PICKING THOSE TOURNAMENT TEAMS: July baseball is post-season baseball as local leagues select "travelling" teams to represent their communities in various age-division tournaments. There are several different ways to select players to these squads, with two of the most popular being a "tryout" format and a "managers select" method. Whatever method your organization chooses, keep in mind some critical ingredients in forming your roster. (See Below for a Method we've used for the last few seasons and have had some success with.)
You Never Have Enough Pitching. Load up on pitchers, as depth is crucial in double-elimination tournaments.
Flexibility. Most of the best players in your local league will be pitchers, catchers or shortstops. Select players who have the skill, aptitude, willingness and desire to play other positions. It takes "9" to play and if you have selfish players who are unable or unwilling to be versatile, your managing options will be severely limited.
Availability & Dedication. Check those vacation schedules! Know the summer camp dates. Make it very clear from the start the time commitment required of your athletes. You have limited time to mold your players into a team and anything that curtails team practice time must be considered before selecting a player.
SELECTION PROCESS
Select a date for your meeting with the Division Managers. If they are interested in applying for the Manager position, they must inform you prior to the start of the meeting. Inform them of the selection process for both Players & Staff.
GUIDELINES: The tournament team consists of 12 players.
The Division managers will select nine players. The remaining three players are selected by the voted-upon Manager.
Each manager may nominate as many players on their team as they wish. Only players nominated are eligible for selection to the team.
Managers cannot vote for players on their own team.
One Representative per team. If a Manager is unable to attend, they may designate ONE of their coaches.
Voting Procedure
At the start of the meeting all Managers applying should be announced. All Managers present should then write their selection on a piece of paper and enclose it in an envelope and hand it to the League President, Director or Designee. The envelopes will not be opened until the top 9 vote-getters are determined.
All nominees are listed on a chalkboard, posterboard, etc. so that all present can determine players up for nomination. Managers then get to speak briefly about their nominees.
Each manager returns a ballot of nine players. (This may be done by simply handing it in or enclosing your selections in an envelope, so as to guarantee privacy.)
Manager Selection
After all of the player votes have been collected, BUT NOT YET ANNOUNCED, the League President, Director or Designee opens the envelopes for Manager selection and tabulates the votes. The Manager with the highest vote total will become the Manager of the team. The voted-upon Manager may then select one or two division coaches or managers to assist him/her. They may be from their regular season staff or from the staff of any division team.
NOW, the player ballots are tabulated and announced by the League President, Director, Designee. The top 9 vote getters are automatically placed on the team (pending availability and commitment). Three additional players are to be chosen by the voted-upon Manager to complete the roster. The voted-upon Manager is not bound by the remaining players' vote totals. The Manager may consider position needs, player versatility, attitude, availability or any other criteria desired in the selection of the remaining players. Remember: Only players nominated may be selected.
GOOD LUCK !
