The OPBA offers a variety of baseball and softball programs, one of which is the OPBA Tornados All-Star Program.  The objective of the OPBA All-Star Program is to provide players the opportunity to challenge themselves against advanced competition.  The OPBA All-Star Program is comprised of “House” All-Star teams, each All-Star participant must also play in the OPBA house league.  All-Star teams are created in single age divisions ranging from 8 through 14 and compete against similar All-Star teams from other leagues in addition to a variety of tournaments. 

Created in 2011, the OPBA All-Star Program has achieved tremendous on-field success having won multiple tournaments in and around the Chicago area, as well as being recognized for great sportsmanship and exemplary player and coach conduct.  The OPBA All-Star teams are selected via an open tryout where players are evaluated against each other based upon a number of criteria which include ability, attitude, and sportsmanship.

Tryouts for the All-Star teams are conducted at the conclusion of the OPBA House season, typically at the end of July. Upon selection, the teams will participate in autumn baseball leagues and practice at least once per week through the autumn season’s conclusion.  The teams reconvene in January for indoor practices and conditioning.  The spring season begins in March and concludes at the end of July.

The OPBA All-Star Program is managed by the OPBA Board of Directors.

Eligibility and Participation

It is a requirement that all participants in the OPBA All-Star program are also participants in the OPBA House Program. There will be no exceptions to this rule. While the OPBA encourages children to be engaged in multiple sports and extracurricular activities, participation in the OPBA All-Star Program requires a significant time commitment and players must be able to commit to the schedule in order to participate.

All-Star Tryouts

Tryouts are held in July for placement on teams that will run August through the following July.  Tryout evaluation will be based upon the player's ability to demonstrate advanced ability, evaluations from previous coaches, and a positive attitude.  

Season

Each team will participate in a Fall All-Star or Travel league, facing other teams from Chicagoland.  Once the Fall Season is complete, teams speed and strength train in November and December, then indoor team-train from January-March.  During the Spring season, teams will participate in an All-Star league (Lakeshore Feeder Baseball) or full-time travel league (MSBL) and a variety of tournaments, including preseason and holidays (Memorial Day and Fourth of July).  12U teams will make a trip to participate in a week-long summer tournament in Cooperstown, NY.

The Dugout

Oz Park Baseball and Softball train exclusively at The Dugout, located in the heart of the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  This state of the art facility includes two full hitting/pitching cages, along with four additional hitting stations.  Players take advantage of the latest technology, including numerous radar stations and HitTrax.