The importance of being vigilant at the time of player registration is critical so that a child is not allowed to play in a league in which he/she is not eligible. Careful adherence to the following procedures will aid in eliminating that risk.
Residency and School Attendance Eligibility Requirements
Each local Little League determines the actual geographic boundaries of the area from within which it shall select players. These boundaries must be described in detail and shown on a map and dated when making application for a Little League charter. Players will be eligible to play with that league only if their parent/guardian residency, or the physical location of the school where they attend classes, is within the boundaries provided to and approved by Little League Baseball, Incorporated.
- A player will be deemed to reside within the league boundaries if:
- His/her parents are living together and are residing within such league boundaries, OR;
- Either of the player’s parents (or his/her court-appointed legal guardian) reside within such boundaries. It is unacceptable if a parent moves into a league’s boundaries for the purpose of qualifying for tournament play. As detailed later in these rules, the penalty for violation of this rule may, in Little League Baseball, Incorporated’s discretion, result in the disqualification of a player, team or entire league from regular season and/or tournament play.
“Residence,” “reside” and “residing” refers to a place of bonafide continuous habitation. A place of residence once established shall not be considered changed unless the parents, parent or guardian makes a bonafide change of residence.
Residence shall be established and supported by documents containing the full residence which includes parent(s) or guardian(s) name, street address, city, state and zip code information, dated or in force between February 1 of the previous year and February 1 of the current year, from one or more documents from EACH of the three Groups outlined below:
Group I
- Driver’s License
- School Records
- Vehicle Records (i.e., Registration, Lease, etc.)
- Employment Records
- Insurance Documents
Group II
- Welfare/Child Care Records
- Federal Records (i.e., Federal Tax, Social Security, etc.)
- State Records
- Local (Municipal) Records
- Support Payment Records
- Homeowner or Tenant Records
- Military Records
Group III
- Voter’s Registration
- Utility Bills (i.e., Gas, Electric, Water/Sewer, Phone, Heating, Waste Disposal)
- Financial Records
- Medical Records
- Internet, Cable, or Satellite Records
IMPORTANT NOTE: Example – Three documents from the same Group (utility bill, cable bill, and bank statement) constitute only ONE document. Players who have established “residence” or “school attendance” for regular season and/or tournament in a prior season using the Tournament Player Verification form, and can produce the form with proper proofs and signatures, will NOT need to complete a new Tournament Player Verification form.
Any documents submitted as proof of residence must show customary usage or consumption to demonstrate bonafide continuous habitation as determined by Little League Baseball, Incorporated in its discretion.
- A player will be deemed to attend school in the boundaries if: The physical location of the school where they attend classes is within the boundaries established by the local league. Note: This excludes home schools, cyber schools, sports-related schools, sports academies, or preschool or after school where a student participates outside of the primary school the player is enrolled.
“School attendance” refers to the (place) physical location the player in question attends school during the traditional academic year. Once established, a location of school attendance shall not be considered changed unless the child is enrolled and attends another school or is no longer enrolled in the previous school.
School attendance shall be established and supported by a document indicating enrollment for the current academic year, dated prior to October 1 of the previous year (but for current school year) and with the physical location of the school, from ONE of the following categories to determine school attendance by such player:
- Official/Certified School enrollment record
- The Little League-issued school attendance form completed by the principal, assistant principal or administrator to sign on behalf of the school
It is recommended that the league require some proof of residence or school attendance within the league’s boundaries at the time the player registers. Players and their parents/guardians are advised that a false statement of residence or school attendance may lead to ineligibility to play Little League Baseball or Softball.