Florida District 5 Is there a “What am I supposed to do When” guide (WWW.ETEAMZ.COM/FLDISTRICT5) Is there a “What am I supposed to do When” guide for a Little League Player Agent? The Answer is “NO, not really” !!! SOURCE OF INFORMATION: WWW.LITTLELEAGUE.ORG District 15 Website: www.eteamz.com/llbfld15

Little League Player Agent YOU Represent the Players, ALL of the Players Your PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTY is to make sure that EVERY Player is treated Fairly SOURCE OF INFORMATION: WWW.LITTLELEAGUE.ORG District 15 Website: www.eteamz.com/llbfld15

What’s Next? If you don’t have a copy of “The Little League Operating Manual” GET ONE (every Board Member should have one) If you don’t have a copy of “A Year in the Life of Hometown Little League” GET ONE A copy can be downloaded/printed from the “Forms and Publications” Tab on www.littleleague.org Copy available on “WEB” at: http://www.littleleague.org/manuals/asap/pdf/Hometown.pdf

Player Agent Assists the president in checking Birth Records and Proofs of Residency (three) Conducts Tryouts Conducts Player Selections (Drafts) Coordinates the transfer of players to/from teams (Trades, moves from Minor to Majors, etc) Runs the Player Pool Assists in compiling the Tournament Affidavits and Tournament Player Verifications All in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball Separate Player Agents may be selected to oversee individual divisions within the league. They may also be referred to as, Division V.P.’s. The player agent shall NOT manage, coach or umpire in the division over which he/she has authority, unless the local league has received a Waiver from Little League Headquarters.

What’s FIRST? PRIOR to Registration To preclude problems later, make sure your By-Laws / Local Rules include guidance on how: Player Selections (Draft Method) for Regular Season Teams will be done Regular Season Managers and Coaches will be appointed / approved Division Champions will be decided All Star Players will be selected All Star Managers and Coaches will be appointed / approved A COPY of the By-Laws / Local Rules should be POSTED at Registration so that everyone knows BEFORE the Season Starts, how things are going to be done. Copy available on “WEB” at: http://www.littleleague.org/manuals/asap/pdf/Hometown.pdf

REGISTRATION Multiple Dates and Times Contact Last Year’s Players (specify Date of Registration CLOSURE) Contact Last Year’s Players Advertise, Advertise, Advertise Make Sure EVERYONE Knows Things to POST: League Boundary Map Tryout Schedule By-Laws / Local Rules Budget / Financial Report

REGISTRATION Have “Knowledgeable” Workers at Sign-Ups You/They MUST Verify Players’ AGE (Certified Birth Certificate) Player’s RESIDENCY (against the Map) If the Player’s Parents/Guardian reside “outside the league boundary” then send that Player/Parent to the appropriate League. You do NOT have the authority to Register Players who do NOT meet Residency Requirements Exceptions: II(d) and IV(h) Waivers Out-Of-Boundary Player Waivers Need 3 Proofs of Residency (they need to be dated between February 1st of past year and February 1st of the current year (season)

Mistakes at Registration can lead to BIG problems later. OTHER THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF: POOL PLAYER Sign-Ups Managers / Coaches and Umpire Sign-Ups (make sure each one fills out a Volunteer Application) Sponsor Solicitations Gather information about Parent/Guardian Professions (CPAs, Lawyers, Plumbers, Carpenters, Lawn Maintenance, etc…)

AFTER REGISTRATION DOUBLE Check to make sure ALL of the Players that were Registered meet RESIDENCY Requirements. Identify those that don’t and assure that: They already have an Approved Waiver OR They meet the requirements for a Waiver and the BOD wants to request one They need to be sent to the proper league

II(d) Waiver (Player Waiver) The Board of Directors of the Local League, with the approval of the player involved, reserves the right to continue as a player, any individual (1) whose residence changes from within the boundary to outside the league’s boundary or (2) who lives outside the league’s boundaries because of a revision of such boundaries even if the child then resides in the territory of another league. Current Major League, Minor League or Tee Ball players or any sibling whose brother or sister met the criteria under II (d) at one time may be retained. Any player meeting (1) or (2) above may be retained for the remainder of his/her career, including Little League, Intermediate, Junior, Senior and Big League competition. NOTE: A player who qualifies under this regulation and elects not to participate for a playing season is not eligible to be retained for the subsequent season.

