Greater Fauquier Little League
District Tournament Team Selection Process & General Information

Each year, Greater Fauquier Little League (GFBLL) enters teams into Little League sanctioned post-season tournaments. These are commonly referred to as "All-Star teams," and are composed of approximately 12 players the league's managers believe give GFBLL the best chance of winning a competitive tournament.  A variety of players will be needed to make the teams. The key is finding the right balance, the right chemistry, and the right attitude. Please bear in mind that the goal is to form a winning team, not to simply recognize the best players. 

TEAMS 

There are seven levels of post-season play for our GFBLL players based on a player’s league age, as well as their current spring division. 

Each of the teams will compete in the District 16 Tournament which includes the Little Leagues in Loudoun and Fauquier counties. Those leagues are:

• Upper Loudoun Little League (Purcellville)
• Central Loudoun Little League (Leesburg)
•  Dulles Little League (Ashburn)
•  Loudoun South Little League (South Riding)
•  Lower Loudoun Little League (Sterling)
  

The District 16 Tournament is played using a double elimination format.  Winning teams advance on and losing teams enter a separate bracket.  All teams are guaranteed two games, but if you lose twice, you are done.  Winners of the District 16 Tournament will advance as follows, and those tournaments usually use a pool play and/or bracket format.  The dates for all tournaments can be found above on the All Star Schedule document.

RULES

 Tournament rules are sometimes different from our local GFBLL rules. The biggest adjustment for most players is the playing time. Obviously, anyone selected to one of the tournament teams is recognized as a talented player and a valuable member of the team. In tournament play, however, mandatory play consists only of using a continuous batting order.  All players will bat in order, but playing time in the field is not required.  It is up to the manager of the team to decide on his best defense each game.  

For other Tournament rules, please download the Little League Baseball Rulebook and search Tournament Rules.

TIME COMMITMENT

Be aware that there is a rather large time commitment involved, and if the team advances beyond the District 16 tournament, there can also be considerable travel and hotel expenses associated with the state tournament and beyond. By making themself eligible for selection, the player (and parents) pledge their commitment and consent to the time and expense involved. If selected, the player may be sacrificing much of their summer to compete with the GFBLL All-Star team for which (s)he was chosen. 

The time commitment may begin as early as May 15th, with the teams practicing until the start of the District tournament (see website for dates). Players are expected to attend all practices and games unless reasonably excused (e.g. emergencies), and are expected to remain with the team at least through the state tournament should they advance that far. Plan on committing to at least the end of July. A Majors team that goes "all the way" will have been playing ball from mid-May through late August. 

While tournament rules state that each player must be in the continuous batting order in every game, there  is no amount of defensive playing time guaranteed. For some shorter games that may mean a player receives only one at bat. Please consider that this may be the case before you commit to your team. Once you have made the commitment, you are expected to honor the commitment or risk forfeiting future consideration to tournament play. 

PROCESS 

Under Little League International rules, the GFBLL Board of Directors has the authority to form our tournament  teams in any manner we choose as long as all players meet the eligibility rules and are placed on teams. Besides age restrictions, eligibility rules include address verification and we are requiring all players to use the School Verification Form this Season unless they are homeschooled or attend Private School outside Fauquier County.

The process and approximate timing of each phase are detailed below. 

Player interest/commitment –mid to late April 

All eligible players in Baseball (AA, AAA, & Majors) and Softball (A, Majors and Juniors) in the current spring season are asked to complete our All Star Interest registration to pledge their commitment to the team if selected. Players who are eligible for more than one team have the option of committing to one or all.  
NOTE: A separate registration will need to be completed for each one.

Example: A league age 10 player in AAA is eligible for both the 9-11 team and the 8-10 team. That player may register to express interest in:
    1.  The 9 - 11 team only.
    2.  The 8 - 10 team only.
    3.  Both teams. In this case the managers of the older division will form their roster first, then the younger division. 

Manager selection –mid-April

All eligible manager candidates are invited to nominate themselves for consideration to manage the appropriate team in their charter. Eligible managers include all  Baseball (AA, AAA & Majors) and Softball (A, Majors & Juniors) managers and named assistant coaches of spring GFBLL teams. 

The GFBLL Board will handle All-Star manager selections. Selected managers will be permitted to propose their primary assistant(s) to the Board for final consideration and approval. 

Player selections – early to mid May 

Once managers have been selected for each team, player eligibility, commitment, and tryouts have been established, all managers from will meet to provide input for the rosters of the appropriate All star team.  A member of the GFBLL Board will moderate each meeting.

The most common method of doing this is to agree on which players are unanimous and add them to the roster. This is followed by discussion on what other roles are needed to round out the team. Certain types of players may be needed to make a more balanced team, offensively and defensively. 

Official announcements - May 15 at the earliest 

Under Little League rules, rosters cannot be announced until May 15, and not until the eligibility of team members has been established.

In the end, the team does not always comprise the "best" players. There will be solid players who are  disappointed in not being selected, and there will be role players who are thrilled to be named to the team in any capacity. The managers face some very difficult decisions, especially in narrowing down the final  candidates for the last few roster spots. Whether your child is selected or not, please support the managers' decisions and encourage your child to be happy for those who were selected and come out to the games to cheer the team on to victory.