Parent FAQ — CFL Pride & The Dugout

Should go to your head coach first. Coaches are responsible for baseball and softball decisions.

Email admin@cflpride.com

Email support@thedugoutsanford.com

Email support@wearitathletic.com

Email sponsorships@cflpride.com

If you have already addressed an appropriate team concern with your coach and still need organizational assistance, email cjlee@cflpride.com

Please use this for genuine escalations rather than routine roster, billing, facility, or uniform questions so those requests can be handled by the team responsible for them.

The Dugout is a private baseball and softball training complex located at 2215 West 1st Street, Sanford, Florida 32771.

The approximately six-acre facility includes:

• Two lighted turf fields
• Covered batting cages
• Pitching mounds
• A gym and weight room
• Office and lounge areas
• Private lessons, camps, clinics, teams, and membership access

Unlike a traditional public batting cage facility, The Dugout is primarily designed around members, athletes, instructors, and teams training throughout the year.

No. CFL Pride players receive Dugout membership as part of their team program, but individual athletes and families may also purchase Dugout memberships, book lessons, attend camps and clinics, or participate in other training programs.

No. The Dugout is a private-access facility and is not continuously staffed.

Members may train outside normal staffed hours using their access credentials. All members and guests are responsible for following facility and safety rules whether staff is present or not.

Central Florida Pride Baseball & Softball is a veteran-founded nonprofit travel baseball and softball organization based at The Dugout in Sanford.

CFL Pride teams are designed for players seeking a higher level of competition, training, commitment, and development than is typically provided through recreational leagues.

Teams may compete through organizations such as USSSA, AAU, Perfect Game, Triple Crown Sports, GOB, SFP, and other tournament organizations.

One of the primary goals of CFL Pride is to allow coaches to focus on coaching.

CFL Pride administration generally handles:

• Team registration
• Player accounts and billing
• Tournament registration
• Facility scheduling
• Practice allocations
• Insurance and sanctioning
• Roster administration
• Uniform coordination
• Team fundraising accounts
• Organizational administration

Coaches remain responsible for baseball and softball decisions.

The coaching staff has authority over:

• Lineups
• Positions
• Playing time
• Batting order
• Pitching assignments
• Player roles
• Game strategy
• Practice instruction

CFL Pride administration does not override coaches on normal baseball or softball decisions.

Administration may become involved when there is a safety issue, policy violation, inappropriate conduct, or another organizational concern.

No.

CFL Pride does not guarantee playing time unless a specific team has communicated a different policy.

Playing time may be affected by:

• Age and team level
• Competitive level of the tournament
• Practice attendance
• Game availability
• Effort
• Attitude
• Coachability
• Preparation
• Performance
• Positional needs

Younger and more developmental teams will generally provide more balanced developmental opportunities when possible. More competitive teams and older age groups may have greater competition for innings.

Coaches are encouraged to develop players and create opportunities during practices and pool-play games when practical. During bracket play, coaches have discretion to use the lineup they believe gives the team the best opportunity to compete.

Yes.

Travel baseball and softball require a significant commitment. Missing practices, games, or tournaments can affect a player's preparedness and therefore may affect:

• Playing time
• Defensive positions
• Batting order
• Pitching opportunities
• Overall role

Families should communicate known absences to their coach as early as possible.

Notify your coach as soon as you know.

Missing a tournament does not normally reduce a family's season dues. Team expenses are budgeted across the roster for the entire season and many costs are committed in advance.

Player dues are a contribution toward the total seasonal team budget, rather than payment for each individual tournament or month attended.

Guest playing is determined by the head coach.

When possible, CFL Pride prefers guest opportunities between teams within the organization. Players should receive approval from their regular head coach before playing with another CFL Pride team.

Roster size varies based on age, pitching needs, competitiveness, and player availability.

As a general guideline, CFL Pride does not recommend rosters larger than approximately 12 players at 12U and younger. Older teams may need larger rosters because of pitching requirements and tournament formats.

Most CFL Pride teams are typically scheduled for:

• One field practice each week
• One cage-based practice each week

Schedules may vary by team and season.

Players may also use their Dugout membership to train independently outside scheduled team practices, subject to facility availability.

Tournament schedules are generally selected by the team's coaching staff or designated team representative.

CFL Pride administration then assists with tournament registration and payment.

This varies by team.

A typical fall season may include approximately eight tournaments, while spring schedules may be longer. Older or higher-level teams may follow a different schedule.

Your team's specific schedule and budget should always be referenced for the current season.

Generally, no.

Destination tournaments, major out-of-state events, overnight travel, hotels, airfare, and similar expenses are normally handled separately by each team and family unless specifically stated otherwise.

Season dues vary by roster size, coaching structure, tournament schedule, and team expenses.

They typically help cover:

• Tournament entry fees
• Umpire fees
• Sanctioning fees
• Insurance
• Applicable gate fees
• Administrative expenses
• Team practices
• Coaching expenses when applicable
• The Dugout membership and facility access

Unless specifically stated otherwise, standard season dues generally do not include:

• Player uniforms
• Fan apparel
• Hotels
• Family travel
• Player transportation
• Destination tournament costs
• Personal baseball or softball equipment

No. This is an important distinction.

When a season total is divided into installments, those payments are simply portions of the total season commitment.

They are not month-to-month payments for services received during that particular month.

Registering for a team means committing financially to the season even when an installment plan is selected.

Occasional failed payments happen.

Families are responsible for keeping their payment information current and resolving failed payments promptly.

Accounts that remain delinquent may result in a player being temporarily withheld from:

• Practices
• Games
• Training
• Facility access
• Other team activities

Repeated delinquency may require the remaining season balance to be paid before participation resumes.

Registration represents a commitment through the end of the season.

Leaving the team voluntarily does not automatically cancel the remaining financial obligation.

CFL Pride commits money throughout the season toward tournaments, insurance, coaching, facility usage, administration, and other shared team expenses based on the roster that registered.

Refunds or adjustments are considered only when permitted under the organization's cancellation and refund policy.

Please notify the coach immediately.

Coaches may limit participation when necessary to protect an injured player. Medical clearance may be requested before returning to full activity.

In certain circumstances, documented season-ending injuries may qualify for a financial adjustment under CFL Pride's cancellation and refund policy.

Any approved refund or adjustment may exclude expenses already committed or paid, including tournament registrations, administrative expenses, uniforms, or other non-refundable costs.

Yes.

CFL Pride encourages responsible fundraising to help reduce the financial burden of travel baseball and softball.

Team fundraising proceeds must be handled through CFL Pride and are tracked through the organization's accounting system by team.

Parents, coaches, and players may not establish private accounts using the CFL Pride name or personally hold team fundraising proceeds.

Yes.

Depending on the team, anticipated fundraising may be built into the team's original budget to lower the amount families pay out of pocket.

When that occurs, the team is responsible for achieving the fundraising amount included in the budget.

If the fundraising goal is not met, families may be responsible for the remaining amount needed to fulfill the team's budget, and planned tournaments or activities may need to be reduced or canceled.

Generally, no.

Funds raised for a team remain credited to that team's ledger for approved team expenses.

Certain organization-provided sponsorship products, such as Dugout advertising packages, may have their own revenue-sharing structure.

Approved team funds may be used toward items such as:

• Tournament expenses
• Team dues
• Uniforms
• Equipment
• Team events
• Other approved team expenses

No.

Unless an individual-player fundraising arrangement was specifically approved in advance, money raised under a team's name belongs to the team.

A player who leaves the team does not receive a cash payment or refund of team fundraising proceeds.

Yes.

Teams may seek sponsors, and CFL Pride also offers organization-wide sponsorship and advertising opportunities.

Sponsorship questions can be directed to: sponsorships@cflpride.com

Central Florida Pride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Qualifying charitable donations made to CFL Pride may be tax deductible. Donors should consult their tax professional regarding their individual circumstances.

Donation receipts are available when applicable.

Financial assistance may be available in limited circumstances, but scholarships are not guaranteed and may vary by team, season, available funding, and organizational budget.

Families should not register assuming financial assistance will later be applied.

Fundraising and assistance from friends, family members, community organizations, or sponsors can also help families offset travel-team expenses.

Membership is designed for athletes who want the ability to train consistently rather than only during scheduled practices or lessons.

Benefits include:

• 24/7 facility access
• Access to available batting cages and training areas
• Use of facility equipment where permitted
• Approximately 25% off most private lessons
• Discounts on many camps and clinics
• Access to The Dugout training environment beyond scheduled team activities

CFL Pride players receive Dugout membership as part of their team participation unless otherwise stated.

No.

Membership provides access to the facility, not a guaranteed private reservation of a particular cage, field, machine, or training area.

Scheduled activities receive priority. Facility priority is generally:

• Scheduled team practices and organizational activities
• Scheduled lessons and training
• General member use

Members are encouraged to train around scheduled team practices, lessons, camps, events, and other facility activities.

General member training is normally based on availability rather than an exclusive reservation.

Lessons, organized practices, rentals, and other scheduled activities must be booked in advance.

Access credentials are personal and may not be shared.

Unauthorized entry or allowing non-members to use member-only areas without permission may result in suspension or termination of access.

No.

Athletes under 18 must be appropriately supervised.

Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult when using the gym, weight room, training machines, or other equipment requiring adult supervision.

Yes. The Dugout works with instructors offering training in areas such as:

• Hitting
• Pitching
• Catching
• Fielding
• Baseball development
• Softball development
• Position-specific training

Instructor specialties and schedules vary.

Lessons should be booked through The Dugout's online scheduling system.

Current instructors, lesson types, availability, and pricing can be viewed through the booking page.

Yes. Dugout members generally receive approximately 25% off most private lessons.

Eligible discounts are applied through the member's account.

Lessons offered through The Dugout should be booked and paid through the appropriate booking system unless a specific independent-instructor arrangement has been approved by The Dugout.

This helps keep facility scheduling, instructor availability, billing, and training space organized.

Previous credits may not automatically transfer between software platforms.

If you believe you have an unused historical lesson credit, contact The Dugout so the account can be reviewed.

Instructor and trainer arrangements are handled individually.

The Dugout may work with qualified instructors who already have their own clientele, but facility access, scheduling, insurance requirements, compensation, and booking structure must be approved before conducting paid instruction at the facility.

Metal cleats are not permitted. Turf shoes and molded cleats may be used.

Yes. Batters must wear helmets while hitting in cages or on the field.

Yes. An L-screen or appropriate pitching shield should be used during live pitching and front toss.

Pitching machines, ProBatter systems, HitTrax, Rapsodo, and similar technology should only be operated by trained and authorized adults.

Food, gum, seeds, and glass containers are not permitted on turf areas. Drinks should have secure lids.

Only service animals are permitted.

No. The Dugout has zero tolerance for:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Vaping
• Illegal substances

Weapons and dangerous objects are also prohibited.

The Dugout does not provide a dedicated lightning-detection system.

Families and coaches should monitor local weather and a reliable lightning-alert service.

Outdoor activity should not resume until at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike within approximately 8–10 miles.

No. Because members have after-hours access, staff may not always be present.

For a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

A first-aid kit is available behind the counter in the marked cabinet.

Yes. Participants must complete the applicable Florida Sports, Inc. participant waiver before using the facility.

Players, parents, coaches, and guests are expected to treat teammates, coaches, staff, opponents, umpires, tournament personnel, and other families with respect.

Profanity, bullying, harassment, discrimination, threatening behavior, and inappropriate confrontations are not acceptable.

Please don't.

Positive cheering is encouraged, but players should receive baseball and softball instruction from their coaches during games. Parents should avoid:

• Calling out instructions
• Criticizing player decisions
• Commenting on the strike zone
• Confronting umpires
• Undermining the coaching staff

Coaches are responsible for communication with umpires.

CFL Pride follows a communication process for baseball and softball concerns.

Please do not approach a coach immediately after a game regarding playing time, positions, lineups, strategy, or decisions made during that game.

Allow at least 24 hours, then communicate directly with the coach privately.

If a legitimate concern remains unresolved after speaking with the coach, it may be escalated to CFL Pride administration.

Public criticism of players, coaches, teammates, umpires, opponents, or CFL Pride is inconsistent with organization expectations.

Concerns should be handled privately through the appropriate communication process rather than through team chats or social media.

Serious or repeated misconduct may result in suspension or removal from the program.

Generally, no. Uniform packages and team apparel are normally purchased separately through Wear-it Athletic unless your particular team has been told otherwise.

Wear-it Athletic manages custom uniforms and apparel for CFL Pride so designs remain consistent across teams and ordering can be coordinated through one system.

CFL Pride uniforms should be ordered through the approved Wear-it team store or registration link.

Yes. Many Wear-it products are custom designed, sublimated, embroidered, personalized, or otherwise made specifically for the player or team.

Because of this, production is different from purchasing an off-the-shelf item at a retail store.

Families should generally allow approximately 4 weeks for custom uniform production, although production times can vary.

Complex customization, embroidered hats, inventory availability, shipping conditions, and large team orders can affect timing.

Orders should be placed as soon as a team uniform store becomes available.

Different items may use different production processes.

For example, sublimated uniforms and embroidered hats may be completed separately. Personalized hats, specialty embroidery, or backordered blanks may occasionally take longer.

When practical, other completed pieces may be delivered before the delayed item.

Custom and personalized products are generally not returnable or exchangeable simply because the wrong size, name, number, or customization was selected by the customer.

Wear-it will address manufacturing defects or mistakes made during production.

Families should carefully review player name, jersey number, sizes, product selections, and customization before submitting an order.

Contact Wear-it Athletic with the order information and photographs when applicable.

Confirmed manufacturing errors or defects will be reviewed for replacement or correction.

Because team uniforms are custom made, families are responsible for selecting the correct size.

Whenever sizing samples or sizing information are available, families are strongly encouraged to use them before ordering.

Shipping and fulfillment charges may cover more than the final carrier trip to your home.

Custom team apparel may move between manufacturing, embroidery, printing, fulfillment, sorting, packaging, and final distribution before reaching the customer.

Yes. When available, additional player apparel and fan merchandise may be purchased through Wear-it Athletic. Availability varies by team and product.