Why is GLL not conducting a player tryout in order to form tournament teams?
- Performance during a long-term, competitive regular season offers the most dependable prediction of a player's expected ability.
- A tryout typically involves reviewing a player's performance during a singular event which is also usually a non-game situation, and hence offers a limited relative preview of player’s ability.
- A tryout process becomes more complicated and less fair if/when a player is unable to attend the tryout.
- Conducting a tryout is both labor and time intensive, especially for volunteer coaches and volunteer board members.
- Allowing players and coaches to vote anonymously in the comfort of their own spaces is the most efficient way for the Board to (1) utilize volunteer time and (2) ensure that input/advice from all players and coaches is equally received and appropriately weighted.
- This process will reduce and/or completely eliminate many of the typical complaints, abuses, pressures, and charges of alleged favoritism against the League, which are directed towards the League President and Board Members.
Why are the team coach(es) from the regular season champion not automatically appointed as tournament team coach(es)?
- The coach(es) of the regular season champion, or even the regular season runner-up, may not be willing/able/qualified/experienced to also coach a postseason tournament team.
- For scheduling purposes, head coaches need to be appointed prior to the end of the regular season, and the regular season champion may not yet be determined by that time.
- The potential for 3 tournament teams exists but GLL has only two regular season divisions/champions, so relying solely upon that approach with cause mismatch issues to occur.
- This process will reduce and/or completely eliminate many of the typical complaints, abuses, pressures, and charges of alleged favoritism against the League, which are directed towards the League President and Board Members.
Why are team coach(es) from the regular season champion not allowed to unilaterally and/or completely/partially choose their tournament team roster?
- Little League regulations are based on a millennia of volunteer experience related to operating a youth sports league, and therefore require a democratic voting process to choose players and coaches.
- This process will reduce and/or completely eliminate many of the typical complaints, abuses, pressures, and charges of alleged favoritism against the League, which are directed towards the League President and Board Members.
Can the League President coach a tournament team?
- Yes, the League President can coach a tournament team with approval from the District Administrator.
Can a Majors Division player of League Age 11 or younger [or 10 and younger] who is not chosen for an older age tournament team automatically be rostered onto the applicable younger-aged team?
- No, not unless the player is on the VERIFIED LIST, and that player has received a vote from at least half of the Majors Division head coaches.