher age division, additional registration fees may be applicable.

GIYRA will not support 'playing down' in select age groups.  GIYRA participates in the South Eastern Baseball Association (SEBA) for many age groups.   SEBA does not allow players to 'play down' under any circumstances.

7)   What equipment does my child need to come prepared for practices and games?

Each child is expected to come to practices and games with the following equipment:

1)    Baseball glove-required

2)    Batting helmet-required

3)    Baseball bat-recommended:  -8u, 10u, 12U and 14u must be labeled USA BASEBALL or BBCOR .50 (-3)  
-barrel width No larger than 2 5/8"
      - 18u must use BBCOR .50

                   
***usssa labeled bats and 2 3/4" are illegal***

4)    Athletic protective cup – mandatory for all male players in 8U and above, & also highly recommended for younger players.

5)   Long or baseball pants-required for games

6)    Sliding pants- recommended

7)    Baseball cleats- recommended (metal cleats are prohibited for all players in 12u division and younger)

        8)    Fielding masks- recommended for softball players

9)    Personal Catchers gear- encouraged for those expecting to consistently play the position

10)  Personal water bottle

Players without the appropriate equipment may not be able to participate in practices or games, either in part or in full.

8)   What equipment does GIYRA Baseball and Softball provide?

GIYRA Baseball and Softball will provide the following equipment:

1)    Safe, concussion safety certified, and qualified volunteer coaches.

2)    Uniforms:
                a.  Baseball 8U to HS:  Jerseys and hats
                b.  softball 8U to HS:    Jerseys and hats
                c.  T-Ball:                      Shirts and hats

        3)    Team catcher's equipment.

4)    Bats & Balls

5)    First Aid Kit

9)   When will we be contacted by our new coach for the new season?

T-Ball – Co-ed for Boys and Girls
T-Ball teams will be formed in Early to Mid April.   Players will be contacted by April 30.

If you have not been contacted by the contact dates outlined herein, please send notice to the Director of Baseball at [email protected]

Baseball and Softball- 8u-12u

Coaches will contact their players after the Draft and Coaches meeting.

Draft and Coaches Meeting within the first week of April

Coaches will contact their players following the draft

If you have not been contacted by April 15, please send notice to the respective Director of Baseball or Director of Softball at [email protected].

Baseball and Softball –  14U

Teams will be finalized in late April.    Coaches will contact their players on or prior to April 30th.

If you have not been contacted by May 1st, please send notice to the respective Director of Baseball or Director of Softball at [email protected].

Baseball and Softball –  HS (18U)

Teams will be finalized in late April / early May.  Coaches will contact their players once the teams are formed.

If you have not been contacted by May 16th, please send notice to the respective Director of Baseball or Director of Softball at [email protected].

9)   My child is under 7 years of age.  Can my child play in the 8U Baseball or Softball division?

The default guideline for children under age 7 is that they play T-Ball.  Players that meet certain age requirements*, however, are eligible to play either T-Ball, 8U Coach Pitch Baseball, or 8U Coach Pitch Softball.   Players opting to not play T-Ball should specify their choice to play either Coach Pitch Baseball or Coach Pitch Softball during the online registration process.

* Reference the ‘Eligible Division by Birth Date’ information under the ‘Players, Season Schedule, and Fees Information’ chart displayed under the INFORMATION at the top of this page.

10)   Can girls play 8U Coach Pitch Baseball?

The default guideline for 7 or 8-year-old female players is to move to 8U Coach Pitch Softball after T-Ball.   However, a player's parent/guardian can choose to move his/her child to 8U Coach Pitch Baseball instead.  Requests to play Coach Pitch Baseball should be submitted in writing to the respective Director of Baseball at [email protected].

11)   Will 8U Baseball be Coach Pitch or Machine Pitch?

Coach Pitch.

12)   What happens when there are not enough Coaches to coach teams for a given number of players?

• Players will be assigned to a waitlist until the required number of Coaches are identified. 
• If enough head coaches cannot be found by the time the season starts, those on the waiting list will be unable to play this season and  will be refunded their registration fees.
  
  13)  Are Tournament teams available?
  
  This will depend if there is a coach(s) willing to organize and manage a team(s).   
  
  GIYRA is willing to back a tournament team if:
  a.  All players on the tournament team are signed up and playing for a GIYRA team.
  b.  Tryouts are held and made available to all GIYRA players in that age group.
  c.   Tournament team activities do not interfere with or alter the regular GIYRA season.
  d.   The Tournament team does not violate any SEBA rules regarding Travel/Tournament teams.
  
  Cost of a tournament team will vary based on choices in uniforms and the number of tournaments played. This price will be set by the organizer of each team.
  
  14)  How do I become a coach and what would be expected of me?  
  
  The league is only accepting applications for Head Coaching positions.  Sign-up for a Head Coaching position can be found in the Registration section.  If you want to be an assistant, you can contact the Head Coach of your child's team.  
  
  The number of Head Coaches will ultimately determine the number of teams we have.   We need help to ensure all of the kids have an opportunity to play.      

 The following are the expectations of a Head Coach:         

• Pass a background check.
• Complete Concussion training
• Teach the game of baseball or softball, a simple knowledge of the game is fine, this is not a Major League program
• Teach sportsmanship 
• Be Positive
• Run at least one, but preferably  two practices each week prior to the start of the season.
• Manage the lineup and players at all the games, or assign this to a responsible adult.
• Manage minor issues involving players and/or parents.
• Minimal field maintenance, i.e. raking the fields after use, cleaning up after yourselves, etc.
• Have FUN!!!!!  There are no scouts and athletic scholarships are not awarded at our games.