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Question: |
Why are the evaluation weekends important?
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Answer: |
Evaluation weekends are more than just having your child’s skills assessed for future team assignment.
At our evaluation weekends we will also outfitting the AAA kids with uniform pants (they can try them on there)
We’ll be selling belts, water bottles and socks – as well as selling off old inventory for extra practice sweaters etc.
This is also the weekend that you can sign up for various events as a volunteer – and find out more about what we do during the season
that you could get involved in. Talk to an umpire representative and see if there could be another way for you to enjoy the sport other
than watching your own child play! If you are volunteering as a coach – we will be accepting the completed Volunteer forms and copies of
ID’s for processing before the season starts.
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Question: |
Does my child have to attend to be placed on a team?
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Answer: |
NO! but he or she should. All players will be placed on a team. But our 9-12 yr old group (Little League Baseball) is
divided into three levels of play, and our 13-14 yr olds into two levels of play. The purpose of this is an attempt to have players at a
level where they are suitably challenged, yet comfortable and able to develop to meet their potential. It is extremely important to us that
players be assigned to the appropriate level for the baseball season. Without having evaluated a player, the League will place the player into
the lowest division for which she or he is eligible by age..
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Question: |
Why should AAA baseball players (9-10 yrs) attend?
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Answer: |
There are several reasons. The first is to allow the League the opportunity to compose teams that are reasonably balanced and competitive.
While community is a prime consideration in the formation of these teams, it is important within that constraint to try to build teams that are roughly
equal to each other in terms of the mix of ages and skills. Another reason is that the evaluations offer children the opportunity to demonstrate that they
can "PLAY UP" a level. Some of our more experienced 8 yr olds wish to play in AAA, and this gives them the chance to demonstrate
that such a move is appropriate.
No 8 yr old will be allowed into AAA unless his or her evaluation scores indicate they should be. Some ten-year-olds and, although rare,
even nine-year-olds, may be advanced enough in their personal skill development to be able to play at the next level higher. We would like to offer players
that opportunity if it is appropriate. (The choice to do so is entirely up to the player and his or her parents).
Finally, the sessions are a great chance to have the kids get their hands on a ball and a bat and get warmed-up for the season.
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Question: |
Why do returning Major players have to attend Tryouts and Evaluations?
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Answer: |
A returning Major player is a person who played on a Major (not AA) team last season, and that player will return to that team for which he
or she played unless it is specifically requested that the player be drafted to a different Major team. However, our Major draft is structured
so that the teams start the season in a state of competitive balance, as much as possible. To accomplish this, managers must be aware of the
relative strengths of all the players - returnees and new players. Returning AA players should attend two sessions to be considered for the Major draft.
AA teams are usually redrafted entirely each season.
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Question: |
Why do returning Junior players have to attend Tryouts and Evaluations?
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Answer: |
A returning Junior player is a person who played on a Junior (not Junior AA) team last season, and that player will play Juniors this season
and be assigned to the same team as last season unless she or he requests otherwise. Because we want to have balance between our own Junior teams
after the draft, it is extremely important that managers and coaches see every player eligible to be on a roster.
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Question: |
What about some older Divisions that only have one level?
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Answer: |
Senior and Big League Baseball, have not had separate levels of play in the past three seasons. However, teams are redrafted entirely each year,
and to achieve balanced competition the coaches need to evaluate all available players.
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Question: |
What can we expect at an evaluation session?
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Answer: |
First, be there about 15 minutes before the session begins. This allows for registration and the assignment of a numbered "pinnie".
The session itself is a bit like a practice, beginning with a run, some warm-up stretches and throwing, followed by a series of fielding, batting,
and throwing drills during which the players are rated by several evaluators. There will also be an opportunity to throw some pitches if the child
wishes to do so.
Indoor facilities do not replicate playing on a real diamond. The lighting takes some getting used to and the entire environment can be somewhat
intimidating to first-time participants. Evaluators and those running the drills are aware of this, especially with our younger players, and every effort
is made to keep it a fun, fast-paced practice.
Experience has shown that many players show a marked improvement the second time they are asked to do a particular drill. Many players in the past
have opted to attend more sessions than required, and their overall scores have generally improved as a result.
The scoring must be kept simple to remain objective. In most cases, a demonstration of proper form is the most important consideration, followed
by strength and accuracy.
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Question: |
What if my child can not make the session(s)?
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Answer: |
Try to make arrangements. All sessions are split by surname, simply to have manageable numbers in each group, but if one session is simply
more convenient than the other, go to the one that is most convenient. If two sessions are required and you can only make one day, consider doing both
on the same day.
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Question: |
What if we believe our child has been treated unfairly?
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Answer: |
The Player Agent is the advocate for players who feel they have been unfairly or improperly treated, either in the draft selection process or
during the playing season. Contact the Player Agent first! If necessary, the appropriate VP or the League President may become involved.
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Question: |
If our child is drafted to an upper level team, does he or she have to play there?
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Answer: |
No, he or she can opt to participate at the lower level. But it is in the players best interests to play at the level that is suitably
challenging.
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Question: |
Is there a fee involved for attending evaluations?
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Answer: |
No. These costs are paid from general League revenues.
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