All,
I have been contacted by SEVERAL parents of players inquiring about
"drafting", what the official "policy" and rule of Little League is, and
what the enforcement policies are..plus it's been a question as we form the
new league in North Spokane. So I had a teleconference with Little League
Western Region this week to discuss.
First there is some flexibility that a board has in relation to their draft
policies. they can elect to draft some division, but in others there is NO
flexibility and MUST draft that division.
The rule says that ANY Majors teams MUST BE DRAFTED. AS PART OF THE DRAFT, A
TRYOUT IS REQUIRED. ALL MANAGERS HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO SEE EACH PLAYER IN A
TRYOUT.
You cannot move a "travel team" intact into the league and not draft.
In addition to this, any "competitive" division must be drafted. There are
two guidelines Little League uses when reviewing team/division formation
processes to determine if the division is "competitive". They are:
1. If you keep score, it's a competitive division - OR
2. If you create an All-Star or District Team from that division.
IF EITHER of the conditions are met, Then it qualifies as a "competitive"
division. If it is a competitive division, then you MUST DRAFT. The Draft
MUST be held in accordance with the Little League Rules.
District All-Stars at some point in the Last 2 years had the following
Divisions playing:
8-10
9-11
Majors
Intermediate
Since those Divisions appeared at Districts, they all would have required a
draft to start the season. As part of the draft, a tryout cycle is required
so that ALL MANAGERS can see ALL PLAYERS.
So what happens if the Draft is not done or not done according to the rules
? The DA can elect not to certify the All-Star candidate team and not allow
the league to have representation at the District or higher tournament for
that division.
Who doesn't have to draft?
First, no draft is necessary in T-BALL, or any division you don't keep score
in (but don't provide an all-star team). So - all 4-6 year olds don't draft.
7-8 year (coach pitch or machine pitch) don't draft. SOME 8-10 don't draft
because they don't keep score, and don't send all-stars to district.
everybody else drafts.. If you want an 8-10 year old to go to all-stars in
9-11 team, or as a major, you must draft.
The reason for this policy is to A) Create more playing opportunities for
all kids and B) to create a parity among the teams and C) encourage the
league to pick good coaches and managers for ALL teams.
And to RE-iterate, YOU CANNOT bring a travel team into the league intact. It
is not allowed. It's also specifically prohibited in the rules. Email or
Call if you have questions. I would like ALL LEAGUES TO REPORT THE DATE(S)
of their TRYOUTS AND DRAFTS PLEASE. I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND OR HAVE AN ADA
ATTEND. IF POSSIBLE I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A ZOOM MEETING WITH ALL PLAYER
AGENTS AS WELL. HOPEFULLY IN THE FIRST WEEK IN FEB.
Let's play some baseball (or softball)!!
Regards
JP
DA WA 13
509-288-0141
