Have a question about the IFPAA? Check our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the answer. If you don't find what you're looking for, you can always contact us.

• What are the IFPAA Boundaries?
• What is the "normal commitment" for participation?
• We reside in the Town of McCandless. Should we register in IFPAA or McAA?
• I'd like my child to play above (or below) his age group. Are exceptions to the age qualifications made?
• What leagues use odd-even birthdays? Please explain.
• If a player moves or changes his mind about playing, are refunds given?
• How are raffle tickets obtained and used? What is the raffle process?
• What is the Registration Cutoff Date?
• What are the current Registration Fees? What are fees for players who also play on a North Allegheny School district team? Are there price breaks for families with multiple registrants?
• Which fundraisers are optional?
• What are the requirements when playing at a field with a Snack Shack?
• What insurance coverage is provided?
• How are the Registration Fees and Fundraiser monies allocated?
• How may I volunteer to be a manager and how are managers selected?
• How are players placed on teams?
• What is the Challenger League?
• How many fields are utilized by IFPAA and how is use determined?
• How is it decided which leagues play on lighted fields?
• What uniforms and equipment are provided?
• What new fields have been developed recently? What are future plans?
• Does IFPAA have an Umpire Association? How do I become a paid umpire?
• How may one qualify for an IFPAA Tournament Team?
• Are any IFPAA funds utilized for Tournament Teams?

Q: What are the IFPAA Boundaries?

A: Generally, anyone residing in the North Allegheny School District may participate in IFPAA programs. Others may choose to participate as well. There are special boundaries for only two of the baseball programs.

• The 9-10 year old and 11-12 year old tournament teams participating in the qualifying tournaments for the Williamsport Little League World Series run by Little League Baseball, Inc., are drawn from those residing in Franklin Park Borough, the Town of McCandless (excluding the east side of Babcock Blvd.) and Marshall Township (south of the Red Belt).
• The American Legion team is drawn from those residing in Franklin Park and the Town of McCandless. (Others residing in adjoining communities may be included if no other American Legion team has claimed the territory).

The Challenger programs accept special needs participants from throughout the northern Pittsburgh area.

Q: What is the "normal commitment" for participation?

A: Generally, most leagues form teams by early April, practice in April and play games in May and June. Commitment is usually one evening per week and one time on Saturday (varies by schedule).

Q: We reside in the Town of McCandless. Should we register in IFPAA or McAA?

A: IFPAA actually has more registrants who are residents of the Town of McCandless than does the McCandless Athletic Association (McAA). One suggestion is to register in the association that has fields more accessible to your home. For example, those on the east side of McKnight Road (close to the Vincentian Complex) often register in McAA, while others generally register with IFPAA.

Q: I'd like my child to play above (or below) his age group. Are exceptions to the age qualifications made?

A: There are no exceptions. For baseball, the age as of July 31 is used to determine the league in which the registrant participates. For softball, the age as of December 31 is used to determine the league in which the registrant participates. Our Call Up Procedure allows the more advanced players to participate at times in the next higher league.

Q: What leagues use odd-even birthdays? Please explain.

A: Baseball programs for ages 9 through 12 (Pinto, Mustang and Little League) use the day of the year on which participants were born to divide children into two leagues (to conform to Little League Baseball, Inc. maximum population requirements). The National leagues include those born on ODD days of the year (i.e., January 31 is ODD since it is the 31^st day of year; February 1 is EVEN since it is the 32^nd day of year), while players born on EVEN days are allocated to the American leagues. For this purpose, a non-leap year calendar is used (February 29 is considered to be an EVEN day). Tables of American League and National League birthdays are available.

Q: If a player moves or changes his mind about playing, are refunds given?

A: A full refund is given prior to the start of the season. A pro-rated refund is given after the season starts. Please contact Chuck Mazur via email (President@ifpaa.org) or phone (412-366-3233) for refunds.

Q: How are raffle tickets obtained and used? What is the raffle process?

A: The raffle ticket program is entirely voluntary and is provided as a way for families to recover their registration costs. One raffle ticket for every dollar of registration fee is provided at Registration Day. Those who register by mail can pick up their raffle tickets at the Mazur's (326 Sunset Road in McCandless); tickets cannot be mailed. Families have the option of selling their raffle tickets and keeping any money obtained, or they may fill out the raffle tickets themselves. To be included in the raffle, ticket stubs must be deposited at the Blueberry or Vestal Snack Shack by Memorial Day. Prizes of $300, $200, $100 are awarded at the raffle at 8:00 p.m. on Memorial Day.

Q: What is the Registration Cutoff Date?

A: The Cutoff Date is March 1^st. Until this time, ALL registrants will be placed on a team (other than American Legion). After this date, late registrations are taken at the discretion of the league commissioner. This usually means that open slots will be filled, but no additional teams will be formed. If no slots are available, potential registrants may be placed on a Waiting List.

Q: What are the current Registration Fees? What are fees for players who also play on a North Allegheny School district team? Are there price breaks for families with multiple registrants?

A: Current Registration Fees are identified on the Registration Form. Players on a North Allegheny School district team pay the same fee as other players since they play the same regular season games. Double-rostered softball players (age 9-10) pay an additional fee of $30.

If a family has more than three players participating, they pay the three lowest fees.

Q: Which fundraisers are optional?

A: The Candy Bar Fundraiser is mandatory for all registrants (except those in the Challenger programs). Each player must choose to sell one box of thirty candy bars or pay an $15 additional (due at Registration Time) in lieu of selling candy.

Other projects, including Field Billboards, Team Pictures, Sponsorships, and other contributions are optional.

Q: What are the requirements when playing at a field with a Snack Shack?

A: For all leagues that play games at fields with a snack shack (Blueberry and Vestal), the home team MUST provide two workers from each field during their game.

Q: What insurance coverage is provided?

A: Insurance is provided via Little League Baseball, Inc. for all registrants. Coverage is "secondary coverage" with a deductible. All primary coverage must be used first, and remaining invoices, receipts, payments, etc. must be attached to an Insurance Form (contact Chuck Mazur via email (President@ifpaa.org) or phone (412- 366-3233) to obtain the form).

Supplemental Insurance for tournament players is obtained separately.

Parked vehicles are not covered — "Park At Your Own Risk".

Q: How are the Registration Fees and Fundraiser monies allocated?

A: Generally, Registration Fees are utilized for Operating Expenses. This includes uniform shirts, tee shirts, umpires, bats, balls, helmets, caps, catchers gear, bases, lime, diamond dry, score books, communications, etc. These fees are graduated and generally escalate with umpire fees and extended equipment requirements.

Fundraisers are generally used for new field development, field improvements, infield topsoil, field repairs, batting cages, pitching machines, screens, fencing, backstops, dugouts, etc.

Q: How may I volunteer to be a manager and how are managers selected?

A: Manager candidates should indicate interest on the Registration Form, sign up at the league registration table on Registration Day, or communicate with the appropriate league commissioner.

Commissioners review the experience levels and qualifications of potential managers. They then recommend managers to the IFPAA Board of Directors. The IFPAA Board selects managers, generally based upon the recommendation of the commissioners.

Q: How are players placed on teams?

A: For ages 5-8 for baseball and ages 5-10 for softball, players are placed on teams by the league commissioners based upon neighborhoods, individual requests and an attempt to balance teams.

All other ages use Evaluation Processes in March at a North Allegheny Gym. Additionally, manager evaluations from previous years are made available to the managers. A standard Draft Procedure is then utilized with the intent of creating balanced teams.

American Legion has an announced tryout process.

Q: What is the Challenger League?

A: The Challenger Division of IFPAA sponsors leagues for Special Needs children. Generally, three divisions are established, based upon abilities. They normally play on Sundays at Blueberry Park, along with two "special Fridays".

Programs for soccer in the fall and basketball in the winter are also sponsored.

Q: How many fields are utilized by IFPAA and how is use determined?

A: IFPAA has full-time or part-time use of twenty-six fields. These include Blueberry Hill Park (4), Linbrook Park (2), Franklin Park Borough Field, Winterhaven Park (3), Franklin Elementary (2), Ingomar Elementary, Espe, Vestal Field (3), Wall Park (2), Devlin, N.A.S.H., N.A.I. (2) , Carson Middle School, McKnight Elementary School, Orchard Hill Church and Lake View (North Park).

Use is allocated by field size and the numbers of teams and games scheduled.

Q: How is it decided which leagues play on lighted fields?

A: All baseball and softball players have the opportunity for playing on a lighted field, beginning at the age of eleven. Field size and the lateness of the evening precludes younger leagues from using lighted fields.

Lighted fields include Blueberry Hill Park (3), Vestal Field and Devlin.

Q: What uniforms and equipment are provided?

A: For Softball, a tee-shirt and hat/visor are provided and are not returned.

For Baseball, a hat (kept) and uniform shirt (returned) are provided at the younger levels. Pony, Colts and American Legion Leagues provide a full uniform.

Plain black baseball/softball pants are standard for IFPAA. There are no exceptions. They may be purchased at Registration Day or through any sporting goods store. Tournament pants may NOT be used during the regular season.

Q: What new fields have been developed recently? What are future plans?

A: In 1999, new fields were opened at Wall Park, Orchard Hill Church, and Winterhaven Park. Espe School Field was put in full operation.

In 2000, Lake View Field in North Park was opened. An expansion to Vestal Park was completed in 2002. A "Major League" field is under consideration at several potential sites.

Q: Does IFPAA have an Umpire Association? How do I become a paid umpire?

A: IFPAA uses volunteer umpires for the youngest age groups, IFPAA-trained, paid umpires for selected baseball and softball programs, and Certified, paid umpires provided by outside umpire associations for the oldest age groups. IFPAA-trained umpires are used for ages 9-12 for baseball, for ages 9-10 for softball, and for some IFPAA-sponsored tournaments. Youths and adults interested in umpiring may sign up at Registration Day, contact the Umpire Commissioner, or contact a league commissioner.

Q: How may one qualify for an IFPAA Tournament Team?

A: Tryouts are announced and scheduled. For Baseball ages 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, two "A" teams are formed (one each for the American and National Leagues). Additional "B" and/or "C" teams may be formed dependent upon interest.

At ages 13, 14, 15, and 16, an "A" Team is formed and "B" teams are formed based upon interest. The American Legion team participates in tournaments.

Softball tournament teams are formed based upon interest, usually by brackets of 10 Under, 12 Under, 14 Under, 16 Under, and 18 Under.

Q: Are any IFPAA funds utilized for Tournament Teams?

A: No; tournament teams are self-sufficient. Each player pays IFPAA a fee of $30 towards uniforms, pants, hats, baseballs, insurance and field materials. All Entry Fees for non-IFPAA tournaments are paid by the team members. No entry fee is charged for participation in IFPAA tournaments, since families of these players are required to operate and support the IFPAA tournaments (Snack Shack, fields maintenance, announcing, scorekeeping, administration, etc.).