Frequently Asked Questions:

Practice times are dependent on the number of participants, the number of teams, the placement of players on teams, and the coaches availability. Each 3rd-8th grade team will have 1 hour and 15 minute practices that will take place twice per week. The gym space is generally available for practices between 5 and 9pm after wrestling ends at BMS and Sitka Skippers ends at Keet. Preference is given to the younger kids for earlier practices. 

The k-2nd practices are typically Saturday mornings between 8:30am and 11am. Some will be at Keet and others at Blatchley. The duration will be 1hr +/- 15 minutes each grade depending on age.

My child can't make the skills assessment. Will they be able to play?
Having teams that are balanced in skill usually results in the most competitive and enjoyable league for everyone. The skills assessment day is used by the coaches to help form teams. While many coaches are aware of your child's skill and can use the knowledge to assist in team placements, we often see off season development, and new coaches may not know your child yet. Even well known participants give coaches a baseline to compare other kids against. Please make every effort to have your child attend the skills assessment so we can ensure balanced teams. If your child can't make it, please e-mail us and let us know.

Although it is much preferred to have early sign ups, if the assessment has passed, your kid can normally still sign up until the beginning of the season (sign ups have even happened after the season started when space was available). We want all kids to be able to participate if possible. If signing up late, please sign them up and e-mail us to let us know.

Session 2 tryouts are mandatory.

When will the season end?
Session 1 typically finishes the end of February. Session 2 (optional) is expected to continue through the beginning of April depending on tournament availability.

My child is not yet in Kindergarten. Can I sign them up for the K-2 group?
If your child is 5 years old, they can sign up. If your child is 4 years old, they can sign up, but we require a parent to help with your child at all times. Typically the younger kids require more attention from coaches which reduces the overall enjoyment and learning of the entire group. A dedicated parent helper allows the coaches to lead the activities and not spend a disproportionate amount of time with the younger kids.

I missed the skills assessment and the season starts soon. Can my child still sign up?
In most cases, players can sign up until the season starts. In some cases, though, teams may be full and available gym space may prevent adding more players. We will reach out to you if this is the case. Please sign up and let us know via e-mail. We will close registration just before the season starts.

After tryouts are completed and teams are created, if a kid is selected for a session 2 team, parents will be contacted to complete registration and pay for session 2.

Is there a session 2 for Kindergarten-2nd?
At this time there is no session 2 for Kindergarten-2nd grade. 

My child wants to continue basketball in Session 2 but can't travel. Can they still participate?
Depending on coach and gym availability, some grades may have teams/players that do not travel but still participate in session 2 and the Hoops and Herring tournament in Sitka. If a kid is interested in session 2 but can't travel, please attend tryouts and let the coaches know. Keep in mind that session 2 is a competitive session and not all kids will be selected for a team. 

There are tournaments all year long outside of Sitka that Baranof Ballers does not participate in. How can my kid get more outside experience?
While Baranof Ballers typically only participates in a couple tournaments per year in the spring, we love to see kids getting more experience. We do not currently organize year round travel teams, but if a Sitka youth group wants to travel outside of the Baranof Ballers program, we may be able to save the team some expenses with loaner uniforms and advice.