FAQ’s – Beacon Hill Baseball & Softball

FAQ'S

Can my player “play up” in a division above their league age division?

All players must register according to their birthday. The age chart can be found here: https://beaconhillball.com/baseball If you feel your player would be better suited to playing in a higher level, please send one email to registrar@beaconhillball.com including your player’s name, age, and your request. Decisions around playing up are multifactorial, including skill, safety, emotional maturity, roster space, etc. The decisions will be made by our coaches on a case by case basis.

I’ve asked if my player can “play up” and I haven’t heard back. When will I know if a decision has been made?

What financial assistance programs are available, and how do I apply?

KidSport and Jump Start offer individual grants to cover some or all of the registration fees for the programs we offer. Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Guidelines (LICO) is used as a guideline for eligibility, but both programs may take extenuating circumstances into account. KidSport and Jump Start issue grant funds directly to
BHBSA. Application processing times can be as long as 60 days. Applications received after the program has ended are not considered by KidSport or Jump Start. Please apply as early as possible.

Learn more and apply for KidSport here: https://kidsportcanada.ca/british-columbia/greater-victoria/apply-for-a-grant

Learn more and apply for Jump Start here: https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/individual-child-grants

Beacon Hill will not turn away any players for financial reasons. If you are unable to apply for the KidSport or Jump Start grants for any reason, please reach out to our registrar at registrar@beaconhillball.com to get your player(s) registered.

I’ve applied for KidSport/Jump Start. Now what?

If you’ve applied for KidSport or Jump Start, the grant funds will be sent directly to BHBSA. To complete your player’s baseball registration, please email the registrar at registrar@beaconhillball.com. Once the funds are received, the registrar will confirm receipt via email. If the grant funds are not received by the end of the program, the registrar will follow up with you and the grant program (KidSport/Jump Start).

I have applied for KidSport/Jump Start for other activities for my player this year. Will I be able to apply for those grants for Beacon Hill Baseball and Softball programs as well?

KidSport offers grants of up to $700 per child per calendar year (January – December). Parents/guardians can apply more than one time in a calendar year, but the total grant amount will not exceed $700 in a calendar year.
Learn more and apply for KidSport here: https://kidsportcanada.ca/british-columbia/greater-victoria/apply-for-a-grant/

Jump Start offers grants of up to $600 per child per year, and the maximum amount of
funding per application is $300. Learn more and apply for Jump Start here: https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/individual-child-grants

Beacon Hill will not turn away any players for financial reasons. If you are unable to apply for the KidSport or Jump Start grants for any reason, please reach out to our registrar at registrar@beaconhillball.com to get your player(s) registered.

What is the $100 Sponsorship In Kind/Volunteer Fee and do I need to pay it?What is the $100 Sponsorship In Kind/Volunteer Fee and do I need to pay it?

BHBSA is run entirely by volunteers! At all levels of play, parent participation is integral to the game. Volunteer roles include team manager, field prep, scorekeeping, running the scoreboard, announcing a game, helping in the dugout, helping the coaches at practices/during warm ups, and more! We understand that not everyone can dedicate some time to these roles each season. If you are unable to volunteer or would prefer not to volunteer, the $100-$150* Sponsorship In Kind/Volunteer Fee allows you to opt out of volunteering. Only those who have paid this Volunteer Fee will be exempt from volunteering.

*$100 fee for TBall and Junior Rookie. $150 fee for Rookie Minors, Minors, Majors

What equipment does my player need?

For blast ball, tee ball and mini minors players should have their own certified batting helmet and a baseball glove. Rubber baseball cleats (non-metal) are optional. For tee ball and mini minors, all bats must be “USA Baseball” certified, absolutely no exceptions. All tee ball and mini minors teams have certified bats for players to use. (Blast ball uses a foam bat and a foam ball on a tee.)For Rookie Minors, Minors, and Majors, all players must wear pelvic protection (jock or jill) for all practices and games, have a suitable glove (for minors / majors division 11” to 12” recommended, but should not be smaller than 10”), and have a certified batting helmet. A chin guard on the helmet is strongly recommended. It is optional but strongly recommended to wear non metal cleats. All bats must be “USA Baseball” certified, absolutely no exceptions. All teams have certified bats for players to use.

