Q:
How do I use the baseball score boards?
A:
All coaches are encouraged to use the Scoreboard. You can pick up the remote control for the scoreboard at the concession stand. If you are on the Bronco field you will need to turn on the switch in the equipment room. If the scoreboard gets stuck turn the switch off and back on again. It has been known to timeout.
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Q:
What is the "Howland Athletic Club"?
A:
Howland Athletic Club (H.A.C.) is a locally run, non-profit athletic club for kids, ages 5 thru 18. We currently run Baseball, Softball, and Soccer leagues in the Howland community. H.A.C. has been associated with Little League, PONY Baseball of America, and the American Softball Association. H.A.C. is run by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees elected annually by its members.
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Q:
Are players allowed to play in an older age bracket?
A:
We strictly place children in leagues based on their League age. League age is determined by:
•Boys age on April 30th
•Girls age on December 31st
Soccer age is determined by age on July 31st for both Boys and Girls
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Q:
When is Baseball Registration?
A:
Baseball Registration for the spring season is generally held 2 weekends in February. The exact dates for registration sessions and deadlines are announced in the fall and posted on the web site.
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Q:
Does H.A.C. need coaches?
A:
Generally, yes, we are usually in need of coaches, especially for the younger age divisions. Please fill out a Coaching Application online or download a printed form and mail it in- and/or check the box (either Coach or Assistant Coach) on the registration form if you are interested. Please call or email if you are considering coaching and would like more information.
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Q:
When does the Baseball/Softball season start?
A:
The 2010 opening day is April 24th. A parade is held early in the morning before the first games. All teams are expected to participate.
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Q:
When are the Baseball/Softball games played?
A:
Games are generally scheduled randomly on all weekday evenings and on Saturday morning. Evening games for T-ball (Shetland) games start at 5:30 only; other divisions may have two games per field scheduled each night.
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Q:
Does H.A.C. have Baseball/Softball All-Star tournament teams?
A:
Each League generally has two (2) All-Star teams. Coaches are chosen by the President and Commissioner. Baseball teams are selected by a vote of the coaches from each league.
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Q:
Are Baseball/Softball players awarded trophies?
A:
All players in the Shetland league (ages 5-6) receive participation trophies at the end of the season. In the older divisions (7 and up), trophies are usually awarded for 1st & 2nd place during the regular season and in the post-season tournament.
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Q:
Are Baseball/Softball uniforms provided?
A:
Yes - For baseball shirts and hats are provided for all levels, with socks included. Pants must be returned or a fee will be accessed to the following years registration fee. For soccer shirts and socks are provided.
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Q:
Do players have to live in Howland to play in H.A.C.?
A:
Players who do not live in the Howland community are permitted to play in our leagues with the permission of the club president. Generally all players are permitted.
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Q:
If we drop out before the season starts can we get a refund?
A:
Generally, the answer is no, our policy is to not provide refunds after the draft. The main reason for this is that we need to discourage dropouts. We have a short window in which to plan out our teams and the season and when players drop out it causes problems. Even when those players are replaced (and they usually are), it causes additional work for our volunteers. Even so, we do recognize valid reasons for players dropping out (e.g. injury) that are beyond the control of the players. The H.A.C. board which will make a determination.
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Q:
Can a player request to be on the same team as another player?
A:
All such requests are honored for the Shetland Tee Ball league (ages 5-6).
All Players age 7 and up must be placed on a team by the draft. Siblings are always placed on the same team.
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Q:
What is "PONY Baseball"?
A:
PONY stands for "Protect Our Nation's Youth". PONY Baseball of America is a non-profit corporation, started in 1951, and is a national competitor to the better known "Little League". As a member of PONY baseball, H.A.C. may enter teams in post-season PONY tournaments.
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Q:
What is "Little League Baseball"?
A:
Little League Baseball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program designed for Pre-Teen children. They supply our organization with insurance and league support. H.A.C. does use Little League rules but has its own set of rules that override Little League rules.
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Q:
Why is the parking lot not paved and lined
A:
We agree that having a gravel parking lot has its problems. Paving the parking lot has been an issue that we have explored. Unfortunitley it is not as simple as we had hoped. The County Engineer would require us to get the proper Water flow easements which would require expensive draining (Which would also result in removing an entire field). We are lucky to have neighbors like Mines Elementary school and Howland United Methodist Church that allow us to use their parking facilities. We encourage everyone to park in these other lots whenever their child is playing on those fields closest to these alternate parking lots.
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Q:
Why doesn't my Son play the whole game?
A:
Our rules require that all players play at least 3 innings of each game. If this is not happening please contact your league's director.
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