NEED TO KNOW
WELCOME TO HASTINGS LITTLE LEAGUE
Our season runs from mid-March through June, with practices beginning in March/April and games starting shortly after. Throughout the season, families can expect a fun, community-focused environment centered on player development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
REGISTRATION
Registration typically opens in November and closes in early February. Registration for the current season is now closed. If you have questions about waitlists or future registration dates, please contact us at info@hcll.ca
PRACTICE & GAME SCHEDULE
Practices typically begin in early to mid-March, after team placements and player drafts are completed. League games run from early April to June. All-Star teams are formed in mid-June and continue playing through the summer, with dates varying by division. Practice schedules are set by individual team coaches, and league game schedules are posted on the HCLL website.
EQUIPMENT
All players must supply their own batting helmets, baseball pants (provided for T-Ball), baseball gloves, jocks and jills. Baseball cleats are also strongly recommended. Personal bats are allowed but HCLL policy dictates that any player bringing his/her own bat to a game or practice will either be the only player allowed to use his/her bat OR will allow every member of the team to use his/her personal bat. This addresses a league concern about team morale when personal bats are only shared between a few players.
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Little League Approved Equipment
Little League International has placed restrictions on the types of bats that may be used by players. Composite-barrelled baseball bats are generally not allowed, however, some composite baseball bats have been approved.
Before purchasing baseball bats, it is recommended that you check the Little League approved list here: Little League Approved Bats
PLAYER EVALUATIONS
All players aged 7 to 12 in the Rookie, Minor, and Major divisions must attend player evaluation sessions before the start of the season. The evaluations serve two main purposes: to place players in the appropriate division based on skill, ability, and safety, and to help create evenly matched teams. Players are assessed on a 1–10 scale for fielding, catching, throwing, and hitting. Division placement is determined from the average of these scores.
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Attendance at evaluations is mandatory for all Major, Minor, and Rookie players. The schedule will be posted on the HCLL website once finalized.
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There are no evaluations for Jr. T-Ball or T-Ball players.
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Some players may be placed in a lower division for skill or safety reasons (e.g., a 7-year-old in T-Ball, a 9-year-old in Rookie, or an 11-year-old in Minor). Conversely, some players may be invited to try out for a higher division (e.g., an 8-year-old in Minor or a 10-year-old in Major) based on evaluation results. To qualify, the player must have played in their age division the previous year, be among the top players in their group, have available spots in the higher division, and receive a recommendation to move up. Attendance at the higher division evaluation is required.
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Once evaluations are complete, league officials assign players to divisions for the season. Team selection and drafting occur in early March so that rosters and schedules can be finalized.
TEAMMATE REQUESTS
Teammate requests for team placement are accepted in the Jr. T-Ball and T-Ball divisions, but not in the Rookie, Minor, or Major divisions. Sibling requests will be considered at all levels for players eligible to play in the same division.
PARENT & PLAYER CONDUCT
Players Code of Conduct
Hastings Community Little League expects each of its players to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship, citizenship and courtesy at all times. This extends beyond practices, games and other league events to include time spent at the parks prior to and after games, and at other public venues. You can review the Players Code of Conduct by clicking on the following link: Players Code of Conduct.
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Player Safety
The safety of all players at Hastings Community Little League is a priority for all our volunteers, coaches, umpires and parents. Please review our league safety manual which describes all our policies and rules regarding player safety. You can see the safety manual by clicking here: HCLL Safety Manual.