NSELL STATEMENT ON WILLIAMSPORT TOURNAMENT
Background
NSELL, under the auspices of the Tournament Committee of Williamsport (PA), sponsors an international tournament for players aged, 11 and 12. Players who meet the eligibility requirements and are selected for the team will compete in the Tournament, which culminates with an international and US champion, and a decisive game between the two champions in Williamsport, PA in August of each year. NSELL also sponsors similar tournament teams, one for players 11 and under and one for players aged 10 and 9. For those selected to play on these three teams, NSELL pays for all associated costs and provides uniforms. Because of the cost associated with these tournament teams, NSELL conducts fundraisers and encourages the parents of the players selected for these three teams to assist in fundraising efforts, to the extent they are able to do so. The selection process of players is not influenced in any fashion to any fundraising efforts. Furthermore, the selection process does not consider in any fashion the involvement of parents in NSELL. The Selection process is totally skills based, as more described below.
Eligibility
NSELL will select one team for each tournament level. At the discretion of the NSELL Board of Directors, the league may choose to field additional teams, but that determination is also subject to the rules promulgated by the Tournament Committee of Williamsport.
Tournament Team ages 11 and 12
Although most players will be 12 years old, 11 year olds are eligible under Tournament rules. To be eligible for selection, each player must: 1) provide LL approved evidence of birth date, 2) provide three documents proving residence within boundaries of NSELL, 3) played in the Majors division in the Spring, 4) have played in 60% of the player’s Spring team’s games, and 4) agree to be available for the Tournament’s games and practices. Parents will be required to sign an Affidavit (see below) certifying the player’s age, residence and availability.
Tournament Team 11 and under
This team will consist of mostly 11 year old players, but some younger players who have played in the Majors division in the Spring can be considered for this team. All 11 year old players, regardless of division, are eligible to try out for this team, although players in the Majors division in the Spring will be given preference. To be eligible for selection, each player must: 1) provide LL approved evidence of birth date, 2) provide three documents proving residence within boundaries of NSELL, 3) played in the Majors division, 4) have played in 60% of the player’s Spring team’s games, and 4) agree to be available for the Tournament’s games and practices. Parents will be required to sign an Affidavit (see below) certifying the player’s age, residence and availability.
Tournament Team 10 and 9 year olds
This team will consist of players aged 10 and 9. All players must have played in either the Majors, AAA, or AA divisions in the Spring. To be eligible for selection, each player must: 1) provide LL approved evidence of birth date, 2) provide three documents proving residence within boundaries of NSELL, 3) played in the Majors, AAA, or AA division, 4) have played in 60% of the player’s Spring team’s games, and 4) agree to be available for the Tournament’s games and practices. Parents will be required to sign an Affidavit (see below) certifying the player’s age, residence and availability.
Basic Information Regarding the Williamsport Tournament
NSELL teams will begin tournament play in District 10 towards the end of June. Little League International announces the tournament details in early June. District 10 utilizes a “pool play” format that normally lasts for two weeks or so and players will be required to be available for practice and/or games beginning June 15 including July 4th holiday. If the team wins the District 10 tournament, the next round of play is in the South sectional. South District champions play to determine the Sectional champion over about seven days. If the team wins the South Sectional tournament, it advances to the Massachusetts statewide tournament, then the New England regional and, finally, to Williamsport. If the team continues to win all the way to Williamsport, play could continue through mid-August. While progressing to Williamsport is difficult, the 2013 NSELL 12 and 11 team was the Massachusetts State Tournament Champion and advanced to the New England Regional Tournament. Anything is possible and families should consider the time commitment before agreeing to let their child participate in the tournament. Numerous players on the 2013 team skipped their summer sleep away camp and/or family vacations to play on the team. That commitment is required to participate. Parents of selected parents must sign a parent Affidavit which appears below.
Williamsport Manager and Coach Selections
NSELL uses the same process for selecting its Williamsport managers and coaches as it does with its Majors’ division managers. However, given these are tournament teams, only those persons with prior managing and coaching experience within NSELL, or current NSELL Board Members are eligible to interview. Any such person wanting to manage a Williamsport team is required to interview with the Board. Any Board member wishing to interview for a manger may not be part of the selection process. The Board will then vote to determine the manager for each team. The coaches for each team will be chosen by the manager. The criteria for being selected for a position will include prior Williamsport managing/coaching experience, prior managing/coaching experience in NSELL, baseball acumen, prior commitment to NSELL and prior managing/coaching evaluations. After all the interviews are completed, the Board shall vote for the managers for each team. The process for the voting shall be the same as selecting majors managers and tallied by Williamsport Coordinator. Once the managers are selected, they shall select their coaches within one week of their selection.
