How do I . . . ?
We get so many questions over the course of the season. We always welcome questions from new and past participant parents and kids, so we compiled commonly asked questions into one web page.  Before you send an e-mail to us, the question you've been wanting to ask may have already been answered here!

1. With all the different baseball leagues in Chino Hills how do I know which league we are supposed to play in?
The City of Chino Hills has two Little League organizations: Chino Hills Little League (that's us) and Canyon Hills Little League (the other guys).   Both Little League organizations are not-for-profit entities, chartered with Little League Baseball in Williamsport, PA.   

With few exceptions, you belong in this league if you live east of Peyton Ave and south of Eucalyptus Ave.  It is NOT optional to play in either Little League; you must register with the Little League within the boundaries of your residence. 

Other baseball organizations in Chino Hills are not affiliated with Little League Baseball and as such do not participate in the real Little League World Series presented by ESPN & ABC Television Networks.

2. What Division should my child play in?

Little League age is determined by your child’s age on April 30.  Chino Hills Little League is guided by an age-specific division selection criteria, described below; while this criteria is not set in stone, the league  discourages deviations from these guidelines:  

Tee-Ball (ages 5 & 6):  This level is reserved to first-time players.  It is recommended that all players have at least one season of tee ball experience prior to moving to Division A.

Division A (ages 6 & 7):   This level is the coach-pitch division.  It is intended for players that have completed at least one year of tee-ball.

Division AA (ages 7 & 8):   This is the first level of player-pitch baseball.  Pitching distance is 40 feet.  Nine-year olds with limited playing experience may play in this division, but they are prohibited from pitching.

Division AAA (ages 9 & 10):  All players in this division MUST particiapte in the evaluation draft prior to the start of the Spring season (watch the website for dates and times).  The pitching distance is increased to 46 feet.  Eight year-olds who play at an advanced level may try out for this division; those 8 year-olds that fail to make a Division AAA team will be automatically placed on a Division AA team.   In very rare cases, 11-year olds  with limited baseball playing skills may be placed in this division upon approval by the  Player Agent and Board of Directors.

Majors (ages 10, 11 & 12):  All players in this division MUST participate in the evaluation draft prior to the start of the Spring season (watch the website for dates and times).  The pitching distance remains at 46 feet.  Eleven and 12 year-olds are eligible to participate in the Little League World Series.  Unless an extraordinary circumstance exists, all 12 year-olds will be placed on a Majors team, regardless of their skill level.  Ten year-olds who play at an advanced level may request to play on a Majors team.  All ten year olds who try out for the Majors but are not drafted by a Majors team, will be placed on a Division AAA team.

Juniors (ages 13 & 14): All players in this division MUST participate in the evaluation draft prior to the start of the Spring season (watch the website for dates and times).  The base paths are increased to 90 feet and the pitching distance is increased to 60 feet.

Seniors (ages 15 & 16):  Fourteen year-olds of advanced ability may also choose to play at this level.

Big League (ages 16 to 18):  This is the final level of Little League play.

Ultimately, the Player Agent will be the final arbiter of division and team assignments, guided by the child’s age and baseball experience.

One more note... for the Winter season, we do encourage players to stretch themselves a bit, with respect to their level of play, as this is the time to get a feel for what it will be like in the next Division come the following Spring.

3. How long does the season run?
Practices for Spring season start in early February with Opening Day usually in late February. The Spring season concludes for most divisions in early June.  Seniors and Big League usually start later (in April).  

The Winter season (which actually is played during the Fall) runs from early-September through the weekend prior to Thanksgiving for all divisions.  

3b. How many games are scheduled during the season?
In Spring season, the number of games varies depending on the division.  In general, the number of regular season games varies from 14 to 20, with the lower divisions playing the lower end of that range and the higher divisions (through Juniors) at the higher end.  This includes exhibition games but does not include playoff games (in Divisions AA and higher).  

In the Winter ball season, between eight and ten games are usually scheduled. 

4. Where are the games played?
Barring any last minute changes by the City, which is unlikely, most games will be played at Community Park.  The City of Chino Hills may mandate that some tee ball and Division A games may be played at Wickman Elementary due to lack of field slots at Community Park. Rest assured that your Board of Directors does everything it can to minimize the number of games played away from Community Park.  

4b. On what days and how frequently are the games played?
In Spring, games are usually played twice a week; one game during the week and one Saturday game.  Deviations to this rule do occur however on occaision.  

In Winter, games are played once a week, generally on Saturday.  Some divisions may also have Friday games.

5. How come Chino Hills Little League does not play their games at Big League Dreams in Chino Hills?
In the past, Chino Hills Little League and Big League Dreams have reached agreements to play some Little League games at Big League Dreams. Unfortunately Little League rules do not allow Little Leaguers to play games in any facility where alcohol is sold and consumed. Little League rules also state that everyone must be able to watch Little League games without paying an admission fee. Unfortunately Big League Dreams charges $2.50 a person for admission into their park. Each season, the Board of Directors will continue to evaluate the benefits of playing a small number of games at BLD, assuming the Board can negotiate a favorable, cost-effective, agreement with BLD that does not include an admission fee for our members.

