FAQ: PYB 2017 – Cal Ripken All-­‐Star Summer Ball Program 1. Q: What are the important dates that I need to know about the All-­‐Star Summer Ball Program? A: May 1st – May 12th – Summer Baseball registration will be open at www.paceryouthbaseball.org All Players Interested in Summer baseball should also let their spring coach know asap. May 14TH -­‐ May 19th – All-­‐Star Player Selection May 22nd – Player notifications 2. Q: How does the evaluation and selection process occur? A: Coaches provide a list of all interested All-­‐Star Summer Ball players to the Summer Ball Commissioner by May 5th. The Summer Ball Commissioner will distribute the complete list of All-­‐Star Summer Ball players to each Head Coach and Assistant Coach at all Cal Ripken Levels. The selection process is determined by head coaches at each age level – 12U/70’, 11U, 10U, 9U, 8U. Head coaches are not able to cast a vote for any player on their own regular season recreational team, including their own child. “A” teams are selected first at each level then if there are enough remaining interested players the “B” teams. Please consider the options of both A team and B team playing situations. Over the course of the Summer the A team plays in about as many games in the same tournaments as the B team. Many kids and parents may think you can only have a good baseball experience on the A team. In fact, we have found that kids that may be on the “bubble” of an A team can have a great opportunity to flourish on the B team. We have seen many B team kids enjoy their summer full of baseball, play additional games in the nice weather, with good fields and good competition. A lot of times those kids are the ones that gain the most from the extended baseball experience. Often times, parents are more upset about a B team selection than the child. The first 10 kids are selected only if they are unanimously chosen by the head coaches of that age group. After the 10th kid is selected on the team, then the All-­‐Star “A” coach is announced. The Head coach will then select the final picks of the team. Teams can have up to 15 on a team, however 12 on a team is standard. Head Coaches make the decision on the final number of the team. Each Age Level presents a different set of selection: 12U’s will select the best 12U/70’ team out of that collection of players. After the 12U/70’ selection the remaining teams will be selected based on the players remaining. 11U’s will select an A team followed by a B team if there are enough players. 10U’s will select an A team followed by a B team if there are enough players. 9U’s will select an A team followed by a B team if there are enough players at that level. 8U will select an A team followed by a B team if there are enough players at that level. Any player requests must go directly through the Summer Ball Commissioner prior to midnight on May 11th. Tim Tragesser Cell: (503) 381-­‐6709 or [email protected] 3. Q: How much does All-­‐Star Summer Ball cost and what does that include? A: The registration fee for All-­‐Star Summer Ball is $225 for 8U and $325 for 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U. After 5/1 please log into our registration system at: http://www.paceryouthbaseball.org. To apply for a scholarship, BEFORE REGISTRATION, download the Confidential Scholarship Application at http://www.paceryouthbaseball.org/scholarships, complete, scan, attach and send to [email protected] The fee includes, a full Lakeridge Baseball All-­‐Star Summer Ball uniform (pants, two jerseys, Pacer All-­‐
Star Hat), 4-­‐6 summer tournament entry fees, and 5 dozen baseballs (a dozen balls are given to the host of each traveling tournament). 4. Q: How long does the All-­‐Star Summer Ball Season last? A: State tournaments for all levels are on July 11th – 13th. Regional Tournaments for State Champions will start on and around July 20th and finish close to end of July based on age group. World Series only has a path for the 12 year olds (M70 for 12 year olds) and 10 year olds. 5. Q: Where are the tournaments held and what kind of travel can I expect? A: Our All-­‐Star/Summer Ball teams may travel South to Eugene/Medford, East to Kennewick / Meridian, ID, and West to Hillsboro/Oregon Coast. There are plenty of tournaments locally, and we try to minimize the amount of overnight stays. 