Williamsport Player Selection
The Williamsport Coordinator shall oversee the selection process to insure that all players are offered an equal opportunity to make the team. At least 4 people shall be involved in the selection of each team, but more are encouraged to be involved (specifically managers of the appropriate levels). Should not enough people volunteer for the selection process as outlined below, the Williamsport Coordinator shall recommend to the board who should be involved in the process. Each division may hold tryouts before selecting players. Each manager is encouraged to hold league clinics and then formal tryouts. Tryouts and clinics are open to any player who wishes to attend.
Players will be contacted by the tournament team manager shortly after selection, but not before June 15 in accordance with Little League regulations.
Tournament Team ages 11 and 12
Majors managers will nominate children to be considered for the team. The evaluators shall determine the first 9 potential players. No evaluator may vote for his own child. The last 4 players may be selected by the manager with the following limitations: A manager may not select their own child and a manager who has an ownership interest in, employment by or other relationship with any AAU or similar non-NSELL baseball team/facility/organization may not select a player affiliated with said program. Alternatively, a manager may allow all players to be selected by the evaluators and/or select less than three players, with the remaining players being selected by the evaluators.
Tournament Team 11 and under
Majors and AAA managers will nominate children to be considered for the team. The evaluators shall determine the first 9 potential players. No evaluator may vote for his own child. The last 4 players may be selected by the manager with the following limitations: A manager may not select their own child and a manager who has an ownership interest in, employment by or other relationship with any AAU or similar non-NSELL baseball team/facility/organization may not select a player affiliated with said program. Alternatively, a manager may allow all players to be selected by the evaluators and/or select less than three players, with the remaining players being selected by the evaluators.
Tournament Team 10 and 9 year olds
Majors and AAA managers will nominate children to be considered for the team. The evaluators shall determine the first 9 potential players. No evaluator may vote for his own child. The last 4 players may be selected by the manager with the following limitations: A manager may not select their own child and a manager who has an ownership interest in, employment by or other relationship with any AAU or similar non-NSELL baseball team/facility/organization may not select a player affiliated with said program. Alternatively, a manager may allow all players to be selected by the evaluators and/or select less than three players, with the remaining players being selected by the evaluators.
Documentation process
Once each team is selected, parents of the chosen players must immediately comply with the documentation process by providing the Williamsport Coordinator with all required documentation. The Williamsport Coordinator will provide the families with a list of the documentation required. The Williamsport Coordinator is required to accumulate all necessary documents so each player is qualified to play. In the event that a player is not qualified to play, the manager may select a replacement player subject to the restrictions stated above. Once all of the documentation is obtained, the Williamsport Coordinator is to provide same to the District Coordinator and obtain approval for each player, as well as place the required information in a binder for use during the tournament.
Conclusion
This process was selected after evaluating selection processes from other communities, NSELL’s prior experience and valuable input from members of the NSELL Board and past participants in the Williamsport tournament. NSELL believes this process is fair and allows for NSELL to field teams with the most baseball talent, without outside factors influencing team selection. No process is perfect but we believe this process allows each player the same opportunity to make a team. We have published this information to allow for transparency within the NSELL community and certainly would welcome any feedback should you feel the process is not fair. Each year there are players who are disappointed that they do not make a particular team. NSELL understands that this will occur each year. Our goal is simply to make the selection process fair.
For additional information regarding Williamsport, please contact the Williamsport Coordinator.
Williamsport Parent Affidavit
As parent/ legal guardian of (Player’s name, the “Player”), I hereby certify that the following statements are true:
1) I am a legal resident of NSELL, and my address is:
2) I have provided herewith three items evidencing this residence address and any copy provided is true and accurate in all respects.
3) I have provided herewith a true and accurate original birthcertificate (or other original proof of age document issued by federal, state or municipal registrar)
4) Player participated as an eligible player in at least 60% of Player’s NSELL Spring games as of June 15th of this season.
5) I acknowledge that the indemnity and waiver I agreed to as part of the Spring registration applies to Player’s participation on the Williamsport tournament team, and I represent that the medical information I provided at that time is still applicable. I will notify the Manager if the medical information requires updating.
5) I acknowledge that there are limited roster spots on the Williamsport team and that each player selected plays an important role. Accordingly, if Player is selected to play on the team, s/he will attend all games and practices, barring medically necessary absences due to illness or injury. I also acknowledge that the timing, duration and location of the games and practices cannot now be determined other than practices will commence shortly after the team is announced and District play begins on or about the end of June and continues until approximately mid- July, including possible games and practices on July 1 through 5. If the team wins the District, then Sectional, State and subsequent competition could continue through mid-August.
6) I acknowledge that any untrue statement or documentation provided in or with this Affidavit may result in disqualification for Player and may result in the disqualification or other penalties for NSELL’s Williamsport tournament team and participation in the Williamsport tournament for NSELL.
Signature:
Printed Name:
Date:
Email:
Mobile Phone:
