All Star Selection Policy and Basic Overview-Spring 2024
As a league, Bulverde Little League 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 will compete against other All-Star teams.
When it comes to All-Star teams, it is the intent of the Bulverde Little League Board to field a team that will best represent our league in competition and character. Bulverde Little League believes that it is important to include the players themselves in the selection process and that the process be transparent and fair to all kids. All baseball and softball players need to have an opportunity as well as 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 these Board approved ideals in mind. Several characteristics permeate our selection process for players and managers for the All-Star team. These include: Skill-level and ability to compete, attitude, hustle, team spirit, team leadership, and overall character, integrity, and sportsmanship. 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 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 three weeks prior to the first tournament game as scheduled by Little League. 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 week in June. Practices begin immediately upon team selection and usually run 2 to 3 hours per day and can be (this is at the discretion of the manager) up to 7 days a week. The All-Star Tournaments typically begin the third week of June. If a team were to win the District All-Star Tournament, the team would then move on to the State Tournament (typically late July). The older teams also have a regional tournament and the Little League World Series (Williamsport, PA) that will take place in early to late August.
Player and Parent Commitments:
Each interested player will submit their name for consideration by completing the All-Star Commitment Form. This document explains the commitment necessary to be a part of the All-Star Program. BLL is striving to field the most competitive All-Star team possible and assure that it is comprised of players and managers/coaches that represent the attitude and character we desire. With this in mind, BLL wishes to involve only parents and players who are committed to the hard work and practice time that is required to participate at this level of competition. 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 BLL team before any other non-Little League team or to any other sports events during the All-Star Season.
Number of Players:
Each All-Star team representing the BLL will consist of 12 to 14 players. In BLL the All-Star Manager has the discretion of choosing a 13th or 14th player which is eligible for the team. Additionally, the All-Star Manager 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 allowed to practice with one All Star team.
Teams and age groups:
Baseball:
· Major’s Team: The Major’s All-Star Team will be made up of players who are league age 10 to 12 and who played in the BLL Majors division during the regular season.
· 9-11 year-old Team: The 9- 11 year-old All-Star team will be made up of players who are league age 9 to 11 and played in the BLL Majors OR Minors division during the regular season.
· 8-10 year-old Team: The 8-10-year-old All-Star team will be made up of players who are league age 8 to 10 and played in the BLL Majors OR Minors division during the regular season.
Softball:
· Major’s Team: The Major’s All-Star Team will be made up of players who are league age 10 to 12 and who played in the BLL Majors division during the regular season.
· 9-11 year-old Team: The 10- 11 year-old All-Star team will be made up of players who are league age 10 or 11 and played in the BLL Majors OR Minors division during the regular season.
· 8-10 year-old team: The 10- year-old All-Star team will be made up of players who are 9 or 10 years of age who played in the BLL Majors OR Minors division during the regular season.
**Teams are not created based on division assignment, the goal is to take the 12-14 best players in an age group
All-Star Player Selection Process:
The process for selecting All-Star Teams will involve several steps. As in years past, the players will make some of the selection for the All-Star Teams and the Managers shall complete the remainder of the recommended team which is then approved by the BLL Board and submitted to the District.
Balloting:
Any players who have indicated interest in being considered for All-Star voting shall be placed on the ballot as a Candidate. This involves submitting a signed eligibility /release /commitment form, typically administered by the managers in mid-April. Every manager will solicit all of the players on their team to identify those that are interested in having their name considered for the All-Star ballots. Every player that completes a commitment/eligibility form will have their name placed on the ballots as eligible for the All Star Team(s).
Voting:
All regular season Little League players are allowed 12 votes for the Candidates on their divisional ballot. Managers or Parents may not assist in the vote. Player voting is an independent and anonymous activity which is conducted on the field. Players must vote only once per Candidate. Players vote for their division’s Candidates and for Candidates of their same age group.
Vote tally and initial player selections:
The top 6 players in a particular age group receiving votes on more than 2/3 of the total ballots, will automatically be placed on the All Star Team corresponding to the teams at their age level, but it is not the only means of selection. If a player does not receive the 2/3 majority he/she is still eligible to be selected by the manager vote, etc. 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.
Try Outs:
When deemed necessary, the Board of Directors may call for Try Outs to manage issues surrounding fielding the most competitive team.
Final team configurations:
The league Managers will meet together to review and confirm the player votes (top 6 vote getters) and determine the final roster of players. At this mandatory manager meeting, managers will vote by confidential ballot, one player slot at a time, until the first 10 players are chosen for the team, players must receive a 2/3rds majority to be included. The 11th-13th players are chosen by the approved All Star Manager.
Players are evaluated on multiple criteria including the 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. will there be an adequate number of catchers and pitchers as well as other key positions). Once the managers have completed their deliberations and the final recommended slate of players for each team is submitted to the Board and President for final approval. The BLL President (or Board Representative) shall be involved in the manager deliberations and shall make the final decision to accept the manager recommended roster on behalf of the BLL Board, unless the President feels that there is sufficient enough reason to call for a Board meeting to resolve an issue.
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.
Player notification:
The All-Star Team manager is asked to notify all team members as promptly as possible on May 15th (this date is subject to change according to the current year’s Little League Tournament Dates). Managers of players not chosen will notify those players as soon as possible following the June 1st announcement of the roster.
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.
· 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. After the Manager vote and other input are received, the BLL board shall hold a meeting to discuss the manager candidates and discuss the President’s findings and act upon the President’s recommendation to the Board. The President shall seek proxies from all board members not able to attend and those with direct conflicts in the decision shall be excused. Should the board not be able to reach a consensus, the league President shall seek counsel from the district administrator and make the final determination on the Manager for each team.
· The manager is allowed to choose the 2 coaches after the players have been selected, provided that each person is a rostered manager or coach during the regular season for the selected level (or above) and meets all other eligibility requirements.