Farragut Baseball, Inc.
Spring 2024 Ozzie Smith League
Information for Ozzie Smith (6 and under)
Frequently Asked Questions/Answers (FAQs)
1. When do practices begin?
Practices will begin once registration is completed and all players have been placed on a team accordingly by league officials which occurs around the time frame of 7/24 - 7/26 (possibly sooner) with practices beginning the week of 7/28 - 8/3, weather permitting. The practice times are determined by the league and the individual head coaches select their practice based on their personal availability and the options for all teams to use Fields 7 and 8. Practices last approximately 1 hour and during the pre-season can be any day of the week: Sundays starting at 12:00 pm, Monday - Friday at 5:30 or 6:30 pm, and Saturdays starting at 9:00 am up through 5:00 pm. Regular season practices are on Sundays starting at 12:00 pm and Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays starting at 5:30 or 6:30 pm.
2. When does the season start and end? When are games played? How long does a typical game last?
Ozzie Smith league games will start on 8/24 and will conclude by 10/30 (possibly sooner), weather permitting. There will be an 8-10 game schedule based on the number of teams for the season and games are played either on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6:00 or 7:00 pm) and/or on Saturdays (9:00 am – 3:00 pm), weather permitting. Games last approximately 1 hour. More information will be provided to parents once registration is completed and we know how many players and teams there will be for the season.
Game schedules will not be available until all players and teams have been assigned and will likely be during the week of 8/11 (possibly sooner).
3. What is included with the registration fee with regards to uniforms?
Players receive a team hat and dry-fit jersey. Cleats are optional and up to parents and players (many prefer wearing tennis shoes at this age.)
4. What equipment do I need to purchase for my child?
Each child is responsible for having their own glove and it is recommended to have a bat and batting helmet. Some players like to share bats and the league has extra bats available at practices and games. There are some extra batting helmets that can be used by all teams as needed for practices or games. Most parents have chosen to buy their children their own battling helmets partly because their kids want to have their very own and the other is for personal hygiene issues. Baseball cleats are an option and it depends on the child and what they are comfortable in. **Please see the article titled 'What Equipment Does My Child Need?' under the tab LEAGUE INFO & DATES.
5. What type of bat should be purchased?
Look for the bats labeled "T-Ball” and find one that is light enough that your child can handle and swing easily.
*NOTE: Big barrel bats are not allowed. Since Fall 2015, the use of big barrel bats (anything over 2 ¼”) will not be allowed in the T-Ball or Ozzie Smith leagues. These leagues are for development and baseball basics for players and over-sized bats do not help players learn how to properly make contact with the baseball. In addition, big barrel bats are a safety concern for the young players when being in the field on defense.
6. Are batting helmets with face guards/masks required?
Face guards/masks are not required for Ozzie Smith and are up to the parents if they choose to purchase. Not as many players have or use these since this generally is not a concern at this age as the helmets are bulky and hard for the younger kids to get adjusted to. Most batting helmets are made so that the face guard can be purchased later and attached if needed.
However, please note that starting Spring 2015 we have required that any players playing the pitching position in Ozzie Smith (6 and under) be required to have face guards/masks as an extra measure of protection for the players. The league does provide these face guards to be used during practices and games.
7. When will I know what team and coach my child is playing on?
Referring back to #1 above, after registration is complete the Ozzie Smith League commissioner and league president will assign players to teams and then the individual coach will contact team parents regarding introduction, practice times, and additional league information. Please make sure to provide your current email and phone number(s) so this can be distributed accordingly.
8. Will there be a post season tournament?
There is no post season tournament for the Spring or Fall seasons for Ozzie Smith.
9. When will individual & team pictures be taken?
The league will have two (2) dates for Fall 2024 which are 8/17 and 8/24 and a make-up date of 8/29. Emails from the league will be sent out that includes all instructions and information for the pictures as well as reminders from your child's head coach.
10. How do I register my child for the next division, Ozzie Smith 6U, if I feel they are ready to move up?
Email the league president, Steven Branson, at [email protected] to make your request or to inquire for additional information. This needs to be done prior to registration.