6. Q: Are there other costs associated with All-­‐Star Summer Ball? A: Yes, there are additional costs associated with travel, snacks, food, etc… Travel cost for all parents and kids are covered by each family. PYB does not cover any travel or food costs. Each team can fundraise to cover these costs. Coaches are briefed on this prior to the season starting and can certainly raise money to cover some of these costs. Some teams raise $1500-­‐ $3000 to cover additional gear, snacks and drinks for weekend tourney’s, team/family dinners, and other creative events. 7. Q: What is the time commitment on practice and game schedule? A: Practice: Starting after Memorial Day Weekend most teams will practice 4 nights a week at 2 to 2.5 hours a night for the balance of summer season. Some teams also hold some additional hitting cage slots over and above the practice time. Games/Tourneys: Tournaments generally start on Fridays and conclude on Sundays. In most cases teams will travel midday on Fridays to the tournament. Parents are responsible to coordinate transportation to tournaments with coaches and other parents. 8. Q: Can we miss practices and games/tournaments due to family travel? A: PYB is looking for a commitment for the time period stated above to field competitive teams. In order to be fair to all 12 kids on a team, practices and games are a mandatory expectation. Baseball is still the primary sport during this season. Soccer, travel and other expected missed dates should be discussed with the Summer Ball Commissioner of PYB Baseball prior to the All-­‐Star Selection. If you have questions or concerns about possible conflicts, Summer Ball Commissioner, Tim Tragesser, can be contacted at [email protected] or at 503-­‐381-­‐6709. 9. Q: What about a refund if my son decides that he does not want to play All-­‐Star Summer Ball? A: If you player is not placed on one of the All-­‐Star team then the money will be refunded in full. There are no refunds once teams are formed on Draft day. 10. Q: If I sign up for All-­‐Star Summer Ball Season and do not make the “A” team can I still play baseball? Are any kids “cut” from the All-­‐Star Summer Ball program? A: Provided that we have enough willing coaches (which we strive hard to locate) and we have the correct amount of kids that want to play baseball, we will do our best not to “Cut” any player. Keep in mind however, that “Cuts” may be required based on numbers. Q: What is expected for playing time for my child? What does “bat 9, play 9” mean in the State Tournament? A: Our All-­‐Star/Summer Ball Coaches decide both playing time and positions, based on the need of the team and performance and attitude of the player during an intense practice and game schedule. There are plenty of practices, games and tournament opportunities for players to develop their skills. Understand going into All-­‐Stars/Summer Ball, that there are only 9 playing positions on the field and not all kids will play the same position…it takes a team. In addition, during the State and Regional Tournaments, the tournaments switch to a “bat 9, play 9” format. Meaning that only the nine kids in the starting batting/fielding lineup are allowed to bat in the game. Open substitution is no longer an option. Players that do not start the game can be brought in the game as a substitute, and once removed from the game are done for the game. Players that “start” the game are allowed to re-­‐enter. 12. Q: How are coaches selected? A: Coaches submit their name to the PYB Board as interested in coaching at a certain age level. The Board assembles an All-­‐Star/Summer Ball Coach Committee to decide who is the coach best suited to coach at each level and team. The league will have 3 people on the Coaching Selection Committee including PYB President, PYB Commissioner, and PYB Summer Ball Commissioner. The Coaching Selection Committee will convene for coaching positions that are competed at each level. 13. Q: What if I have a special All-­‐Star/Summer Ball Request for age or team level, should I give my sons coach this information? A: These requests are ONLY to be discussed with the Summer Ball Commissioner. The Summer Ball Commissioner acts as the liaison between the Coaches and the All-­‐Star/Summer Ball process. All requests for anything outside of the player being selected at the highest level in relation to their age needs to be determined before the All-­‐Star/Summer Ball Selection meeting. No requests will be honored if they do not go through the Summer Ball Commissioner prior to May 11th. Contact the Summer Ball Commissioner directly with any requests or questions Summer Ball Commissioner -­‐ Tim Tragesser: [email protected] or (503) 381-­‐6709.