LITTLE LEAGUE EXPERTS????

[softball10]

I thought since the little league baseball/softball season is fast approaching that it would be helpful to have a forum where parents/coaches, ect. could ask questions and maybe someone out in SEOPS land could answer. Rules, regulations, waivers whatever could be asked and hopefully someone could help them out.

[BlindWhiteHat]

There are people on SEOP involved in LL so if you have a question, post it and see if someone can provide you with an answer.

[Peanut]

I think this is a good idea. A lot of people ask me questions and I'm not sure what the answers are so with so many people associated with LL on here this is a great source to help with your answers.
Here is a question: I was told that if you have a kid who goes to school in your district but doesn't live in your district can get a waiver to play in the district where they go to school. Are they eligible for tournament play? What would be some reasons that Little League International would grant a waiver for tournament eligibility to a player who does not live in the district where they play?

[BlindWhiteHat]

As it was told to me, it is possible that kids living in one district may be granted a waiver to play in another district. That waiver may also allow the child to be eligible to play on post-season tournament teams as well. Each waiver is decided on a case by case basis with no "one size fits all" answer to all waivers. The league president from the league where the child lives and the league president where the child wants to play will both be asked to sign the waiver but the waiver will be forwarded to the DA and on to Central Region even without both presidents' signatures.

I can't really say why LL International may grant waivers for tournament eligibility. I could guess that it is done for kids who go to school in a certain district allowing the child to play with his/her classmates.

[Peanut]

But this is definately not how it use to be, right? I know we have a kid in this same situation and they have never allowed him to play all-stars because he lives outside the district. I just think by changing this, or maybe we just haven't been doing it right all along, will create a lot of "stacking" teams. Why have the rule that you have to play in the district where you reside to be eligible for all-stars and then have ways around it. Don't have a rule if that's the case.

[BlindWhiteHat]

As I understand it, this is NOT a new rule. I think some people have come to realize that Little League grant waivers for anything IF a person asks and IF there are circumstances that warrant the waiver.

I agree there have been lots of kids in the past who have played outside of the district where he/she lives and been ineligible for post-season teams.

I'm not sure that "stacking" teams will necessarily take place unless one league just allows all their kids to play elsewhere without a fight. I'd think if the league president where the child lived refused to sign the waiver that Little League would oppose granting the waiver. I don't know this to be true, that's only my opinion.

[Peanut]

I have found out a little about this. A league would have to ask for a "full" waiver if they want the child outside the district to play regular league and tournament. They can also just ask for a regular season waiver. If a league asks for a "full" waiver then Williamsport may just grant a "regular" season waiver and not a "full" waiver.

[BlindWhiteHat]

Exactly. You can request it for regular season only or for post-season as well. It can be denied totally, granted completely or you may get the waiver for regular season only. Each case will be judged individually so just because one child is granted a waiver, no guarantee that the next request will go through.

[tomcat]

I don't like the "rules" because each case has a different set of circumstances. The same "rules" don't apply to all - which is wrong. I can also see how a league can stack a team, it would be very easy to do. The best way to remedy the situation is to simply state, the child must play in the district where they reside. If they don't have little league, then play travel ball or move.

[Peanut]

I agree with you totally. Why have rules and then have ways around them.

[Orange and Brown]

Does any one know of any coaches clinics in the near future? I would love to find 1 or 2 to go to before the season starts. I am looking to maybe try some new things this year and I would love to find some new drills for the kids to do. I coach Pee-Wee and 9-10 year olds.

[softball10]

You can go to the little league website: littleleague.org and go to Central Region. I know they have some set up but I'm not sure where.