Arizona District Three Little League Baseball & Softball

Arizona District Three Little League Baseball & Softball
The PLAYER’S Agent

Player Agent Player Registrations Player Tryouts Player Draft / Options Duration of Title Trading Team Registration / Release of Players Roster Submission / Changes Replacements Tournament Teams Training and Development - Second Season

Site Based Registrations Have multiple dates available Paperwork Needed Enrollment Applications Medical Releases Boundary Maps Financial Statement Volunteer Applications Tryout / Draft Explanation

Site Based Registrations People Needed Hand out and explain Registration Forms Verify Proof of Age Verify Proof of Residency Verify and Complete Regulation II(d) Waiver if needed. Sign up Volunteers Managers Coaches Umpires Sponsors Team Parents Board or Committee Members Hand out League information Assign players numbers for draft Accept Registration/Membership Payment

Online Registrations Website MUST have posted Boundary Map link and posted on the map site: “XYZ Little League MAY NOT accept registrations for players who do not reside in the boundaries of the league. If you do not reside within the shaded area in the map, please refer to “League Boundary Maps” at www.azd3.com.” ALL Players are required to provide an ORIGINAL Proof of Birth prior to Try-outs. The Proof of Birth MAY NOT be photo copies. For more information, please refer to the Proof of Birth Requirements (provide a link to the copy of the LL requirements).

Online Registrations All Players are required to provide no less than THREE (3) Proof of Residency documents and may not be dated PRIOR to FEBRUARY 1, 2011. The Proof of Residency Documents MUST be one separate item from the list below. You may not have more than one item from a category. For example, a Water Bill and an Electric Bill are both “Utilities” and will count as only ONE item. Players will not be allowed to tryout until the Proof of Age and Proof of Residency Documents have been verified by a league official.

Online Registrations If the player played in XYZ Little League LAST YEAR and you have moved outside of the league’s boundaries, PLEASE CONTACT THE PLAYER AGENT or LEAGUE PRESIDENT. Note: Any person willfully and knowingly providing false information will be removed from the league and possibly referred to Little League International, where the person(s) may be banned from Little League. ALL Players MUST tryout to be eligible for the draft – AT ANY LEVEL. If a Player is unable to attend a tryout, please contact the League Player Agent, Mr. P. Agent at (602) 555-1234 or p.agent@xzyll.org.

Registrations Understand that parents/guardians have only five rights when they sign up their player. The right to sign their child(ren) up The right to vote for a board of directors Vote to approve any changes to the Constitution The right to offer to volunteer The right to remove their child(ren) from the league. They MAY NOT Dictate what team, manager, coach or division their child may or may not play in. In other words, they may not tell the league their child will only play in the Minor Division, or must be placed with a certain coach. The Board must explain that their child will be placed in the level in which will best suit their abilities. Explain the selection process is set by Little League. However, the Player Agent may express the parent’s concerns at the draft, but NO ONE may dictate to a manager who the may or may not select to their team.

PROOF-OF-AGE REQUIREMENTS ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF PROOF OF BIRTH DATE 1. Original proof of age document, if issued by federal, state or provincial registrars of vital statistics in the country in which the Little Leaguer is participating. 2. If country of participation differs from the country of proof of age document, original proof-of-age document issued by federal, state or provincial registrars of vital statistics, or local offices thereof, are acceptable proof of age, provided the document was filed, recorded, registered or issued within one (1) year of the birth of the child. 3. An original document issued by federal, state or provincial registrars of vital statistics, or local offices thereof, listing the date of birth, with reference to the location and issue date of the original birth certificate, is acceptable. (The original birth certificate referenced must have been filed, recorded, registered or issued within one (1) year of the birth of the child.) Also issued by these agencies are photocopies of the certificated of live birth with the certification also photocopied, including the signature, and include the seal of impressed thereon. Such documents are acceptable without “live” signatures, provided the original filed, recorded, registered or issued date of the birth certificate was within one (1) year of the date of birth. 4. For children born abroad of a parent or parents who are U.S. citizens, any official government document issued by a U.S. federal agency or service, is acceptable. For military dependents, Department of Defense identification cards and military hospital certificates are acceptable. These must be originals, not copies, and must refer to a filing, recording, registration, or issue date that is within one (1) year of the birth of the child. 5. A “Statement in Lieu of Acceptable Proof of Birth” issued by a District Administrator is acceptable. NOT ACCEPTABLE AS SOLE PROOF OF BIRTH: Baptismal Certificate; Certificate of Blessing; Certificate of Dedication; Certificate of Circumcision, etc.; Hospital Certificate; photocopied records.

