July 18, 2006
Tuesday

OK---

Deep breath

Every year at all-star time there are people who are going to feel like they (or their children) are getting the short end of the stick.

I have pasted a section of the Little League rulebook entitled: Selection of Tournament Teams (Recommended Method) --- I think our local league would be wise to adopt this method or some variation of it.

It can be found on page T-2 (sorry but all I had handy was the 2004 rulebook, but I don't think much has changed)

Little League would gain immeasurably in esteem of the public if all tournament teams were selected by the players themselves. Players relish the challenge of competition, but their anxiety to excel is in balance with an intuitive respect and admiration for teammate and opponent alike who demonstrate superior ability and skill.

1. It is not required that players be selected for the position they occupy during the regular season. For example, a pitcher who is also a good outfielder or infielder may be placed on the roster and used in whatever position the manager deems to be of advantage.
2. Tournament team candidates should be selected upon their playing ability, eligibility and availability. The roster should include sufficient pitching strength to meet tournament schedules.
3. The following plan was presented to the International Congress, Washington, D.C., 1965, as a guideline, taken from the experience of the International Advisory Council. The principle is to have all components of a league determine and participate in fair and democratic selection of the tournament team. This would eliminate many of the complaints, abuses, pressures and charges of favoritism, which are directed towards the league president. The following groups should each select its tournament team.

Group 1 - Players
Group 2 - League Officers
Group 3 Team Managers
Group 4 Team Coaches
Group 5 Volunteer Umpires

Every player on the eligible teams is entitled to a vote. Each group submits its list of players at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the league. The names are to be read and counted from each of the groups, and the players in the order of total votes received will become eligible for the tournament team. Where more than one player has an equal number of votes to qualify for the last position or positions, final selection should be made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at the time of the meeting.

NOTE: Method of selection is to be determined by the local league board of directors.

There you have it in black and white. You don t have tryouts for all-stars. You don t leave it in the hands of the few. You give the players a chance to pick the players along with some votes cast by adults that have put forth the time and effort to make things work.

The first paragraph is extremely eloquent so I think we should read it one more time

Little League would gain immeasurably in esteem of the public if all tournament teams were selected by the players themselves. Players relish the challenge of competition, but their anxiety to excel is in balance with an intuitive respect and admiration for teammate and opponent alike who demonstrate superior ability and skill.

What does this paragraph say? It says that no one is more fair in determining who is the best player than the players themselves.

I remember back when I played that filling out one of the all-star ballots was great fun, and a wonderful chance to be involved in the process. Not only was it fair, but it let the kids that cast votes feel that much better if they did not make it, because at least they were part of the process.

Now remember that every league has the right to choose their own way of doing things. So on that note I say GET INVOLVED WITH THE PROCESS. Attend meetings. Get on the board. Coach a team. Umpire games. Help out in the concession stand. If you aren t part of the solution you are part of the problem (how cheesy is that?).

This will be the last letter that I write concerning any negative banter towards our local Little League. All of the folks that helped out The Board of Directors, Managers and Coaches, and countless other volunteers, need to be thanked for the hard work. They put in a lot of time and heart into the process, and we would not have baseball without the effort.

As for myself---I will be at the next meeting.


Dave Timmerman
Ketchikan, AK - USA

About: "I have coached Little League (and soccer, and basketball) for the last 5 years, and plan to for the next 10 years. I believe in using your voice to make a difference...especially if you keep other people's interests (the kids) at the top of the priority list. I also think that adults have the innate ability to screw things up in kid's sports when they think too hard."

 

Send A Letter -------Read Letters

E-mail the Editor

Sitnews
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska