Selection Policy and Basic Overview
As a league, East Hanover LL 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 East Hanover Little League Board to field a team that will best represent our league in competition and character. East Hanover LL Little League believes that it is important that the selection process is transparent and fair to all kids. All baseball 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 second/third 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. If our team wins the district, they will move on to section play, and state play if they continue to win. Mid Atlantic regional play (12s only) follows next, if our team continues to win they will play in Williamsport on TV.
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 East Hanover LL team before any other Non-Little League team or to any other sports camps or sports teams during the All-Star Season. We ask that you do not accept "an invitation" if you will have other team commitments that will take you away from our team.
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. We will ask all players to have our town LL team be there #1 priority, for as long as we progress. Please also try to schedule your vacations in August or late July. Our 10u team in 2017 played until Jul 27.
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.
Number of Players:
Each All-Star team representing the East Hanover LL will consist of 11 to 14 players. The All-Star Manager has the discretion of choosing the number of players desired to fill the team roster. Teams that have only 12 players may have three adults during games; the team manager and two coaches. Additionally, the East Hanover LL 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:
* Minors All-Star teams (10U) will be made up of players who are league age 8-9-10 years of age (10U), and have played in the East Hanover LL Minors or Majors divisions during the regular season.
* Majors All-Star teams (12U) will be made up of players who are league age 11-12 years (12U) and have played in the East Hanover LL Minors or Majors divisions during the regular season.
* An 11U Intermediate All-Star team will be made up of players who are 10/11 years of age who played in the East Hanover LL Minors/Majors division during the regular season. (optional, depends on amount of players)
* An 8U All-Star team will be made up of players who are 7/8 years of age who played in the East Hanover LL Intermediate during the regular season. (optional, depends on amount of players).
* An 9U All-Star team will be made up of players who are 8/9 years of age who played in the East Hanover LL Intermediate during the regular season. (optional, depends on amount of players).
Note: We generally enter 2 teams at a minimum, a 12u and usually a 10u or 10/11u.
Little league uses birth date as of Aug 30 to determine, player age.
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 East Hanover Board with input from the league Mgrs.
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 if available , 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, who received the most votes 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. Tryouts: When deemed necessary, the little league president can call for Tryouts to manage issues surrounding fielding the most competitive team.
6. Final team configurations: The Board 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 Board/Managers have completed their deliberations and the final recommended slate of players for each team is submitted to the President for final approval. The East Hanover LL President shall be involved in all player deliberations and be president and also place the final vote on who the Manager and Coaches will be.
7. Confidentiality and Oversight: The process and meetings if possible are facilitated by the Little League President and assisted by the Player Agent or division VP. 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.