FAQ

What is my age bracket?
How do I register to play soccer for BASA?
What is the cost to play soccer for BASA?
Is financial aid available?
What size ball do I need?
What equipment is needed to play soccer for BASA?
When are games scheduled?
How many games will I play?
When and where will my practices be?
How can I help?
How are teams made?

Q: What is my age bracket?

A: Beginning in Fall 2016 the USSF has changed the age determination from School Year (August to July) to Calendar Year ( January to December). View the chart below for explanation of what division your player would fall into.

Q: How do I register to play soccer for BASA?

A: We run an Online registration process only. Late registrations will only be accepted the last week of registration and only if space is available in your child's age group. A late fee for each child will be charged for all late registrations.

What is the cost to play soccer for BASA?

A: The current registration fee is $80 for the U5 and U6 divisions, U8 and up the cost is $85. A BASA jersey for will also be required. We use the same jersey each year, so as long as your child's jersey fits you do not need to purchase a new one. See Other Equipment' in this section for additional equipment that is required for playing soccer in the BASA league.

We also have Select and Premier leagues for the players that are looking for a bigger commitment and different level of competition. The cost for these is $350 for Select and $375 for Premier. These fees cover both the Fall and Spring seasons.

Q: Is financial aid available?

A: A limited amount of financial aid for registration fees is available to players that need it. To request financial aid please send an email request to: registrarBASA@gmail.com Financial aid is available for fees only. BASA requires one hour of time for each player you are requesting financial aid for.

Q: What size ball do I need?

A: Soccer balls come in three sizes 3, 4 & 5. U5, U6 and U8 players use a size 3 ball. U9 thru U12 players use a size 4 ball. U13 and up use a size 5 ball. It is important that a player have the correct size ball for their age. A ball is not required to play soccer for BASA, but it is strongly suggested that each player have their own ball for practice. Many of the drills used by the coaches are individual drills and each player will need their own ball.

Q: What equipment is needed to play soccer for BASA?

A: Soccer does not require much in the way of equipment. Each player must have a set of BASA jerseys, a pair of soccer shin guards, socks that cover the shin guards, shorts or pants that do not have snaps or zippers, and shoes. Soccer cleats are not required (tennis shoes can be used) If cleats are purchased be sure that they are soccer cleats, as they are different from baseball cleats. Baseball cleats will not be allowed on the field. No jewelry or zippers are allowed in games or practices.

Q: When are games scheduled?

A: BASA Recreational games are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Currently recreational games are not held on weeknights, but it is possible that some games could be scheduled for weeknights in necessary. The majority of games will still be held on Saturdays. Games will be scheduled between approximately 9:00am-3:00pm Saturdays and/or 11:00am-4:00pm Sundays.

Q: How many games will I play?

A: BASA schedules 8 weeks of play in both the Spring and Fall season. Spring will be 7 games and a Rec Tournament for U8 and above, U5/U6 will have 8 games. BASA considers 7 games a full season. On occasion BASA must cancel some games because of weather. If we cancel games for one day we will not reschedule games. If it is necessary to cancel more than one time during a season, we will reschedule games for another date. Games may be rescheduled for weeknights or Sundays.

Q: When and where will my practices be?

A: Each coach sets their own practice schedule times and locations. However, they do need to be held at a BASA approved park, school, etc. The approved list is posted on our website. The league does impose a maximum of three contacts per week between the coach and the team. This means a team may not have more than two practices per week. Players will not be moved based on when or where a particular team practices. We will try and place players on teams in their local area. This may not be possible in all cases, depending on where the coaches are from and the number of kids in each age group.

Q: Does BASA have any paid positions?

A: The only paid positions for BASA are for grounds keeping, referees, club administrator and professional trainers. Board members and coordinators are not compensated for their volunteer time. They are also required to pay for their kids to participate in any of the activities, leagues or camps, that the club provides.

Q: How can I help?

A: BASA needs help in all areas and we depend on parent volunteers to run our program. Without your help we can not operate. Can you spare a few hours each week, or even once or twice each season to help and be involved with your children?

Can your child only practice on a certain day or at a specific time? Then volunteer to be the coach, you get to pick the day and time of your practices.

We have programs available to teach anyone that wants to be involved how to do any of the jobs we need done.

Q: How are teams made?

A: We receive many questions each season on how teams are made. Below is some general information on team formation.

Players are sorted by age division, gender, and local school as marked on the registration form. (Do not depend on us to know what your closest school is, if you do not mark one, we guess. We can not move players after team rosters are distributed, so it is important that you mark this field on your form).
Determine local school location for coaches.
Create teams around the coaches, using players from the same school area where possible.
Fill teams with players from areas that do not have enough coaches.
Some teams are formed without coaches, we then start phoning people that indicated they would be an assistant coach and other parents to see if they will take the team.
Teams are reviewed to try and make sure that the players years of experience on each team is balanced. Some player moves may be necessary to balance teams.
Late registrants are added to teams that need players, regardless of school area (Requests will not be honored for late registrants). Some players may not be able to be placed because teams are full.
Teams are built by the coach coordinator and recreation coordinator. If they are coaches in the league, they get no preferential treatment with player selection and teams. All teams are put together in the same way regardless of the coach.

It is important to note, if 100 players want to play in a certain school area, and only 3 people volunteer to coach in that area, a large number of players will be placed on teams in other areas. In the past it has been necessary to place East Side players on Auburn area teams because of this.

Because of larger team sizes, fewer teams, and the need to balance teams in the older age division (generally U12 & U15) these teams are generally created with players from a wider geographic area.