SAMPLE FORM

Back of II(d) Form The league president will process a II(d) form. Once the president completes the form, he/she must compile “residency requirement “ verification that each youngster meets the conditions of II(d) as outlined above. The league president will present this verification to the District Administrator for review. Once the district administrator verifies the documentation meets the regulations, the district administrator will sign the II(d) form granting his or her approval. The league and the district will maintain the form and documentation in their files. This verification process is only required once during a participant’s career. The league must maintain this form and documentation for this player for the duration of his/her career until the player graduates from the program or breaks service with the league. Tournament team players will be required to carry a copy of this form and documentation with them throughout the tournament. If contested during tournament play, the league will be required to produce the documentation. Additionally, if it is determined at a later date that the player does not meet the conditions of II(d), the player is ineligible for further participation. Situations in which documentation is not available must be referred to the Charter Committee through the regional office for a decision. The decision of the Charter Committee is final and binding.

IV(h) Waiver (Parent / Guardian Waiver) If a person had previously resided within the league boundaries for two years while serving that league as a dedicated manager, coach or member of the Local League Board of Directors for two years, his or her sons and/or daughters are eligible to try out and be selected by teams in that league (1) provided such service to the league from which the person has moved has continued, (2) subject to written agreement from the league within whose boundaries they currently reside and (3) supported by a recommendation of the District Administrator, to Regional Director to the Charter Committee.

SAMPLE FORM

Back of IV(h) Form The league president will process the IV(h) form. Once the president completes the form, he/she must compile “residency requirement” verification that each youngster meets the conditions of IV(h) as outlined above. The league president will present this verification to the District Administrator for review. Once the district administrator verifies the documentation meets the regulations, the district administrator will sign the IV(h) form granting his or her approval. The league and the district will maintain the form and documentation in their files. This verification process is only required once during a participant’s career. The league must maintain this form and documentation for this player for the duration of his/her career until the player graduates from the program or breaks service with the league. Tournament team players will be required to carry a copy of this form and documentation with them throughout the tournament. If contested during tournament play, the league will be required to produce the documentation. Additionally, if it is determined at a later date that the player does not meet the conditions of IV(h), the player is ineligible for further participation. Situations in which documentation is not available must be referred to the Charter Committee through the regional office for a decision. The decision of the Charter Committee is Final.

Out of Boundary Player Wavier The Player: Does NOT meet II(d) or IV(h) and does NOT meet League Residency Requirements (the parents/guardian live outside of the league boundaries) and it is a “HARDSHIP” for the player to play in the league where he/she should play. These Waiver Requests need to be Filed ”IMMEDIATELY” DO NOT Wait and DO NOT allow an Out-Of-Boundary Player to attend Try-Outs, be Drafted , or start practicing PRIOR to a Waiver being APPROVED. If you do and the Waiver is DENIED the player will NOT be allowed to play in your league and you “could” end up having to Re-Draft all of your teams.

Out of Boundary Player Wavier (Process) If a parent or legal guardian “requests” that an Out-Of-Boundary player be allowed to participate in your league your BOD must decide whether or not it will apply for a Waiver for the child. The BOD can decide NOT to apply for the Waiver in which case the parent or guardian is simply told the player can NOT play in the league as per the LL Rules/Regulations. If the BOD decides to apply for a Waiver, the parent(s) or legal guardian must be informed that the child cannot tryout, practice, play until the Charter Committee in Williamsport makes the final decision on the Waiver and the Waiver could be: “Denied”, “Approved for Regular Season Only”, or “Approved for Regular Season and Tournament Play” . The parent/guardian should be told that many Waivers are denied and that even if approved, most are for Regular Season Only and do NOT allow the child to play in All Stars. In addition, most waivers are for ONE Year Only. The President, at the direction of the Board of Directors (BOD), writes a Letter Requesting the Waiver. The Letter needs to explain the reason(s) why the player wishes to play in the league. The letter must identify which local league the parent(s) or legal guardian resides. If the residency is in an area not covered by another league that must be stated in the letter.

