Little League
Player Agent
Is there a
“What am I supposed
to do When” guide
for a Little League
Player Agent?
The Answer is
“NO, not really” !!!
1
Little League
Player Agent
YOU
Represent the
Players,
ALL of the Players
Your
PRIMARY
RESPONSIBILTY
is to make sure that
EVERY Player
is treated Fairly
2
What’s Next?
If you don’t have a copy of
“The Little League
Operating Manual”
GET ONE
(every Board Member should have one)
If you don’t have a copy of
“A Year in the Life of
Hometown Little League”
GET ONE
A copy can be downloaded/printed from the
“Forms and Publications” Tab at www.littleleague.org
3
Player Agent
• Assists the president in checking Birth Records
and Proofs of Residency (three)
• Conducts Tryouts
• Conducts Player Selections (Drafts)
• Coordinates the transfer of players to/from teams
(Trades, moves from Minor to Majors, etc)
• Runs the Player Pool
• Assists in compiling the Tournament Affidavits
All in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of
Little League Baseball
Separate Player Agents may be selected to oversee
individual divisions within the league.
The player agent shall NOT manage, coach or
umpire in the division over which he/she has
authority, unless the local league has received a
Waiver from Little League Headquarters.
4
What’s FIRST?
PRIOR to Registration
To preclude problems later, make
sure your By-Laws / Local Rules
include guidance on how:
1. Player Selections (Draft Method) for
Regular Season Teams will be done
2. Regular Season Managers and
Coaches will be appointed / approved
3. Division Champions will be decided
4. All Star Players will be selected
5. All Star Managers and Coaches will be
appointed / approved
A COPY of the By-Laws / Local Rules
should be POSTED at Registration so
that everyone knows BEFORE the
Season Starts, how things are going to
be done.
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REGISTRATION
Multiple Dates and Times
(specify Date of Registration CLOSURE)
Contact Last Year’s Players
Advertise, Advertise, Advertise
Make Sure EVERYONE Knows
Things to POST:
League Boundary Map
Tryout Schedule
By-Laws / Local Rules
Budget / Financial Report
6
REGISTRATION
Have “Knowledgeable”
Workers at Sign-Ups
You/They MUST Verify
Players’ AGE
(Certified Birth Certificate)
Player’s RESIDENCY (against the Map)
If the Player’s Parents/Guardian reside
“outside the league boundary” then send that
Player/Parent to the appropriate League.
You do NOT have the authority to
Register Players who do NOT meet
Residency Requirements
Exceptions: II(d) and IV(h) Waivers
Out-Of-Boundary Player Waivers
Need Proof of Residency
(must be Prior to February 1st
of the current year (season)
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REGISTRATION
Mistakes at Registration can
lead to BIG problems later.
OTHER THINGS
TO TAKE CARE OF:
POOL PLAYER Sign-Ups
Managers / Coaches
and Umpire Sign-Ups
(make sure each one fills out a
Volunteer and CORI Application)
Sponsor Solicitations
Gather information about
Parent/Guardian Professions
(CPAs, Lawyers, Plumbers, Carpenters, Lawn
Maintenance, etc…)
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AFTER
REGISTRATION
DOUBLE Check to make sure
ALL of the Players that were
Registered meet
RESIDENCY Requirements.
Identify those that don’t
and assure that:
They already have an Approved Waiver
OR
They meet the requirements for a Waiver
and the BOD wants to request one
OR
They need to be sent to the proper
league
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II(d) Waiver
(Player Waiver)
The Board of Directors of the Local League,
with the approval of the player involved,
reserves the right to continue as a player,
any individual
(1) whose residence changes from within
the boundary to outside the league’s
boundary or
(2) who lives outside the league’s
boundaries because of a revision of such
boundaries even if the child then resides in
the territory of another league.
Current Major League, Minor League or Tee Ball
players or any sibling whose brother or sister met
the criteria under II (d) at one time may be
retained.
Any player meeting (1) or (2) above may be
retained for the remainder of his/her career,
including Little League, Junior, Senior and Big
League competition.
NOTE: A player who qualifies under this regulation
and elects not to participate for a playing season
is not eligible to be retained for the subsequent
season.
