BYSL Frequently Asked Questions

When does the league start?
Practice starts in the middle of March, Games start in the middle of April through the end of June or first of July. back to the questions... or top...

How many games per week will our team play?
Normally, teams will be scheduled 1-2 games per week. There is a chance that a team may have a week when no games are scheduled. In the event of make-ups, these games will be added to your existing schedule. In some rare instances, a third game may be scheduled for some teams. back to the questions... or top...

What days of the week will our team play?
Primarily, games can be played on Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri. Some games will be scheduled on Sat as needed. Wed will be used as a last resort to make-up rainouts. back to the questions... or top...

How will I know if games are rained out?
Check the Message Board online after 3:00 pm or you can call B'ville Parks & Rec after 3:00 pm at 271-3109. Otherwise, the umpire has authorization to make the call after 3:00 pm at the fields. back to the questions... or top...

Will rainouts be rescheduled?
Yes..Rainouts will be rescheduled within 2-3 weeks of being rained out. In the event of an unusual amount of rainouts, some games will not be made up. We are at the mercy of Mother Nature. The rescheduling of rainouts will be in addition to the games already on your original schedule. back to the questions... or top...

How will I know when a rainout is rescheduled?
Your coach should advise you as soon as they know. The online schedule will be updated and it will show in the "NOTES" column which date it is from. back to the questions... or top...

Do I have to return to the same team as last Spring?
You have the option upon registration to return to the tryout/draft process. You must fill in the appropriate space on your registration form to let us know your intention. If you chose not to return to the same team from the previous Spring season, that team will not be eligible to draft you.(If nothing is specified on the registration form then you will automatically be placed with the team you were on in the spring.) back to the questions... or top...

Can I play on the same team that I played with last fall?
You cannot automatically be put on the same team you played with in the Fall unless you played for this same team the previous spring season.You have the option to elect not to go to the same team you played with in the previous Spring Season at the time of registration and must attend tryouts and re-enter the draft. back to the questions... or top...

Is anyone allowed to help with a team?
You must complete a Volunteer Application and a Background Check in order to help with the players. (These forms are found online.) back to the questions... or top...

How can I volunteer to help or coach a team?
A completed Coach/Volunteer Application(with Code of Ethics) and a Background Check must be on file and processed with BYSL. (These forms are found online.) back to the questions... or top...

How can I volunteer to help the league?
Contact any Board Member to express your interest.(Contact info for the Board Members is online.) back to the questions... or top...

Can I play in BYSL if I don't live in Bentonville?
Yes. back to the questions... or top...

Can I be an Assistant Coach and bring my daughter to the team even if she was on another team last Spring?
NO!!!!! Unless you choose to leave the team you are on and your daughter goes through the tryout process AND then gets drafted by the said team first. back to the questions... or top...

Why do I need to give a copy of my birth certificate to BYSL?
Our insurance company requires a birth certificate with registration in the league. This allows us to effectively protect both your child and the league. back to the questions... or top...

How do I know if I need to return to Tryouts/Draft?
If you are NOT returning to the same team as in the Spring of the previous season, new to BYSL and age 7 or older, or that team has disbanded, you must participate in the tryouts to be "drafted" by a team. Otherwise, your name will be drawn at random by the coaches during Draft Night. back to the questions... or top...

Who do I contact if I have a problem with a coach?
Contact the Commissioner of your league. (Contact info for the Board Members is online.) back to the questions... or top...

Can I sponsor a team or make a donation to the league?
Always. We welcome all financial support. In order to sponsor a team, you must fill out and submit the Sponsorship Form with a check by the deadline on the form. The BYSL treasurer will submit a letter as a receipt of all contributions over $250.(The Sponsorship Form is available online) back to the questions... or top...

Does the league carry insurance for the players?
Yes...SECONDARY injury insurance coverage is provided by BYSL at no additional cost to all BYSL REGISTERED players. There is a $100.00 deductible for this insurance policy. For more information, contact the League Insurance Representative. back to the questions... or top...

Does the league carry insurance for the coaches?
Yes...LIABILITY insurance is covered by BYSL at no cost to the coaches. Any coach may request a SECONDARY injury insurance coverage at a cost of $8.00 per year. Coaches wanting this SECONDARY injury insurance will be responsible for the cost of that insurance. Coaches requesting this coverage will need to contact the League Insurance Representative. for more information. back to the questions... or top...

What do I do if my daughter or coach is injured during a game or practice?
Contact the League Insurance Representative. back to the questions... or top...

Can my daughter play on more than one team in BYSL?
NO!!! She may be used as a DRAFT-UP player on a game-by-game basis, as long as she does not have a game of her own following the one she is being drafted up for; but she may not be on more than one permanent roster in any given season. back to the questions... or top...

What is the Draft Up rule?
There are times when a team is short on players and has a need to pick-up players so the game can be played. These teams can search the teams one age group younger than theirs to find up to 2 players max and without having more than 9 players for the game. The player/s must also be age eligible to move into that league the following season, she must not have any game with her own team following the one in which she is being drafted for, and must have a COMPLETED Draft-Up Form turned into the scorebox before the start of the game. back to the questions... or top...

Can I be an umpire?
Visit www.nwaumpire.org for more info. back to the questions... or top...

What if I am having trouble viewing the schedules, coach info or message board pages on the website?
Make sure you are using a current version of Internet Explorer. Not all functions/formats work with other browsers. You may also check your security settings to allow www.BentonvilleSoftball.org to allow pop-ups or scripts. If you continue to have trouble, contact your coach or commissioner for the info you need. back to the questions... or top...

If my team is not going to play in the Fall League, can I play with another team?
Yes. Teams are free to form on their own to play during the fall league season. back to the questions... or top...

Where do the teams play?
Most ages will be playing at Memorial Park. We are still waiting on an answer from B'ville Parks & Rec on Micro teams playing in Phillips Park. We do have 2 small fields at Phillips Park that we use as practice fields for the younger ages. As we grow, our goal is to improve the Phillips Park fields to convert them to game fields. If your team arranges games with the Rogers teams, normally those games are played at Northwest Park in Rogers. back to the questions... or top...

How do I become an official BYSL Scorekeeper?
If you are interested in being an official paid scorekeeper this season,
contact Melana Ewing at 479-721-2509 or bhs_softball_mom@yahoo.com back to the questions... or top...

How old do I have to be to play in BYSL?
Playing age is defined by what age you are on Jan 1 of the season year. For example, if you are 6 years old on Jan 1 , 2008, you are defined as a Micro League(6-under) player. The minimum age is 4 as long as you turn 5 years old by September 1 of the season year. back to the questions... or top...

last update: 1/9/07
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