The level “A” and “B” teams playing in the Suburban League are competitive oriented teams.  As such there is no guarantee on playing time.   The top players will play more. 

The coaches will be making decisions on playing time and positions based on what is best for the team.  Parents are asked to respect the decision of the coaches.

All players need to commit to attending all summer league games and practices.   Where conflicts exist parents are expected to provide the coaches ample advance notice.

Tryouts

A tryout session will be held in May.  The tryouts will consist of typical baseball drills (hitting, throwing and fielding).  Pitching will evaluated throughout the season.  The evaluations will be made by individuals who do not have a child in the applicable age bracket.  CLL will use evaluators who are fair, impartial and have a reasonable knowledge of baseball skills. 

Every attempt should be made to attend the summer tryouts at the appropriate time.  Parents are required to provide advance notice of an absence.   Players who cannot attend their scheduled tryouts will be asked to come to an evaluation with a different age group so that an assessment can be made of the player’s skill level.  If a candidate does not attend the tryouts then they will be placed on a team using the best judgment of the Summer League Selection Committee.  

For the tryouts, players are to report to the back of the designated location 30 minutes before their schedule start time.  This is required to sign-in, get their squad assignment and to warm-up.  All players should come prepared with their own gloves, bats and bring at least one bottle of water to carry with them.

Selection Process (For 9, 10, 11 yr old teams)

A four (4) person impartial Selection Committee will be established for each age level.  Each Selection Committee will be comprised of the following members:

·         Summer Baseball Player Agent

·         Player League Agent

o   Minor League Agent will be a member of the 9 year old Selection Committee

o   Major League Agent will be a member of the 10, 11 and 12 year old Selection Committees

·         Manager of the Team (recommended by Summer Baseball Player Agent and approved by the CLL President and Vice President)

·         Manager/Coach involved in the age group of the team involved and does not have child on that team. 

The Summer Player Agent will chair a meeting attended by all members of the Selection Committee. All candidates for the summer teams will be considered for selection on one of the aforementioned teams based upon the following factors:

·         performance in the previous Summer Season (based upon written evaluations provided by the Summer Season Manager);

·         performance in the current Spring Season (based upon written evaluations provided by the Spring Season Manager);

·         skills demonstrated during tryouts (based upon written evaluations provided by the Summer Player Agent);

·         attitude and coachability of the player; and

·         ensuring each team has a appropriate balance of players, who can pitch, play the catcher position and hit.

Evaluation of pitchers and catchers will be based on a player’s performance in the current CLL season, as well as performance in the previous summer season.  Evaluating a pitchers or catchers performance in actual game situations is the fairest process as compared to a throwing session during the tryout session. Additionally, not all candidates want to pitch or catch and an equitable grading system for non-pitchers/catchers verses pitchers/catchers is not achievable. 

The Selection Committee will first choose the members of the A team, then the B team.  Those who do not make either the A or B team will be placed on the appropriate team. 

The evaluation and team selection is a subjective process.  CLL is committed to make the process as fair as reasonably possible.  Parents are asked to respect the final decision on team selections. 

The goal will be to announce the teams in early June.

WILLIAMSPORT Team, Manager, and assistant coaches’ selection process:

The Williamsport selection process of coaches and manager(s) is designed by the CLL Executive Board (CLL President, VP of Baseball, VP of Softball, Secretary, and Treasurer) in accordance with all applicable Little League International guidelines and recommendations.

All 6 Major League managers, CLL President, VP of Baseball, Summer Player Agent, and Majors Player Agent must meet in person to execute the following steps:

• nominations
• voting
• players 1-9 selected
• 10th player potentially selected by VP of Baseball
• manager selected and approved
• manager recommends players 10, 11, and 12 or just 11 and 12
• final roster reviewed and approved
• manager proposes assistant coaches
• assistant coaches reviewed and approved

Order and selection process:

Each Major League Manager shall nominate to the Summer Player Agent any player on his/her team that he/she feels is qualified to play on the Canton Little League Williamsport Team.  There is no limit of nominations per team.

The Summer Player Agent shall generate a ballot from the names provided.

Each Major League Manager shall vote for no more than ten (10) players on the ballot. It is hopeful that all Managers will meet and vote at once together. That way any questions on players can be answered with his/her respective Manager in attendance.

The top nine (9) vote getters will be asked to become members of the Williamsport team. (The VP of Baseball can make the 10th placed vote getter automatic if he feels it is appropriate given the voting results.)

After the first 9 or 10 players are selected the President of CLL, VP of Baseball, and Summer Player Agent will select the Manager of the Williamsport team.

Manager criteria shall include:

• Team play during the regular season
• Team preparation before a game
• Demonstration by the team of good fundamental baseball knowledge
• Team sportsmanship
• Knowledge of Little League International rules
• Major League coaching experience
• Previous CLL summer coaching experience

The Williamsport Manager will then submit his recommendations on the final 2 or 3 roster spots to the President of CLL, VP of Baseball, and Summer Player Agent.  Particular attention shall be paid to players receiving the majority of votes.  President of CLL, VP of Baseball, and Summer Player Agent have final sign off on the 12 player roster and can override the Williamsport Manager’s recommendations on the final 2 or 3 roster spots.

Final step is the selection of 2 assistant coaches.  Williamsport Manager will submit 2 coaches’ names to the President of CLL, VP of Baseball, and Summer Player Agent.  President of CLL, VP of Baseball, and Summer Player agent have final sign off on selection of assistant coaches.