FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
(FEE DISCOUNTS & WAIVERS)

SLL’s Financial Assistance Program was designed to assist families with financial hardship that may not otherwise be able to afford to register their child to play Little League Baseball, Softball or Tee-Ball.

We firmly believes that every child who wishes to play baseball, softball or tee-ball should be entitled to do so regardless of skill, gender, immigration status (not residence- you can live within our boundaries and be eligible to play regardless of your immigration status), and/or financial circumstances. SLL will not deny any child a chance to play regular season baseball, softball or tee-ball due to a financial hardship, whether it be chronic, short term, or situational. 

SLL is a 100 percent volunteer operated nonprofit organization. Even so, it costs approximately $75,000 each year to operate the league. These expenses include but are not limited to: baseballs, softballs, tee-balls, equipment, line chalk, paint, infield mix, speedy dry, uniforms, umpires, insurance, and charter fees.

When spread across our players, this equals roughly $250 per player. Our registration fees are intentionally set well below that amount. To bridge the gap, the league works extremely hard fundraising for support and to secure sponsorships.  As a result, SLL is funded through a combination of registration fees, donations and gifts, sponsorships, and ongoing fundraising efforts.

We do everything we can to make our league affordable to all.  Here is just some of what we do in that area:

• Registration for our regular/spring season starts in October the year prior, allowing families to spread out payment plans over a longer period for budgetary purposes.
•  Offer discounts to families who register early- in 2026, those discounts ranged from no less than 21%, up to 33%, depending on the age/level.
• All paid players receive $25.00 in raffle tickets (five at $5 each) when they appear at their team's photo day.  Those tickets can be sold by the family at $5/ticket. The tickets can be turned in so they can be drawn, but the player's families keep the money to partially offset their registration/participation fee.
• Through disciplined budgeting and extensive fundraising efforts, we have been able to keep our registration rates lower than nearly every Little League in the surrounding area. Below are examples using full, undiscounted pricing:
  • Tee Ball: Salem Little League $70, Danvers American $150, Swampscott $150, Saugus $90
  • Farm or Coach Pitch: Salem Little League $150 or $100 with early registration, Danvers American $220, Swampscott $175, Saugus $150.
  • Ages 8 and up: Salem Little League $190 or $150 with early registration, Saugus $200, Danvers $220, Swampscott $300

  This pricing reflects our continued commitment to affordability.

•  Automated Payment Plans: We have set up automated payment plans on our website so families can spread out the fees.  Examples:
  • Tee Ball Divisions: $30 now, $20 on 2/15, $20 on 4/1 or $10 now, $20 on 3/1, 3/15 and 4/1
    
  • Age 8-12 Baseball: $40-discount now, $50 on 3/1, 3/15 and 3/31
  • Other divisions have similar payments plans for 2026

A limited amount of funding for fee waivers is available each season, thanks to our generous Donors and Sponsors. As such, requesting and being granted financial assistance should only occur when the same is necessary, due to genuine, demonstrable need as our available resources are limited. Financial assistance, or a fee waiver, may be requested for each child in your family that wants to play baseball, softball or tee-ball that season.

For players that are granted assistance, league fees for the season in question will be paid partially or fully by SLL via a fee waiver. Fee waivers are neither permanent nor automatically renewed and will expire at the end of each season. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements to be considered for a fee waiver every season.

EXCLUSIONS - As travel ball, club teams, private lessons, etc. are generally 100% self-pay, players that are currently enrolled in these activities (for any sport or activity) are not eligible for financial assistance/fee waivers, even if the family meets the criteria.  SLL’s Financial Assistance Program is not intended to supplement Little League fees so families can more comfortably pay for other high cost sports, training, and or extra-curricular activities where financial assistance is not an option. Subsequent to a family being granted a fee waiver, should the League have reason to believe that the player (or any children in the family) are involved in any of the above, the waiver will be immediately revoked and the parent/guardian will be expected to pay the league in full for the registration fees before their player’s next scheduled activity (practice or game). 

The following steps below are so that we can take care of each child who truly needs assistance, and eliminate the sporadic requests which truly are not necessary.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROCESS

The Financial Assistance application is entirely confidential and will only be used to assess eligibility for a fee reduction award.  A limited committee of Board Members, mainly the Player Agent, but also may include the President, VPs and Treasurer will have access to/review applications and will make decisions as to whether full or partial waivers will be awarded. Every applicant that meets the basic eligibility requirements, as noted below, will be evaluated on their own merit.

