League Structure

I am responding only after reading one response to your post. But judging from the tone of the post the other responses must have been interesting. Here are answers to your question concerning my league.

1) We are not sanctioned, totally independant. Bad thing is we have some solid all-star teams that beat some of the better local Williamsport Affiliated all-star teams, but they do not get the chance to participate in the LLWS. Good thing is we are more flexible and independant, not having to follow all LL guidelines.

2-5) Our program consists of boys ages 8-12, and girls ages 8-16. The younger kids are handled by the local Boys and Girls Club and Teener Boys is a seperate league. Fee for our league is $45 which includes pants, hat, socks, shirt. Also, we give each player 45, $1raffle tickets to sell and keep the money (basically a kid can play for free!). We have Minor and Major Baseball and Softball. Boys and Girls are free to participate in either program that is why there are no genders attached like "boys baseball". (legal trouble in the 70's) But no boys have ever played softball and only a handful of girls have played baseball (mostly coaches daughters). 8 year olds can only play in the minors, 9 year olds have the option of trying out for the majors or staying down, and 10-12's must try out for the majors. Any player that does not make the majors goes to a minor league team. 8 year olds are placed randomly on teams the rest are drafted. Players are drafted for major league teams with teams picking in reverse order of how they finished the year before. The number of teams in each division dictates the number of games in the regular season but it is usually between 16-20, plus playoffs. Every team makes playoffs.

6) All star teams are selected different in each age group. Minors' Teams are selected by the coaches as are the 9-10 majors teams. The 11-12 teams are selected by a vote. Every player and three coaches per team gets a ballot with all eligible player's names on it. They vote for 13 "A" teamers, and 13 "B" teamers. "A" vote worth 2 pts. "B" worth 1. Top 13 in pts. are "A" team, next 13 are "B", next are "C". Some do not like this method, but I feel overall it works well. All-Star teams are allowed to play in three tournaments only (very strict on this rule, I hate it!).

7) I am a coach and board member and I guess they are open. I know they are not closed. People are given a chance to talk if they feel there is a point they need to discuss, although it does not happen often.

8) Our major fundraiser is collection night. The Wednesday before opening day the teams in uniform get a map of a section of the town. The team splits up into a few cars and goes door-to-door collecting and handing out schedules. We have sponsors for teams ($200), signs on outfield fence ($75 first year $35 thereafter), and ads in schedule. All-Star Tourneys, 50/50 during games and concession stand are also areas where we raise money.

9) I do not really know I know it is alot especially with all of the quick dry we buy (rains alot), and just building new batting cages as well as a new softball field.

10) No travelling teams, although I am trying to change that (Won't be easy!)

Sorry so long but I tried to be as informative as possible.