What are the uniform requirements?

For Blastball, Tee Ball, and Mini Minors, your player will be provided with a t-shirt and a hat to wear during games and practices. These items are yours to keep. Your player should wear comfortable pants, and running shoes. Rubber (non-metal) baseball cleats are optional.

For Rookie Minors, Minors, and Majors your player will be provided with a game jersey, a hat, orange socks, and a long sleeve practice shirt. The game jersey is not to be worn at practices and must be returned at the end of the season. Players are required to wear pelvic protection (a jock or a jill) to all practices and all games. Players will need plain grey baseball pants (no stripes or piping), a black belt, a certified batting helmet, and a baseball glove (11” or 12” recommended, but not smaller than 10”). It is optional but strongly recommended to wear non metal cleats, and a chin guard on the helmet. Team bats are provided, but if your player would like to bring their own bat it must be “USA Baseball” certified, absolutely no exceptions.

When and where will my player’s practices and games be held?

Blastball is on Saturday or Sunday mornings on the lower field at Hollywood Park.

Tee ball games are scheduled on Saturdays in the morning and early afternoon. Games are played on the lower field at Hollywood Park. There is one weekday practice for tee ball. The schedule will be announced in early April.

Junior Rookies games are scheduled on Sundays in the morning and early afternoon. Games are played on the lower field at Hollywood Park and at Brooke Street Park. There is one weekday practice for Junior Rookies. The schedule will be announced in early April.

Rookie Minors players should expect to have 1-2 practices and 1-3 games each week. Home games are played at the upper field at Hollywood Park or Brooke Street Park. Interlock games may take place mid-week or on weekends may require travel to other parks within Victoria (Ambassador Park, Hampton Park, Centennial Park, Layritz Park, and Jerry Hale Field). Practices are held at Brooke Street Park and the upper field at Hollywood Park. The schedule will be announced in early April and is subject to some change and fluctuation throughout the season.

Minors players should expect to have 2-3 practices and 1-3 games each week. Home games are played at the upper field at Hollywood Park on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday mornings. Interlock games may take place mid-week or on weekends may require travel to other parks within Victoria (Ambassador Park, Hampton Park, Centennial Park, Layritz Park, and Jerry Hale Field). Practices are
held at Brooke Street Park and at Hollywood Park (both the upper field and the batting cage). The schedule will be announced in early April and is subject to some change and fluctuation throughout the season.

Majors players should expect to have 2-3 practices and 1-3 games each week. Home games are played at the upper field Hollywood Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday afternoons. Interlock games may take place mid-week or on weekends may require travel to other parks within Victoria (Ambassador Park, Hampton Park, Centennial Park, Layritz Park, and Jerry Hale Field). Practices are held at Brooke Street Park and at Hollywood Park (both the upper field and the batting cage). The schedule will be announced in early April and is subject to some change and fluctuation throughout the season.

I have a question or a concern. Who should I talk to?

Once your player has been rostered to a team, any questions or concerns should be addressed with your team manager and/or the head coach. Should the team manager and/or head coach be unable to provide you with the information you need, you can reach out to the VP Early Development (Cody Fitzsimmons vpearlydevelopment@beaconhillball.com), VP Baseball (Neil Meechan vpbaseball@beaconhillball.com), or VP Softball (Nicola Donaldson vpsoftball@beaconhillball.com). You can also reach out to Beacon Hill’s Secretary at secretary@beaconhillball.com.

My player has lost some gear/clothing, is there a lost & found?

Yes, Beacon Hill does have a lost and found bin located inside the clubhouse at Hollywood Park. Before checking the lost and found bin, please reach out to your team manager and/or head coach as items left behind during games or practices are often picked up by the coach. If your manager and coach do not have your lost item, you can check the lost and found bin inside the clubhouse at Hollywood Park (upstairs in the building at the upper field). If the clubhouse is closed when you stop by, please send an email to secretary@beaconhillball.com to inquire about your lost item. Provide as much detail as possible in your request. Lost and found items will be put out during opening and closing ceremonies, and during picture days, so this is a good time to take a look to see if any of the lost items belong to your player. Unclaimed items in the lost and found bin will be donated following the closing ceremony weekend each year.