Out of Boundary Player Wavier (Process) The parent(s) or legal guardian must also write a letter explaining the situation and describing why they want the child to play in the league in whose boundary they do not reside. If the parent(s) or legal guardians reside within the boundary of another league then that league must be contacted by league requesting waiver and the President of that league, at the direction of the Board of Directors (BOD), shall write a letter stating whether the league agrees with the Waiver Request or disagrees with the request. If the league disagrees, the reason/basis for the disagreement is to be included in the letter. All of the letters are forwarded to the District Administrator (DA). The District Administrator will provide his/her opinion on the Waiver Request and will forward all documentation to the Region (for subsequent forwarding to Williamsport for review by the Charter Committee).

Out of Boundary Player Wavier (Process) If the DA or Region or Charter Committee needs any additional information the affected parties will be notified and asked to provide the needed information/documentation. Notification of the Final Decision by the Charter Committee will be made through the Region to the DA and the requesting League involved. The decision of the Charter Committee is FINAL. REMEMBER IF the Waiver is Denied and you allowed the player to be Drafted you could end up Re-Drafting your Teams You do NOT want to have to do that, so PLEASE, do NOT allow the player to participate until the Waiver is APPROVED Also, IF the Waiver is not Filed until “Tournament Time” it is almost GUARANTEED to be Denied !!!

SAMPLE FORM

AFTER REGISTRATION Waiver Forms Submit to DA Early (Why Wait?) Regulation II(d) Regulation IV(h) Out-Of Boundary Waivers any “Other” Waivers Submit to DA Early (Why Wait?) Player Waivers Must be Approved PRIOR TO the Player Participating AGAIN - BE VERY CAREFUL WITH WAIVERS If a player attends Try-Outs and gets Drafted and starts to practice or play and then the Waiver is Disapproved, you may be required to Re-Draft ALL of your Teams in that Division if a complaint is filed.

What Else? PRIOR TO TRYOUTS: BOD decides on DRAFT METHOD to be used (affects who needs to Try-Out) BOD decides on how to handle Late Sign-Ups (i.e.): put on Waiting List) Appoint Managers (President) Approve Managers (Board) If there are not enough APPROVED Managers, a BOD Member may attend Try-Outs and may Draft the Team. The Team will then be given to the Manager once he/she is Approved

Determine League “Breakdown” Breakdown the Registered Players into separate Lists for Baseball and Softball Breakdown the Players by League Age List how many of each age in Baseball, how many of each age in Softball (see the Form on Next Page – Form needs to be Completed and a copy sent to the DA)

SAMPLE FORM

Determine League “Breakdown” Identify the “Returning” Players for each Competitive League Team Identify any “Released” Players: Players may only be “Released” with Board Approval All Returning Competitive League Players that were “Released” need to be notified that they need to attend Try-Outs (make notifications) NOTE: If a Re-Draft is being done, the BOD may want ALL Players to attend Try-Outs (to be fair to any new Managers who may not know the Returning Players)

How Many Teams? How Many Players? Based on the LISTS the BOD decides: Determine Age Groupings for each Division Remember - 12 year olds need a “Waiver” approved by the DA to play in Minors (see the next page for the Waiver Request Form) Determine number of Teams in each Division (can vary in each Division) Set how many Players there will be on each Team (can vary in each Division but MUST be at least 12 in Competitive Divisions)

SAMPLE FORM

Liable for such Injuries TRYOUTS You Must have an Approved Charter and Insurance PRIOR to Holding Try-Outs If you do not have a Charter / Insurance the players will NOT be Covered if they get Hurt and your League can be held Liable for such Injuries

