FAQ
Q. What is Lake Park Little League MKE?
A. Lake Park Little League MKE is a baseball league for all children aged 5-13. Enjoy game day tailgates, team picnics, and special events. Meet neighbors and make new friends all in your neighborhood park. Walk. Bike. Play Baseball. Lake Park!
Q. What is so special about playing baseball in Lake Park?
A. Lake Park is an urban oasis that has been enjoyed by residents of Milwaukee and visitors for generations. It is located on Milwaukee’s East Side near Lake Michigan. Lake Park features a playground, tennis courts, soccer field, lawn bowling, golf course, restroom facilities, concerts, nature trails, bike paths, waterfalls, picnic areas, beautiful lake views, and of course, a baseball field! Baseball. It’s cooler by the lake.
Q. How long has Lake Park Little League MKE been around?
A. Lake Park Little League started in 1982. Generations of neighbors have coached, played, umpired, watched older siblings, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends in their neighborhood park. Lake Park.
Neighborhood
Q. Where are games, practices and clinics held?
A. Games, practices and clinics are usually held at Lake Park (located at E. Newberry Blvd and N. Lake Drive) and Riverside Park (located at N. Oakland Avenue and E. Riverside Place). Most teams will also have some travel to neighboring communities, like Shorewood and West Allis, for additional games.
Q. Where do players live or go to school?
Many players live or attend a school within our district boundaries between State Street and Edgewood Avenue and Lake Drive and Holton Street. Players also live in other parts of Milwaukee and in neighboring communities, such as Shorewood, Glendale, Whitefish Bay, and Fox Point.
Q. What are all the schools located in the Neighborhood Area?
A. Maryland Avenue Montessori, Catholic East, Hartford University, La Escuela Fratney, Tamarack Waldorf, Gaenslen, Cass Street, Messmer Prep
Ages and players
Q. Is there somewhere I can plug in my child’s age and have it tell me what division they will be in?
A. Here is the Little League International age calculator: Age Calculator.
Q. Does it matter what grade my child is in?
A. Division placement is usually determined by age, not grade level.
Q. Is the league for boys and girls?
A. Yes, Lake Park is inclusive of all children aged 5-13.
Q. Can my child play in the league if they have never played baseball?
A. Yes! This is Little League and we strive to build a passion for the game regardless of skill level.
Q. What are the age groupings?
A. LPLL follows Little League International age groupings. They are:
Machine Pitch Division (ages 5-8)
Minors Division (ages 9-10)
Intermediate Division (ages 11-13)
Q. How is the ball pitched in each division? Machine? Kid? Coach?
A. In the Machine Pitch (ages 5-8) division, a machine pitches the ball to the batter. In the Minors (ages 9-10) and Intermediate (ages 11-13) divisions, a player pitches the ball to the batter (kid-pitch). The league does not offer T-ball or coach pitch at this time.
Schedules
Q. What days and times are games, practices and clinics?
A. The spring/summer season includes about ~10 weeks of 2-3 activities (games, practices, clinics) per week. Games and practices are usually held weeknights and weekends for about 60-90 minutes. After teams are assigned in April, you will receive a welcome email from your coach. Coaches then work together to schedule games and practices. Once confirmed, coaches will send your player's schedule.
Q. When does the season begin and end?
A. The season typically runs from April to July, though may shift slightly from year-to-year based on weather, schedules, etc.
Q. What if my child can’t make all the games and practices? Is that ok?
A. Yes! LPLL works with your family needs and schedules. We do ask that you notify your coach as soon as possible of any practices or games that may be missed so the coach can plan accordingly. Teams do require a certain number of players for each game.
Q. What if we will miss a few weeks because we are taking a long family vacation? Is that ok?
A. Yes! LPLL works with your family needs and schedules. If your vacation time is known at the time of registration, please include a note so that teams can be equally represented by player availability.
Q. My child plays in a spring soccer/lacrosse league. Can they still sign up for Lake Park Little League MKE?
A. Yes! This very common. The end of the soccer/lacrosse seasons typically overlap with start of baseball. Please let your coach know that your child is a dual spring sport player so that teams can be equally represented by player availability.
Q. My child has religious obligations that limit what days they can play or practice. Can they still sign up for Lake Park Little League MKE?
A. Yes! LPLL works with your family needs and schedules. Please let us know so that teams can be equally represented by player availability.
Fees and equipment
Q. What is included in the fee?
A. About 10 weeks of 2-3 activities (games and practices) per week. Uniform shirt, pants, hat, and socks are also included in the fee. Some social events like tickets for Little League night at the Brewers are extra.
Q. What equipment does my child need?
A. Players bring their own mitt and cleats (cleats are recommended but not required for Minors). The league provides bats, balls, and helmets. Players may bring personal batting gloves, bats, and helmets, but they are not required. Little League International requires all bat must have a USA Baseball certification.
Q. Do players receive uniform shirt, pants, hat, and socks?
A. Yes. The registration fee includes a shirt, pants, hat, and socks to keep.
Team Assignments
Q. How are teams assigned?
A. Team assignment procedures may vary each season. Variables include players’ ages, the number of players, skill levels, and number of coaches and volunteers. The league tries to match players’ preferences for teammates and coaches.
Q. Will my child be on the same team they were on last year?
A. Team assignment procedures may vary each season. Variables include players’ ages, the number of players, skill levels, and number of coaches and volunteers. The league also tries to match player’s preferences for teammates and coaches.
Q. Can my child sign-up with a friend?
A. When completing the registration form, there is a field to add the name of a friend. The league will do its best to place them on the same team. Team assignment procedures may vary each season. Variables include players’ ages, the number of players, skill levels, and number of coaches and volunteers.
Q. Will my kids play on the same team?
A. If your kids are in the same division, they will play on the same team.
Q. When do I find out what team I am on?
A. You will be notified of team assignments in April.
Get Involved
Q. Who operates Lake Park Little League MKE?
A. Lake Park Little League MKE is a 503(c)3 non-profit organization and is a charter member of Little League International. We rely on parent and community volunteers to operate the league.
Q. What can I do to help?
A. The league needs volunteers year-round. Give back to your community, make new friends, share your baseball knowledge, and have fun! We invite you to help with any task large or small (league planning, marketing, operations, coaching, etc.).
Q. Who coaches the teams?
A. LPLL has a rich history of outstanding coaches that derive from parent and community volunteers.
Q. What qualifications do coaches need?
A. All coaches/assistants are required to have a positive attitude, patience, the ability to have fun, and a passion for the game. Head coaches should have a basic understanding of baseball to teach skill development and teamwork. Coaches and assistants must also complete a background check.
Q. Who umpires the games?
A. Games are umpired by previous league players and other trained community members. All Umpires receive training before the season begins.
Q. Do you have to have a child in the league to volunteer?
A. No! You need time and enthusiasm!
Q. Is this league part of Little League International?
A. Yes. Lake Park Little League is an official program of LLI.
Q. Do you accept donations?
A. Yes! Lake Park Little League is a 503(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible. The league also offers sponsorship and underwriting opportunities. Make a donation or Become a Sponsor.
Family…Fun…Baseball…Lake Park!
Q. What family activities do you offer?
A. Game day tailgates, team picnics, family parties, special events, and new friends!
Q. What are some of the special events?
A. East Side 4th of July Parade, Little League Brewer Night, and an End of Year Celebration!