Frequently Asked Questions About WYBSL Spring Registration
Below, you’ll find the answers to the most commonly asked questions about WYBSL Spring/Summer 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?
How do I register my child?
Registering is easy! You can:
- Register online or
- By attending one of our walk-in registration sessions. Please check the ‘Registration’ web page for locations and times.
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?
You must pay by credit or debit card when using our online application. If you attend a walk-in registration session you may pay by credit/debit card, cash or check.
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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 and no Family Plan discounts may be taken. However, late fees will be waived and Family Plan discounts will apply 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. A convenient ‘Playing Age’ chart can be found on the ‘Registration’ web page.
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How old must my child be to play Tee-Ball?
Generally, the Spring/Summer Tee-Ball program is for children who are Playing Age 5 and 6. If space is available, and with League approval, we allow children who are Playing Age 4 to participate, if their 5th birthday is within 90 days of April 30 (if the player is 5 by July 31).
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Does WYBSL honor ‘carpooling’ or ‘ride-share’ requests?
Unfortunately we can not. 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 the ‘Comments’ line of 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 on the ‘Comments’ line of the Registration form and it may be taken into consideration as teams are formed. WYBSL is blessed to have almost 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. After our separate Tee-Ball leagues, girls in Coach-Pitch through Black Hat are eligible to play baseball – but only a handful do so out of more than 2,000 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 the spring, a six year old can request to play in Coach-Pitch instead of Tee-Ball – a five 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 current 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:
- Date
- Player’s Name
- Player’s league
- Reason for withdrawal
All refunds will be made by WYBSL check, regardless of the method of registration payment. A refund will be processed within four weeks after the request, if the refund is reported before May 1.
- If the withdrawal is reported by March 31, a full refund will be given.
- If the withdrawal is reported by April 30, a $25 processing fee will be charged.
- If the withdrawal is reported on or after May 1, there shall be no refund.