Selection Policy and Basic Overview
As a league, SLL strives to make sure that the regular season offers as much opportunity to play and experience baseball and softball as possible. The league implements numerous local rules to make for a more enjoyable playing experience for ALL players. Our League has many different playing levels, each geared to accommodate players based on their age and ability of play.
The All-Star Season is a completely separate season from the regular season. It is an opportunity for a significantly higher level of play within the regional Little League system. Players will have a significantly higher level of commitment and will receive a higher level instruction and to compete against other All-Star teams.
When it comes to All-Star teams, it is the intent of Stratford Little League Board to field a team that will best represent our league in competition and character. Stratford Little League believes that it is important that the selection process is transparent and fair to all kids. All of the baseball and softball players need to have an opportunity to make the team regardless of popularity, school affiliation, parental influence, or manager prejudice. For those that are not selected for the team the details regarding their candidacy shall be held in the strictest of confidence and remain private.
All selection decisions regarding All-Star teams need to be made with the District approved ideals in mind. Several characteristics permeate our selection process for players and managers for the All Stars team:
- Skill-level and ability to compete
- Attitude, hustle, team spirit, team leadership, and
- Overall character, integrity, and sportsmanship.
Participation on an All Star team is a privilege and not a right for Managers, Coaches and Players
Winning is fun, but it is very important that we remember that Little League is a Child Development Program and that we are about teaching life lessons, building and demonstrating the positive ideals and characteristics that we hope for all our children.
General Selection Process and Procedure
Timing:
The All-Star team selection process will begin no sooner than two weeks prior to the first tournament game or on the 1st of June, whichever is first. The All-Star team CANNOT be announced at any earlier date than is prescribed by Little League Rules each year.
The All-Star practices typically begin around the first to second week in June. Practices begin immediately upon team selection and usually run 2 to 3 hours per day and can be up to 7 days a week up to the time.
The All-Star tournaments typically begin at different dates throughout the district in late June and early July.
Player and Parent Commitments
The player and parent commitment to All-Stars must be a solid commitment. Tournament Players must bear in mind that their first commitment is to the SLL team before any other Non-Little League team or to any other sports camps or sports teams during the All-Star Season.
In the past, Little League rules have expressly prohibited a player or manager/coach from being involved in any other youth baseball program during the All Star season.
Number of Players:
Each All-Star team representing the SLL will consist of 10 to 13 players. The All-Star Manager has the discretion of choosing a 13th player which is eligible for the team. Teams that have only 12 players may have three adults during games; the team manager and two coaches. It is strongly recommended that the All-Star Manager pick a 13th player for the roster. Additionally, the SLL President shall appoint a new player should the team need to replace a player due to injury, lack of commitment, ineligibility, or other unforeseen circumstance. Per Little League rules, some players may be eligible for multiple teams however; an individual may only be selected or be allowed to practice with ONE All Star team.
Teams and age groups:
Baseball:
- The AA,AAA All-Star teams (8U, 9U and 10U) will be made up of players who are league age 8-9-10 years of age and who played in the SLL Minors divisions during the regular season.
- The Intermediate All-Star teams (11U and 12U) will be made up of players who are 11 or 12 years of age who played in SLL during the regular season.
12 year-old Team:
The 12U All-Star team will be made up of players who are league age 12 years of age and who played in the SLL Intermediate division during the regular season.
11 year-old Team:
The 11U All-Star team will be made up of players who are league age 11 years of age and who played in the SLL Intermediate division during the regular season.
10 year-old team:
The 10-year-old All-Star team will be made up of players who are 10 years of age who played in the SLL AAA during the regular season.
9 year-old team:
The 9-year-old All-Star team will be made up of players who are 9 years of age who played in the SLL AAA during the regular season.
8 year-old team:
8 year old Rookie All-Star team will be made up of players who are 8 years of age who played in the SLL AA,AAA division during the regular season.
Softball:
Juniors Team
The Juniors All-Star team will be made up of players who are league age 13 or 14 years of age and who played in the SLL Juniors division during the regular season.
All-Star Player Selection Process
The process for selecting All-Star teams will involve several steps.
1. The All Star coach will be selected by the little league president with input from the league VP
2. Every manager will provide a list of the top players on their team to identify those that will have their name considered for the All-Stars ballots. The objective is to fairly and impartially select the most skilled and competitive teams possible for tournament play
3. Voting: All regular season Little League players that are eligible to be nominated by the manager. Managers, league president division VP and league player agent , will have a non-bias opinion on every player nominated to choose a team.
4. Vote tally and initial player selections: The first 6-8 players for a team, by top vote getters across all divisions, will be placed on the All Star Team corresponding to the teams at their age level, but it is not the only means of selection. In many cases, a child may be eligible for two teams and the Managers will subsequently sort out the best candidates for the teams, balancing positions and needs to ensure the best team configuration.
5. Try Outs: When deemed necessary, the little league president can call for Try Outs to manage issues surrounding fielding the most competitive team.
6. Final team configurations: The league Managers will evaluate players on multiple criteria including: player’s performance, attitude, sportsmanship and teamwork. The team is completed on the basis of these criteria and on the needs of the All-Star team (i.e. are their adequate catchers and pitchers, and other key positions represented). Once the managers have completed their deliberations and the final recommended slate of players for each team is submitted to the President for final approval. The SLL President shall be involved in all deliberations and shall make the final decision to accept the manager recommended roster on behalf of the SLL Board, unless the President feels that there is sufficient reason to call for a Board meeting to resolve an issue.
7. Confidentiality and Oversight: The process and meetings are facilitated by the League President and assisted by the Player Agent. The selection results (number of votes, selection order, etc.) and Manager Deliberations about the prospective players are strictly confidential.
8. Player notification: The All-Star team manager is asked to notify all team members as promptly as is possible on June 1st .
Manager & Coach Selection Process
The President of the League inquires of each Manager or Coach to determine who is interested in managing All-Star teams. The president shall solicit additional information with regard to a manager’s candidacy and alignment with league ideals should multiple All Star Manager candidates emerge.
Manager selection criteria and eligibility, per little league rules:
- All-Star Managers shall be a Manager or Coach during the regular season for the level they wish to manage.
- Any regular season Manager or Coach may “manage down” and manage an All Star team at a lower level but managers may not “manage up” into a higher division or age group.
- The league President may serve as an All Star Manager or Coach.
- A manager or coach that has participated in another youth baseball and softball league may be eliminated from All Star participation if their participation in the other league is deemed “detrimental” to league operations.