Frequently Asked Questions

What are the changes for the Fall 2024?

Guaranteed Spot Policy as of Fall 2024

This change will be in effect for all players in the Minor and Major Leagues regardless of previous status. 

Beginning Fall of 2024:

  • Players in the Minor and Major Leagues will try out every Fall for the Rec League.  
  • Players who make a team in the Spring of their 9 year old and 11 year old season will be afforded a spot in their 10u and 12u Spring season on the same team from the previous Spring.
  • Players who played in the Fall of 2023 will need to try out and make a roster spot.
  • Players who played in Spring 2023 in their 9 year old and 11 year old seasons will return to their Spring team.
  • As players age up from the Minor to Major League, they will be required to try out and secure a roster spot to continue playing.

EXAMPLE: If an 11 year old makes a Spring roster, they are guaranteed to be on the same team for the next Spring when they would be league aged 12. They would not be guaranteed for the Fall season, as every player in the Majors will need to try out for Fall Rec. League.

If a 9 year old makes a Spring roster, they are guaranteed to be on the same team for the next Spring when they would be league age 10. That following Spring season (league age 11), they would need to try out to make a Spring roster in the Major League. In addition, they would not be guaranteed for the Fall season, as every player in the Minors will need to try out for the Fall Rec. League.

To re-emphasize, compared to the current policy, with the new policy there is no guarantee that a player will make a roster spot as they age up to a new League or as they try out each fall.

This change will be in effect for all players in the Rookie League beginning Fall of 2024:

  • All 7 and 8 year old players who made a 2024 Spring season will be placed on the same teams until they aged out of Rookie League.
  • When a player ages up to the Minor League, they will need to try out and secure a roster spot to continue playing.
  • 7 year old players who played in Spring 2024 will return to that team for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
  • 8 year old players that only played Fall will try out again in the Spring of their 8 year old year and must secure a roster spot to continue playing.  When this player ages up to the Minor League, they will need to try out and secure a roster spot to continue playing.
  • Rookie teams will be required to select a 6 year old player for their team (if enough registrants) in the Spring season.  6 year old players selected to a Rookie team will continue with that team until they age up to the Minor League, at which time they will need to try out and secure a roster spot to continue playing.

EXAMPLE: If a 6 year old makes a Spring roster, they are guaranteed a spot to play for the same team in Rookie for the Spring and Fall seasons until they age up to Minor league. That following Spring season (league age 9), they would need to try out to make a Spring roster in the Minor League.

To re-emphasize, compared to the current policy, with the new policy there is no guarantee that a player will make a roster spot as they age up to a new League or as they try out each Fall.

Sibling Guarantee

Beginning in the Fall of 2024, the Sibling Guarantee will only extend to Rookie players in the Spring season who have a sibling that has made a Spring team that same season.  There will be no sibling guarantee for players in the Minor or Majors.  

During Spring registration, players registering for Rookie will be able to denote they have a sibling trying out for a spot in Minors or Majors.  Minors and Majors will be drafted first and registration lists will be updated accordingly for registrants who then have a guaranteed spot.

Families with multiple children trying out are not guaranteed to have all children secure a roster spot.  West Raleigh will make every effort to place players from the same family that are selected in the same League on the same team, but it is not guaranteed.

EXAMPLE: If a player has a sibling who made a Minor League Spring team, they are guaranteed to be on the same team in the Spring and Fall seasons only in the Rookie League. Once they age out of the Rookie League, they will need to make a Spring roster at the Minor and Majors League to have a guaranteed spot.

What are the Leagues within West Raleigh?

The Spring baseball season traditionally begins with tryouts in February. Teams form and practices start near the end of February, with games beginning around April 1. The end of season tournaments typically take place in late May or early June. The Spring Season includes:

10-12 teams at Modified Coach Pitch (MCP) for ages 5 - 6

10-12 teams at Rookie League (coach pitch) for ages 6 - 8

10-12 teams at Minor League for ages 9 - 10

8-10 teams at Major League for ages 11 - 12

The Fall baseball season begins with tryouts in August. Teams form and practices start near the middle-late of August with games beginning in September. The end of season Tournaments typically take place in late October or early November. The Fall season includes:

8-10 teams at Modified Coach Pitch (MCP) for ages 4-5

10 -12 teams at Rookie League (coach pitch) for ages 5-7

10 -12 teams at Minor League for ages 8-9

6 - 8 teams at Major League for ages 10-11

(All ages as of April 30)

What are the costs for West Raleigh?

SPRING -

Major League (ages 11 - 12) - $325
Minor League (ages 9 - 10) - $325
Rookie League (ages 6 - 8) - $325
Modified Coach Pitch (ages 5 - 6) - $225

FALL -

Major League (ages 10 - 11) - $285
Minor League (ages 8 - 9) - $285
Rookie League (ages 5 - 7) - $285
Modified Coach Pitch (ages 4 - 5) - $205

What do the fees cover?

Fees cover practice facilities rentals, administrative fees, facility maintenance fees, insurance, post-game drinks and employees compensation. For MCP only, the end of the season trophies.

Fees do not cover uniforms, slush funds for each team, and the league-wide required raffle each season.

What are guaranteed spots?

Guaranteed spots are given to players who played the previous Spring in the same League at West Raleigh. Guaranteed spots are only in Spring seasons. Only in the Rookie League, players will be given a guaranteed spot if they make a Spring team. They will finish with the same team until they age out of the Rookie League.

Each player will need to try out for a roster spot in the Fall seasons.

Once a player ages up in Leagues, they will not be guaranteed and have to tryout for a roster spot.