1. What is the overarching philosophy of Connie Mack Little League?
Connie Mack Little League is guided by the mission of its affiliate, Little League Baseball, Inc. The Little League mission is to “promote, develop, supervise and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League baseball and softball”. Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes.
Practically speaking, Little League is a volunteer adult project constructed, supervised and assisted by parents/guardians who wish to extend the benefits of the sport to their children.
2. How do I contact the League?
Website: www.conniemacklittleleague.com
Telephone: 716/834-2992 (field house)
Email: playball@conniemacklittleleague.com
Field House: 94 Garnet Road, Amherst, NY 14226 (not for mail)
Mailing Address: CMLL, 54 Somersby Court, Williamsville, NY 14221
Coach:each coach will provide contact data to players/families
Other Contact: newsletter and notices are distributed to members via email, postal mail, website and coaches/baseball bags
3. How does one sign up to play?
Registration is conducted between December and March 1.
Player Registration Forms are usually mailed to League members at the close of the calendar year. They will also be mailed to those who leave a name and address at 716/834-2992 or playball@conniemacklittleleague.com. Forms are available on-line at conniemacklittleleague.com beginning in November and at in-person registration typically conducted in February at local sites including the League field house. It is best to register by the March deadline. This allows teams to be assembled so they may begin practicing in April.
4. Who is eligible to play at Connie Mack Little League?
Youth, ages 4 through 18, male or female. League age is the child’s age as of April 30 of the playing season.
5. What are the major commitments when a family registers?
Please visit conniemacklittleleague.com (click “Information”, then “Registration”) to fully review the League’s Registration Form or contact 716/834-2992 or playball@conniemacklittleleague.com to request a Registration Form.
The key commitments of the registration process are (a) a per child registration fee, and (b) sign up for parent participation.
Parent Participation is the volunteer obligation of each family. Each family deposits a Parent Participation Fee at the time of registration and selects an activity to help out with (usually a few hour work commitment or fund raising tickets). Once the family fulfills the volunteer activity, the Parent Participation Fee deposit returns to the family. (When a work shift is completed, the League refunds the family’s deposit. If a family opts for fund raising tickets instead of a work shift, the deposit is recovered by the parents when and if they choose to sell the tickets.) Those who must opt out of this volunteer activity endow the League with the deposit so the League may secure substitute labor.
6. Are there any general policies of which I should be aware?
Connie Mack Little League strives at all times for a child and family-friendly environment and program.
In order to establish a maximally safe, constructive, healthy, congenial and fun experience for players, families, volunteers, guests and paid workers, Connie Mack Little League maintains Non Smoking Grounds and a Zero Tolerance Policy.
Smoking is not permitted on the League’s grounds and is restricted to parking lots and beyond curbs.
The Zero Tolerance Policy prohibits interference with coaching and officiating and actions/remarks of a derogatory, vulgar, inflammatory, harassing or combative nature.
Little League Baseball, Inc. mandates background checks for volunteer coaches, Board members and any other persons (volunteer or hired) who provide regular service to the League and/or have repetitive access to or contact with players or teams.
7. Where are the Connie Mack playing fields and facilities?
As a general locator, our grounds may be found behind Duff’s Restaurant at the intersection of Sheridan Drive and Millersport Highway in Amherst. These grounds, with a physical address at 94 Garnet Road, Amherst 14226, are leased to the League by the Town of Amherst and maintained and operated largely by Connie Mack.
Connie Mack Little League maintains three (3) ball fields (including a new t-ball field opened in 2009) on its main Garnet Park site; two (2) more fields around the corner on its Dellwood Park grounds and one (1) additional field on the adjacent Sattler parcel.
Facilities include concession stand, washrooms, batting cage, pitching machines and field house.
Upper level teams (eg. teens) play at larger local fields such as the Pepsi Center.
8. When is the house ball season?
Weather permitting and depending on coach judgment, the practice season begins around mid-April with house game schedules running from May to the close of June (and early July if necessary). (The schedule for junior and senior ball runs about a month later than this.) While circumstances can vary among teams and divisions, on average, teams meet two (2) to three (3) times per week for practices and/or games.
Schedules are constructed to allow for a couple of inclement weather cancellations without need to re-schedule. Thirteen (13) to fourteen (14) games typically appear on the regular season game schedules for the T-Ball Division (age 4 to 6) through the Majors Division (age 11 and 12). Juniors (age 13 and 14) and Seniors (age 15 and 16) usually have fourteen (14) to sixteen (16) regular season games scheduled. In addition, many divisions also have play-off game schedules.
9. How are rain-outs communicated?
GAME CANCELLATIONS due to inclement weather are determined by League officials. Cancellation notices are relayed as early as is possible and require patience and flexibility on the part of everyone. Weather, ground conditions, adult work schedules and messaging systems are both unpredictable and imperfect. Cancellations are generally communicated to teams by coaches (or procedure set up by the coach) and posted on the home page of conniemacklittleleague.com and at 716/834-2992. The general rule for players is to report to the field unless an official cancellation message has been relayed to you.
10. What equipment does my child need to play?
The League provides each player with a team hat, shirt and socks and supplies coaches with necessary team gear. Children/families are responsible for their own glove, baseball/softball pants (t-ball may wear comfortable pants/sweatpants), sliding shorts, rubber baseball shoes (sneakers for t-ball), mouth guard and protective accessories (i.e. athletic cup). Coaches will advise players/parents of specific requirements.
11. Does the League accept requests for player placement with certain coaches or players?
There is a section on the Player Registration Form labeled “Other Information” which allows for documentation of special information such as this. Connie Mack Little League makes every attempt to accommodate reasonable requests, particularly those which facilitate the comfort and feasibility of participation for players and their families.
12. What is inter-league play?
Connie Mack Little League cooperates with neighboring little leagues to share facilities and ensure variety of play. Therefore, team game schedules may include both play with other Connie Mack teams, and play with teams from other leagues. T-Ball does not participate in inter-league play.
13. Does Connie Mack Little League offer any off-season programs?
League volunteers often make it possible for the League to run winter clinics between January and March. Clinics allow new and continuing players to sample the game or practice between seasons. Watch email, consult the League website (conniemacklittleleague.com) or call the League (716/834-2992) for notice of upcoming clinics. Parents/Guardians are welcome to join in at these clinics. Clinics are open to League members and non-members.
14. How do I involve myself as a coach, assistant coach or in other leadership roles?
Please visit connimacklittleleague.com and click on “Information” for an Application for Coaching and an overview of that job.
Coaches in any little league are critical backbone. At Connie Mack Little League, a coach is a volunteer leadership position which League and family look to for a model of healthy activity, community service, leadership and citizenship. Coaches are, more often than not, parents themselves.
Coaches frequently appreciate parent helpers assisting with practices, games, snack schedules, shirt lettering, news write-ups and other tasks of the season.
As with any youth instructional activity, parent involvement is key. Parents should feel free to offer a hand to the coach to enhance the team and baseball experience. At T-Ball level, parent presence is almost a given and parents usually prefer to jump in where needed helping on-field and off at games and practices. Most parents find it great fun, fitness and quality parent-child time.
CMLL is always looking for volunteer Board of Director members to fulfill general management, administrative and operations duties of the League. Such roles include President, Treasurer, Registrar, Secretary, Chief of Umpires, Division Commissioners, Tournament Director, Sponsors, Fund Raising, Equipment Manager, Grounds and Facilities, Safety and Concession Management and a host of other special tasks and projects. |
Home 
