RNLL serves the youth in Redmond by providing the opportunity to learn the game of baseball in a safe and supportive environment. We are a nonprofit volunteer organization supported by participation fees and donations. The Little League program seeks to provide an outlet for healthy activity and an opportunity for training under sound leadership, all in the context of community participation. The program further strives to help children become good and decent citizens and establish the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. We are dedicated to the development of our players, including their physical conditioning and skills, their mental agility in handling tactics and strategy, and their character as they learn sportsmanship in both winning and losing. We teach our players in an atmosphere of discipline and teamwork. We provide these opportunities to all boys and girls ages 5-13 years old and do not limit participation on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, national origin, gender, or religious preference.
First and foremost RNLL operates in a manner that provides a safe environment for children to learn the game of baseball or softball. Many of the rules of our league are designed with the players’ safety in mind. The health of all players is first and foremost at any RNLL sponsored activity. Growth and development of skills, citizenship, sportsmanship, and teamwork are encouraged in an atmosphere where younger players are placed in training divisions that are less competitive than the upper divisions where older players are able to implement the more advanced aspects of the game in a competitive environment. As players progress through the divisions they are presented with greater opportunities to feel a sense of accomplishment in situations that require an understanding of the game as well as the teamwork required for success. Through this system we will move the greatest number of players through a system that matches there age and skill with a level with an environment in which they can be safe and successful. We appreciate your participation in RNLL and hope that your son or daughter has an enjoyable time within the framework of the league’s mission and ideals. Please contact the manager or Division VP (to be named at each division) if you have questions or concerns that you would like addressed.
The Board of Directors of RNLL shall operate this League according to the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc., any and all Washington District 9 policies in effect, and these Local Policies. The recommendations and policies of the Little League Baseball, Inc. Operating Manual shall be implemented to the fullest extent in the best interests of all boys and girls playing within RNLL. So that RNLL may operate in the most efficient manner possible and so that those involved as volunteers remain engaged and properly empowered to act in the best interest of all players, please direct all inquiries to RNLL officials before contacting District 9 staff or Little League Baseball, Inc. staff in Williamsport, PA or San Bernardino, CA.
RNLL operates multiple divisions. Player placement is based on player league age, and (in Minors and Majors) player ability. League age is determined by a player’s age on August 30th of a given year/season. Players shall play at the division level determined by their league age and/or ability as follows:
Twelve year olds are automatically placed in the Majors Division, unless they are deemed a safety risk by the division managers and the District 9 Administrator concurs. This occurs very rarely. No player may skip a divisional level of play. Each player between 9 and 11 years of age is eligible for manager evaluation at the level played at the previous year, as well as at the next higher level of play. Divisional placement will be based on the Draft Stack Ranking Process. Any deviation from the normal age grouping as charted above must be requested in writing to the RNLL Executive Board before evaluations. The RNLL Executive Board, in concert with the team managers, will evaluate the player during tryouts and make a decision on the request following tryouts. Six (6) year old players who have completed one season of T-Ball in RNLL may play Sluggers if in first grade or with Divisional VP approval. In order to provide equal team size, each year some 8-year-olds are invited to play at AAA based on player talent or manager availability. This process does not move any 9-yearolds to Sluggers.
Establishing in children the value of sportsmanship is one of the primary objectives of Little League. RNLL fully expects this objective to be met, every day of every season. Sportsmanship comprises a communal, shared respect for all participants, be they players, managers, coaches, umpires, or parents, regardless of the outcome of a play, a call, or the game. Sportsmanship is exhibited continuously and without reserve. Sportsmanship is learned and cultivated by example. Practicing sportsmanship means: abiding by the rules of the game, avoiding arguments, playing fair, respecting the other team’s effort, offering encouragement, and accepting the judgment calls of umpires.