10
11
Back of II(d) Form
The league president will process a II(d) form. Once the
president completes the form, he/she must compile
“residency requirement “ verification that each youngster
meets the conditions of II(d) as outlined above. The league
president will present this verification to the District
Administrator for review. Once the district administrator
verifies the documentation meets the regulations, the district
administrator will sign the II(d) form granting his or her
approval. The league and the district will maintain the form
and documentation in their files. This verification process is
only required once during a participant’s career. The league
must maintain this form and documentation for this player
for the duration of his/her career until the player graduates
from the program or breaks service with the league.
Tournament team players will be required to carry a copy of
this form and documentation with them throughout the
tournament. If contested during tournament play, the league
will be required to produce the documentation. Additionally,
if it is determined at a later date that the player does not
meet the conditions of II(d), the player is ineligible for
further participation. Situations in which documentation is
not available must be referred to the Charter Committee
through the regional office for a decision. The decision of the
Charter Committee is final and binding.
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IV(h) Waiver
(Parent / Guardian
Waiver)
If a person had previously resided
within the league boundaries for
two years while serving that league
as a dedicated manager, coach or
member of the Local League Board
of Directors for two years, his or
her sons and/or daughters are
eligible to try out and be selected
by teams in that league
(1) provided such service to the
league from which the person has
moved has continued,
(2) subject to written agreement
from the league within whose
boundaries they currently reside
and
(3) supported by a recommendation
of the District Administrator, to
Regional Director to the Charter
Committee.
13
14
Back of IV(h) Form
The league president will process the IV(h) form. Once the
president completes the form, he/she must compile “residency
requirement” verification that each youngster meets the
conditions of IV(h) as outlined above. The league president will
present this verification to the District Administrator for
review. Once the district administrator verifies the
documentation meets the regulations, the district administrator
will sign the IV(h) form granting his or her approval. The
league and the district will maintain the form and
documentation in their files. This verification process is only
required once during a participant’s career. The league must
maintain this form and documentation for this player for the
duration of his/her career until the player graduates from the
program or breaks service with the league. Tournament team
players will be required to carry a copy of this form and
documentation with them throughout the tournament. If
contested during tournament play, the league will be required
to produce the documentation. Additionally, if it is determined
at a later date that the player does not meet the conditions of
IV(h), the player is ineligible for further participation.
Situations in which documentation is not available must be
referred to the Charter Committee through the regional office
for a decision. The decision of the Charter Committee is Final.
15
Out of Boundary
Player Wavier
The Player:
Does NOT meet II(d) or IV(h) and
does NOT meet League Residency
Requirements (the parents/guardian
live outside of the league boundaries)
and it is a “HARDSHIP” for the player
to play in the league where he/she
should play.
These Waiver Requests need
to be Filed ”IMMEDIATELY”
DO NOT Wait and DO NOT allow
an Out-Of-Boundary Player
to attend Try-Outs,
be Drafted , or start practicing
PRIOR to a Waiver being APPROVED.
If you do and the Waiver is DENIED the
player will NOT be allowed to play in your
league and you “could” end up having to
Re-Draft all of your teams.
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Out of Boundary
Player Wavier
(Process)
1. If a parent or legal guardian “requests” that an Out-OfBoundary player be allowed to participate in your
league your BOD must decide whether or not it will
apply for a Waiver for the child.
The BOD can decide NOT to apply for the Waiver in
which case the parent or guardian is simply told the
player can NOT play in the league as per the LL
Rules/Regulations.
If the BOD decides to apply for a Waiver, the parent(s)
or legal guardian must be informed that the child
cannot tryout, practice, play until the Charter
Committee in Williamsport makes the final decision on
the Waiver and the Waiver could be: “Denied”,
“Approved for Regular Season Only”, or “Approved for
Regular Season and Tournament Play” .
The parent/guardian should be told that many Waivers
are denied and that even if approved, most are for
Regular Season Only and do NOT allow the child to
play in All Stars. In addition, most waivers are for ONE
Year Only.
2. The President, at the direction of the Board of
Directors (BOD), writes a Letter Requesting the
Waiver. The Letter needs to explain the reason(s) why
the player wishes to play in the league. The letter
must identify which local league the parent(s) or legal
guardian resides. If the residency is in an area not
covered by another league that must be stated in the
letter.
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Out of Boundary
Player Wavier
(Process)
3.
The parent(s) or legal guardian must also write a
letter explaining the situation and describing why
they want the child to play in the league in whose
boundary they do not reside.
4.
If the parent(s) or legal guardians reside within the
boundary of another league then that league must be
contacted by league requesting waiver and the
President of that league, at the direction of the Board
of Directors (BOD), shall write a letter stating
whether the league agrees with the Waiver Request
or disagrees with the request. If the league
disagrees, the reason/basis for the disagreement is
to be included in the letter.
5.
All of the letters are forwarded to the District
Administrator (DA).
6.
The District Administrator will provide his/her opinion
on the Waiver Request and will forward all
documentation to the Region (for subsequent
forwarding to Williamsport for review by the Charter
Committee).
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Out of Boundary
Player Wavier
(Process)
7. If the DA or Region or Charter Committee needs any
additional information the affected parties will be
notified and asked to provide the needed
information/documentation.
8. Notification of the Final Decision by the Charter
Committee will be made through the Region to the DA
and the requesting League involved. The decision of
the Charter Committee is FINAL.
REMEMBER
IF the Waiver is Denied and you allowed the
player to be Drafted you could end up
Re-Drafting your Teams
You do NOT want to have to do that,
so PLEASE, do NOT allow the player to
participate until the Waiver is APPROVED
Also, IF the Waiver is not Filed
until “Tournament Time”
it is almost GUARANTEED to be Denied !!!
19
AFTER
REGISTRATION
Waiver Forms
Regulation II(d)
Regulation IV(h)
Out-Of Boundary Waivers
any “Other” Waivers
Submit to DA Early (Why Wait?)
Player Waivers Must be
Approved
PRIOR TO
the Player Participating
AGAIN - BE VERY CAREFUL WITH WAIVERS
If a player attends Try-Outs and gets
Drafted and starts to practice or play and
then the Waiver is Disapproved, you may be
required to Re-Draft ALL of your Teams in
that Division if a complaint is filed.
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What Else?
PRIOR TO TRYOUTS:
BOD decides on DRAFT METHOD
to be used (affects who needs to Try-Out)
BOD decides on how to handle
Late Sign-Ups (eg: put on Waiting List)
Appoint Managers (President)
Approve Managers (Board)
If there are not enough APPROVED
Managers, a BOD Member may attend
Try-Outs and may Draft the Team.
The Team will then be given to the
Manager once he/she is Approved
21
Determine League
“Breakdown”
Breakdown the Registered
Players
into separate Lists for
Baseball and Softball
Breakdown the Players by
League Age
List how many of each age in
Baseball,
how many of each age in
Softball
(see the Form on Next Page – Form needs
to be Completed and a copy sent to the DA)
22
23
Determine League
“Breakdown”
Identify the
“Returning” Players
for each Competitive League
Team
Identify any “Released” Players:
Players may only be “Released”
with Board Approval
All Returning Competitive League Players
that were “Released” need to be notified
that they need to attend Try-Outs
(make notifications)
NOTE: If a Re-Draft is being done, the BOD
may want ALL Players to attend Try-Outs
(to be fair to any new Managers who
may not know the Returning Players)
24
How Many Teams?
How Many Players?
Based on the LISTS
the BOD decides:
Determine Age Groupings
for each Division
Remember - 12 year olds need a “Waiver”
approved by the DA to play in Minors
(see the next page for the Waiver Request Form)
Determine number of Teams
in each Division
(can vary in each Division)
Set how many Players
there will be on each Team
(can vary in each Division but MUST be at
least 12 in Competitive Divisions)
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TRYOUTS
You Must have an
Approved Charter
and Insurance
PRIOR
to Holding Try-Outs
If you do not have a
Charter / Insurance
the players will
NOT be Covered
if they get Hurt and
your League can be held
Liable for such Injuries
27
TRYOUTS
The Player Agent generates the
Player Lists and Ratings Sheets
(see next slide for Sample Rating Sheet)
Give a Copy to Each Manager
(each Team must be represented)
The Player Agent (or Designee)
Coordinates / Conducts the Tryout
Should Test ALL 5 Skill Areas
(bat/bunt, field fly balls,
field grounders, throw, and run)
To be eligible for a
Competitive Division Draft
the Player must Attend at least
50% of the Tryout Sessions
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29
DRAFTS
Make Sure the
DRAFT is FAIR
The BOD determines the
Draft Method
There are several Draft Plans
in the LL Operating Manual including
Plans for Team Expansion / Reduction
The BOD may choose to use
different Draft Plans for different Divisions
If the BOD wants to use a Draft Plan that
is NOT in the Operating Manual
then it must be submitted to
Williamsport for Approval
It must be Approved
BEFORE it can be used
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DRAFTS
You’ll Need
Your Copy of the Latest
“Little League Operating Manual”
(the White Book)
It contains the various
Player Selection (Draft) Plans
and provide guidance for
each method.
