Spotsylvania County Little League, LLC
P.O. Box 969, Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553
www.spotsyll.org
Date:
To:
From:
Re:
January 28, 2016
Parents/Guardians and Friends of Spotsylvania County Little League
Phillip Blake, President
Divisional Play Policy Changes for 2016
Parents/Guardians and Friends:
Spotsylvania County Little League (SCLL) recently received notification from the Southeastern Regional
Director (SE Region) of policy changes for 2016 that affects leagues required to operate under the
divisional play format.
Divisional play mandates that SCLL form two divisions, American and National, and is required when a
league charters more than 10 teams in their Major League or when required by action of the Charter
Committee in Williamsport, PA (Page 172, Divisional Play, 2016 Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and
Policies). On February 8, 2008, SCLL received notice from SE Region that the Charter Committee was
requiring SCLL to operate under divisional play for our Major and Minor League Divisions. As part of the
2008 mandate, SCLL must send two teams to the 9-10, 10-11, and 11-12 baseball tournaments each
year.
In order to form these two divisions (American and National) and balance talent between them, SCLL
uses the Common Pool Draft Method. In the Minor League, generally player’s league age 9-11, and
divided into AA (generally players league age 9-10) and AAA (generally players league age 10-11) teams
are reformed each year and players returned to the common pool to be drafted by either an American
or National League team. In the Major League, player’s league age 10-12, teams are permitted to retain
their players from the previous season(s) and complete their rosters by drafting eligible candidates from
the common pool.
On January 14, 2016, SCLL was notified by SE Region, of a policy change to divisional play stated as
follows (Page 173, Divisional Play, 2016 Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Policies):
Note: Once a candidate is league age 9 years old or is enrolled for the first time after the
candidate attains the age of league age 9 and is assigned and/or drafted into a specific league
(Example – American/National), the candidate cannot transfer to the opposite league(s)
during their entire Little League career. This means that a candidate assigned and/or drafted
to a minor or major league team in the American League cannot transfer to a National League
team. If the player moves between leagues, they will be deemed ineligible for tournament
play. If a league(s) decides to redraft in any form or trade players, this note still applies.
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Spotsylvania County Little League, LLC
P.O. Box 969, Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553
www.spotsyll.org
What this means is that any player league age 9 or older who was assigned or drafted to a specific
division in Spring 2015, now remains in that division (American or National) for the duration of their
Little League career.
SCLL recently submitted a list of questions and points of clarification to the SE Region Director. One area
we asked for clarification on was which league(s) are required to operate under divisional play.
Historically, SCLL has only operated under divisional play for our Minor and Major baseball leagues, as
such, we have communicated our opposition to divisional play being required in Softball and
Junior/Senior Baseball.
SCLL uses Major League baseball team names to differentiate between divisions (Orioles= American
League, Nationals = National League etc.). We have posted a list of team rosters from our Spring 2015
Minor and Major baseball leagues and which division they participated in (American/National) on our
website www.spotsyll.org. This is the division your child will remain in for the remainder of their Little
League career. Please review this information and notify us at both [email protected] and
[email protected] if your child is listed on the wrong team roster.
In 2016, SCLL is entering into its 10th season of play. Each year, Little League International issues SCLL a
charter which binds us to operate under the regulations, rules and policies of Little League International.
It is this charter that grants SCLL the opportunity to provide the children of our community the privilege
to participate in youth sports through our Baseball, Softball and Challenger programs.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Spotsylvania County Little League we thank you for your
continued support and look forward to a great 2016 season!
Cordially,
Phillip W. Blake
Phillip W. Blake
President
Spotsylvania County Little League, LLC
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