The role of parents and volunteers in Little League is absolutely critical to its success. Players need each parent to volunteer and contribute their time and unique skills to meet the objectives of Little League. Every parent has a skill which will benefit a child in RNLL. Parents shoulder the sole responsibility for making the RNLL program successful. The burden of operating the League should not fall on a few. Parents who shirk their responsibility in this regard cannot expect others to assume the burden. Managers, Coaches, umpires, scorekeepers and facilities managers are needed to help enable the game and make it memorable for players. Other volunteers are needed to serve as League officers, members of the Board of Directors, fundraisers, team supporters, etc. The opportunities to serve are numerous. Each parent must volunteer to make the RNLL program a success.
Managers shall be appointed by the League President, and approved by the RNLL Executive Board. Once appointed by the League President, the responsibility of the Managers and Coaches is to manage their team responsibly and ensure that all the players, together with their parents, know and observe the Official Little League Rules and these Local Rules. Intentions to manage a team must be submitted to the League President verbally or in writing by the date established by the RNLL Executive Board, for the coming season. The privilege of managing or coaching extended by RNLL exists only for the current season or where applicable, through League-sanctioned post-season tournament play. Managers and Coaches shall do their best to learn, understand, and interpret the Official Rules and these Local Rules and be capable of correct interpretation and implementation. All Managers and Coaches acknowledge that all rules, policies, and procedures are subject to interpretation of the ―Intent of the Rule‖ by the RNLL Executive Board. Managers appoint volunteers for their team. All such persons appointed by the Manager are his/her responsibility. The Manager is responsible for drafting new players for his/her team and ensuring each player plays at a level that benefit the player’s mental and physical development. All members of RNLL Executive Board, as well as Managers and Coaches, whose activities in another youth baseball or softball program are deemed detrimental to the operation of RNLL, can be removed by a majority vote of the RNLL Executive Board. Managers, Coaches, Players, Spectators, or Board Members shall: · Reflect an understanding of the age group they supervise and be acutely aware that their behavior and conduct serves as an example to all players in RNLL.
Good quality umpiring is a crucial element in the successful conduct of a local Little League program. Building and maintaining a competent group of volunteer umpires is critical to the success of RNLL. Character, good judgment, ability to get along with youngsters and the desire to do the job well are attributes of a good umpire. All Little League umpires are volunteers; paying umpires (or anyone else) runs contrary to Little League philosophy and policies. Like Managers and Coaches, expectations of umpires are high, despite their volunteer status. Managers and Coaches must recognize that: a) umpiring is a difficult and often thankless job, b) umpires are volunteers and c) Little League is not the ―big leagues‖. While umpires must master the basic rules and mechanics, controversial calls will be made. This is a part of Little League baseball – accept it! While difficult, it is also a unique and valuable opportunity for children to learn the value of volunteer service. RNLL umpires are required to attend the provided training to master basic mechanics and shall position themselves properly on the field during play. The League shall provide formal umpire training prior to the start of each season and shall endeavor to make available to umpires ongoing training and mentorship throughout each season. RNLL umpires will at all times exhibit behavior that exceeds common standards for sportsmanship, and recognize their behavior sets a critical example for players. During a game, umpires possess full authority to eject Managers, Coaches, or players if, in an umpire’s sole judgment and in accordance with the Official Little League Rules and/ or these Local Rules, the person’s actions so warrant. Should an ejection occur, the umpire shall promptly provide the League President and League Umpire in Chief a full, written report. See rules 9.01(d) and 9.05(b). All teams, including Sluggers teams, will supply umpires as dictated by the Umpire in Chief. No Shows When umpires fail to show up for a game, 24 kids are affected, not to mention the volunteers who then have to quickly work to fill in. ― No shows‖ are unacceptable. All no shows shall be promptly reported by the home team Manager and/or umpires to the League Umpire in Chief and the Division Vice President. If no person from a team scheduled to ump a game shows up to perform the assigned obligation, then the Manager of that scheduled team is to be given a warning by the Division Vice-President. If any additional ―no show(s) occur during the same season, the Manager of that team shall be suspended from participating in that team’s next game. A Manager may be suspended for two, three, or more games in a row until they ensure volunteers that have agreed to umpire during the season are meeting their commitments. Umpires who fail to adhere to these rules and guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action and/or removal from the League umpiring corps at the discretion of the League Umpire in Chief and/or League President
All parents, families, and spectators shall: