Garner Sports League is operated completely by volunteers, so help is always needed and appreciated. In order to volunteer, please let us know if you're interested in volunteering when you register your child. Or contact us via our contact page and we'll send you a volunteer form to fill out and return via email or regular mail (PO Box 1026, Garner, NC 27529) or by turning it into a board member. Additional information on volunteering can be found by visiting the Volunteer link in the top menu.
Practices for teams are generally an hour and a half long one night per week and once on the weekend before the start of games. Coaches will select when their team practices based on available open practice slots. Our fields have to accommodate usage from a large number of teams across several age groups. We do not assign practice slots or develop game schedules until registration is complete. With seasonal variance in registrations, the final number of teams needing to be scheduled in each division is not known until our final registration numbers are in.
Once games start, teams lose their weeknight practice slot as games are held on weeknights. Games and practices can be held on any weeknight and game nights may vary from week to week.
Game schedules are developed based on the number of teams in each division, the ability to schedule umpires on those nights, and field space appropriate to the age group.
The most common equipment all players will need are their own cleats or sturdy athletic shoe and a baseball or softball glove. We strongly recommend that players bring their own helmets and bats. For specific age equipment expectations, please review the specific age division in either baseball or softball.
Teams will be drafted about a month before games start each season. For the Spring season this is in March and for the Fall season it is in August.
Open practices may be held for all age groups before team practices start depending on the weather. There is an evaluation day a few weeks before each season, and rosters are formed. Team specific practices will begin in March for Spring and typically in August for Fall.
Feel free to contact the league with additional questions via Facebook @GarnerSportsLeague(Garner Sports League), email us via our contact form or phone (919-779-2499).
Garner Sports League uses multiple channels to communicate including:
The season typically lasts 8-10 weeks depending on the weather and make-up games.
Garner Sports League prides itself on providing competitive opportunities for our players. Each Spring, players in various age groups/divisions may be selected to be part of teams who go on to compete in tournaments. The exact divisions vary from year-to-year based on interest and availability of competition opportunities.
For Recreational Baseball all metal and composite bats must have the USA Baseball stamp (for more information can be found at usabat.com) or be made of solid wood.
For Fastpitch Softball all bats must have the USSSA Softball stamp (more information can be found at https://www.usssa.com)
For Travel baseball, the bat standards differ based on age group. Check with your coach to verify that a bat is legal to use in your particular age group and competitive organization hosting tournaments.
Both parks are equipped with concession stands that offer a variety of items including La Roma personal pizzas, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, drinks, candy, etc. Both concession stands accept cash or debit/credit cards.
Your registration fees cover multiple expenses to help ensure that the league is successful including: Insurance, charter fees, equipment (including team or league specific equipment like catcher's gear, team bats, helmets or pitching machines, L-screens, etc.), umpire fees, and other league costs. Jerseys and caps are generally paid for by league sponsors.
Garner Sports League requires that we carry policies to cover accidents, general liability, and crime insurance.
You can visit the age division specific page on this website by visiting our Recreational Division and navigating to either Baseball or Softball and selecting the division in question. The most notable rules are listed here.
For more elaborate rules, the Tar Heel Leagues 2020 rulebook is available here for download.
