Registration Fall FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About WYBSL Fall Registration

Below, you’ll find the answers to the most commonly asked questions about WYBSL Fall Ball Registration. Please click on a question to be taken to the answer.

Note: The WYBSL Constitution and Regulations/ByLaws are the governing documents of the League. This section contains general information only and should not be construed to be the official rules of the organization.

How do I register my child?
How much does it cost?
What’s included in my fees?
What is a ‘Fields Fund’ fee and do we have to pay it?
Why are baseball/softball/tee-ball fees higher than some other youth sports?
To whom should I make my check payable?
Can I pay using a Credit or Debit card?
We missed the regular registration deadline – can my child still participate?
Do I need to buy a uniform and equipment?
How do I determine my child’s ‘Playing Age’?
How old must my child be to play Tee-Ball?
Does WYBSL honor ‘carpooling’ or ‘ride-share’ requests?
Does WYBSL honor requests for specific coaches?
Can my daughter play baseball if she doesn’t want to play softball?
Can my child ‘play-up’ into an older league?
Can my child ‘play-down’ to a younger league?
We’ve registered, but won’t be able to play. How do we get a refund?
Is there a “Family Plan” discount?

How do I register my child?
There are two ways to register for participation in the WYBSL:

1. We recommend registering through our on-line application.
2. By attending one of our walk-in registration sessions, held on Saturdays in July. Check the ‘Registration’ web page for locations and times.

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How much does it cost?
The fees vary based upon the level of play. Please check the registration form for current Registration and Fields Fund fees.
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What’s included in my fees?
Besides the practices and games themselves, each player receives a team shirt and cap or visor. WYBSL provides all field and team equipment needed to play the game – bases, bats, helmets, balls, batting tee (tee-ball) and catcher’s gear (coach-pitch leagues and older). Each player must supply a fielder’s glove, shoes and shorts or baseball pants.
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What’s a ‘Fields Fund’ fee and do we have to pay it?
Once each calendar year, each player must pay a Fields Fund fee of $24. If paid during Spring/Summer registration, it does not need to be paid again during Fall registration. 100% of this fee is placed in a special fund which is and will be used for field improvements, maintenance and special projects.
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Why are baseball/softball/tee-ball fees higher than some other youth sports?
Simply put, it costs more to operate. Infields have to be dragged and maintained daily, grass has to be mowed, fences and backstops need to be painted and repaired, and infield clay and soil conditioner have to be purchased annually. Equipment is purchased and stored – WYBSL spends more than $10,000 each year for balls alone – and umpires are paid, etc. You can find a chart showing WYBSL expenses in the spring issue of Batter Up!, the League newsletter.
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To whom should I make my check payable?
‘Westerville Youth Baseball and Softball League’, or simply ‘WYBSL’.
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Can I pay using a Credit or Debit card?
Yes – this can easily be done with our on-line application.
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We missed the regular registration deadline – can my child still participate?
Registration is on a ‘first-come, first-served’ space-available basis. But, if space is available (and usually is), there is a $30 late registration penalty. However, late fees will be waived if the family has moved into the area after the registration deadline.
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Do I need to buy a uniform and equipment?
Your registration fee includes a team shirt, a team cap or visor and all field and team equipment – bases, bats, balls, helmets, batting tee (tee-ball) and catcher’s gear (coach-pitch leagues and older). Each player must supply a fielder’s glove, shoes and shorts or baseball pants.
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How do I determine my child’s ‘Playing Age’?
Your child’s ‘Playing Age’ is his/her age on April 30 of the current calendar year.
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How old must my child be to play Tee-Ball?
Generally, the Fall Tee-Ball program is for children who are Playing Age 4 and 5. If space is available, and with League approval, we allow children who are Playing Age 3 to participate if their 4th birthday is within a month of April 30 (if the player is 4 by May 31).
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Does WYBSL honor ‘carpooling’ or ‘ride-share’ requests?
No! Carpooling requests have been abused over the years when they were used as a way to try to get children onto the same team. This interferes with the league’s efforts to evenly distribute players based upon skill levels (Green Hat and older) and neighborhood and schools (Tee-Ball and Coach-Pitch). However, you can list any request on a note and attach it to the Registration form and it may be taken into consideration as teams are formed.
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Does WYBSL honor requests for specific coaches?
In the past, coach requests have been abused when used as a way to try to get several children onto the same team. However, you can list any request a note and attach it to the Registration form and it may be taken into consideration as teams are formed. WYBSL is blessed to have more than 600 head and assistant coaches each year – all of whom are volunteers – and most of whom work hard to help children learn, improve their skills and have fun. WYBSL provides coaching clinics – and reviews coaches after each season to make sure that our high standards are being met.
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Can my daughter play baseball if she doesn’t want to play softball?
Yes. In Fall Ball, we offer a Coed Tee-Ball league. Girls in Coach-Pitch through Black Hat are eligible to play baseball – but only a handful do so out of more than 2,700 players each year. For safety reasons, boys are not allowed to play in our softball leagues.
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Can my child ‘play-up’ into an older league?
With League permission and, if space permits, a child may ‘play-up’ one year (not one league); for example, in Fall Ball, a five year old can request to play in Coach-Pitch instead of Tee-Ball – a four year old may not. To request this option, a Play-Up form must be submitted with the registration form each season and the player must attend a mandatory ‘Play-Up Assessment’ for each level. More information about this option can be found in the Fall issue of Batter Up!, the League newsletter.
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Can my player ‘play-down’ to a younger league?
No. Parents should not request that a player ‘play-down’ to a younger level. Don’t even ask!
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We’ve registered, but won’t be able to play. How do we get a refund?
Although we expect every registered child to play in the WYBSL, we know that some unforeseen circumstances do arise that might cause a player to withdraw from the League.
In order to request a refund, a parent or guardian must send an e-mail message to the League at wybsl@wybsl.org. Please use the word “Refund” in the subject line and report the:

1. Date
2. Player’s Name
3. Player’s league
4. Reason for withdrawal

All refunds will be made by WYBSL check, regardless of the method of registration payment and will be processed within four weeks after the request – if made in a timely manner.  Please see this season’s newsletter for refund deadline dates.

Is there a “Family Plan” discount?
Yes! The first two players in a family register at full fees. Each additional player pays only $25.
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