Little League Tournament Team -- Essex All-Stars

Following the regular season of play, Essex Town Little League (ETLL) and Essex Softball supports Little League Tournament Teams (All-Stars) that go on to participate in local, regional – and ultimately compete for a spot in – the national tournament (i.e., Little League World Series). Little League sponsors tournaments for the following divisions:

• Baseball teams ages 8-10, 9-11, and 11-12 – 3 teams
• Softball teams ages 8-10 and 11-12 – 2 teams

ETLL and Essex Softball board members select teams based on interest and availability from families and players; as well as player performance during the regular season. All-Star teams are the highest skilled teams from our league and the competition is fierce. Teams are selected to compete at a high-level and on par with other All-Star teams. If selected to an All-Star Team, families and players must consider several factors including the dates of the tournaments, time commitment for practice, and ability to arrange travel to and from local fields. Travel beyond local areas in Vermont is conditional to the teams winning and advancing to future tournaments.

Player Selection Process

Coaches for all Minor and Major teams are asked for player evaluations throughout the season to identify players who are eligible, skilled and ready for the All-Star experience. Some divisions may also add an All-Star evaluation to complement regular season play and development. The feedback from all coaches and evaluations is used to determine team composition. Teams are announced within 3 days of closing day of the regular season.

Time Commitment

Teams begin practicing ASAP following the conclusion of the regular season, usually during the second week in June and continue through Mid-July. Players MUST commit to all games and practices and uphold regular attendance to be eligible. The time commitment is considerable, FUN, and offers an amazing team building opportunity for players. Additionally, family participation is required to support the team. This includes transportation/carpooling, practice support, snack bar volunteers, support with fields and equipment and support keeping score and announcing home games. It is tremendously fun AND a big-time commitment so our league strives for full transparency for participation.

Typical All-Star season schedule/events:

• Daily practices starting after the regular season and in between all games outlined below.
• 1-4 scrimmages prior to the tournament
• Baseball: 4-5 All-Star pool play games hosted by various local little leagues throughout District III.
• Softball: A double-elimination tournament with random seeding among participating teams.
• District Playoff games
• State Tournament (if a team wins the District tournament)

Player Eligibility

For players to be eligible for Tournament Play they must meet the criteria established by Little League’s Residency and School Attendance Player Eligibility Requirement. In all divisions, any eligible player who has participated in eight (8) regular season games by the start of Tournament Play in their respective district is eligible to play. Their assigned regular season team must also play 12 games. Only due to illness or injury can the local league Board of Directors waive the minimum participation requirement for players to participate in the Little League regular season.

Additional Information

• For most divisions, Tournament teams include a maximum of fourteen (14) players, one manager, and two coaches.
• Player families and players are required to:
  • sign a school verification form signed by school official (managed by coach)
  • provide a photocopy of birth certificate (photo or hard copy)
  • fill out a medical release form
  • support tournament fundraising for tournament fees, uniforms and equipment (scholarships are supplied for families whose participation may be impacted by fees)
• Visit www.littleleague.org for additional information.