Q. Where is Sand Mountain Park located?
A. We are located at 1325 SMPA Blvd, Albertville, AL 35950.
Q. Who do I make checks out to?
A. SMPA
Q. Why does Sand Mountain Park have registration deadlines?
A. The acceptance of late registrations right up to the start of the season has proven to be an unfair practice to staff, coaches and players who were trying to organize not only a recreational but an educational experience for our youth. The department established registration deadlines that would allow our small staff adequate time to form teams, secure and train the appropriate number of qualified volunteers, order uniforms & equipment in a timely and cost-efficient fashion, time to organize, assign field/court space and hire extra staff based on enrollment. Any late registrations will be added to a wait list (see "I missed a deadline" FAQ below for details on the wait list).
Q. I missed the registration deadline. What can I do?
A. Because programs require ordering uniforms, supplies, time to organize, assign field/court space and hiring additional staff based on enrollment, registration deadlines have been established. A "wait list" will be established for those that have missed the registration deadline. When a Program is full (reached Enrollment Maximum), you can Add prospective registrants to a Wait List by going to that Program and clicking on the Wait List tab. Click the Add to Wait List button, type in the first few characters of the member's Last Name and choose them from the drop down list. Member's will be added to the list in the order they're entered. Players on the wait list will be used to fill team vacancies when and if they occur. Once teams are posted and league play has begun, placement off the wait list is extremely rare. However, if a participant withdraws from the program, the wait list will be considered. Players will be taken in the order they were entered onto the wait list. There is no guarantee that a child will be accepted off the wait list. Register early to avoid disappointment.
Q. I would like to coach my child's team. What do I need to do to be able to coach, and what's the selection process?
A. We truly appreciate our volunteer coaches! You make our youth sports programs possible. Before you can coach, there are several prerequisites. First, you need to complete the request to coach form found online under programs. Second, you will need to read the information under the coach test tab and take the coaches test which is a form attached to your registration. You will also need to submit a background check on https://opportunities.averity.com/SandMount SMPA will submit your background check, and you will receive a link to a child abuse course that must be completed on a laptop or desktop. Once your background check comes back okay, our volunteer coaches will be selected based upon several factors including past experience and department evaluations.
Q. I haven't heard from my coach yet, and I signed up a long time ago. I see other kids out practicing. Why?
A. Coaches will contact their players after they have attended a coaches meeting with the recreation department staff. This meeting is typically 2 to 3 weeks after the registration deadline. Occasionally, a team may still be in need of a coach, and practices would be on hold until a parent or volunteer steps forward.
Q. How can I contact my coach?
A. The current season's coaches contact information is available right here on the website under leagues and then rosters. Find your team, and you will find your coach.
Q. I haven't heard from my coach yet, and I signed up a long time ago. I see other kids out practicing. Why?
A. Coaches will contact their players after they have attended a coaches meeting with the recreation department staff. This meeting is typically 2 to 3 weeks after the registration deadline. Occasionally, a team may still be in need of a coach, and practices would be on hold until a parent or volunteer steps forward.
Q. How can I contact my coach?
A. The current season's coaches contact information is available right here on the website under leagues and then rosters. Find your team, and you will find your coach.
Q. Why is it that only the coaches phone & email information is posted on the rosters?
A. Our department chooses not to post the information of our participants to protect their privacy and limit the exposure of our customers on the internet.
Q. Are practices scheduled by Sand Mountain Park or the coach?
A. Before the season begins, Sand Mountain Park schedules practice times to try and ensure an equal amount of practices for each team. Some teams have access to their own gyms or fields and are able to practice more. Most don't have that luxury. After the season begins, coaches may call and schedule practices as they see fit.
Q. What are the cut off dates for baseball, softball, t-ball, soccer and basketball?
A. T-ball is for boys & girls ages 5 & 6. A boy must be 5 on or by April 30 of the current calendar year to play t-ball. Example: for the 2015 season, a boy would need to be 5 on or by April 30, 2015. A girl must be 5 on or by December 31 of the previous calendar year. Example: for the 2015 season, a girl would need to be 5 on or by December 31, 2014. Baseball is for children ages 7 to 14. A child would need to be 7 on or by April 30 of the current calendar year. Example: for the 2015 season, a child would need to be 7 by April 30, 2015. Softball is for girls ages 7 to 14. A girl must be 7 on or by December 31 of the previous year. Example: for the 2015 season, a girl would need to be 7 on or by December 31, 2014. Soccer is for boys and girls ages 4 to 13. A child must be 4 on or by August 1 of the current calendar year. Example: for the 2015 season, a child must be 4 on or by August 1, 2015. Basketball is for boys and girls ages 5 to 12. A child must be 5 on or by September 1 of the current calendar year. Example: for the 2015 season, a child must be 5 on or by September 1, 2015. Please see "can my child play up an age division".
Q. Can my child play down an age group?
A. We do not allow children to play down. Once your child has had their birthday and has reached a new age level before or on the cutoff date of a certain sport (see "what are the cutoff dates"), we cannot allow them to play down with a younger team. This is to try our best to keep children of the same age, closeness of height and size together. This helps our teams to improve, grow, progress and advance at a better pace. However, we do allow children to move up an age group if the parents believe their child has enough experience and is ready to play up with an older age group (please see "can my child play up an age division").
Q. Can my child play up an age group?-
A. Yes. However, a child may only play up ONE age group. Seeing as we play mixed league age divisions, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, this rule is confusing for many. Playing up one age group would mean that you need to be the older of the mixed age group to play up.....examples...in the 5/6 age group a 6 year old would be able to move up to 7/8 whereas a 5 year old would not. In the 7/8 age group, only an 8 year old would be able to move up to the 9/10 age group. In the 9/10 age group, only a 10 year old would be able to move up to the 11/12 year age group. In the 11/12 year age group, only a 12 year old would be able to move up to the 13/14 age group. To move up an age group, you MUST come by the rec center by the registration deadline and speak with Josh Sullivan or Gregg Lee. If you do not come by the rec center by the registration deadline and make arrangements with Josh Sullivan or Gregg Lee by the registration deadline, your child will be placed in the appropriate age group by his or her birth date. (Soccer age divisions are 4/5, 6/7, 8/9, 10/11, 12/13)
Q. My child's program was canceled. Why?
A. Sand Mountain Park reserves the right to cancel any activity, program or event based on insufficient registrations, supervision or facilities. All activities, programs or events will either be rescheduled or refunded.
Q. My child's uniform is too small/big. Will you replace it?
A. If we made a mistake in ordering, we will replace your jersey/pants/shorts, whatever it may be at our cost. If you received the size you ordered, it will be up to you, to purchase a new replacement item.
Q. How can I find out if my child's game or practice is canceled due to weather?
A. Cancellations due to inclement weather are possible. Please check our Facebook page (Albertville Parks & Recreation). We will text your child's coach as soon as we have made the decision to cancel games. The decision to cancel will be made by 4:00 PM on weekdays. We will make the best decision we can at that time given the current weather projections.
Q. I want a refund on a program that I've paid for. What do I do?
A. You must call SMPA at 256-891-8240. Refunds are given on a case by case basis. Refunds take anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks.
Q. Are steel cleats allowed?
A. No.
Q. What size basketball should I buy my child to practice with?
A. All age groups use a 28.5 inch basketball except for 12U boys & 14U boys. 11/12, 13/14 year old boys use a 29.5 inch basketball.
Q. How high is the goal in 6U & 8U basketball?
A. The goal is 8 feet high.