RESIDENCE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Each local Little League determines the actual geographic boundaries of the area from within which it shall select players. These boundaries must be described in detail and shown on a map and dated when making application for a Little League charter. Players will be eligible to play with that league only if they reside within the boundaries provided to and approved by Little League Baseball, Incorporated. A player will be deemed to reside within the league boundaries if: A. His/her parents are living together and are residing within such league boundaries, OR; B. Either of the player’s parents (or his/her court-appointed legal guardian) reside within such boundaries. It is unacceptable if a parent moves into a league’s boundaries for the purpose of qualifying for tournament play. As detailed later in these rules, the penalty for violation of this rule may, in Little League Baseball, Incorporated’s discretion, result in the disqualification of a player, team or entire league from regular season and/or tournament play.

RESIDENCE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS “Residence,” “reside” and “residing” refers to a place of bona fide continuous habitation. A place of residence once established shall not be considered changed unless the parents, parent or guardian makes a bona fide change of residence. Residence shall be established and supported by documents, dated or in force between February 1, 2012 (previous year) and February 1, 2013 (current year), from THREE OR MORE of the following categories to determine residency of such parent(s) or guardian: Any documents submitted as proof of residence mush show customary usage or consumption to demonstrate bona fide continuous habitation as determined by Little League Baseball, Incorporated in its discretion. Players and their parents/guardians are advised that a false statement of residence may lead to ineligibility to play Little League Baseball or Softball.

RESIDENCE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 1. Driver’s License 2. Voter’s Registration 3. School records 4. Welfare/child care records 5. Federal records 6. State records 7. Local (municipal) records 8. Support payment records 9. Homeowner or tenant records 10. Utility bills (i.e., gas, electric, water/sewer, phone, mobile phone, heating, waste disposal) 11. Financial (loan, credit, investments, etc.) records 12. Insurance documents 13. Medical records 14. Military records 15. Internet, cable or satellite records 16. Vehicle records 17. Employment records NOTE: Example – Three utility bills (three items from No. 10 above) constitute only ONE document.

RESIDENCE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Under NO circumstances does ANY person have the authority to grant a waiver that allows a child to play in a local Little League program IN ANY DIVISION, when that child does not qualify under these residency requirements. If the claim for residency is challenged, three of the above materials must be submitted to Little League Baseball, Incorporated, with an affidavit of residency from the parent(s) or guardian. Little League Baseball, Incorporated shall decide the issue, in its sole discretion, and that decision will final and binding. It does not matter that the player is “only” in Tee-Ball, “my 3 year old can hit coach pitch,” “they will never play all-stars,” “they go to the same school as his friends who play in the league” OR ANY OTHER REASON! If they don’t provide the Original Proof of Age (even if they did it last year) and Proof of Residency and/or they live outside your boundaries – DO NOT SIGN THEM UP. There are only TWO REQUIREMENTS TO PLAY IN LITTLE LEAGUE! The player is between the ages of 4 and 18. The player lives within the boundary of the league.

Registrations Who is responsible for verifying the Proof of Age and Proof of Residency? By Regulation, the PRESIDENT is the person dedicated with the responsibly to verify that EVERY Player is of the age to play in Little League and resides in the boundaries of the league. The Player Agent is dedicated to ASSIST the President in the verification process. NOTE: If your league follows the Registration Process as described, when it comes tournament time, the documents will all be ready BEFORE the player is selected to the team. NOTE2: For a player to be selected to a tournament team, they must be ELIGIBLE BEFORE they are selected – meaning you know they have been verified for Proof of Age and Residency.