It also provides information on the
various Options (Freezes)
NOTE:
If you want a District Representative
to attend your Draft(s) just call the DA
and it will be arranged.
31
DRAFTS
“Three” Approved Player
Selection Methods
Plan A:
Returning Players remain on Team.
New players get Drafted
Plan B:
Re-Draft of All Players. Can be in Two
Parts (Returners first then New Players)
or in One Part (All Players eligible to be
taken at any time – must assure all
“returners” get drafted)
Plan C:
Blind Draft (randomly pick players out of
a hat “by age”)
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DRAFTS
EXPANDING
There are Four Options (Plans) for
Expansion (adding more teams).
The BOD decides which one to use.
REDUCING
Board decides which teams are to be
eliminated.
Returning Players on those teams are
drafted in a “Preliminary” Draft
Then the Drafting of the New Players
takes place
33
DRAFTS
The LL Operating Manual
includes “Options” (Freezes)
that are allowed to be used
Managers must
Pre-Identify
their “Options”
No “Gentlemen’s Agreements”
(or “Ladies Agreements” for that matter)
The Player Agent CONDUCTS the Drafts
Document and Approve all Trades
and submit them for Board Approval
Establish Final Waiting Lists
(Waiting Lists are not recommended, LL is
“For the Kids” so every effort should be taken to
assure that ever player that registered on time
gets to play.
Late registrations can be placed on a Waiting List)
34
DRAFTS
The selection of players for the
various teams within a league shall
be in compliance with the Little
League Draft Selection System as
detailed in the Operating Manual.
NOTE: All candidates who are
league age twelve (12) must be
drafted to a Little League Major
Division team, or to a Junior
League team.
Exceptions can only be made with
written approval from the District
Administrator, and only if approved
at the local league level by the
Board of Directors and the parent
of the candidate.
35
DRAFTS
Options that must be made in
writing to the Player Agent
48 hours prior to the Draft
•Brother / Sister of player
currently on the team
•Sons / Daughters of
Managers
•Sons / Daughters of
Returning Coaches
36
DRAFTS
OPTION FOR BROTHER / SISTER
OF PLAYER CURRENTLY ON THE
TEAM:
Manager may submit an option
on a draftee if the player
candidates brother or sister is a
member of the manager’s team
If option is submitted, the
Manager MUST draft the sibling
within the first three draft
selections
This OPTION is “Not Applicable”
to Plan B Re-Drafts.
37
DRAFTS
MANAGER’s CHILDREN OPTION:
Manager must exercise option at or
before specified round
The Manager Option takes priority
over any other Option
NOTE: The child must be
drafted in or before the
applicable round specified in
the Little League Operating
Manual based on the Division
and the player’s League Age.
38
DRAFTS
New Coaches shall NOT be appointed nor
approved until after the Draft
A Returning Coach may exercise a Child
Option, through Manager provided:
•Coach has served in the league as a
coach or manager (at any level) for the
past two years
•Coach is returning to the same team
as last year.
NOTE : In order to exercise this option, the
coach MUST qualify under BOTH
conditions
NOTE: The child must be drafted in or
before the applicable round specified in
the Little League Operating Manual
based on the Division and the player’s
League Age.
The Returning Coach Option is
“Not Applicable” to Plan B Re-Drafts
39
DRAFTS
BROTHER / SISTER OPTION:
If there are two or more siblings in
the draft then once the first
brother or sister is drafted the
Manager automatically has the
Option to draft the other brother
or sister as his/her next selection
Failure to exercise the Option
makes the second sibling
available to be drafted by any
team
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DURATION of
Title
DURATION OF TITLE:
Each player acquired shall,
for the duration of their
major league career, be
property of the team making
the acquisition, unless
traded or released.
DURATION OF TITLE only
applies to a Plan A Draft.
Re-Drafting does not
guarantee that the players
will remain on the same
team each year.
41
TRADES
(if your league allows them)
Managers may trade players up to 14
days after the first scheduled game
(it is highly recommended that all
trades be done PRIOR to the start of
the Season).
