⚾ WESTSIDE BASEBALL

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

T-BALL INFORMATION

• Ages: 4–6 (must be at least 4)
• Events: 2–3 per week (games and/or practices)
• Weekday times: 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, or 7:00 PM
• Saturday times: 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, or 12:00 PM
• Parent/Guardian: Should be present for practices and games

PLAYER & PARENT INFORMATION

• Players are placed in divisions based on age
  • Example: A 9-year-old plays in the Mustang Division (ages 9–10)
• If a division does not appear during registration, the player likely does not meet age requirements
• Registration: www.westsidebaseballoaklawn.com
• Players are randomly assigned to teams; we do not offer all-girls teams
• Player information is private and not shared with anyone
• Teams typically have 2–3 games/practices per week
• Game locations: Primarily at Westside (Oak Park Avenue); some games in Crestwood and Oak Lawn
• Practices: May be at Westside or other local fields; times set by the coach
• Schedules: Games posted on the website; practices communicated by coaches

TEAM PARENT (“TEAM MOM/DAD”) INFORMATION

Team Parents assist the coach with:

• Dugout support (lineups, player management)
• Communicating events and updates from Westside (via Team Mom Coordinator)
• Picture Day, Opening Day activities, Thunderbolts events

Team Parents may also:

• Coordinate a team raffle basket for end-of-season picnic
• Organize optional team snack schedules
• Act as a point of contact for parent questions
• Help organize team meal deals or specials if desired

NUMBER OF GAMES

• T-Ball: Typically 2 games per week
• Pinto level and up: 18 regular season games, plus playoff games near the third week of June. More details about playoffs will be shared as the season progresses
• Game Days: Monday–Saturday
  • Weekday games usually start at 5:45 PM
  • Saturday games run between 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

RESCHEDULING GAMES

• Once the schedule is posted, games cannot be rescheduled, except due to weather cancellations
• If a game is canceled because of weather, it will be rescheduled as quickly as possible, with notice provided to families

VOLUNTEER HOURS

• Each family must complete 10 volunteer hours per season
• Volunteer opportunities include:
  • Concessions (games or tournaments)
  • Tournament help (setup, cleanup, field maintenance)
  • Opening Day and special events
• Volunteer hour credit:
  • Head Coach – 10 hours
  • Assistant Coach – 5 hours
  • Team Parent – 5 hours
• Important policies:
  • All hours must be checked in and checked out
  • Hours are verified by board members
  • Simply helping at games does not count unless it is an approved, tracked shift
  • Westside is a volunteer-run organization and relies on family participation
  • Volunteers must be at least 16

FIELD CARE AFTER GAMES

Coaches and volunteers are responsible for:

• Hand-dragging the infield to smooth dirt and remove footprints or divots
• Cleaning dugouts (removing trash, returning equipment)
• Picking up trash and emptying bins if needed
• Returning bases, pitching mats, and field tools to proper storage
• Checking for hazards (rocks, holes, debris) before leaving