Regulation II(d) waiver Regulation II(d) provides that if a player In the PRIOR Spring Season, played in the league, AND; Has moved outside of the leagues boundaries or the boundaries have changed to where he now resides outside of the league. The player could qualify for a Regulation II(d) waiver. The process is; The Board approves to seek the waiver, AND; The parents/guardians provide THREE (3) documents listed in the Proof of Residency dated from the previous year showing they resided in the boundaries of the league, AND; The Regulation II(d) Waiver is APPROVED by the District Administrator. THE PLAYER MAY NOT TRYOUT OR BE ASSIGNED TO A TEAM UNTIL THE WAIVER IS APPROVED! Once the waiver is approved, it remains in place for the remainder of their career in Little League AND applies to any sibling. The Local League MUST maintain a copy. It is recommended you give the parents/guardians a copy as well and tell them to keep it with the proof of birth they provided.

Other Waivers It a parent/guardian can not provide any documentation for either Registration or for the Regulation II(d) Waiver, the league does have one other option on a case-by-case basis. It’s called the “Request for Waiver of Little League Rules and Regulations.” (Note: The League President should discuss the situation with me BEFORE submitting the waiver. The process is: The Board Approves seeking the waiver, The President writes a DETAILED letter with; The EXACT Rule or Regulation; Detailed reason for the waiver The President submits the waiver to the DA The DA can comment (NOT APPROVED OR DENY) on the waiver, The DA submits the waiver to Western Region, They may comment (and in some cases as outlined by the Charter Committee-approved or deny) on the wavier. Western Region presents the case to the Charter Committee The Charter Committee will approve or deny and will send a WRITTEN response to the request to Western Region, the DA and the league President. NOTE: The league may not do anything UNTIL THE WAIVER IS APPROVED IN WRITING! The means the player may not tryout or be assigned to a team.

DEADLINE The DEADLINE for a Regulation II (d) Waiver is BEFORE the player is allowed to tryout. The DEADLINE for a Special Waiver is BEFORE the player is allowed to tryout. If you try to submit a Regulation II(d) Waiver AFTER your tryouts, it very likely be DENIED by me. If you try to submit a Request for Wavier that pertains to a players age or residency AFTER your tryouts, it will likely comment that it should NOT be granted because the request should have been submitted prior to the player being allowed to tryout and/or assigned to a team. Additionally, I may send your league a “Charter Letter” stating you have violated LL Regulations and the Board will have to respond as to why it happened and what will be done to prevent it in the future. A copy of the letter also goes to Western Region and the Charter Committee.

Tryouts The Player Agent CONDUCTS the Tryouts & Draft Meaning they will need lost of help with the tryout, but they are responsible for the tryout. They are the ONLY Board Member responsible for the Draft. The Player Agent decides who will attend the draft. Have multiple tryouts Prepare a tryout list: Assign numbers to players by age: 901=9 year old, 1201 = 12 year old Organize the tryouts by division If you have cross over age levels, organize the tryouts by AGE. Attach the player number to the player. Provide copies to the Managers in attendance Note: Will review why later, but there are NO COACHES at this point yet.

Tryouts Have an Independent Rater for each level Have the players tryout and score for these areas: Hitting – 5 to 6 pitches, best from a pitching machine. Running – have them run to 1st base on last hit. Fielding & Throwing 3-4 balls at Shortstop, having them throw to 1st base. 3-4 fly balls in the outfield, having them throw to 2nd base. Scores should be 1 to 5 in all areas. Generally, players scoring 15 to 25 are “Major Division” quality.

The Draft The Board determined the draft method. May vary by division. If there are no changes to the number of Major teams, the Board needs to select Plan A, Plan B, Plan B Alternative or Plan C. Set the date as soon as the completion of tryouts as possible. Still give Managers the time to review their observations.

The Draft The Player Agent conducts the draft. They are the only person on the Board who can decide WHO will attend the draft. Reason is to keep the draft as fair and impartial as possible. It is recommended to have One person maintain the Draft Lists. One person to maintain the Registration forms, placing them in team piles as they are drafted. One person to maintain the Draft Rotations and monitor Draft Options. The draft MUST remain secret No one may DEMAND to attend the draft. Since it is dealing with PLAYER MEMBERS, it is not an “Open Meeting” to other members. NO player should EVER know at what point they were drafted. Anyone found giving out the information could be suspended for the remainder of the year. There are NO Coaches yet (more on that soon).

