Parent Handbook Purpose:
The Purpose of this handbook is to familiarize both the player and the parents with the operation and organization of the Rancho Mission Viejo Little League program. We encourage you to use this handbook as a reference throughout the season to answer questions you may have. However, should you desire additional information or interpretation, please contact your team manager or any of our Board members.
 

RMVLL Facts:
Rancho Mission Viejo Little League is a non-profit organization that was first chartered in 1993. The entire program is supervised and administered by adult volunteers. Approximately 400 Mission Viejo area youth, ages 5 through 16, will participate in the program during the season. The operating budget for Rancho Mission Viejo Little League is approximately $100,000. The funds necessary to operate the program come entirely from player registration, parent contributions, sponsor contributions, concession sales, and fund raising. Our little league program is charted by the National Little League organization based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Rancho Mission Viejo Little League is part of District 68, the local little league organization which oversees the leagues in our area. You have elected our RMVLL Board of Directors to maintain and operate our local league. The Board is responsible for carrying out the little league program guidelines, and managing all parts of pre-season, regular season and post-season activities necessary to run a successful program for the players.

Volunteers:
As Little League is run by all volunteers, it is the parents of the players who must all take an active role in running the league. There are ample volunteer opportunities for everyone to choose from including: board member, manager, coach, umpire, scorekeeper, team mom, snackbar assistance, picture day, etc. RMVLL has always had parents who were more than willing to assist in operating the league. Please offer your assistance and help out when you are asked. With everyone’s dedication to the children, we will maintain a high-quality little league program.

League Boundaries:
There are 4 Little Leagues in the Mission Viejo area alone. Please see the league boundaries map located in the Forms section of the website. League boundaries have been established according to Little League District organizational policy to allow youth within the same geographic area to play in one league and also to equalize the number of players within each league. Therefore, it is required that each player participate in the league that serves the areas of his or her permanent and legal resident. All players each year at registration will be required to show proof of residency to verify address is in our league boundaries. There are a few unique exceptions to this rule. Please contact the Player Agent if you have any questions.

League Age:
A players league age is determined by their age on April 30th of any given Spring baseball season. As an example, a player who is 8, but whose 9th birthday is prior to April 30th, 2009 is considered league age 9. Likewise, a player who is 8, and whose birthday is on or after May 1, 2009, is considered league age 8. The Little League age Chart for the upcoming Spring 2009 season is posted under the Forms section of the website to help you determine any month/year combination. Simply match the month and box with year of birth on the chart to determine your child's league age for 2009.
 

Player Evaluations:
After registration, the first event in which players participate in is the player evaluations. Attendance at player evaluations is MANDATORY for every player wishing to participate in the Single A through Major level divisions. Players playing in the Tee-ball and Coach Pitch divisions (generally ages 5-7) do not try out.

The purpose of the player evaluations is for the players to display their hitting, fielding, throwing, and running skills for assessment by the league managers. Player evaluations allow the managers to determine the appropriate division for each player to be drafted into and assist in establishing an equitable distribution of talent. This assessment is used by the managers to make player selections to fill the teams during the player draft. Every player will be assigned to a team.

All players should wear appropriate baseball attire including cleats, their own baseball glove, and hat. Players may bring their own bat and batting helmet but it is not required. All other equipment (bats, helmets, balls) will be furnished by RMVLL. Prior to the player evaluation date, each player will be notified of their assigned tryout time. Player evaluations are typically scheduled for the first weekend in January, depending on the weather.

Divisions:

Rancho Mission Viejo Little league has eight different divisions of play to accommodate players of all age and ability levels. Below is a brief summary of each division. Please refer to the RMVLL local rules for more details describing the playing rules for each division.

Seniors:
Players in this division are typically league ages 15-16. Play is on a standard baseball size field (60ft. pitching mound and 90 ft. basepaths) with seven inning games. Interleague play with other leagues in District 68 is utilized. This is a competitive league where standings are kept. Players from this division are also eligible to be selected to represent RMVLL in the All-Star tournaments.

Juniors:
Players in this division are typically league ages 13-14. Placement on teams in this division is by a draft following player evaluations. Play is on a larger size field (80 ft. or 90 ft. basepaths) and seven inning games. Lead-offs and base stealing are allowed. Interleague play with other leagues in District 68 is utilized. This is a competitive league where standings are kept. One or two teams from this division (criteria determined by division commissioner before the season) will represent the league in the District 68 Tournament of Champions (TOC). Players from this division are also eligible to be selected to represent RMVLL in the All-Star tournaments.

Majors:
Players in this division are typically league ages 10-12 and are able to demonstrate advanced baseball skills. Placement on teams in this division is by a draft following player evaluations. Standard little league rules are utilized. Standard little league size fields are utilized. Games are 6 innings or 2 hours and 30 minutes. This is a competitive league where standings are kept. The top two teams from this division (criteria determined by division commissioner before the season) will represent the league in the District 68 Tournament of Champions (TOC). Players from this division are also eligible to be selected to represent RMVLL in the All-Star tournaments.

Triple-A:
Players in this division are typically league ages 9-11. Placement on teams in this division is by a draft following player evaluations. Standard little league rules are utilized. Standard little league size fields are utilized. Games are 6 innings or 2 hours and 30 minutes. This is a competitive league where standings are kept. The top two teams from this division will (criteria determined by division commissioner before the season) will represent the league in the District 68 Minor Tournament of Champions (TOC). Players from this division are also eligible to be selected to represent RMVLL in the All-Star tournaments.

Double-A:
Players in this division are typically league ages 8-10. Placement on teams in this division is by a draft following player evaluations. This is the first division where players are allowed to pitch. Pitching is from a standard little league distance of 46 ft. The field expands to an outfield fence of approximately 140 ft. Stealing of bases is allowed. Games are 6 innings or 2 hours and 30 minutes. This is a competitive league where standings are kept.

Single-A:
Players in this division are typically league ages 7-9. Placement on teams in this division is by a draft following player evaluations. A machine is used to pitch and the offensive team will bat until they score four (4) runs or three (3) outs are recorded. Defensive team will field nine (9) players. The field expands to 60 ft. base paths with an outfield fence of approximately 120 ft. A standard baseball is utilized. Games are 6 innings or 2 hours and 15 minutes. This is a competitive league where standings are kept.

Coach Pitch:
Players in this division are typically league ages 6-7. This is a division for those players who have previously played one year of T-Ball. A coach delivers the pitches and the entire lineup bats each inning. Defensive team will field all players. Play is on a the same field as used in T-Ball with a RIF (reduced injury factor) baseball utilized. Games are limited to 4 innings or 1 1/2 hours. No game scores or standings are kept. Participation trophies are awarded to all teams at the end of the season.

T-Ball:
Players in this division are typically league ages 5-6. This division provides an introduction to baseball. Batting is off a tee and the entire lineup bats each inning. Defensive team will field all players. Play is on a smaller field with a RIF (reduced injury factor) baseball utilized. Games are limited to 3 innings or 1 1/2 hours.. No game scores or standings are kept. Participation trophies are awarded to all teams at the end of the season.

Little League Season:
Season play consists of three categories: Pre-season practice, Regular season play and practice, and Post Season Tournaments.

League Rules:
Local Rules establish the local league’s policies in certain areas where leeway is allowed by the established Little League Baseball Incorporated (LLBI) Rules, Regulations, and Policies. No local rules can conflict with the published Rules, Regulations, Policies, or Principles of LLBI without the expressed written permission from the LLBI Charter Committee at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. RMVLL's local rules are posted under the Forms section of the website. We encourage you to review the specific rules in place for your child's division.

Communication:
Good communication is extremely important to the success of our league. We want to make sure you have all the information you need for a smooth, fun, and successful season. The league website is our key tool for communicating to you about all of the league events and activities. Please check the RMVLL website on a frequent basis to stay current with the most up to date information. Your team manager and team mom will also be key sources of information for communicating team specific activities. In addition, the RMVLL Information Line (also known as the Mud Line) is 837-4960. In the event of inclement weather on or before a scheduled game or practice, you should call this number to check if the fields are open. Determination of the playability of the fields during inclement weather is at the sole discretion of the City of Mission Viejo.

Sincerely,

RMVLL Board of Directors