Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for Spirit League?

Spirit League team players face challenges such as

  • Timidity
  • Obesity
  • Learning disabilities
  • High functioning autism
  • Aspergers
  • Other mild physical & emotional disabilities

Can we request that our child be placed on a particular team?

Spirit League team assignments are made by our Head Coaches through a draft process. The goal of the draft is to insure fair and safe play through the creation of teams that are balanced. Coaches consider many factors in assigning teams including experience, athletic ability and emotional development.

For players in the U09 Division only, a parent may request that their child be placed on a particular team. This request will be considered by the Coach during the draft. There is no guarantee, however, that the request will be honored.

Does Spirit League allow siblings who do not have special needs to play on teams?

No, our mission is to offer children with special needs a way to play team sports in a competitive environment. We cannot ensure fair play and maintain a safe environment if we permit children without special needs to be included.

Where does Spirit League buy the Hands On ball used by the U10 Players?

Hands-On Basketball can be purchased at:

Gophersport.com

Phone: (800) 533-0446

Item Number 61-137  (We use size 5.)

Teaches proper right-handed and left-handed shooting positions.

Color coded: red for right-handers, blue for left-handers.

What is the Spirit League Refund Policy?


Spirit League will refund 100% of registration fees paid if a written request is received during our Open Registration period.

Testimonials

"I don’t want to go.  I don’t know anyone and besides, I don’t know how to play baseball."

Those were the words of an anxious seven year old boy worrying about this new experience called Spirit League.  Well, we did see some tears and unwillingness to go to the field for warm ups that day.  "I want to go home now." Then along came our hero, Coach Chuck.  He asked if our guy would be his assistant and carry his clipboard and of course, his whistle! Even though our son continued to leave the field to "check-in" with us, we saw his anxiety decrease and a smile on his face.  Coach continued to encourage and monitor our son's participation in future games.  What a great start!

Now three years later, we may not have  developed a star athlete, but our son has been a part of something that has helped to develop his confidence, increased his social interactions and has shown him there are many nice people around who care about him.  An added benefit for our family is meeting other parents who "get" this journey.

We highly recommend Spirit League.  It is a safe environment where your child and family will have fun and meet some of the "best people around."

-Jim and Pam Miller

“ Our 5-year old son was never interested in any ball-play. We joined Spirit League and the initial couple of sessions he was not very involved in the play, but did begin to show some interest. He began to develop an interest to shoot baskets, and even wanted to play at home. By the end of the league, our son has made a great deal of progress in basketball and now he initiates ball play at home with his 4 year old brother.”

“As a busy pediatric neurologist serving children with developmental disabilities in Orange County, Spirit League has been an invaluable community resource for me to provide to families in my office.  Many of the children in my practice have had negative experiences with typical community-based sports programs.  I see the joy and excitement in parent's faces when I tell them about a sports league suitable for their children.  I have consistently positive feedback about the program which encourages me to continue enthusiastically recommending it to families in my office.  We are fortunate to have Spirit League as a resource for children in Orange County.”

Andrew McIntosh, M.D.