The Draft The selection of players for the various teams within a league shall be in compliance with the Little League Draft Selection System as detailed in the Operations Manual. Any league found using any other method or deviating from they draft system, could be subject to being told to REDRAFT the teams as well as suspension from tournament play. ALL Player Candidates League Age twelve (12) MUST be drafted to a Major Division team. The ONLY exception is with the submission of a 12 year old Waiver. MUST be submitted and APPROVED prior to the draft The waiver can only be initiated BY THE PARENT. Approved by the Board. Submitted to the DA. I will ask for all tryout ratings and I may ask to see the player tryout. The DA will then either approve or deny. The DA approval is the LAST line of the process. It may not be appealed to LL. Any waiver submitted after the draft WILL NOT BE APPROVED. You will be told to place the player on a Major team.

The Draft Options There are only FOUR (4) Options in the draft process. Some require written notice to the Player Agent 48 hours prior to the draft. Some options will not apply of using Plan B draft method (which will be reviewed). The Options are: Brother/Sister Option Brother/Sister of Player Currently on a team Sons/Daughters of Managers Sons/Daughters of Coaches There are NO Sponsor, babysitter, car-pool, school, board member or any other options.

Brother/Sister Two or more siblings in the draft, first brother or sister is drafted Manager automatically has the option to draft the other brother or sister on the next turn Failure to exercise the options makes the second sibling available to be drafted by any team.

Brother/Sister on a Team Manager may submit an option on a draftee if the player candidate’s brother or sister is a member of a manager’s team. (Plan A draft method only.) If the option is submitted, the Manager MUST draft the sibling within the first THREE draft rounds.

Sons/Daughters of Managers If a manager has a Son/Daughter eligible for the draft, they must submit the option in writing 48 hours prior to the draft. Manager must exercise the option at or before a specified round based on age. Parent/Manager Option takes priority over any other option. Note: Provision applies for managers having eligible brothers/sisters in the draft.

Sons/Daughters of Coaches New Coaches SHALL NOT be appointed NOR APPROVED until AFTER the draft. A returning Coach may exercise the option THROUGH the Manager PROVIDED: The Coach has served as a coach or manager, at any level, for the past TWO (2) years, AND; The Coach is returning to the same MAJOR league team as last year. Note: In order to exercise this option, the coach MUST qualify under BOTH conditions. Since Plan B does not have returning players to team, there are no RETURNING TEAMS.

Draft Rounds If option is submitted for Son/Daughter of a Manager or Coach, the candidate is only protected in or before the following rounds. Note: Minors and Tee-Ball – the lowest age is in the 5th round and subsequent ages follow.

The Draft League MUST use the draft methods outlined in the Little League Operations Manual. Team Expansion and Reduction plans are outlined in the Operating Manual if the league uses the Plan A Method. Contact me for any questions regarding the draft methods. ANY league using any other method and it is discovered: If prior to the first game of the season, the league could be told to re-draft the teams. Refusal could result in the Little League Charter being suspended or revoked. If after the first game, the league could have their charter suspended or revoked. Which means, the league will not play in any tournaments; the board could be removed and new board appointed; the league is shut down and all assets would be taken over by Little League.

Duration of Title Once a player is selected to a Major Division team, they then become the property of that team. If the league re-drafts entire teams (Plan B), then once a player is selected to a Major Division team, they must remain in the Major Division for the remainder of their Little League career. NO Player may be “moved” down to the Major Division FOR ANY REASON started the moment a Major Division Manager selects him to a team unless they are released by the Manager and APPROVED by the Board. The league MUST notify a Major Division player, IN WRITING, from the previous year who has not signed up, if they do not register by a certain date, they will be released. If the league fails to do this, and the player signs up AFTER the draft, the league MUST place him on a Major team.

Policies for ALL Draft Methods NO player may know when they were drafted. The Player Agent conducts the draft and is “in charge” of the draft. The Board may not interject into any part of the draft EXCEPT the type of draft for the Major Division – Plan A or Plan B. Only the Manager of the team and the APPROVED coach, provided they met the criteria, may attend the draft. Again, NO COACHES may be nominated or approved until AFTER the draft, unless they are returning to the SAME team and have coached the previous TWO years.

Policies for ALL Draft Methods No Board Member nor Regular Member of the Draft may “demand” to attend the draft. The Player Agent decides who will assist him with the draft. For the Major Division, there may not be less than 12 players per team, no more than 15 and all teams must have the same number of players. There may not be more than eight players of the same league age on any team. ALL 12 year olds MUST be selected to a Major Division team. If after the completion of the draft, it is discovered there are any 12 year olds left, the draft MUST be redone COMPLETELY.

