Rec League Frequently Asked Questions:
What day/time will practices be held?Practice times are dependent on the number of participants, the number of teams, the placement of players on teams, and the coaches availability. Each 3rd-8th grade team will have 1 hour and 15 minute practices that will take place twice per week. The gym space is generally available for practices between 5 and 9pm after wrestling ends at BMS and Sitka Skippers ends at Keet. Preference is given to the younger kids for earlier practices.
The k-2nd practices are typically Saturday mornings between 8:30am and 11am. Some will be at Keet and others at Blatchley. The duration will be 1hr +/- 15 minutes each grade depending on age.
My child can't make the skills assessment. Will they be able to play?
Having teams that are balanced in skill usually results in the most competitive and enjoyable league for everyone. The skills assessment day is used by the coaches to help form teams. While many coaches are aware of your child's skill and can use the knowledge to assist in team placements, we often see off season development, and new coaches may not know your child yet. Even well known participants give coaches a baseline to compare other kids against. Please make every effort to have your child attend the skills assessment so we can ensure balanced teams. If your child can't make it, please e-mail us and let us know.
Although it is much preferred to have early sign ups, if the assessment has passed, your kid can normally still sign up until the beginning of the season (sign ups have even happened after the season started when space was available). We want all kids to be able to participate if possible. If signing up late, please sign them up and e-mail us to let us know.
The comp session tryouts are mandatory.
When will the season end?
The recreational league typically finishes the end of February. The comp session (optional) is expected to continue through the beginning of April depending on tournament availability.
My child is not yet in Kindergarten. Can I sign them up for the K-2 group?
If your child is 5 years old, they can sign up. If your child is 4 years old, they can sign up, but we require a parent to help with your child at all times. Typically the younger kids require more attention from coaches which reduces the overall enjoyment and learning of the entire group. A dedicated parent helper allows the coaches to lead the activities and not spend a disproportionate amount of time with the younger kids.
I missed the skills assessment and the season starts soon. Can my child still sign up?
In most cases, players can sign up until the season starts. In some cases, though, teams may be full and available gym space may prevent adding more players. We will reach out to you if this is the case. Please sign up and let us know via e-mail. We will close registration just before the season starts.
Why isn't there a game schedule for Kindergarten-2nd?
We want to develop skills using drills and fun competitions before adding the stress of officiated games with a score and clock. At the coaches discression, if skill levels increase sufficiently, the k-2nd divisions will have full court scrimmages during their practice times. This is typically later in the season. There are no official games for k-2nd.
There are tournaments all year long outside of Sitka that Baranof Ballers does not participate in. How can my kid get more outside experience?
While Baranof Ballers typically only participates in a couple tournaments per year in the spring, we love to see kids getting more competitive experience. We do not currently organize year round travel teams, but if a Sitka youth group wants to travel outside of the Baranof Ballers program, we may be able to save the team some expenses with loaner uniforms and advice. Additionally, if funds are available, a limited amount of financial support for partial tournament fees may be possible for teams traveling outside of Ballers. This is currently limited to one tournament per year.
comp session Frequently asked questions
When do I register for the comp session?
After tryouts are completed and teams are created, if a kid is selected for a comp team, parents will be contacted to complete registration and pay for the comp session.
Is there a comp session for Kindergarten-2nd?
At this time there is no comp session for Kindergarten-2nd grade.
My child will be out of town during the comp session tryouts. Can they still participate?
Yes. Although tryouts help ensure coaches know about player improvements over the season, we will inform coaches of the your players availability. However, parents must tell the board about the planned absense BEFORE tryouts.
My child wants to continue basketball in the comp session but can't travel. Can they still participate?
Depending on coach and gym availability, some grades may have teams/players that do not travel but still participate in the comp session and the Hoops and Herring tournament in Sitka. If a kid is interested in the comp session but can't travel, please attend tryouts and let the coaches know. Keep in mind that the comp session is a competitive session and not all kids will be selected for a team.
My child is a 7th grader and wants to be considered for the A division 8th grade team. Should they attend tryouts for B division if they don’t make the A division?
Yes. A player may attend multiple division tryouts.
My child attended tryouts to play up in a higher division but did not make a Tier 1 team. Will they be required to be on a Tier 2 team in the upper division or can they choose to play on a team in their grade level?
If a kid did not make a tier 1 team above their grade level, they are likely not ready for the higher division and should play in their grade if possible.
My child did not make a tier 1 comp team in their grade. What are their options for team placement?
If you are willing to coach or chaperone travel, e-mail us and we will help form a team. If you are not willing to coach or chaperone, a parent may still step up, so please be patient. Give us a couple weeks to try to figure things out before checking team status.
My child did not make a team in their grade. Can they tryout for a younger grade?
While a younger player is allowed to attend an older tryout, an older player may not play below their grade.
My child would like to continue during the comp session, but they can't make the Juneau trip, can they still participate?
In many cases, they can still particpate. It is assumed that if your child attends tryouts, they are interested in traveling, so please ensure communication with coaches if this is not the case. Some teams may not be able to travel to Juneau and will only play in the Sitka tournament, so there may not be a conflict. Some players may even be able to practice and not play in tournaments.