HINSDALE LITTLE LEAGUE

ALL STAR GUIDELINES

One of the most exciting parts of Little League Baseball is all stars.  While all stars recognizes the hard work, dedication and attitude that some players bring to their game, it is neither the purpose nor the most important part of HLL.  Instead, it is a reward for the few players who, based upon the perception of the managers, demonstrate the best combination of:

Not every Player makes all stars, and those left out often include some who may be deserving of selection.  But like any other subjective process, there is no perfect system.  All we can hope is that we make it as fair and accurate as possible while always supporting the ideals of Little League Baseball.

1.         Eligibility

To be eligible for all star consideration, a player must have played in 60% of his/her HLL regular season (not preseason or playoff) games by June 15th.  In the past, HLL all stars were chosen strictly by league age – i.e., league age 8YOs could only be nominated for 8YO all stars, etc.  In an effort to become aligned with Little League Baseball, Inc. (“LLB”) rules, HLL eliminated this local rule and will now follow LLB rules.  Thus, for the 2008 season players will be eligible for all stars as follows:

League Age                 All Star Eligibility

8YO                            8YO All Stars (Red or Black)

9YO                            9YO All Stars (Red and Black)

10YO                          10YO “A” or “B” All Stars

11YO                          11YO “A” or “B” All Stars

12YO                          12YO “A” or “B” All Stars

13YO                          JRL All Stars

14YO                          JRL All Stars

Players nominated for “A” all stars at a higher age (e.g., a 10YO nominated for 11YO all stars) will only be considered for the higher age “A” team.  If that player does not make the higher level “A” team s/he will automatically be nominated for his/her age group “A” and/or “B” team but not for the higher level “B” team.

At the 8YO and 9YO level there is no “A” team or “B” team.  Instead, those chosen for all stars are evenly split into two teams by the all star coaches.

2.         Nominations

By June 1st the manager of each team must submit to the league President that team’s nominations for all stars.  HLL will talk with each n,ination's parents to find out if they will accept and play if selected as an all star.   Even if a player does not want to participate as an All Star, s/he should be nominated and voted on.  All Star votes are very important to draft rank.

Managers may deem certain players as “B” nominees – meaning they should only be considered for their age group “B” AS team.  Managers may nominate all stars as follows:

Manager Level                     Nominations

8YO League...............……8YOs for 8YO AS

9YO League……...............9YOs for 9YO AS and 10YO “A” AS

Minor League….................10YOs for 10YO and 11YO “A” AS

                                          11YOs for 11YO AS and 12YO “A” AS

Major League.....................11YOs for 11YO AS and 12YO “A” AS

                                           12YOs for 12YO AS

Junior League……..............JRL AS

A manager must indicate which, if any, players are being nominated for a higher age group all stars.  Managers should also indicate the uniform number of each player nominated.

3.         Voting

HLL all stars are chosen by a vote of the managers of the highest level league in which the eligible players participate.  Thus, voting will be as follows:

Manager Level               All Stars Voted On

8YO League ………….8YOs for 8YO AS

9YO League ………….9YOs for 9YO AS

Minor League………....10YOs for 10YO AS and 11YOs for 11YO

Major League………....11YOs for 11YO and 12YOs for 12YO AS

Junior League …..….....JRL AS

AS voting will take place on June 9th at TBD according to the following schedule:

8YO   - 5:30 PM
9YO   - 6:15 PM
10YO - 7:00 PM
11YO - 7:45 PM
12YO - 8:30 PM

Voting managers or their proxy may attend.  However, only one representative from each team may attend.  Prior to the vote, the manager from each team will be asked to make a concise positive statement in support of their nominees.  Managers from the lower level who have nominated all stars “up” (e.g., a 9YO manager who nominates a 9YO for 10YO all stars) are invited to attend the meeting and make supporting statements, but must leave as soon as they have made their statement.  

At the conclusion of the statements each manager will vote for 12 “A” all stars and 12”B” all stars.  An “A” vote will count for 3 points while a “B” vote will count for 1 point.  The top 12 vote getters in each league will be named “A” all stars and the next 12 will be named “B” all stars.  In the 8YO and 9YO division the managers will vote for “A” and “B” all stars, but those teams will be divided into even teams as described above. 

NOTE: Managers cannot vote for the players nominated from their own team.

Only the HLL President will see the all star vote totals and the President shall determine any ties.  In addition, the President has the discretion to name a 13 and 14th  “A” all star at the 10, 11 and 12YO levels.

REMEMBER -- ALL STAR SUPPORTING STATEMENTS AND VOTES ARE TO BE TREATED BY ALL PARTICIPANTS AS HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING.  ANY UNNECESSARY DISCLOSURE OF THE CONTENTS OF SUPPORTING STATEMENTS OR VOTES IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.  ANY MANAGER OR COACH FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED THIS RULE WILL BE BANNED FROM COACHING.

4.         Announcements

All star selections will be announced by posting on the HLL web site after June 15th.  All star selections will not be posted until all selections are complete and all player participation has been confirmed.

5.         All Star Coaching

All star coaching staffs will be chosen from among the managers and coaches of each league.  Each team will have a manager and one or two coaches.  Coaching decisions are made by the President and the HLL coaching committee.