Policies for ALL Draft Methods If your league has a cross over in league ages between the divisions, meaning, for example: Majors 10-12 Minors 8-11 Farm 7-9 Tee-Ball 4-7 Then the drafts should all be one following the other. Majors – Noon to 2:00 Minors – 2:00 to 4:00 Farm – 4:00 to 6:00 Tee-Ball – 6:00 to 8:00 Or at the very least, Majors and Minors together. While the upper level is selecting the players, the Player Agent may allow the lower level attend the draft so they can check off who is being selected. BUT it must be made clear, they are not allowed to participate in ANY MANNER, including sighs, coughs, expressions. Make them sit in the back of the room.

Policies for ALL Draft Methods After Tryouts if there are players who did not attend a tryout, the board MAY approve the reason for missing the tryout and allow them to be eligible for the draft. The Board may NOT restrict what level they can be selected to because of missing the tryout. For example, may not be selected to a Major Team. Once the board decides the age levels for the divisions, then ALL players in those age levels are eligible to be selected. For example, the board or player agent may not tell the managers they can select from a limited list of 10 year olds to the majors. ALL 10 year olds are eligible.

Draft Methods Draft Situations No changes to the number of teams Players return to the same teams Players are all redrafted. The league is expanding teams The league is reducing teams.

Plan A Draft This is the method in which all Major Division players from the previous year return to their respective teams. The league is keeping the same number of teams as the previous year. The draft order is the reverse order in which the teams placed at the end of the spring season. Teams who will need to select eight (8) or more players to fill their roster will have a BONUS ROUND following the 4th Draft Round. Example: 6 team league, 30 players returning. 12 Players per team. 42 Players need to be drafted. Team 6 – 7 returning players Team 5 – 5 returning players Team 4 – 6 Returning players Team 3 – 3 Returning players Team 2 – 4 Returning Players Team 1 – 5 Returning Players

Plan A Example

Plan B Draft Two Options to Plan B Option 1 All Players are returned to the pool. Two Part Draft Part One – Returning players are drafted FIRST. Part Two – Eligible Players are drafted. Options are the SAME for both rounds. Option 2 (and this is the Draft Method for Tee-Ball and Minors) All players are returned to the draft. Both returning players and eligible players are drafted at the same time. The Player Agent MUST make sure ALL returning players AND 12 year olds are selected to teams. IF a returning player or a 12 year old does not get selected, the draft MUST be redone COMPLETELY. Only ONE set of Options. BOTH method MUST use the Serpentine Draft Order. 6-5-4-3-2-1-1-2-3-4-5-6, etc.

Plan B Draft Example: 6 team league, 29 players returning. 12 Players per team. 43 Players need to be drafted.

Alternative Plan B Draft Example: 6 team league, 29 players returning. 12 Players per team. 43 Players need to be drafted. All players, returning and eligible players, are drafted at the same time. The Player Agent need to keep track of the returning players making sure all are selected to a team. The Player Agent still MUST keep track of the 12 Year Olds making sure they are all selected to a team. Recommend the names and draft numbers of players are placed on a board or display and reviewed at the end of each round. If, at the conclusion of 12 players selected, and there are any returning players or 12 year olds not selected to the team, the ENTIRE draft MUST be redone.

Tee-Ball and Minor Drafts Tee-Ball and Minor Drafts are conducted as outlined in the Plan B Draft method. ALL Minor teams are NEW teams. There are no returning players. The Board of Directors decide the minimum and maximum number of players per team. There are no minimum nor maximum number of players required by regulation, but the number still must be approved by the board. Note: Rule 1.0 still says the game is played with nine (9) players, so there is, so to speak, a minimum number of nine (9). The draft order is from LAST place team from the year before and reverse order. It adding or removing a team, it is recommended the draft order be drawn from a hat before the draft begins. It is recommended the draft order be drawn from a hat.

Tee-Ball and Minor Drafts

Expansion/Reductions It is recommended that if a league is going to expand or reduce the number of Major teams to go to a Plan B draft. There are other methods but very complicated. Please contact me if your league wants to expand/reduce the number of teams and don’t want to redraft. I’ll talk you out of it…(kidding).

