All-Star Policy

Policy Coverage: Discusses the types of All-Star teams and the selection process for both coaches and players named to these teams.

Policy:

East Marietta National Little League (EMNLL) is proud to host two distinct All-Star programs, each designed to provide our players with recognition and competitive opportunities at different levels. These programs allow standout players to showcase their skills and represent EMNLL in various competitive settings, celebrating their dedication and achievements throughout the season.

1. Tournament All-Star Teams: This program selects teams to compete in both Little League Georgia and Little League International summer All Star tournaments. It offers players the opportunity to participate in a well-known series of competitive tournaments, advancing from district levels up to potentially global stages, depending on the age division.
   
   
2. In-the-Park (ITP) All-Star Game: Unlike the tournament focused All-Star teams, the ITP All-Star Game is a single exhibition match held at the end of the spring season for each division. It serves to recognize individual achievements and sportsmanship demonstrated during the regular league play. This game celebrates the skills and progress of players within a more localized, festive environment.

The selection processes and participant expectations of each program are distinct and are outlined in the following sections.

Overview of Tournaments:

• Little League Georgia hosts tournaments for teams aged 7u, 8u, and 9u.
• Little League International hosts tournaments starting from 10u up to the Senior League division. The tournaments are globally recognized and offer our players a prestigious platform to showcase their skills.

Tournament Progression:

• The tournament journey, for all ages, begins at the District level. Teams must win at each stage to advance through to the next level.
• For ages 7-11, the tournaments culminate at the State Level.
• Divisions including 12u, Intermediate (50/70), Juniors, and Seniors can progress to the World Series Tournament.

Eligibility:

• Players in both the Little League Georgia and Little League International tournaments must meet the age requirements for their division by furnishing an original birth certificate.
• Players in the Little League International Tournament (Ages 10+) must meet the Residency or School Attendance Player Eligibility Requirement as stipulated by Little League.
• Players in all divisions except Senior must have participated in at least eight (8) regular season games by the start of Tournament Play.
• There is no game participation requirement for Senior Division players.

Important Dates:

• An informational email will be sent to all parents detailing important dates and the process for expressing interest in All-Star participation.
• Parents will need to confirm their child's availability and commitment to attend all practices and games. A tentative schedule will be provided, noting that successful advancement in tournaments could extend participation into late summer.

Section 1: General Provisions

• All-Star teams represent EMNLL in State and International tournaments.
• Eligibility for tournament play must align with Little League’s age, residency and school attendance requirements.
• Teams will consist of a minimum of 12 players, but no more than 14 players.  The number of players on each team will be determined by the Head Coach.

Section 2: Selection of Head Coach

• Nominations for the Head Coach positions for each team must be submitted to the Commissioner of the division relevant to the age group:
  • 7u and 8u: Nominations to the Rookie Division Commissioner.
  • 9u and 10u: Nominations to the Minors Division Commissioner.
  • 11u and 12u: Nominations to the Majors Division Commissioner.
  • Intermediate, Juniors, and Seniors: Nominations to the Juniors/Seniors Division Commissioner.
• The deadline for nominations is the 3rd Saturday in April.
• Commissioners, with input from division coaches, will select the Head Coach either by consensus or by vote.

Section 3: Selection of Assistant Coaches

• The appointed Head Coach is responsible for selecting no more than two Assistant Coaches from the available pool of current season head and assistant coaches.

Section 4: Team Selection Process by Age Group

a. 7u and 8u Teams (Little League Georgia Tournaments)

• The Commissioner of the Rookie Division, alongside the Player Agent, compiles a list of eligible and interested players.
• The Rookie Division Commissioner and the division’s head coaches select between 12 and 14 players for each team based on eligibility and performance.

b. 9u Team (Little League Georgia Tournament)

• The 9u team is selected by a vote of all registered players in the Minors division.
• Voting takes place on the 3rd Saturday of April. Each player votes for 9 players; the top 9 vote-getters are selected to the team.
• The Head Coach may choose between 3 and 5 players at their discretion from the list of eligible players to fill the remaining roster positions.

c. 10u, 11u, 12u, Intermediate, and Juniors Teams (Little League International)

• Each team is selected by a vote of all registered players within their respective divisions (Minors for 10u, Majors for 11u and 12u, Juniors for Intermediate and Juniors).
• Voting takes place on the 3rd Saturday in April. Each player votes for 9 players; the top 9 vote-getters are selected to the team.
• The Head Coach may choose between 3 and 5 players at their discretion from the list of eligible players to fill the remaining roster positions.

d. Seniors

• The selection method is determined by the Board of Directors and can depend on current season registration numbers or number of interested/available players in the district.  The Board of Directors may elect either of the following selection processes:
  • conduct a voting process similar to the other Little League International All-Star teams 
  • The Board of Directors selects a Head Coach and the Head Coach selects players for the team based on a tryout open to all interested and eligible players.

Section 5: Responsibilities and Expectations

• Team selections will be announced on May 1 for Little League Georgia Tournament teams.
• Team selections will be announced on May 15 for Little League International Tournament teams. 
• All selected team members, including players and coaches, are expected to fully participate in all scheduled practices and games.
• Practices typically occur daily during the two weeks leading up to the tournament
• Commitment to the team’s progression in tournaments is required, with an understanding that schedules may extend due to tournament success.

Section 1: Overview

• The In-the-Park All-Star Game is an end of season exhibition designed to celebrate and honor the outstanding achievements of players who have excelled during the regular season.
• The event features two teams from each division, which compete against each other in this celebratory game, highlighting the skills and sportsmanship developed throughout the season.
• This game will adhere to all regular season Little League rules and local league rules.
• Each division’s participation in the ITP All-Star activities depends on registration numbers and is at the discretion of the Division Commissioner.

Section 2: Player Selection

• The number of players selected to each All-Star team is determined by the Division Commissioner.
• Each regular season team should be equally represented in the All-Star game. For example, if there are two teams of 12 players, and six regular season teams in the division, four players from each regular season team will be nominated to represent their team in the ITP All-Star game.  The Division Commissioner and the division’s head coaches will ensure equitable representation of the regular season teams.  The Division Commissioner will have final approval of all nominations.

Section 3: Selection of Coaches

• The Head Coach of the team that wins the division’s end of season tournament will coach one All-Star team, and the Head Coach of the runner-up team will coach the other.
• In the event of an interleague end of season tournament, the two All-Star Head Coaches will be the head coaches from the two highest finishing EMNLL teams in the end of season tournament.
• Selected Head Coaches may choose up to two Assistant Coaches from the pool of head and assistant coaches from that division.

Section 5: Draft Process

• Once the pool of ITP All-Star players has been determined, the selected ITP All-Star Head Coaches, under the direction of the Division Commissioner, will choose their respective ITP All-Star teams through a snake draft.