Overview

It is a requirement of eligibility for all players for Majors teams to attend a tryout session so that team coaches can properly assess the ability of each player. The national little league organization requires that all Majors teams be decided by draft.  This includes all players that want to play in the Majors Division.  The goal of the assessments is to gauge players’ relative abilities based on a series of drills.  The information gathered from the assessments is used by coaches during the draft to provide a proper disbursement of talent to ensure as fair a playing field as possible, so that each player can have as much fun as possible.  

It is mandatory for each player to attend.  If for some reason your player is unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible via email.

DATES:
Session 1: Saturday, March 1st 9:00am – 10:00am    For players with last names beginning with the letter A thru D
Session 2: Saturday, March 1st 10:00am – 11:00am   For players with last names beginning with the letter E thru J
Session 3: Saturday, March 1st 11:00am – 12:00pm   For players with last names beginning with the letter K thru Z
Make up session: Session 1: Friday, March 7th 6:30pm – 7:30pm - For those players that absolutely cannot attend on March 1st.

Players may attend a different session on March 1st than their last name assignment if necessary.

Location: Mariners Training Facility 800 N Hamilton.  Park on the North end and enter on the North side - there is a Mariners sign.

WHAT TO EXPECT: 

Players, one at a time, will be evaluated at four (4) different skills stations:

• Throwing - This is the warmup, players will play catch with another player with focus on accuracy, arm strength, and catching the ball properly.  

• Hitting – Each player will hit in the cage from live pitching or a machine. They are evaluated based on how well they swing the bat and their technique (swing mechanics), how well they hit the ball (contact).

• Pitching – Each player is given a few pitches from a pitcher’s rubber to a net. They are evaluated on how hard they throw (velocity), how accurately they hit the strike zone (control), and on their form and technique (pitching mechanics). 

• Fielding – Each player will be hit a few ground balls. While the player's success in catching the ball is factored in, the evaluators are mainly looking at the player's form, technique, and footwork (fielding mechanics).

Each skill will be graded.  The ratings will be combined to determine an overall score and rank for each player, which are then used by the coaches during the draft.   Under no circumstances will the ratings or rankings of any individual player be shared; they will be thrown out after the draft.  

Coaches:
Attending all sessions including the make us session is required in order to rate each player.  If you cannot attend, please have an AC attend.  You may bring one AC with you to help in your assessments.  You will be given a rate sheet to take notes and score the players.  This sheet should not be shared with others and will be given to the Board right after the draft to be destroyed.  You are not to discuss ratings, or which round players were drafted in with others. 

After the last session ends on Friday, you will meet with the other coaches and board representatives to complete the draft.  Your child(ren), your Assistant Coaches children (two max) are considered protected players and will be required to be selected during the appropriate round as determined by the board members that are rating all the players.  These board members will not be coaches in the Majors division.  If you coached a Majors team last season, your players from last year will be protected players and be drafted in the same manner as your children.  See below for what a protected player is and how they are drafted.      

FAQ's

What is a Protected Player and how are they drafted?  
A Protected player is a player that is automatically guaranteed to play for a certain team with a specified coach.  This includes children of head and assistant coaches, players that played in the Majors division the previous year for the same team.  
These players must also attend the tryout.  They will be assessed the same as all other players and assigned an overall score to determine the appropriate round in the draft they should be selected.  The coach will be required to use that designated round to draft these players.  For example: Coach Tom's son is ranked as a 3rd round draft pick, Tom will use his 3rd round draft pick to select his son.  Coaches and board members will rank all players to determine the proper round for each player. 

What if I can't make either date?
Contact us immediately and the board will look at each situation independently.  

What if I don’t “make a team”?
All players will be either drafted to a Majors division team, or assigned to a lower division team.  If a player registered to play majors but the coaches feel it would be in the players best interests to further development in the minors divisions, the family of the player will be contacted by a member of the SSLL board to discuss best placement for the player. 

I was on a Majors team last year, will I be on the same team this year?
If your coach or assistant coach from last year is coaching again this year, then yes you can remain on that team if both you and your coach want.  If they are not coaching, then your team from last year is considered to be dissolved and you will be drafted onto a new team.

What if I don't want to be on the same team as last year?
Contact the board prior to the draft and inform them you do not want to be on the same team and you will be placed in the draft.

I completed the Coach or teammate request when I registered.  Do I still need to try out?
Yes – All players must try out.  Coach and teammate requests will be given to the coaches prior to the draft, so they will be aware of your request.  However, SSLL cannot guarantee you will be placed with your requested coach or teammate.