Trades By rule, trades may be made up to two weeks following the start of the season. HOWEVER, it is recommended the league set a policy that ALL trades must occur immediately following the draft and before the Managers leave the room. The Player Agent MUST approve all trades. The Trades must be for like players – and may NEVER be for a draft round.

Post Draft Registration forms and Rosters Player Agent must submit the rosters to LLBB through the Data Center. The is a template excel spreadsheet that is to be used. Rosters must be submitted to me at the same time they are submitted to LLBB. If the Rosters are not submitted to LLBB by June 3, the league will be ineligible to participate in tournaments. If the Rosters are not submitted to me by May 1, the league will not participate in the Tournament of Champions. The Registration Forms and Team rosters are the property of LLBB and the local league. Any league determined to distribute the information of the players could face the possibility of having their charter suspended or revoked. NO ONE is to see the information on the Rosters except the Managers, Coaches, Player Agents and President.

Late Sign Ups Must follow the same verification process as registrations. Proof of Age Proof of Residency The Board must approve the player as an eligible candidate to be placed on a team since they did not attend 50% of the tryouts. The player may not be placed on a team until this occurs. Waiting lists are in the order of the date AND time they are approved. The league must set a policy on how major players will be replaced. Waiting list FIRST, then eligible candidates in the minors.

Replacement of Players A manager MUST notify the Player Agent if a player is repeatedly absent. Failure to notify the Player Agent is cause for disciplinary action by the board up to and including removal from the team. A Manager may lose a player because of a move, injury (board must set the amount of time a player can be absent from the team-more on this is a moment), personal reasons or any other justifiable reason.

Replacement Process The Manager notifies the Player Agent. Player Agent notifies the President and the Board. The President sends a letter to the player stating the player is RELEASED from the team. The Player Agent and the Manager will review an available player list and shall select a replacement. The Player Agent contacts the player. The player becomes a permanent member of the team. NOTE: The reason of “Player Ability” or “Safety Issue” is NOT a justifiable reason to release a player.

Replacement Process The Manager MAY NOT notify a player or have ANY contact with a minor player to discuss being the replacement. The Manager MAY NOT contact the parents as well. The Manager is to only have contact with players THROUGH the Player Agent. The Manager may not select any other players other than those provided from the list provided by the Player Agent. If there are no players on a waiting list AT THE TIME the released player is removed, the manager may ONLY select a player from the Minors.

Replacement Player Once the manager has given the name of a player to the Player Agent, the Player Agent will contact the PLAYER – not the parents, or players current manager. The player is informed he has been selected to a Major team. If the player does not approve, they are: Ineligible to be selected to a Major team for the remainder of the year. The board SHOULD have set a policy of any additional actions to be taken if the player does not approve.

Replacement Player However, this is a suggested method in order to prevent a disruption. When the Player Agent calls the player, the Player Agent should ask: “If the opportunity came up for you to play in the Major Division, would you take it?” If the player says yes, then let him know what team he has been assigned to and his new Manager’s contact information. If the player says no, then the Player Agent will say thanks and continue to the next player selected. You may not provide them with ANY other information. Even if they ask.

Intervention from Others If, a Major Manager/Coach has ANY contact with a player, and/or; If the Minor Manager/Coach has ANY contact with a player, with the intent to either encourage or discourage them from being moved up, the Manager/Coach is subject to REMOVAL by the Board of Directors. Just as at Registrations, Try-outs and Drafts, the PARENTS have NO say or input in the process. The player may be provided time to talk with the parents, but again, the player should contact the Player Agent and a time limit should be given.

Injuries The Board should have decided in the Fall, what time frame should a player be unable to play due to an injury before they are released and replaced. It is recommended the limit be 2-3 weeks and at the most, no more than 40% of the scheduled games. It is unfair the team plays with one less player for a significant period of time. Once the player is released due to injury – they are OFF the team. Once released, and if they are able to play before the season ends, they will have to re-register and go on the waiting list.

