The Draft
During the Spring Season only - Drafts are required in Softball divisions 8u and higher and in Baseball divisions AA and higher. Teams are formed by a draft because it's the best way to create a set of balanced teams - which aids in the development all players in league, especially as player pitching is introduced at these levels. Little league International prescribes the methodology we use in Almaden Little League.
During the Fall Season - all teams are formed based on buddy requests / league assignment.
Teams
The number and size of teams are dictated by the number of players enrolled in a division and number of coaches who volunteer to take a team. The following guidelines are voted on by the Board during the Fall of each year, ahead of Spring Evaluations.
Each division has an assigned Player Rep and they, in partnership with the coaching coordinator, the appropriate VP, and the President of the league, are responsible for constructing the structure of the divisions. Team size ranges from 10 to 12. In the cases where we only have 1 or 2 teams, we may exceed that range.
For Majors/12U, the league works to set the number of teams based on number of 11 and 12 year old players. All 11 and 12 year old players will be drafted on to Majors/12U team unless we do not have enough qualified managers for the division and/or in the Board's opinion, there is a potential safety or skill issue for any particular player that may hinder from enjoying the season. In such instances, a board member will reach out to the family prior to the draft and they will be placed in AAA/10U. 10 year old and 9 year old players may also be considered for Majors teams if there are available spots after all 12 and 11 year are accounted for. The drafting of 10 and/or 9 year olds in Majors/12U is at the discretion of each individual manager. Per Little League rules - no more than 8 12 year olds may be on a single team. In instances where the number of managers/teams is lower than the pool of players (e.g., 4 managers / 48 spots... but 54 players registered) - then it is possible, that there will not be enough spots for all 11 year olds in Majors/12U. In such situations, the league will keep families updated prior to the draft of these circumstances.
For AAA/10U, the league works to set the number of teams based on number of 9 and 10 year old players. All 9 and 10 year old players, not drafted into Majors/12U will be drafted on to a AAA/10U team unless we do not have enough qualified managers for the division and/or in the Board's opinion, there is a potential safety or skill issue for any particular player that may hinder from enjoying the season. In such instances, a board member will reach out to the family prior to the draft. 8 year old players may also be considered for AAA/10U teams if there are available spots after all 10 and 9 year olds are accounted for. The drafting of 8 year olds in AAA/10U is at the discretion of each individual manager. In instances where the number of managers/teams is lower than the pool of players (e.g., 4 managers / 48 spots... but 54 players registered) - then it is possible, that there will not be enough spots for all 9 year olds in AAA/10U. In such situations, the league will keep families updated prior to the draft of these circumstances.
For AA/8U, all players registered will be placed in this division.
Logistics
Players attend evaluations and coaches assess the talent to create their preferred draft order. Shortly after the evaluations the coaches meet to draft and form their teams, all of which is facilitated by Board members.
Coaches are free to draft whomever they please from within the pool of players specified by the Board and for whatever reason they deem important to them. The league understands that there are additional factors besides ability why a player might be drafted, e.g. a player played for the coach previously, parents are willing to help or volunteer, the player is a family friend, etc..
Per Little League guidelines, Managers will kids will slotted up to round 3 (12s in Majors / 10s in AAA), up to round 4 (11s in Majors / 9s in AAA), up to round 5 (10s in Majors/8s in AAA). 1 Assistant Coach kid will be slotted based on ability and with consensus of all managers.
Shortly after a coach drafts a player, the parents will be notified by their manager and informed of their first practice time. Once these teams are constructed and coaches are informed of their teams, those coaches reach out to the parents to welcome them to the team and inform them of their first practice time.
Please note: Which round a kid is selected in the draft is confidential.
Will My Kid Get Drafted?
The total number of kids drafted is the product of the number of coaches/teams and the team size and eligible pool or players as determined by the Board after evaluations.
We understand that players and parents rarely want their kid to not get drafted nor moved down to a lower division. But this is always a possibility for every player. Over the years Little League has found that kids that get dropped down a division end up having a fantastic season filled with the same joy, fun, and camaraderie once they get into the rhythm of the season.
It is important to note that refunds will not be granted due to the division the league places the child in. Should you choose to cancel your registration because your child moved into a lower division, you will forfeit your registration fees.
Juniors / Seniors / Intermediates
Intermediates is for kids age 13 and they play on a 50/70 field. Juniors is for kids 13 - 15 and plays on the 60/90 "Big Diamond". Seniors is for kids aged 15/16 and is a fast season played on 60/90 field after the high school season concludes.
Little League does not allow player-age 13 year olds to play in Majors. In the case the league doesn't have space, we will attempt to find a team for your child in a different league, or offer a full refund.