Staunton Kiwanis Baseball Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kiwanis Baseball?
The Kiwanis Club of Staunton partners with the City of Staunton Department of Recreation and Parks to operate Staunton Kiwanis Baseball, a youth baseball program serving children ages 4–12.
Beginning with the 2026 season, Staunton Kiwanis Baseball became an independent organization, allowing us to expand beyond the Staunton area and welcome any child ages 4–12 who wishes to play baseball, regardless of residency.
The Kiwanis Club of Staunton is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to serving the youth of our community and has operated the area's youth baseball program since 1946. The program is staffed primarily by volunteers committed to providing a safe, instructional, and fun baseball experience for local children.
All funds necessary to operate the program are raised through player registration fees, sponsorships, fundraising efforts, and concession stand revenues.
What is the registration fee?
Registration fees are established annually by league officials and will be published during each registration period.
For the current season, registration fees are:
- $40 for one child
- $30 for a second child
- Family maximum of $80, regardless of the number of children registered
- All major credit/debit cards are accepted during registration
What do I receive for my registration fee?
Staunton Kiwanis Baseball is committed to providing the best value possible while maintaining a safe, high-quality baseball experience for hundreds of players each season.
Registration fees help support:
- Background checks for coaches and volunteers
- Umpires
- Team shirts
- Team hats
- Baseballs and field equipment
- Team equipment including bats, batting helmets, and catcher’s gear
- Scorebooks and administrative supplies
What equipment or gear do parents have to provide?
Parents must provide:
- A baseball glove or mitt
- Appropriate pants
- Socks
- Athletic shoes
Baseball pants and cleats are recommended for leagues above Tee Ball but are not required.
Many parents choose to provide their players with personal bats, batting helmets, and catcher’s equipment; however, these items are supplied by the program and are not required.
What responsibilities do parents have?
Parents are responsible for:
- Arranging for players to arrive at games and practices on time and notifying coaches if they will be absent
- Picking up players promptly at the conclusion of games and practices
- Serving as positive role models by demonstrating sportsmanship and respectful behavior
- Adhering to the Code of Conduct and all Kiwanis Baseball Complex rules
- Assisting in the concession stand when requested. If every family participates, most volunteers will only be needed once or twice during the season.
How can I become a Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Business Manager, Team Aide, Scorekeeper, Umpire, or Program Volunteer?
Anyone interested in volunteering should complete the Coach/Volunteer/Umpire Information Request Form available on the website.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Coaches
- Assistant Coaches
- Team Business Managers
- Team Aides
- Umpires
- Scorekeepers
- Concession Volunteers
- General Program Volunteers
Positions involving direct interaction with players require completion of a background check and approval by league officials.
We do not use umpires or scorekeepers in Tee Ball or Coach Pitch. We use umpires and scorekeepers for all Junior League and Bambino League games and for as many Rookie League games as staffing permits.
Umpire and scorekeeper positions are paid opportunities. The program will provide training for interested individuals who are at least 14 years old.
Who is required to complete a background check?
All coaches, assistant coaches, team business managers, team aides, and any other person who has repetitive access to or contact with players are required to complete a background check.
Why are background checks required?
Background checks are designed to protect the children participating in the program. They help ensure that individuals working directly with young athletes meet the standards established by the league and our national affiliates.
These checks serve as an important safety measure and help prevent individuals with unsuitable criminal histories from serving in positions involving direct contact with children.
What types of offenses disqualify an individual?
Background checks include a nationwide search of applicable criminal and sex offender registry databases.
Any individual convicted of, or who has entered a guilty plea to, an offense involving or against a minor will not be permitted to serve in any position involving direct contact with players, regardless of when the offense occurred.
Likewise, individuals convicted of, or who have entered a guilty plea to, offenses involving drug distribution or drug trafficking will not be permitted to serve in such roles.
Which league should I choose for my player?
For most players, league placement is determined by age.
However, player ability may also be considered when determining the most appropriate placement. Parents wishing to request that a player compete in a league above or below the age-designated division should indicate this during the registration process.
League officials will review all requests and make final determinations based on player safety and development.
I would like my player to be on the same team as a sibling or friend. Does the program permit this?
Siblings may be placed on the same team whenever their skill and ability levels allow them to safely compete within the same division. League officials will make those determinations.
Friends are encouraged to play together in Tee Ball and Coach Pitch divisions.
In Rookie, Junior, and Bambino leagues, teams are balanced to promote fair competition. As a result, requests for friends to be placed on the same team may not always be accommodated.
I have registered my player. What happens now?
After registration closes, players will be assigned to teams.
Team assignments in Rookie, Junior, and Bambino leagues are typically made through a coaches' draft process designed to balance competition.
Coach Pitch and Tee Ball teams are assigned without regard to competitive balance.
Who are the league officials?
Staunton Kiwanis Baseball operates with the assistance of a volunteer board committed to providing a safe, organized, and enjoyable baseball experience for all participants.
Ultimate responsibility for the program rests with the Chair of the Baseball Committee. The Chair oversees league operations and serves as the highest authority within the program.
Day-to-day operations are managed by the League Director (Travis Cason), Concession Director (Ken Bosserman), and volunteer board members who work together to ensure the success of the program.
Current volunteer board members are:
Any league official may be contacted by emailing [email protected]
When and where are the games?
Kiwanis Baseball begins organizing each season during January and February. Practices generally begin in early/mid March, with games also starting in March, weather permitting.
The regular season typically concludes when the local school year ends.
Games are generally scheduled Monday through Saturday.
Weeknight games typically begin at approximately 5:30 PM or 7:15 PM, depending on field availability and scheduling needs.
Saturday games usually begin at approximately 9:30 AM.
All games are played at the Kiwanis Baseball Complex located in Gypsy Hill Park.
When necessary, makeup games may occasionally be scheduled on Sundays.
League-specific rules and time limits are available on the website.
How many games do we play?
The number of games varies depending on league size and participation levels.
Most teams will play approximately 15 games during the regular season, although Coach Pitch and Tee Ball divisions may play fewer.
The program strives to provide a minimum of 12 games whenever possible.
Weather-related cancellations may affect the total number of games played. Every effort will be made to reschedule postponed games, but a specific number of games cannot be guaranteed.
How will I know if a game has been postponed or rained out?
All fields at the Kiwanis Baseball Complex are owned and maintained by the City of Staunton Department of Recreation and Parks.
The City determines whether field conditions are safe for play, and Staunton Kiwanis Baseball follows those decisions.
When fields are declared unplayable, information will be posted through:
- The City of Staunton weather and event cancellation line: (540) 332-3947
- The Staunton Kiwanis Baseball website
- Official league communication channels
Is there any travel involved?
Staunton Kiwanis Baseball is not a travel baseball program.
Provided sufficient participation exists to form appropriate league divisions, all regular-season games will be played at the Kiwanis Baseball Complex in Gypsy Hill Park.
If registration numbers require it, the program may partner with neighboring leagues to provide a full schedule. In those situations, teams may occasionally travel to Augusta County, Waynesboro, or nearby communities.
Who do I contact if I have an issue, concern, suggestion, or website recommendation?
Questions, concerns, suggestions, and website feedback may be submitted by emailing [email protected]
League officials welcome constructive feedback and recommendations that help improve the experience for our players and families.