Manager/Coaches/Players Removed from a Game If a manager/coach/player is removed from the game by the umpire FOR ANY REASON; They MUST not attend the next scheduled game. May not sit in the stands, Park their car outside of the field, Use any electronic means to communicate with the team during the game. There is no appeal. The board may not overrule the suspension, regardless if the umpire was correct or not. The rule does not provide for such actions. It just says they MUST not attend the next scheduled game. The Board may remove a manager/coach/player if they attend the next game.

Mandatory Play All Player must play NO less than SIX (6) consecutive outs and one time at bat. The only exception is if the game is shortened due to weather. Penalties Written warning Suspended for one game Suspended for the remainder of the season. Again, there is not appeal. Again, the Board may not overrule the penalty. It is recommended that the Player Agent audit EVERY team’s scorebook from time to time.

Schedules The schedules MUST be approved by the Board. Double-Headers with the SAME teams are permitted in Majors and above. Double-Headers in Minors and below ARE NOT permitted. The schedule should have no less than TWO (2) games per week and should have no more than THREE (3) games per week. Your board will decide when they will begin and end. Regular Season games should not go beyond June 15th. Little League is NOT a “school” sport. It does not have to end when school gets out. Most other sports will start/continue/end on different dates than school. Why should LL be different?

Combined League Play Combined League Play is to allow two to three leagues where they may not have enough players to fill a team to COMBINE together to form a team or teams. The leagues must be contiguous. The Application for Combined League Play must be completed BEFORE the teams are formed. The players are all COMBINED together. They all tryout together They are selected as if they are a single league Must submit a Common Pool Draft form as well. Must be approved by the District Administrator If players from more than one league will be COMBINED to form a tournament team, the forma MUST also be approved by Western Region.

Interleague Play Interleague Play is designed to allow two to three leagues where they have enough players for three or less teams to play with other leagues. The leagues must be contiguous. The Application for Interleague Play must be completed and APPROVED BEFORE the leagues attempt to start play. If players from any of the teams combine to form a single tournament team, the application MUST also be approved by Western Region.

Combined & Interleague Play The Board of Directors from each league will select a representative to the Combined or Interleague Administration. Usually, the player agent. The act as “the board” as far as any rule decisions. Example: 10-Run Rule, batting the roster or order, etc. The Interleague Committee is made up of the DA, Presidents or their designee of each league. Before the application will be considered, starting in 2013, each league will complete a Interleague Agreement. No Agreement, I will not approve the applications. The Interleague Agreement will address Manager/Coach selection (for Combined Play), rules, payments for fields/umpires, disciplinary actions and protest committees. Other issue may be addressed.

Tournaments The local league determines the selection process for Managers, Coaches and Players. The local league President MAY NOT manage or coach a tournament teams. (Don’t even try a Request for Waiver – I guarantee it will be denied.) Player Agents may not manage or coach in the division in which they are in charge of. Therefore, they may not manage or coach a tournament team in the level in which they oversee. IF your league has the title “VP” but they have any or all the responsibilities dictated to a Player Agent, is considered a Player Agent.

Tournaments Baseball Tournament of Champions 9-10 Year Olds 10-11 Year Olds Little League (Majors) (Note: There is no such thing as an 11-12 All Star team – it is the Little League All Star Team. 11-12 infers that ALL 11 and 12 year olds are eligible. Only Major players are eligible. Juniors Seniors Softball 9-10 Year Olds 10-11 Year Olds Little League (Majors) Juniors

Tournament of Champions League must: Be current with LLBB, Be current with District Assessments, Must have an APPROVED Safety Plan, Must have had representation at 70% of the District Monthly Meetings, including these trainings. Teams are “Invited” to participate in the tournament. The FIRST place team OR the winner of a First Half/Second Half play-off. NOT the winner of an end of year tournament. Reason – the first items is the league champions as defined in the rule book. Must be the players on the Regular Season roster. May not “borrow” players from another team. If first place team unable to attend, the league may send the second place team. After that, the league will be unable to play in the tournament.

