10-12 Year-Old Skills Evaluation Process

Evaluations and League Placement for 2008

The South Tonka Little League Board of Directors approved changes to the 2008 evaluation process.  Changes to our Evaluation and League Placement procedures are needed due to the approved league structure change that will take affect this season at the 10, 11, and 12 year old age groups. 

Leagues Redefined:

American League – (Previously Major A)                 10, 11, and 12-year-olds eligible

National League   – (Previously Major B)                 10, 11, and 12-year-olds eligible

Northern League – (Previously 10 year old league) 10, 11, and 12-year-olds eligible

Evaluations:

-         All 10, 11, and 12 year olds will be evaluated by evaluators for placement purposes in our three new divisions (Northern, American, National).

-         Due to the larger numbers, we will allocate 12 hours to the evaluation process compared to 6 hours in past years.  With an estimated 180 kids trying out, we would have six hour and a half sessions with roughly 30 kids at each session.

-         Our criteria would focus on hitting (33%), throwing (33%), and catching (33%).  We would still having pitching, infield, and outfield stations but the evaluation criteria at these stations would be broken down into the above three categories for final scoring.

-         We will utilize two hitting stations with two different speeds to provide further analysis of each player’s hitting skills.  We will utilize a pitching sock for the pitching evaluation to assess accuracy.  Both accuracy and form will factor into the overall pitching score (as a part of the overall throwing score).  We will utilize parent volunteers to “pitch” to the players at the catchers station to ensure a consistent experience for each player during the catching evaluation.

-         We will mandate no all star apparel from previous years allowed to be worn and no apparel stating the player’s name will be allowed to be worn during the evaluation.

League Placement:

-         No 12 year olds will be placed in the Northern League unless they choose to play in that division (A player may opt to play down, not up).

-         For the American League (formerly Major A), the evaluation scores will dictate the first 32 players chosen for that league.  From that group, the four head coaches will be selected and approved by the STLL Board of Directors

-         The remaining 16 players will be chosen and agreed upon collectively by these four coaches.  They will utilize the evaluation results as their first filter for making these decisions.  Their second filter should be their collective knowledge of the players from previous years.  Their third filter should be feedback from other coaches that have experience with the players being considered.

-         The final selection of the 48 players chosen for the American League will be submitted to the STLL Board for approval.   STLL must adhere to Little League International rules for composition of each team.

-         The National League team placement will follow a similar structure…the actual numbers will vary based on number of teams.  Players will be placed in the league based on the highest evaluation scores of the remaining players.  The head coaches will be chosen by the Board from that group of players.  The remaining players will be collectively chosen by this group of head coaches using the same filters as above.  Again, the STLL Board of Directors will have final approval of players chosen for the National League.

-         The head coaches of the National League must select all remaining 12 year olds unless that specific 12 year old chooses to play in the Northern League.  In such a case, a discussion will take place with the parents to determine appropriate placement.

-         All remaining players will be placed in the Northern League.  Head Coaches will be selected and approved by the STLL Board of Directors.

-         Players who choose not to participate or are unable to participate (due to injury) will be placed in a League based on the Placement Subcommittee’s recommendation and Board approval.  The Placement Subcommittee will be made up of past Directors who do not currently have kids in the league, remain active in the Minnetonka baseball community and have a proven track record of fairness and consistency.   This group will be responsible for researching and making the proper recommendation for placement.

-         Team placement within the leagues will follow the same draft process utilized in past years.