The NOLL/SOLL board is excited to announce our current plans for baseball in 2021! We want to get the players back on the field safely, while providing a fun experience. Here are current FAQ’s about NOLL/SOLL 2021.

What will baseball look like in 2021?

In order to provide NOLL/SOLL players with a safe and much-needed opportunity for recreation and social interaction, NOLL/SOLL is preparing to offer a Spring Training baseball program in Spring 2021.  

To facilitate this year’s programs, NOLL/SOLL has adopted a phased Return to Play Framework.  The framework allows NOLL/SOLL to develop safety protocols consistent with health department guidance and shift program offerings as new guidance is published.  NOLL/SOLL anticipates the Spring Training program to open in Phase 1 and follow COVID safety practices as published in the NOLL/SOLL Phase 1 Modified Baseball Program, and if conditions allow it to, follow up the Spring Training session with a regular season baseball program for 2021.

How will we make baseball safe?

NOLL/SOLL has incorporated extensive COVID-safety modifications and protocols into its 2021 baseball programs to meet guidelines set forth by the State of California and Alameda County.  Such modifications and protocols include masking, social distancing, hand sanitizing, equipment disinfection, and limiting activities to practice groups of 14 youth and 2 adults.  See the NOLL/SOLL Phase 1 Modified Baseball Program for full details.

Will there be games?

Youth sports training is currently allowed, but youth sports competition is officially closed, both state-wide and in Alameda County.  If state and local authorities permit youth sports competition to resume, NOLL/SOLL will transition from training to open competition as soon as possible, currently this will not be allowed until Alameda county is in the red tier at the earliest.  Until then, NOLL/SOLL will provide baseball training activities for each team independently, as described in the NOLL/SOLL Phase 1 Modified Baseball Program.

How will registration Work?

NOLL/SOLL will open registration for Spring Training on January 15^th, we will send out a formal announcement when it opens.   A $50/$75 fee, per player, will be due with the registration ($50 for TBall/Farm/Minors and $75 for Majors/Int/Jrs/Srs.  This will allow NOLL/SOLL to request field space reservations based on participation levels.  As in previous seasons, scholarships will be available for those in financial need.  Our next registration announcement will have more details about how the Spring Training program will be organized.  This program may be limited due to field and coach availability.

Can I get a refund if we don’t play?

Absolutely.  If field closures or COVID restrictions result in cancellation of a Spring 2021 season and/or we cannot hold more than 4 practice sessions for the Spring Training program, registration fees will be eligible for a full refund.  In that case, families who want a refund will need to promptly initiate a refund request online.

What are the current unknowns?

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we have less control than we think and that we must focus on the safety of our community.  There are several unknowns in NOLL/SOLL’s ability to mount a 2021 baseball program and season.

• Fields Availability:  As we know from past experience, Oakland Parks and Rec often delays field opening until March even under normal conditions.  COVID closures have further complicated that situation.  On the other hand, Oakland understands the need for youth recreation, and to that end NOLL/SOLL is working with OPR, Berkeley Parks and other organizations we rent from to obtain fields under our COVID-modified plan.
• COVID Restrictions:  Though our practice plans are modified to comply with state and county guidance, health departments may issue orders that could affect the start of our 2021 programs or could result in a suspension of play during our programs.

Rev. 2/2/21 – updated links

Dear NOLL/SOLL families, 

We hope you and your loved ones are healthy and doing well during this very challenging time.

Even with the easing of some stay at home restrictions in a few California counties, things are still very much up in the air here in Alameda County. As a result, the NOLL/SOLL Board of Directors has voted to cancel the 2020 spring season. We are open to resuming baseball in the Fall, if possible. 

In order for a Fall program to happen, Alameda County’s stay at home order would have to be lifted to allow small groups of 15-30 people to safely gather in public. Oakland schools and public parks would also have to be reopened, field permits secured, and we’d have to reconfirm coach and player availability based on a new timeline. 

Although we weren’t able to play any Spring games due to Alameda County’s stay at home order on March 16th, 75% of NOLL/SOLL’s annual expenses had already been incurred for uniforms, equipment, field permits, field preparation, etc. Due to expected budget shortfalls at OUSD and Oakland Parks and Rec (OPR), we don’t anticipate receiving any refunds from those organizations.  

As you know, NOLL/SOLL is a volunteer-driven non-profit, not a billion dollar for-profit youth sports business. Our mission is simply to provide a positive youth baseball experience for Oakland and Berkeley families. We intentionally maintain fees lower than other Bay Area youth sports programs to remain inclusive. In fact, registration fees only cover 67% of our annual operating budget. The balance is raised through donations from individuals and small businesses during our annual fundraising drive, which we are not able to conduct this year. Our annual fundraiser typically raises over $100,000. 

Due to the cancellation of the Spring 2020 season, the NOLL/SOLL Board has approved a refund policy that we believe is amenable to our families’ needs, while ensuring the sustainability of our league to provide youth baseball to our community in the years to come. 

• Option 1: Donate Your 2020 Registration Fee. This will help NOLL/SOLL continue to operate in future baseball seasons. No further action is required and we thank you for your generosity. 

• Option 2: Request a Refund of $50. Please submit this form by June 30, 2020 to request your refund. 