 - STEP 1 - APPLY FOR AN EXTERNAL GRANT -

There are a few organizations that provide grant support to families in need. PRIOR to applying for financial assistance from SLL, families must provide confirmation that they have applied and were denied or did not qualify (including notification that no funds were available at the time of application) for one of the following grants:

• ALL KIDS PLAY YOUTH SPORTS GRANT - All Kids Play believes that every kid deserves a chance to play and recognizes that the rising cost of youth sports has left some families and communities behind. All Kids Play provides funding to families and communities who lack the resources to pay for youth sports. Grants are available to qualifying families with kids in grade K-12 and not-for-profit community-based recreational sports organizations in low income areas on a need and first-come, first served basis as funds are available. Individual grants can be used for registration, equipment and other associated fees for Little League Baseball, Softball and Tee-Ball. Please visit their website  ALL KIDS PLAY Youth Sports Grants) for FAQs below for more information on qualification and the process.

  PUTTING EQUITY INTO PLAY

• Every kid sports Pass - every kid sports believes that every kid deserves a chance to play. They provide up to $150/player to supplement the cost of qualifying sports, of which Little League Baseball, Softball and Tee-Ball are qualified. To apply, click HERE
  

• T-Mobile Call Up Grant* - The T-Mobile Little League Call Up Grant is dedicated to helping families in need by covering registration fees associated with their local Little League program. T-Mobile and Little League share the belief that every child should have the chance to experience Little League, regardless of their financial or personal situation. Since 2020, T-Mobile has helped cover registration fees (up to $150.00) for over 59,000 families through the Call Up Grant. For more information and to apply, click HERE 

* As of 2/4, all funds for 2026 have been distributed. Families will have the opportunity to apply for a T-Mobile Call Up Grant for the Spring 2027 Season. 

Once you have applied for the grants above, please notify the Player Agent, so he or she will be made aware.  The Player Agent's contact information is at the bottom of this page. 

 If you are denied a grant, do not qualify for a grant, or found that no grant funds were available at the time of application), proceed to STEP 2. 

 - STEP 2 - SPEAK WITH YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL'S CITY CONNECT COORDINATOR

City Connects is an evidence-based system that utilizes the existing structures present in schools and communities. A City Connects Coordinator meets with each classroom teacher and other school staff to review every student in a school every year, discussing each child’s strengths and needs in the areas of academics, social/emotional/behavioral growth, health, and family. Each student is then linked to the unique set of services and enrichments, available in the school or community, that address his or her unique strengths and areas of need. The Coordinator cultivates partnerships with community agencies, serving as a point of contact for the school. Coordinators collaborate closely with families and facilitate access to supports and enrichments.

To find your child's school's city City Connects coordinator, see  https://salemk12.org/district-departments/student-and-family-supports/student-support-vision-and-frameworks/city-connects/.  There is a listing of each school's coordinator at the bottom of the page.  The coordinator will work with the league on how to assist your child.

If you are denied assistance, or your child does not attend Salem Public Schools, proceed to STEP 3.

 - STEP 3 - COMPLETE AN SLL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST FORM (click here for form)

Along with a completed application, requesting families must:

1. Provide documentation confirming that they applied and were denied (or were not eligible for) the three grants listed above in Step 1.
2. Provide documentation (Example: Emails) that they were denied assistance from Salem Public Schools City Connections listed above in Step 2.
3. Provide documentation to confirm that they meet one (1) or more of following eligibility criteria to be considered for financial assistance:

• The player is a foster child;
• The player is receiving free or reduced lunch at school (if attending school outside of Salem, as Salem currently offers free lunch for all);
• The family has qualified for and is currently receiving SNAP benefits.
• The family has qualified for and is currently receiving housing assistance (Section 8, etc.)
  

• INCOME BASED - The family’s income level, as confirmed by the gross income reflected on their most current Federal Tax Return, categorizes them as having an Acutely Low, Extremely Low, or Very Low Area Median Income (AMI). Click  HERE to learn more about AMI and to see if you might qualify. 

Applications pertain to all players living in the same household as their primary or custodial home. In cases of parental separation or divorce, the tax return/confirmation documents of the parent that claims the player as a dependent shall be provided.

**We understand that sometimes, a family may be experiencing situational hardship that can not be confirmed via the required processes and/or that they may not qualify for grants and state programs. This does not mean that your child can not come play with us and/or that help is not available. If you find yourself in such a circumstance, please send a detailed email explaining your circumstances and your need to our Player Agent, Ed Colbert, at [email protected].