Welcome to Mountain View Little League (MVLL). We hope that you will find your experience with MVLL to be exciting and rewarding this year. MVLL was established in 1957 and is governed by the rules and regulations of Little League Baseball, Inc. of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Your local Board of Directors is here to certify that our league is compliant to these rules in order for our players to enjoy safe play and an opportunity to qualify for the exciting post-season play that Little League Baseball has made into a tradition. Little League’s goals for the players are: 1) Develop sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, fair play and safety. 2) Learn the skills, rules and strategy of Little League Baseball. 3) Have fun! More than 400 Mountain View youngsters, ranging in age from 4-14 years, will participate in MVLL Baseball during the upcoming season. Parents, Managers, Coaches, Sponsors and Officials will work together to promote these goals. Success depends on all participating adults, including spectators, to serve as positive role models for behavior and attitude. To that end, please read this handbook thoroughly. The rules, regulations and suggestions throughout this book are presented to you to help all of us make MVLL successful, fun and rewarding for everyone associated, especially this community’s future, the children.

Mountain View Little League is a non-profit organization. Total operating expenses are approximately $60,000 per year. These funds are used for uniforms, equipment, photos, field maintenance, insurance, publications and other support services. The funds to cover these expenses come from registration fees, fund-raising events, sponsor fees and Snack Shack profits. Sponsorships: Local businesses, fraternal organizations and individuals demonstrate their commitment to the welfare of Mountain View’s youth by underwriting a portion of our expenses through team sponsorships. Our Sponsors are dedicated and deserve our business and appreciation. For sponsorship information, please contact the Fundraising / Sponsorship Director. Registration Fees: Registration fees cover insurance, team photos, awards, sponsor plaques and uniforms. No child will be denied the opportunity to play due to economic hardships. Fee waivers are available for Mountain View families who cannot afford the registration costs. Snack Shacks: The Snack Shacks are a major source of revenue for MVLL. Please patronize our Snack Shacks when they are available and do not bring in food from outside. After a long game, the kids always love a treat from the Snack Shack. Please take your turn to volunteer in the Snack Shack and do not take any food or funds without permission of the League. Fundraiser: To minimize the burden on parents, we have only one league-wide fundraiser for the year, the Hit-a-thon. Each player should get sponsorships on a per-foot or flat-fee basis. The players then compete to hit a baseball as far as possible. We ask each player to try to raise at least $50 from neighbors, friends, and family members. Parents can also help raise money for the League by buying SF Giants tickets, MVLL shirts, and other merchandise that the League offers. These purchases are optional but much appreciated.

MVLL asks that every parent participate in the activities that bring success to our children and the league. Volunteer Forms are available in the Addendum to this handbook, on the MVLL web page at www.mvll.org, and by asking any League official. By contributing to the league, your children will benefit from your time together, you will have more input and understanding as to the League’s operations, and you will be contributing to a stronger Mountain View community. Please fill out and return the Volunteer Form to indicate your ability to fulfill one or more of the following functions.

• Manager (head coach): With help from other coaches, directs practices and games. Does not need to attend every game. Experience not required at T-Ball and Minors A level. Training is provided.
• Coach: Assists manager at practices and games. Does not need to attend every game. Experience not required. Training is provided.
• Team parent: Using phone or email, makes sure all parents on team are notified of games, practices, and other events. Organizes snack schedule, team party, etc.
• Scorekeeper: At Minors AA, AAA, Majors and Juniors games, keep a record of each play. Training is available. Can keep score while watching your child’s game.
• Umpire: Makes rulings on the field at Minors/Majors games. Flexible schedules available. Experience not required. Training is available. Ages 14 and up.
• Event help: Work at tryouts, Opening Day, Picture Day, Closing Day, and other special events. Help with setup, snack shack, check-in, handouts, or cleanup. No experience required. Work one event per season.
• Phone calls: Spend up to three hours making phone calls to assist with notifying parents, other volunteers, or recruiting sponsors. Can make calls from your home or office.
• Translation: Translate flyers and other printed material from English to Spanish, or assist Spanish-speaking parents with registration or other league activities.
• Construction: If you have special skills in construction, please let us know, as we are upgrading our facilities.
• Sponsor: Make a cash donation to MVLL. Your company can be listed on our web site or even have its name on a banner, team hat, or team uniform. Contact us for more details.

Although most of us have busy lives, many of these choices require only a few hours during the year or can be performed while attending your child’s games and events. Managers and coaches do not have to have baseball skills, especially at lower levels, because they receive training from professional coaches. Please help MVLL this season.

All participants of MVLL Baseball must work together to make Little League Baseball a safe and fun game. Serious injuries can occur when players are careless about throwing balls or handling bats. Parents are asked to help by making sure that their youngster is ready for practices and games. Players must strive to be in good physical condition. They should have adequate rest and must be mentally ready for baseball. If they are not, parents should notify the Manager or Coach before the game or practice. Some of the more important points are as follows:

1. During practices and games, ALL PLAYERS should be alert and watching the batter on each pitch.
2. At no time should ‘horse play’ be permitted on the playing field.
3. Catchers MUST wear a protective supporter and cup. All players perform better with a cup, as CONFIDENCE is a great prevention against injury.
4. Players will NOT wear jewelry, i.e.; watches, rings, pins, necklaces, chains, earrings, or other metallic items.
5. The on-deck circle for all divisions is PROHIBITED.
6. Headfirst slides in most situations are prohibited.

In addition, there are numerous other safety rules. The Manager and Coaches will explain these to players throughout the season. NOTE: Please watch younger children during the games. Foul balls often drop into the stands and surrounding area and could cause serious injury. Little League is not liable for injuries to spectators and their families.