The NOLL/SOLL Board would have liked to have been able  to refund 100% of your registration fees. However, the way in which this crisis has impacted organizations like ours, it’s simply not possible. 

NOLL/SOLL understands that this pandemic has hit some harder than others and we are open to providing additional relief to those truly in need.  If your family is experiencing hardship, please contact us at info@nollsoll.com.

If you are in a position to financially support NOLL/SOLL’s mission (we sure hope to be playing baseball at some point this year and next!), please consider making an additional donation. Click here (scroll down to the DONATE button under the picture of the Cal player signing autographs) and make a donation through PayPal. You may also send a check made out to NOLL/SOLL, PO Box 11087, Oakland CA 94611.

Please be on the lookout for further communications from NOLL/SOLL. We plan to send out a survey in the coming weeks to learn more about your child’s interest and availability for a potential Fall Ball season, provided we are permitted to safely play.

Until then, we hope you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe, and eagerly look forward to a time when we can gather as a community, rooting for kids playing baseball. 

Sincerely, 

NOLL/SOLL Board of Directors

NOLL/SOLL families –

Starting Friday March 12th, NOLL/SOLL will be suspending all activities until April 6th.  Do not hold practices, games or scrimmages until at least April 6th and official notice from the league about when we will resume activities.  

Following the recommendations of Little League International, District 4 and state health officials we are suspending activities to support social distancing in light of the continuing outbreak of Covid-19 in California.

The health and safety of our players, volunteers, and families are our highest priority.  We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the recommended guidelines from the CDC and California Department of Public Health and to follow local municipal and school district communications for information that directly affects our community.

Thanks, NOLL/SOLL Executive Board

Spring Training Clinics for NOLL/SOLL players!
Sundays in February (2/2, 2/9 and 2/16)
Ages 6-11 (Farm, AA, AAA) 11:00am – 12:30am
Ages 11+ (Majors, Int, Juniors) 12:30am – 2pm

Sign up here
Only $10 per player (per session)

What to Bring:

• Baseball attire + Cleats
• Baseball glove
• Batting gloves
• Baseball bat

During our Spring Training clinics, we focus on baseball development, speed-work and fitness fundamentals. We will work in small groups to develop and improve player techniques and ability.

What to Expect:

• Hands-on coaching from two former professional baseball players (Archie Gilbert & BJ Guinn)
• Professional warm-up routine
• Drills for skill for correct running form
• Agility ladder
• Cone drills
• Shoulder programs
  (to strengthen throwing arm)
• Tee work
• Soft toss
• Live BP
• Hitting Evaluation
• Ground Balls
• Glove work
• TONS ON FUN!!!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/series-of-interesting-people-sip-at-charles-krug-winery-tickets-63488430605

Charles Krug Winery is pleased to announce the launch of our new speaker series, a Series of Interesting People (SIP), with special guests, Jean Fruth, author/photographer of Grassroots Baseball: Where Legends Begin and Jeff Idelson, President of the Baseball Hall of Fame. The evening will include both a book signing and a live audience Q&A moderated by local sports reporter Gus Morris, (who just happened to play on Fruth’s little league team in his youth).

---

Jean Fruth was the traveling photographer for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and now shoots for their Latino media partner, La Vida Baseball. Some of her most memorable images will be on display at this event. Her first book, Grassroots Baseball: Where Legends Begin, features more than 250 of her best images from all levels of the amateur game in the US, as well as from several hotbeds of baseball around the world. Each chapter opens with a portrait of a baseball legend and a first-person essay recounting his early memories of playing the game. Among the 16 legends, 13 are Hall of Famers, including Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken, Jr., Whitey Ford, Rickey Henderson and Randy Johnson.

Jeff Idelson Jeff Idelson has spent 33 years in baseball, eight with the Red Sox and Yankees, and the last 25 with the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Retiring this summer after 11 years as president, Idelson has a deep knowledge of The Game and its history, and stories about its legendary players.

---

Tickets to this event are free.

Book: Signed copies of Jean Fruth’s book will be available for sale for $60. For each book sold a matching $60 will be donated to Oakland Little League

Refreshments, wine, and light snacks available for purchase.

Purchase a copy of the book online if you can’t make it. Use the code noll/soll or Oakland LL and help raise funds for NOLL/SOLL.

The 2019 NOLL and SOLL playoff tournaments are all complete! Here is a quick review:

• AA bracket (pdf complete) and schedule
• AAA bracket (pdf complete) and schedule
• Majors bracket (pdf complete) and schedule
• Intermediates bracket (pdf complete) and schedule
• Juniors bracket (pdf complete) and schedule

Congrats to the AA Hotrods and AA Knights, AAA Muckdogs and AAA Raptors, Majors Yankees and Majors Giants, Intermediate Giants and Juniors Red Sox!

“Voice of the A’s” and SF Chronicle’s baseball reporter, Ken Korach, will be at Moe’s on May 25th 6pm to discuss life in the dugout.

https://www.moesbooks.com/pages/events/50/ken-korach-and-susan-slusser-stories-from-the

Moe’s Books is an independent woman-owned, family owned, iconic bookstore in Berkeley since 1959. We love kids and baseball. Moe’s grandson played in NOLL/SOLL for 5 years. Bring your NOLL/SOLL players to the store to hear from “The Voice of The A’s” about what life in the dugout is actually like.