For proof of age, the preferred document is a government-issued birth certificate. Baptismal certificates CANNOT be accepted. A copy of the birth certificate must be on file with the League. Residence may be established by presentation of a voter registration card, a telephone bill, etc.
A player who participates in Rutherford Little League may play in another organized non-Little League program, so long as such participation does not interfere with the player’s Little League team. Tournament team players are to give their primary commitment to their Little League tournament team.
The Rutherford Little League sponsors four levels of play, based on the player’s age on April 30.
TEE BALL is offered for first-year players aged 5 and 6. In this league, the players learn basic concepts of baseball in a non-competitive setting. Both batting tees and coach pitching are utilized, as appropriate to the player’s skill level. No scores or standings are kept in the Tee Ball program.
MINOR LEAGUE is offered, beginning at age 6. At this level, pitching is introduced, resulting in a more realistic game.
In addition, the Rutherford Little League offers a fall program, featuring clinics and informal games, from Labor Day into November. Any Major League or Triple-A player eligible to return for the 2010 season (born from May 1997 to April 2001) will be eligible. Full details will be available at the time of signups for this program.
Rutherford Little League’s 2009 season will begin on April 15, and the opening-day ceremonies are April 18, with a parade from borough hall to Memorial Park, followed by three Major League games. However, the year begins long before.
Player evaluations will be held on September 27, 2008. Every player aged 9 through 12 (on April 30, 2009) who was not on a Major League team in 2008 MUST attend at the Little League field in order to play in 2009. A final evaluation will take place March 7 for players who move into town after September.
After evaluations are completed, players will be notified if they have been selected for a Major League team. Those who were chosen will be contacted by their manager shortly after evaluations. Those who were not selected will be placed in the Triple-A Minor League, in order to further develop their skills, and will be contacted in late March, along with all 5- through 8-year-olds.
All players will participate in the annual parade on April 18. However, the first Tee Ball and Minor League games will not take place until late April. The regular season should end by July 1, weather permitting.
For Tee Ball and Minor League players, the season, including Triple-A playoffs, should be completed by mid-June.
However, play will continue for many Major Leaguers. The three top teams in each Major League will play in town playoffs leading to a Town Championship Game in late June.
In addition, 52 players from the Major League will be chosen for tournament play. The 63rd annual Little League Tournament, for 11- and 12-year-old players, begins in late June, as seven thousand teams compete for positions in the Little League World Series, which ends with a nationally televised game on August 30. In 1990, Rutherford’s American League team was not eliminated until the state tournament on August 8.
Major Leaguers aged 9 and 10 years old may be selected for the District 5 10-year-old tournament, which will run through the end of July. Entries from Rutherford have won the tournament eight times since 1979, and the Rutherford National 10s advanced to the state finals in 2002, playing through August 7.
Also, the League will send a team of 8-year-old players into a tournament in Lyndhurst, beginning on or about July 7. In 2002, Rutherford’s entry won the tournament, which ended August 3.
Parents should be advised of the possibility of their children being selected for tournament play, and plan their vacations accordingly.
We collect $100 from each player at registration. This goes toward the direct costs of operating the League. However, the League’s budget is far above what we collect in registration fees.
Uniforms, equipment, baseballs, field maintenance, electric bills, umpires, and the ever-increasing cost of insurance all come into play. The League also raises funds through sponsor fees and an annual door-to-door canvass.
Another major source is our Auxiliary, which operates the concession stand. To help the Auxiliary succeed, the cooperation of every Little League parent is needed. Each team has a Team Mother, who organizes the team’s parents for stand duty. Every family, including Minor League and Tee Ball, must help when asked in order for this important undertaking to work efficiently. Team Mothers will contact families in late March to prepare stand work schedules.
General information, as well as game scores during the season, may be obtained by calling the Scoreline at 201 939-SCOR (939-7267). Specific questions may be answered by calling the League directly at 201 939-3831.