Frequently asked questions

Our league season will always start the first weekend after Labor Day in September and end the weekend before Veterans Day in November. Additionally, our league will not schedule any games within Indigenous Peoples Day weekend (October).

The league dues will be determined at the start of each season and communicated out to each of the member programs. The dues will be discussed and voted on by the Board of Directors, reviewing expenses and costs from the previous year. In our first season, league dues will be $200 per program + $50 per individual team. For example, if your program has 1 team in each division (4 total), your dues would be $400 ($200 annual due + $200 (4 teams * $50 each = $200). 

The annual fee is to cover administrative costs for running a league, filing fees, taxes, site access, etc. The $50 per team fee is a pass through cost of what the scheduler charges to create a league wide schedule. Baystate is a true non-profit and we will only charge based on what it costs to keep our league going. If you have financial troubles, please reach out, we do not want fees to be the reason any team does not join.

Our main focus is to create efficiencies through centralization. The League will provide each program access to their own TeamSnap page within the Baystate League to allow teams the ability to conduct registrations, roster teams, communicate with coaches (opposing and their own), collect their own team fees and manage their schedules.  The League will create a central schedule for all member programs with equal home and away games (based on town field availability). The League will also organize Umpires for all league games. Outside of the benefits provided here, dues will also cover administrative costs for filings, taxes, websites, etc. 

Yes. The League will schedule games with other member town programs. If your program currently plays various clubs or private programs, you may do so in addition to the league games. The league would not be responsible for any of the benefits provided for league games, e.g. umpires, coordinating, etc.  Although the games are outside of the league, the programs will be able to utilize the TeamSnap site for scheduling and communicating non-league games. 

All players will register for play within their individual town program. All programs will have access to TeamSnap to register and organize their teams. The individual program sites will be accessible from the league in order create and push out game schedules. The league will not have access and will not be organizing the teams within the programs. 

Each program within the league will be responsible for determining what they will charge individual participants within their own program. The League will not dictate the program fees. The League Dues will be set by the Board of Directors each season and provided to the member programs to determine what participant registration fees should be. 

The League will not manage or make requirements for team structures. However, we do want to encourage fair play across all the programs for a balanced and consistent playing environment. Teams should be structured in a 1st/2nd grade, 3rd/4th grade, 5th/6th grade and 7th/8th grade structure. If a program would like to play a group/player up, that is fine, knowing that they will be playing older players. For example, if a program has a very talented 2nd grader and they would like to play in the 3/4, that is fine, but understanding they will be competing against older kids. Players are not able to play down. Teams should also be split evenly to the best of the programs ability,  no "A and B" should be fielded within a program. Select Teams will be offered starting in 2024.

No, if your program is unable to field a team within one division (based on the number of players needed, see League Rules Card), the program can still be a member. Additionally, there is no limit to the number of teams per division. 

The League will schedule umpires for all league games at each division level. In all cases, the home individual Member Programs will be responsible for paying the umpires directly.

Kindergarten age children will be within the responsibility of the individual programs. The League will not be organizing at that level.

Send an email to baystateyfhl@gmail.com letting us know of your interest. Please include the following information: 

- Program Name

- Point of Contact within the program and their title

- How long your organization has been in operation

- If your program is registered with the Secretary of State

- How many teams / which age divisions did you field last season

- If offered, would you be interested in obtaining insurance through a Baystate policy?

- Provide a copy of your program Code of Conduct and CORI Policy

The Baystate Board of Directors will collectively decide on specific game and league rules prior to the start of the fall season and will continuously re-assess on an ongoing basis. Every Member Program is represented on the Board of Directors and therefore the answer is, we all decide together. 

No problem! The best part about joining a league is you will have resources to start a program within your own community with greater ease. When you join Baystate, you will have access to a individual TeamSnap page for registration and team rostering. You can use this site to organize coaching and communicate with your parents throughout the season. Additionally, the league is responsible for a schedule and coordinating umpires for the two older divisions. If you have specific questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.