Advice on All Star Decisions, please

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Feb 14, 2014
160
16
This is my first time to coach dd10's LL all star team. I don't know if it's a national rule or just our league, but we can't *officially* play in any tournaments other than Little League sanctioned tournaments (can't use league uniforms or insurance). Since we are the only softball league in our district, we automatically go to the sectional tournament where we will face teams that have already played together in games during their district tournaments.

Last year, I think this put us at a disadvantage when we got to sectionals. We didn't even have a single scrimmage. The girls pulled out a win at the end and made it to state. There, we went two and through. Once again, I think the lack of playing together affected the outcome.

This year, I want to do things differently. I can either put a call out to the area TB teams and set up scrimmages, or go to an ASA warm up tournament. I would have to register with USA softball, buy insurance, etc. for the one weekend. The parents are willing to do this.

I'm just looking for opinions on what y'all would do.




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Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
At a minimum, scrimmage other teams as much as possible. You should also be practicing almost every day as it is a really short season. During practice, have your pitchers pitch to your batters as much as possible (you can't replicate live pitching any other way). Set-up your defense and practice defensive situations, hundreds of times. It's all about repetition. Lastly, make sure everyone can bunt, at 10u it's very important, especially if facing better pitching you are not used to. Don't be afraid to play your best 9 or DP/flex during bracket play. Good luck!
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
Here in AZ. a LL team would be really demoralized, by showing up for a travel ball tournament.
Can you ask the girls to bring LL friends, to play a scrimmage against? Just divide the teams up, evenly. Or play 6 against 6 and call all outfield hits, doubles.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Just depends I took our PONY my rec team (not all stars) to a travel tournament and we finished middle of ten or twelve teams and we're not embarrassed it just depends how serious is rec in your area and how good of a pitcher you have. The reason we were middle of the pack was we had two or three good pitchers but not a great one

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Feb 14, 2014
160
16
Here in AZ. a LL team would be really demoralized, by showing up for a travel ball tournament.
Can you ask the girls to bring LL friends, to play a scrimmage against? Just divide the teams up, evenly. Or play 6 against 6 and call all outfield hits, doubles.

The tournaments I've found are all star only, supposedly.

The 12u coach has offered to scrimmage if only for my girls to see faster pitching. Our #1 pitcher is incredibly accurate but not so fast. #2 is moderately accurate but not so fast. #3 (dd) is pretty fast, but her nickname on the mound is Wild Thing if that tells you anything about her accuracy . So, our girls haven't seen the kind of pitching they're going to see in tournaments.

Thank you for the opinions. I tend to go overboard with things, so I appreciate the reality check, lol.


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May 5, 2014
93
0
Pacific Northwest
Our local LL encourages it. They will cover one tournament fee for each All Star age group. The teams usually try to play one after their first full week of practice. The team has to buy a T shirt for the tournament they can't wear their LL jersey and the insurance. If you can find the right level of competition it can be a great experience for the girls and really gets them and the coaches ready for All Star games.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Please double check the tournament section in the rule book or with your league president or higher. As I recall, LL teams can only practice with other teams in the same age group and they must be from within or from surrounding districts. Although not specified, I believe they are referring to other LL teams. These practices must not be in LL uniform. I've never heard of any issues with bringing in a volunteer to help with BP, but I'd suggest they are signed up with LL as a volunteer or coach (Lil DD and I are registered as a volunteers and enjoy helping out with BP.)

As I recall, LL does not prohibit player participation in other sports or leagues. Kids often play on HS and in other sanctioning body softball teams. I've seen several almost completely intact TB teams become an All Star team. If you choose to practice against at TB team or play as the "Big City Crushers" in a tournament outside of LL, I'd suggest double checking with the your league president or higher to make sure you're ok.

Have fun!
Ken
 
Feb 17, 2013
35
6
South Texas
Not to mention you have to stay mindful of rules differences between ASA (or similar) and LL... some of them are quite different (base running and dropped 3rd strike or others). I don't think LL condones or "wants" teams to do this, but I can't see where there's anything wrong with organizing them as a TB team for the experience. AS LONG AS ALL of the parents are on-board. It only takes one parent to complain, especially if your local league has established / written rules on the topic...
 

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