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Small Fry Question/Answer
Q: What is Small Fry Basketball
A: Small Fry Basketball is a developmental, yet competitive youth basketball program available to
youngsters throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
Q: Do qualifications differ from regular basketball?
A: The game is for shorter athletes. Players may be no taller than 5-foot-1 and may not
be older than 12 as of Sept. 1 the year immediately prior to the competition season (January through Easter). A smaller-than-regulation basketball is used and rims are eight feet, six inches from the ground. Some areas
also offer "rookie" programs with a smaller height limit and younger age limit.
Q: How are Small Fry teams started?
A: The sources are many, although some include local park districts,
school-affiliated teams, independently-sponsored teams and those associated with Boys and Girls Clubs or other youth organizations.
Q: Who do we talk to about starting a team?
A: You may obtain an
informational packet by contacting Executive Director Jeff Milkie via mail at Small Fry Basketball, 8552 37th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53142, on the
phone at (262) 653-9630 or through e-mail at jmilkie@sbcglobal.net. Promotional videos are also available to help familiarize people with the program. Additionally, contacts
may be made through local commissioners.
Q: How much does it cost to run a franchise?
A: It depends on the goals of the franchise. For a team getting started that just plans to play local
tournaments without major travel expenses, a budget of $2,500-$3,500 may suffice. Franchises will also want to take advantage of sponsors and donations. For teams that incorporate overnight trips and ultimately a visit
to the International or Consolation Tournament in Orlando, the budget may run as high as $20,000 to $25,000.
Q: How are athletes measured?
A: The onetime official measurement will be administered by
a committee composed of members of the Excecutive Board. Players lie flat in an official measuring box.
Q: When did Small Fry Basketball begin?
A: Small Fry Basketball began in 1968 with a group of
dedicated youth leaders in Chicago Heights, Ill. The organization hosted its first International Tournament in 1969 in Chicago Heights. Although many of the original franchises were based in the Midwest, Small Fry
quickly branched east to New York, west to Lincoln, Neb. and south to Seminole, Fla. Outside of the Continental United States, Small Fry has always been strong in Puerto Rico and has had participants from Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic and Bermuda as well.
Q: How do teams advance to the International Tournament in Orlando, Fla?
A: Following official measure-in that occurs in the same time frame for all teams (early
to mid-February), qualifying tournaments are held in each region. Teams are allotted based on the total number of franchises from each team. Twenty-four teams annually will advance to a chance for bids in the
International Tournament.
Q: What if our team is not good enough to qualify?
A: Small Fry offers a "Consolation Tournament," which is also held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World® Resort. The Consolation Tournament is designed for newcomers, hardship cases, promotional opportunities and for some traditional strong supporters of Small Fry that don't make the grade for the International Tournament. Additionally, Small Fry invites teams and leagues from new areas— both on a recreational level and a "growing" level where teams are building and working toward qualifying for the International Tournament.
Q: Have any recognizable names participated in Small Fry?
A: Current NBA standouts Will Bynum (West Pullman Runners) of the Detroit Pistons and Jose Barea (Torrimar) of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and former NBA players Chris Quinn (Highwood), Nick Van Exel (Kenosha, Wis.) and Kenny Anderson (New York) got their starts in Small Fry Basketball, as well as
former NBA standouts Charley Scott (New York), Craig Hodges and Lloyd Walton (both Chicago Heights, Ill.). Highwood, Ill. product Veltra Dawson played on Villanova's NCAA Champion team and Homewood, Ill. has produced
two NFL quarterbacks in Donovan McNabb and Mike Tomczak, formerly with the Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears. |
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