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
