Baseball/Softball/T-Ball

Frequently Asked Questions

When will we hear what team our child is on? I sent the registration in the first week.

We will begin making teams on April 8th after we have all the "on-time" registrations.  It will take a week or two to divide the forms into teams, find coaches for every team and type up the rosters - (we have about 1000 children participating in our baseball, softball and t-ball leagues and it's all done by volunteers).  If all goes well, coaches will be notified and given rosters by the end of April and can begin calling their kids the first week of May.

I missed the registration deadline.  Can my child still play?

Maybe – but there are no guarantees.  Register your child as soon as you can at Brinks. Registrations received after April 7th will be on a waiting list and will be placed on a team on a first come first served basis only as spaces allow. Fill out a registration form and place it in the mailbox on Brink’s market courtesy counter.  Include payment and $10.00 late fee. If no roster opening exists for your child’s age group, we will return your registration form and payment.

Can I request that my child be on a team with his/her friend or with a specific coach?

Our program is growing fast. Please understand that we've had to make a few changes this year to accommodate the growth and keep our volunteers sane.  Each year we receive hundreds of special requests for specific teams, teammates, and coaches for a large variety of reasons. There is, however, no way we can honor all of those requests, be fair to everyone, and maintain balanced teams. In an effort to be fair to everyone, we ask that you refrain from making those requests, as we will be unable to honor them this year. Please stress to your children that summer ball is a great opportunity for them to expand their social life and make new friends.

Can my child play “up” a level?

 No. All children must register and play at their current grade level. Each year we receive many requests for children to play up a level for multiple reasons:  ranging from being big for their age, highly skilled, held back a year in school so really is older, want siblings on same team, dance or other activities conflict with the game night for their own level, all the neighborhood kids are on the older team and their child will feel left out if not on that team, needing transportation from someone on an older team, and wanting to be on same team as friend or neighbor who is older, as well as many variations or combinations of these. 

While this was allowed in the past at times, we received many complaints that some children were allowed to move up and others weren't. People were rightfully upset that some were allowed to play up and others weren't.  The board decided that if one person is allowed the opportunity to “play up”, it needs to be allowed for everyone. We then run the risk of “watering down” each level resulting in a dramatic increase in requests for children to move up. With involvement of approximately 1000 youth, on 100 teams at 10 different age levels this can quickly become unmanageable. Again, in an effort to be fair to everyone, we ask that you refrain from making those requests, as we will be unable to honor them this year.

2007 T-ball, Baseball & Softball Programs 

The 2007 LARA T-ball, baseball, softball program is open to youth residing in the Chisago Lakes Area School District who are currently in pre-kindergarten to 9^th grade.  To register for LARA summer programs please attend one of the sign-up sessions listed below or pick-up and fill out forms at Brinks Market, Chisago City during the month of March, or go to our Web site at www.lakesarearec.org and download a form to mail in.

Sign-up dates and locations:

Teams will be determined by number of registrations received by April 7th, 2007.  Any Registrations received after that date will be on a waiting list on a first come, first serve basis!!!!!  Late registration fees of $10.00 will be charged after April 7th.

Children must register for their current grade level. We can NOT allow children to play up a level for numerous reasons.

For questions about baseball/softball, contact:

LARA TRAVELING TEAMS

For Traveling Baseball, use this form:

Select the Register button to view and print the Registration Form.

Mail completed form to:LARA Registrations, P.O. Box 190, Lindstrom, MN  55045

Saturday, March 24^th and Sunday, March 25^th, 2007

Chisago Lakes Middle School

          11U selections                  March 24^th                      2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

          12U selections                  March 24^th                    11:00 am - 1:30 pm

          13U selections                  March 25^th                    12:00 pm - 1:45 pm

LARA is sponsoring traveling baseball for boys age groups 11U-15U.  These teams play league games 1-2 nights/week, and practice 1-2 nights/week on average.  They also participate in 3 weekend tournaments.  League, practice and tournament schedules are not available until later in May.  A commitment to weekly practice times is required from each team member.

A group of Chisago Lakes and non-Chisago Lakes coaches, will rate each player trying out for a team.  The coach at each level is not responsible for evaluating or choosing his own team.  Parents are asked not to attend the selection session. We feel the players perform better with fewer people watching.

Please note that traveling baseball is age-based, not necessarily grade-based.  Your child must be the appropriate age by May 1^st, or in the same grade level with the group they are trying out with. In a few instances your child may have to, or may choose to, play with kids in a different grade level.

The LARA coaches and assistant coaches are providing warm-up open gyms, including instruction of fundamental baseball skills, on the following dates.  Participation is free and voluntary, but this is a great way to get warmed up for the season.  

         Tuesday, Feb. 27^th                   7:00 pm - 8:30 pm                Middle School Gyms

        Tuesday, March 6^th                   7:00 pm - 8:30 pm                Middle School Gyms

        Wednesday, March 7^th              7:00 pm - 8:30 pm                Middle School Gyms

        Tuesday, March 20^th                 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm                Middle School Gyms

Please fill out the attached early registration form by March 1^st, 2007.  Early registration helps us anticipate numbers for team/tournament planning.  Early registrants will receive a $20.00 discount off of their traveling fees.  Questions, call Doug Berg 462-6815.

Chisago Lakes Wildcats Traveling Fastpitch Softball Selections

Age Groups 10U-12U-14U-16U

Saturday, March 24^th and Sunday, March 25^th, 2007

Chisago Lakes High School

Questions about Tryouts?  Call Julie Tossey, 651-257-8517 or email:  jtwild35@frontiernet.net

General traveling softball questions call: Pat Eichten, 651-257-6777

Open Gym for Potential Players, Coaches & Asst Coaches:

Feb 9, 16, & 23 from 6 – 9 pm at Lakeside Gym And

Mar 2, 9 & 23 from 6 – 9 pm at the Middle School Gym

LARA is sponsoring traveling fastpitch softball for girl’s age groups 10U-16U.  These teams play league games 1-2 nights/week, and practice 1-2 nights/week on average.  They also participate in 3 weekend tournaments.  League, practice and tournament schedules are not available until later in May.  A commitment to weekly practice times is required from each team member.

A group of Chisago Lakes and non-Chisago Lakes coaches, will rate each player trying out for a team.  The coach at each level is not responsible for evaluating or choosing his own team.  Parents are asked not to attend the selection session. We feel the players perform better with fewer people watching.

Please note that traveling fastpitch softball is age-based.  Your child must be the appropriate age by Dec 31, 2006.  In a few instances your child may have to, or may choose to, play with kids in a different age level.

The LARA coaches and assistant coaches are providing warm-up open gyms, including instruction of fundamental fastpitch softball skills, on the following dates.  Participation is free and voluntary, but this is a great way to get warmed up for the season.  

Please fill out the early registration form by March 1^st, 2007.  Early registration helps us anticipate numbers for team/tournament planning.  Early registrants will receive a $20.00 discount off of their traveling fees.  Questions, call Pat Eichten, 651-257-6777.

Send mail to lakesarearec@frontiernet.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2008 LARA
Last modified: February 08, 2008