6. How about practices?
This is up to the individual manager. Most managers have one to two practices a week.  The lower divisions usually practice for an hour.  Division AAA on up may practice for up to two hours.  Practice schedules are not determined until after the season starts.

7. How do I register my child to play with Chino Hills Little League?
You may register on-line here.  You may also register in-person during one of our walk-up registration days.  Generally, walk-up registrations are held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm in front of the Albertsons on the corner of Soquel Cyn Pkwy and Butterfield Ranch Rd.  You can check our website or the sports section of the Chino Hills Champion for exact dates and times.  

7b. When I register in person, what am I required to bring?
When registering your child, please be prepared to bring the following:
- Proof of Residency (Utility Bill)
- Birth Certificate
- Registration Fee Payment

7c. What do you accept in the form of payment?
- Cash, Check, or Money Order payable to: Chino Hills Little League

8. Can I request my child to play on the same team with a friend? Can I request the manager or coach I want my child to be coached by?
If your child is playing Tee ball through Division AA, you may request coaches and buddies during the Winter and Spring seasons.  Chino Hills Little League will try to accommodate requests in ALL divisions during the Winter ball season.

In the Spring Season ALL players in Division AAA and above (ages 9 and up), are REQUIRED to tryout and go through a draft procedure .  You may still make requests (for example, to play or not play for a particular coach) but there are no guarantees -- as teams are selected via the draft. 

As a general rule request are done on a first-come first-served basis, and the applicable Player Agents attempt to honor as many requests as possible.  However, keep in mind that requests cannot always be honored for various reasons.  For example, the Player Agents have a responsibility to balance all the teams, and sometimes a popular manager will be requested in numbers that exceed available roster slots.  Beginning with the 2008 season, all Division AA Spring ball teams will be limited to the first 6 requests for a particular manager. This is to ensure increased parity of the teams for the end-of-season Division AA Tournament.     

9. How much does it cost for my child to participate in Chino Hills Little League?
Registration Fees are posted each year and are based on the division your child is participating in.  Please check the registrations page for costs. There is one mandatory fundraiser each Spring season.  Sibling discounts are available and early bird registration discounts are also available.  Unfortunately, late fees are also assessed if you register after teams have been formed, so please register as soon as possible!

10. Why does Chino Hills Little League hold a fundraiser?
The league spends approximately $250 per child to play in Chino Hills Little League.  Since our registration fees only cover roughly half of our entire costs, our league must conduct an annual Spring-ball fundraiser and seeks out sponsors throughout the community.   The Board of Directors has rejected the alternative option of dropping the fundraiser and raising registration fees to a level that ensures all of our per-child costs are covered.

Chino Hills Little League yearly operational cost exceeds $100,000.  Each spring season the Chino Hills Board of Directors prepares an annual budget. That budget is forwarded to our District Administrator and is voted upon during the General Membership Meeting each February.  

11. Is my daughter allowed to play Little League or does she have to play Softball?
Both Little League organizations in Chino Hills are co-ed. Chino Hills Little League does not have a softball program.

12. How can I manage or coach a team in Chino Hills Little League?
After undergoing a background check, all managers and coaches are appointed by the League President and approved by the Chino Hills Little League Board of Directors. If you are interested in being a manager or coach email the President at president@chinohillsll.com. 

Requests should be made by the first week in January for Spring season, and by the end of August for the Winter ball season.  

13. If I am not happy with my Manager or Coach how do I have my child placed on another team?
All trades are facilitated through the Player Agent and approved by the board of directors. Trades after the draft are highly discouraged and made on a case by case basis. All trades must be equitable for all the involved parties. Once teams have been announced any trades to be considered only under extreme hardships circumstances. No trades are allowed 14 days after the regularly scheduled first game of the season.

14. How do I file a complaint against my manager, coach, and umpire?
All complaints are filtered via the President to your child's Division Vice President. If you are not sure who your Division Vice President is, check here.  Your child's Division Vice President will attempt to handle your situation. (NOTE: all complaints should be conveyed via email to the President).

15. Can I attend a Board of Directors meeting? 
Any League member in good standing is allowed to attend any Board of Director’s board meeting. If you have a subject you would like to discuss in front of the board you must e-mail the President in order to be placed on the meeting’s agenda. There is a time limit based on the subject being presented and meetings other agenda items. If you are a member of the League not in good standing (e.g., payments in arrears, suspension, etc.) you are only allowed to attend a meeting if invited and approved by the Board of Directors. (NOTE: Some meeting may involved closed session items that are strictly for board members only i.e. disciplinary issues or sensitive items not for public info). 

16. How can I find out when and where the Board Meetings are being held?
Most Board of Directors meetings are held at the Denny's on Fairfield Ranch Road, or the Firestation on the corner of Sagebrush and Butterfied Ranch Rd.  Please e-mail the President for the location of the meeting you wish to attend.  Board meeting dates can be located by clicking the Events Calendar button on the menu to the left of this page. 

17. How can I become a Chino Hills Little League Board Member?
Elections are held annually and voted upon by the general membership of Chino Hills Little League.  Nominations for all Board postions should be submitted to the President via e-mail no later than 10 days prior to the elections; it is perfectly acceptable to nominate yourself for a position.  Board positions that remain vacant after the election can be filled anytime by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.  

Contact the President if you have any questions about being a Board member.