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