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Summer Registration

Summer 2023 Registration is OPEN!

Big Willow Summer 2023 season registration is open!

Make sure to check out the FAQ below before registering!

May 26, 7:30 a.m. update:

  • Juniors division registration is full.  Please add your name to the waiting list below in case a space opens up.  Parents willing to coach will be given precedence!


Big Willow Summer Season FAQ

Q: When does the Summer Season Start/End?

A:  The 2023 Big Willow summer season will run for five weeks from Mon. July 10 thru Thurs. August 10.  Up to two scheduled games per week, 8 to 10 games total.  No makeups for rain/heat.

Q: Can I register Individually?

A: Yes!  Most of our registrations are individuals.  Teams are formed by the league organizers using friend requests, schools attended and knowledge of skills based on previous play and competition levels desired entered during registration.  Our goal is to create evenly balanced teams to provide for a fun and enjoyable season.

Q: Can I Make a friend request?

A: Yes!  A friend request can be made during the registration process. We will do our best to satisfy all friend requests, but can't make any guarantees.

Q: Can We register as whole team?

A: Yes!   Teams must include at least 10 players and at least two coaches.  No additional fee.  To register a team:

  1. Send the registrar your desired team name, division, names of of players, names of coaches and level of play preference.  Wait for the OK to proceed.
  2. Tell each player the team name and have them each register individually.   During registration each player will need to select the option to sign up as part of a team and enter the team name.
  3. Have each coach register using the separate coach registration form.  Additional instructions for coaches will follow.

Q: Which Ages / Divisions are there?

A:  Players age 7 through 12 (as of May 1) are invited to play in our Summer league.  See the table in the Division Information section below for more info.

Q: Which Nights of the week will we have games?

A:  See the table in the Division Information section below.

Q: What Times will the games be?

A:  Game start times will be as follows:

  • Juniors: a mix of 5:15 and 7:00 p.m.  All games will end by 8:30 p.m.
  • Farm: a mix of 5:15 and 7:15 p.m.  All games will end by 9:15.
  • Majors: a mix of 5:15 and 7:30 p.m.  All games will end by 9:30.

Q: Are there playoffs at the end of the season?

A: There are NO playoffs at the end of the season, but players get t-shirts and we have a lot of fun. Mostly, it's another great way to get in some extra baseball at a convenient, beautiful baseball park during the later part of the summer.  Families have told us it is especially valuable for players to practice new skills (such as pitching).

Q: When is the registration deadline?

The deadline to register is June 25, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.   Be sure to register as early as possible because registration space is limited.  Your early registration also helps league officials create teams, plan schedules, recruit parent-coaches and honor friend requests.

Q: Who plays in Big Willow's Summer League?

A: Big Willow welcomes players from all over the West Metro for Summer Ball. While Big Willow is based in Minnetonka, players in past years have come from Hopkins, Golden Valley, Plymouth, Edina, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park, Wayzata and more.

Q: Who needs to volunteer?

A: Big Willow board members (who are already volunteers!) are exempt.  Head coaches are exempt.  Sponsors are exempt.  All others, including assistant coaches, are required to either complete one volunteer shift per player or purchase a buyout.  Volunteer shifts can be reserved via the VOLUNTEER SHIFTS tab on the top center of the Big Willow website.  See the Parent Volunteers section below for more info.

Q: I have a different question

A: Please contact the registrar.  Contact info posted below.

Division Information

Division Description Participation Criteria Program Days Cost
Juniors Machine pitch with Louisville Slugger Blue Flame machine For kids going into 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade; 7 and 8 year olds as of May 1st. (Advanced 6-year-olds with prior T-ball experience may be permitted upon request.) Up to two scheduled games per week - Mondays and Wednesdays - 8 to 10 scheduled games total $125.00
Farm Kid pitch For kids going into 3rd, 4th and 5th grade; 9 and 10 year olds as of May 1st. Up to two scheduled games per week - Tuesdays and Thursdays - 8 to 10 scheduled games total $125.00
Majors Kid pitch with leading off and straight steals For kids going into 5th, 6th and 7th grade; 11 and 12 year olds as of May 1st. Up to two scheduled games per week - Mondays and Wednesdays - 8 to 10 scheduled games total $125.00

Note: program days are for Summer season only.

Important: Rainout policy

Due to the compressed timeline of our summer season, games that are cancelled due to rain, heat or any other reason will NOT be rescheduled.


Baseball Registraton Process

To register your child to play youth baseball at Big Willow, you will first need to establish a SportsEngine account.  

If you already have a SportsEngine account from other activities (Hopkins Hockey, Hopkins Basketball, Hopkins Football & several others) it is the same account and your existing family information will be used.  For help with setting up an account and becoming a member, please see the Account Setup document to the right.

If you would like to request a scholarship, please email the contact to the right and do not continue with online registration.

Summer Refund Policy

If you cancel your child's registration before June 15, you will receive a full refund of your registration fees, less $15 for expenses related to processing your registration. 

If you cancel your child's registration between June 16 and June 30, you will receive a refund of 50% of your registration fees.

If you cancel your child's registration on or after July 1, you will not be eligible for a refund.

Questions?

Nick Erpelding

Registrar

Phone: 952-484-8607

Kara Francis

Registrar

Phone: 952-999-6037

David Hoffman

Big Willow President

BIG WILLOW DEPENDS ON PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Minnetonka Big Willow Baseball requires that every family fulfill one volunteer shifts per player as noted in Table below.   These volunteer hours are used to support the concession stand and other functions.  Volunteer opportunities beyond concession stand duty will be advertised in the upcoming months.

You may elect to not fulfill volunteer duties at the time of registration.  The volunteer buyout fee noted below will be added to your registration cost.

If you elect to volunteer and your family's hours are not fulfilled by the end of the season, you will be billed the incomplete volunteer fee.   All volunteer requirements must be scheduled by July 20th to avoid the incomplete fee.

Per Child Volunteer Requirements (Summer Season)

Volunteer Requirement Buy Out Amount Incomplete Volunteer Invoice Amount
Per Child 3 Hours (1 shift) $250.00 $350.00

Coach Registration

Big Willow Baseball Association uses TrustedCoaches for all Background Checks, Concussion, and Abuse Prevention Training.  All volunteers wishing to coach will need to complete the following Coach Registration as well as required training.  Previous background checks/training will need to be brought up to date.  Thank you - Big Willow Board.  

Note: For best results, complete the coach registration form using the same Sports Engine login used to register your kids.