WSLL Families,

First, thank you for your continued patience. It has been a challenging process this year. There is a lot of information in this message because there is a lot to cover. Please read this note thoroughly.

Last night the Board discussed the ability to put on a baseball season for 2020. We discussed the many thoughts and opinions our WSLL families have conveyed to us in person or in messages about the desire to play and concerns if we do play. Our ability to have a baseball season is contingent on Illinois reaching Phase 4 of Restore Illinois. In Phase 4 kids can play baseball games. Phase 3 only allows for groups of 10 kids per adult without competitive games which prevents us from beginning our season in June.

Our goal is to have a 2020 season and hope all WSLL families decide to stay on and play. The details are as follows:

1. A 2020 WSLL season can only occur if we are in Phase 4 of Restore Illinois. Phase 4 would allow for groups of 50 and competitive games to be played. We need the support of the Park District in order to play and we cannot begin games until Phase 4 is reached. If the season cannot begin by the first week of August due to restrictions we will cancel the season and provide refunds.
2. July 13 or July 20 - Practices will begin – more details will follow late June/early July
3. Aug 3 through mid-September – regular season games through approximately Sept. 15 with end of season playoffs the following two weeks. Conversations about post-season tournaments with area suburbs are on the table.
4. Please note, when the WSLL baseball and softball season takes place, WSLL will provide information on protocol for players, coaches, and spectators for games and practices. WSLL is concerned about safety and it will be incumbent upon each parent and family to help ensure the safety and comfort level of your family and your children.
5. We have been in discussions with other area Little Leagues (LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Brookfield, and Lyons) and our plans align with those nearby Leagues in terms of timing.
6. T Ball and Coach Pitch baseball will NOT take place this season. This is a difficult decision for the Board. The challenge of balancing health, safety and regulation concerns outweighed the benefit of putting on games for these age groups and ongoing practices and drills could deter enthusiasm for playing. As an alternative, we are in discussions with the White Sox Academy about hosting a camp for these age groups only in August to provide a way for this age group to play baseball and be provided with player development.

Your options and requirements:

1. Play this season (Softball, A Ball, B Major, B Minor and C Ball):
   • Nothing is required of you. If we do not hear from you, your child will be on a roster when the season starts. If we reach the point we cannot play, and only if we cannot play, we will provide refunds.
2. T Ball and Coach Pitch:
   • The season will NOT be played. All T Ball and Coach Pitch level families will receive a refund unless we hear from you about donating your registration fee. Nothing further is required of you.
   • Donate your registration fee. Send an email to: [email protected]. In the subject line: DONATE. Once we accumulate all donations we will send an email with tax documentation to verify your donation. Like refunds, it may take a little time however we will send them out as soon as we can.
   • T Ball and Coach Pitch – we are working with our White Sox Academy partner to put on a weeklong camp(s) in August. Nothing is definite yet and it will be at a cost which is why we are providing the option for a refund. However, we would like to provide options for development and ability to this level.
3. Refunds/Donations
   • Everyone has the option for a refund however please consider making a donation of the registration fee to WSLL for the season. WSLL incurs expenses each year some of which have already been paid regardless of whether we play or not (charter, field care and maintenance, repairs, insurance, etc.) Additionally, any remaining funds are used to help enhance the Little League experience – scoreboards, fences, lights, field maintenance, and more. Any donation would be greatly appreciated and help support WSLL’s ongoing mission of enhancing baseball and softball in Western Springs.
   • Anyone who would like to opt out of playing this year may choose to donate the registration fee to WSLL or receive a full refund. All refund and donation requests MUST be received by JUNE 14! After June 14 WSLL will not provide refunds unless the season is canceled completely.
   • Please send an email to [email protected] with DONATE or CANCEL in the subject line. Please provide the name of the parent who signed up and the name of your kids. Again, not necessary if your child is in T Ball or Coach Pitch level.
4. You requested a refund already. We ask for your continued patience; we have your names and you will receive a refund. The web resource we use for registration and refunds is best set up for registration and not for significant refunds. The refund process is a more cumbersome process which is why it is taking longer.
5. Remember, once you seek a refund we cannot reinstate a player. All refund decisions will remain final.

We anticipate having to reconfigure teams and possibly re-draft at some levels. In order to do so we need to know who is playing. Also, as stated, refunds will take time; please bear with us. Again, thank you everyone for your patience. All good things come to those who wait. Once we are able to play our mission will be to put on the best, safest season possible. Our hope is to have a season kick-off event or a mid-season event (home run derby/fun contest events) to celebrate the long wait to play.

Lastly, do not forget your continued support of the businesses and sponsors from the Western Springs Community many which can be found at: https://www.westernspringslittleleague.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1388821. If you have any additional questions reach out to a Board member or send us an email to our Contact Us address on our web site. Enjoy the start of your summer and we will be back in touch in early July at the latest.

Best Regards,