Teams and Tryouts

1. How are teams formed?

All teams from T-ball and Minor B division are assembled by the player agent.  Minor A  through Senior division will be drafted.  The tryouts are simply a way to assure a fair distribution of talent among the teams in each division, as the managers take notes and then conduct the draft. Please review the current league schedule for tryout dates.

2. Can I request a specific manager and/or that my child play with their friends on the same team?

In the T-Ball and Farm divisions we will try to honor special requests.  However, we do not guarantee the request will be met.  In Minor American through Senior divisions, we do not accept special play requests.  Teams in these divisions are selected via the draft process.

3. What are tryouts? 

A tryout is an event that the League holds in which a player's current baseball skills are evaluated and assessed by Little League division managers.  Players will be rated on the following skills: (1) Fielding fly balls (2) Fielding ground balls (3) Throwing (4) Batting and (5) Running. Depending on the number of players, tryouts will generally run somewhere between 90 minutes to two hours.  Tryouts are scheduled throughout the day in various groups, typically organized by league age.

All players with League Age of 8 or higher MUST attend at least 50% of tryouts for his/her age group and are strongly encouraged to attend all tryouts.  Players who cannot meet such a requirement, must notify the league and provide a reason to the Chief Player Agent in order to be considered as part of the draft or placed on a team.  High school players are the only exception.

4. We have finished tryouts.  How do I know what team my child is on?

The draft is typically held 1–2 weeks after tryouts.  MSJLL asks that all Managers contact their players within one week after the draft to set up their first meeting or practice.  If you have not been contacted within that time, please contact the Player Agent.

5. Can players play "up"?

MPLL strongly believes in its draft procedure’s ability to appropriately place players. Players with concerns regarding their assignment to a certain Division should discuss those concerns with the Player Agent, the Chief Player Agent, and/or the President prior to the draft so that those concerns can be adequately communicated to the drafting managers. Ultimately, the decision to move the child up will be made by the managers during the draft or in conjunction with recommendations from the Player Agents and Board.

6. How are teams drafted?

Teams are drafted in accordance to the Little League rules and MPLL bylaws.  The coaches with oversight from the Boad and Player agent go back and forth selecting kids to form the team that the Coach is trying to build.

7. If there is a need for additional players at a higher level, what is the “call-up” process?

In the event a player needs to be called up from a lower level, a request for additional player will be made from the Coach to the Player agent .  The Player agent will select the appropriate child and discuss with the parents.

8. What if I have an issue with my child's manager or my child is unhappy with the team they are placed on?

Speak with the manager about your concerns.  Ninety-nine percent of the time this will take care of the issue.  If you still are not satisfied, your next contact would be the Player Agent for that Division. Only in extreme cases does the league allow children to switch teams after the teams have been formed.  Team balance is established early on, and changes of this type are difficult, if not impossible, to implement without upsetting the balance that has been established. If you feel the issue is critical you are always free to contact the President/VP/CPA directly.