Manager/Coach Selections The league Board of Directors should have set the policy in which to select the All-Star Manager and Coaches 9-10’s Must be ROSTERED Managers/Coaches in the Minors or Majors 10-11’s Must be ROSTERED Managers/Coaches in the Minors or Majors Little League (Majors) Must be ROSTERED Managers/Coaches in the MAJORS ONLY. Juniors Must be ROSTERED Managers/Coaches in the Juniors or Seniors Seniors Must be a ROSTERED Manager/Coach in the Juniors/Seniors

Manager/Coach Selections Recommend to have a voting process and let the players select. Other possible options: First place Manager, 2nd place Manager, 3rd place Manager First place Manager, they select the coaches The board has a committee who recommends to the board who will manage/coach. Please be careful with the selection. Too many “club” coaches have coaches an All-Star team, and they don’t return the following year. The Managers and Coaches should be dedicated adults to the LITTLE LEAGUE program. Don’t forget too, they are the first representation of YOUR LEAGUE at tournaments.

All-Star Teams There may be ONE Manager and up to TWO Coaches per team. This is all that is allowed on the Tournament Affidavit. There is no minimum to the number of players on a tournament team. There may not be more than 14 players on a tournament team affidavit. A Manager/Coach is allowed to miss ONE game and have a temporary replacement. After that, they are to be replaced for the rest of the tournament. When a player is removed from the affidavit, they may NOT return. Players may play on only ONE tournament team.

Player Eligibility ALL Players must; Be able to provide the ORGINAL Proof of Birth; Be able to provide the Proof of Residency as defined; Must have played at least 60% of the games played by the team. Must be able to participate for the entire tournament. In short – They must have the eligibility, They must have the ability, They must have the availability to play in tournaments. Since the President and Player Agent verified and should have asked to see the Original Proof of Birth and at least 3 residencies when they signed up, the parents should have the documents already.

Other Eligibility 9-10’s Must be league age 9 or 10. (No matter HOW good the 8 year old is, or if the player turned 9 after April 30.) Must have played 60% of the games in the Minors or Major Division 10-11 Must be league age 10 or 11. Must have played 60% of the games in the Minor or Major Division Little League (Majors) Must be league age 11 or 12 Must have played 60% of the games in the Major Division Juniors Must be league age 13 or 14 Must have played 60% of the games in the Juniors or Senior Division. Note-Those who played in AIA sanctioned school baseball, the clock starts when they are released from playing in the school program. 15 year olds who received a waiver to play in Juniors ARE NOT eligible. Seniors Must be league age 14, 15 or 16 Must have played in 60% of the games in the Senior Division.

Tournament Certifications 9-10 Baseball will be scheduled to have their team certified by me or my designee, usually the second or third weekend of June. The remaining levels and divisions will be scheduled to have their team certified, usually the third or fourth weekend of June. The President and Player Agent are responsible for the accuracy and truth of the information on the Tournament Affidavit. What is checked? Verify the Original Proof of Birth Verify the Proof of Residency is in the league’s boundaries, that THREE proofs are provided, AND they are dated between February 1, 2011 and February 1, 2013. If ONE item is not accurate or provided, the player will NOT be allowed to play.

Tournaments Number 1 Question. What are the dates for tournaments? First, TOC will start on or about June 15th. Could be a little earlier or later. But generally about the second week of June All other tournaments: 9-10’s generally will start following TOC. Around the 3rd week of June. All others will start anytime between June 28th and July 5th, depending on the number of teams. When do they end? I can NEVER give you a hard date when they end. Why? They end when you are eliminated. 9-10’s and 10-11’s end at the State Tournament level, They end usually the last week of July. Little League (Majors), Juniors and Seniors end at the World Series. They can end from mid to the end of August. ALL Players must be willing to play the ENTIRE time.

Tournaments The tournaments are run by Little League Baseball. During tournaments, I am responsible for the District level of the tournament levels. My decisions are limited to: Where they will be played Direct the Tournament Staff and Site Directors When they will be played The format of the District Tournament (double eliminations, pool, etc.) Securing the umpires for the tournament games Inform Manager of their one game suspension if removed Interpret tournament rules for managers, coaches and umpires. Anything else, I must contact the Little League Tournament Committee and follow their directions.

Training and Development The Second Season Little League Regulations still must be followed Including boundaries, even if the neighboring league does not have a fall program. Little League playing rules may be somewhat relaxed. This is Training and Development. The teams MAY NOT be the same teams from the Spring. Use the week for practice, clinics, station to station training, etc. Play games on the weekend to apply what was taught during the week. Note: ANY inter-leagues formed during the TAD season will not be the same in the SPRING.

Arizona District Three Little League Baseball & Softball