Loudoun South Little League
Spring Middle School Baseball Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Loudoun South Little League (LSLL) Middle School Baseball Program is for 6th-8th grade players to represent their respective middle school. The program is an extension of the Little League International Seniors Division and is designed for more competitive play. The middle school program will also give kids an opportunity to play on a team with kids that will be attending the same high school, which should foster a greater sense of familiarity amongst the players, and help them acclimate to the bigger playing fields.
Each middle school within the LSLL boundaries (Lunsford, Mercer, Brambleton, Willard and Stone Hill) will field a team comprised of eligible 6th-8th grade players. Players are required to attend a tryout session and team selections will be conducted by the respective team manager. Players will only be eligible to attend a tryout for the middle school they attend. Private and home school players will be eligible to attend a tryout and can be selected for the middle school team they are zoned to attend.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Middle School Baseball Program?
A: League age 13, 14 and 15 year old players in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Managers are instructed to focus on 8th grade players and fill roster holes with 7th grade players. 6th grade players can be placed on the team if they are exceptionally talented over a 7th grade player.
A: Players League Age 12 will not be eligible to participate in the program.
Q: Which local little leagues are participating in the program?
A: Teams will play a schedule which includes Central Loudoun Little League (CLLL), Dulles Little League (DLL), Lower Loudoun Little League (LLLL), as well as teams from within the LSLL boundaries. In partnership with LSLL, middle school teams from the Upper Loudoun Little League (ULLL) boundaries will also be participating.
Q: What about players who reside within the LSLL boundaries, but who currently attend or are zoned to attend Eagle Ridge MS?
A: Each of the leagues has agreed that players should play for the school they are zoned to attend. Therefore, players that attend Eagle Ridge should register with Dulles Little League (www.dulleslittleleague.org). All players who attend Stone Hill, even if they live within the DLL boundaries, will register with Loudoun South.
Q: When will tryouts be held for the program?
A: Tryout information will be sent out once registration is completed.
Q: What is the expected roster size for each team in the program?
A: Each team is expected to carry between 12 and 15 players on the roster to ensure sufficient players should schedule conflicts arise.
Q: What are the time commitments for for program?
A: It is expected that the teams will have one practice during the week and play one game each week. Our initial planning is to schedule the practice on Mondays and schedule the game on Thursday. This schedule is subject to change so please check back frequently for updates.
Q: My players is currently on a travel team. Will they be able to continue playing travel baseball and participate in the program?
A: Yes. We are communicating with the coaches of the local travel teams to try and ensure cooperation. Given our expected time commitments for the program and our expected days of participation we believe we will avoid most or all conflicts with travel team schedules.
Q: Will there be an additional cost to participate in the program?
A: No, the standard LSLL registration fees apply. At the time of registration, each player will be placed on a waitlist for their respective team. After tryouts, if the player is selected by the head coach for their team the player will be moved off the waitlist and payment must be made within 24 hours to retain the player's spot on the team.
Q: If my player is not selected for their middle school team, are they required to participate in the Juniors Division house league?
A: No, but LSLL encourages eligible players to participate in the Juniors baseball program.
Q: Who is coaching the middle school teams?
A: LSLL will solicit coaching candidates and candidates will be volunteer positions and are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. Please contact the Vice President, Division Commissioner, at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering.
Q: Will participation in the program make my player eligible for All Stars?
A: Additional information on all star eligibility will be provided at a later date.
Q: Are there special rules for the program?
A: Players and parents can reference the Little League International Seniors rules as a guideline. NOTE: As a Seniors program all players are required to use a BBCOR -3 bat for middle school play.
Q: Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
A: Please contact the Vice President at [email protected] if you have questions or need more information.
NOTE: If your player is already registered for the Juniors Division you still need to register for the Middle School program separately. You will not be allowed to tryout for the program unless you have registered using the link above.