Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Play for Coquitlam Little League?
We accept players from Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows.
How young can a player be?
Blastball starts at league age 5 years. League age is the age as of April 30th of the current year.
Why do you need to see my childs Birth Certificate?
The Birth Certificate is a proof of age so that we may place your child in the proper division.
Can I bring a copy of my childs care card to registration?
At registration we require your childs Care Card number in the event of an accident or injury. A copy of the card is sufficient for the application process.
Can a parent register their own child and another child - as long as they have the other child's registration form, cheques, copies of birth certificates and Care Cards?
Absolutley! As long as all of the necessary documentation is present we will accept registration.
Can my daughter play?
Coquitlam Little League is great place for girls to learn to play baseball. When the registration numbers allow it we try to have two girls per team.
What equipment do we have to provide?
BlastBall players require a baseball helmet and a Jock or Jill strap, a baseball glove is unnecessary at this age. "A" MiniMinor players require a baseball glove, a helmet and a Jock or Jill strap . The "AA" Rookie, "AAA", Major and all other divisions require a Jock or Jill strap, a helmet and a baseball glove. Baseball or soccer shoes with plastic studs are encouraged for secure footing. Shoes with metal spikes are strictly prohibited until the Junior Division.

NOTE- 13 years and up provide their own grey baseball pants.

Where do we play?
Each division has it's own fields. BlastBall plays at Rochester; "A" (MiniMinor) plays at Winslow; "AA" (Rookie) plays at Mackin Rookie Diamond; "AAA" (Minors) and Majors play at Mackin East and Upper Mackin (The Yard); Jr, Sr, Sr Big and Big League play at Blue Mountain; and Challengers play at Mackin Yard.
When does the season start and end?
Games start in April as follows:
1st. week of April - AAA, Majors, Junior, Senior, Big League
2nd. week of April - "AA" (Rookie)
3rd. week of April - "A" (MiniMinor) & BlastBall.

The season ends in mid June.

What days of the week do we play?.
BlastBall and "A" (MiniMinor) play on either Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs.

The Challenger Division plays on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The Rookie Division plays on week nights, Tuesday to Friday and Saturdays as scheduled. NO SUNDAY GAMES. Monday nights are set aside for MANDATORY PRACTICES.

9-12 AAA Division plays weeknights, Wednesday- Friday and week ends.

9-12 Major Division plays weeknights, Wednesday to Friday and week ends.

NOTE ALL DIVISIONS UP TO MAJOR PLAY AT THE SAME PARK EVERY GAME. NO EXCESS TRAVEL INVOLVED.

Can I play on the same team as my friends?
-BlastBall and "A" Rookie Divisions; We encourage you to think about your schedules and whether you want your child to play with specific team mates or for car-pooling. Coquitlam Little League will make every reasonable effort to accommodate your wishes. Please express your preferences at the registration and in writing on the registration form. Please keep in mind that play days are assigned on a first come first placed basis.

-"AA" Rookie, "AAA", Major and the Junior Divisions; These divisions are structured through an evaluation process. This is necessary to try to accomplish parity with all teams within a division. i.e. we try not to have an unfairly strong or an unfairly weak team.

Therefore requests for specific teammates are looked at and are granted ONLY if possible within the parity criteria.

How many games and practices per week do we have?
BlastBall and "A" Mini-Minor play twice per week, M-W or T-Thurs. -NO PRACTICES AT THIS LEVEL, "AA" Rookies play 2-3 games per week Tuesday to Saturday. No games Sundays. MANDATORY Practice Monday nights. ( The Monday night practices are in the form of a clinic with skills training by Coquitlam Little League Senior Alumni. An excellent program for the children.) "AAA" and Major play three times per week with practices set by the team Manager and coaches.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
WHAT? It never rains in Coquitlam! Some years we get lucky and the weather cooperates with us throughout our brief season, however, rainouts do happen and sometimes all too frequently. At the BlastBall, Mini-Minor and "AA" Rookie levels parents can use their common sense but contact your coach at the beginning of the season for his/her instructions in the event of foul weather. At the "AAA", Major and Junior levels the game is cancelled at the field by the umpire with the coaches if the weather or field conditions are unsafe or unplayable. The game will be officially 'called' and the coaches will contact their players.

NOTE- We have often played ball in light rain or shower conditions but unlike soccer or football there are real safety issues in playing baseball in steady rain or extremely wet conditions. The pitcher or fielders cannot safely throw wet baseballs, the ball does not react the same off the bat and players have trouble catching wet balls. Also puddled water on the infield creates hazards. SAFETY FIRST!

That said, everyone wants to play all the games in their schedule. With the permission of the Coordinator opposing coaches involved in a rainout game can get together and reschedule the game at a convenient time when a field is available. There are dates in the schedule set aside to makeup rainouts.

Who Picks the Coaches?
We encourage all individuals interested in managing or coaching to apply at the registration sessions. Coquitlam Little League team Managers are selected by the Board of Directors. The Managers are free to pick there own coaches.

NOTE- All Managers, coaches and volunteers are cleared through an RCMP back ground check before getting involved with the children. To those applying to work with the kids the back ground check MUST be completed before the season starts.

Who works in the concession stands?
As with all the tasks involved in running the League volunteers are the backbone of this organization. The concessions, Bar-B-Q's, field preparation and cleanup, team managers, coaches, and Board members. All these jobs are done by our valued parent volunteers. From the "AAA" level on up the team managers are responsible to assign parents to take turns getting these jobs done. A team 'Mom' or parent organizer is the best way to organize the equal sharing of these tasks. Please do your share. IT IS FOR THE KIDS!!
What can I do?
As stated above there are many tasks that need to be done. Surprisingly much of the day to day running of this League is done by dedicated people who have no children in the League! We need you to step up as a parent and help out. Go to the score keepers clinic. Score keeping is not as hard as it may appear and when you get the hang of it you will really enjoy it. Join our Umpire squad. Umpires are always needed and again it is not hard to learn. It should be noted that Umpires are the only people in our League that are paid. In order to encourage participation we pay them on a per game basis.
I witnessed some parents acting very badly at some of the games last season. They were shouting at the Ump and the opposing coaches. What do you do about that?
Baseball is supposed to be fun. Firstly, it is incumbent on our coaches to show the way for their teams parents and correct problems as they arise. The Board has an absolute 'no tolerance ' policy when it comes to poor sportsmanship. Parent 'fans' in attendance at any game must conduct themselves properly.

The Board of Coquitlam Little League has a strict 'no tolerance' attitude towards bad behavior or cheating at our games and practices. Any coaches or parents that exhibit inappropriate behavior will be warned and if necessary told to leave the field. If the misconduct goes too far the offending coach or parent may be ejected from the League without refund.

Our umpires in the "AAA" and Major Divisions are mostly children from the ages of 11-15. they are players in our League and are learning the game as they gain experience. THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES! Do not cajole or argue with our young umpires.

I noticed that the fee for the Big League Division is quite a bit higher than the others. What's the difference for the extra $$?
The Big League boys get 2 sets of uniforms (home and away) instead of one, they play a deeper schedule than Seniors and the umpires costs have risen. I'm sure you would be interested to know that the cost to put a Big League player on the field is 419.05, the league subsidizes the amount not collected in the registration fee