All trades must be through and with
the approval of the Player Agent
• Minor League Players may not be
traded for Major League Players
• All trades must be player for
player
• Trades involving a player for
draft choices are not permitted
All trades must be for Justifiable
Reasons and must be approved by the
League Board of Directors
42
Team
Registration
Five days prior to the first
scheduled game, each manager
shall register with the Player
Agent the number of player as
determined in Regulation III
Teams will be monitored to
ensure rosters are at proper
levels
Managers are required to inform
the Player Agent if a player has
repeated absences from
practices or games
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ROSTERS
ROSTERS
Make sure they are Accurate
Submit to Williamsport
As Early As Possible
(within 2 weeks of the
Start of the Season)
Deadline is around June 8th
(see current year Operating Manual
for actual date)
Rosters can be Input “On-Line”
at www.littleleague.org
Send a Copy of all Rosters to the DA
44
PLAYER
TRANSACTIONS
Maintain the Player List and
All Player Records
Once Rosters are set and the
Season Starts, The Player Agent
is Responsible for “Monitoring”
the Number of Players on each
team and Coordinating Player
Replacements
All Player Replacements must be
coordinated by the Player Agent –
NOT by the affected Manager(s)
45
PLAYER
REPLACEMENTS
When a player is lost due to injury,
illness, relocation or resignation:
The Manager shall advise the Player
Agent
The Player Agent shall advise
President and the Board
If the release is approved by the BOD,
the President sends letter of release to
the player and parents stating release
is for justifiable reason
The Manager reviews the player list
with Player Agent and selects a
replacement
The Replacement becomes a
permanent member of that team
NOTE : Failure of a Manager to report a
vacancy should result in disciplinary
action against that Manager
46
POOL PLAYERS
A pool of players from existing regular
season teams can be created with
players that are willing to participate
in extra games during the regular
season when teams are faced with a
shortage of rostered players for a
regular season game.
What does it Mean?
1.
Every regular season player is entitled to
be a Pool Player
2.
Pool Players can only be used when a team
has a “shortage” of players (if a team already
has 10 or 11 players for a game, they should
not be assigned any Pool players).
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POOL PLAYERS
Guidelines
The Player Agent will create and
run the Pool Player Pool.
The Player Agent will use the pool to
assign players on a “rotating basis”
to specific games when teams are
short players.
Managers/Coaches MAY NOT pick/
choose players from the pool to play
for them in any game/games
Managers/Coaches using Pool Players
NOT Assigned by the Player Agent
will be subject to Disciplinary Action
by the BOD
48
POOL PLAYERS
A Player may only be a Pool Player in
the Division which he/she plays
(eg: a 12 year old can not be a Pool Player in
BOTH Majors and Juniors, he can only be a
Pool Player in the Division in which he is
playing)
Exception: 14 and 16 are “swing ages” so, for
example, a 14 year old playing in Juniors can
play as a Pool Player in Seniors.
There are also special participation
requirements for Pool Players
• MPR is 9 Defensive Outs
• Pool Players can NOT Pitch
Please refer to the LL Rulebook.
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SAMPLE
Call-Out Sheet
POOL PLAYER Call-Out List
Division: ____________
Last
Name
First
Name
Phone #
Team
Date
Called
Can Play
(Y/N)
“Assigned to”
Team/ Date
The first time a Manager requests a Pool Player, the Player
Agent starts calling from the top of the list. Once a player
says Yes, that player gets assigned to that game.
For the next request, the Player Agent starts calling where
he/she left off and continues down the list.
When he/she gets to the bottom of the list then he/she goes
back to the top and starts all over.
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ALL STARS
Oversee the Selection of
All Star Players in
accordance with the
League Guidelines / Local
Rules / Bylaws
Assure the Selection is
FAIR to ALL Players
51
ALL STARS
Compile the All Star Team
Eligibility Affidavit and
Supporting Documentation
Including Verification of
Each Player’s:
League Age
Residence (or Waiver)
Game Participation
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Got a Problem?
IF YOU NEED HELP,
ASK FOR IT
The District Staff
is comprised of
individuals who have
EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE
in Little League
They are
READY TO HELP
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District 16
Info
District Administrator
Joe Baglieri
H-781-595-0194
C-781-953-5247
E-Mail joebjnj@aol.com
District Web site
www.eteamz.com/madistrict16
Most forms shown in this presentation
can be found on the district web site
under ‘Handouts’
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