TRYOUTS The Player Agent generates the Player Lists and Ratings Sheets (see next slide for Sample Rating Sheet) Give a Copy to Each Manager (each Team must be represented) The Player Agent (or Designee) Coordinates / Conducts the Tryout Should Test ALL 5 Skill Areas (bat/bunt, field fly balls, field grounders, throw, and run) To be eligible for a Competitive Division Draft the Player must Attend at least 50% of the Tryout Sessions

SAMPLE FORM

DRAFTS Make Sure the DRAFT is FAIR The BOD determines the Draft Method There are several Draft Plans in the LL Operating Manual including Plans for Team Expansion / Reduction The BOD may choose to use different Draft Plans for different Divisions If the BOD wants to use a Draft Plan that is NOT in the Operating Manual then it must be submitted to Williamsport for Approval It must be Approved BEFORE it can be used

DRAFTS You’ll Need Your Copy of the Latest “Little League Operating Manual” It contains the various Player Selection (Draft) Plans and provide guidance for each method. It also provides information on the various Options (Freezes) NOTE: If you want a District Representative to attend your Draft(s) just call the DA and it will be arranged.

“Three” Approved Player Selection Methods DRAFTS “Three” Approved Player Selection Methods Plan A: Returning Players remain on Team. New players get Drafted Plan B: Re-Draft of All Players. Can be in Two Parts (Returners first then New Players) or in One Part (All Players eligible to be taken at any time – must assure all “returners” get drafted) Plan C: Blind Draft (randomly pick players out of a hat “by age”)

DRAFTS EXPANDING There are Four Options (Plans) for Expansion (adding more teams). The BOD decides which one to use. REDUCING Board decides which teams are to be eliminated. Returning Players on those teams are drafted in a “Preliminary” Draft Then the Drafting of the New Players takes place

DRAFTS The LL Operating Manual includes “Options” (Freezes) that are allowed to be used Managers must Pre-Identify their “Options” No “Gentlemen’s Agreements” (or “Ladies Agreements” for that matter) The Player Agent CONDUCTS the Drafts Document and Approve all Trades and submit them for Board Approval Establish Final Waiting Lists (Waiting Lists are not recommended, LL is “For the Kids” so every effort should be taken to assure that ever player that registered on time gets to play. Late registrations can be placed on a Waiting List)

DRAFTS The selection of players for the various teams within a league shall be in compliance with the Little League Draft Selection System as detailed in the Operating Manual. NOTE: All candidates who are league age twelve (12) must be drafted to a Little League Major Division team, or to a Junior League team. Exceptions can only be made with written approval from the District Administrator, and only if approved at the local league level by the Board of Directors and the parent of the candidate.

DRAFTS Options that must be made in writing to the Player Agent 48 hours prior to the Draft Brother / Sister of player currently on the team Sons / Daughters of Managers Sons / Daughters of Returning Coaches

DRAFTS OPTION FOR BROTHER / SISTER OF PLAYER CURRENTLY ON THE TEAM: Manager may submit an option on a draftee if the player candidates brother or sister is a member of the manager’s team If option is submitted, the Manager MUST draft the sibling within the first three draft selections This OPTION is “Not Applicable” to Plan B Re-Drafts.

DRAFTS MANAGER’s CHILDREN OPTION: Manager must exercise option at or before specified round The Manager Option takes priority over any other Option NOTE: The child must be drafted in or before the applicable round specified in the Little League Operating Manual based on the Division and the player’s League Age.

The Returning Coach Option is DRAFTS New Coaches shall NOT be appointed nor approved until after the Draft A Returning Coach may exercise a Child Option, through Manager provided: Coach has served in the league as a coach or manager (at any level) for the past two years Coach is returning to the same team as last year. NOTE : In order to exercise this option, the coach MUST qualify under BOTH conditions NOTE: The child must be drafted in or before the applicable round specified in the Little League Operating Manual based on the Division and the player’s League Age. The Returning Coach Option is “Not Applicable” to Plan B Re-Drafts

DRAFTS BROTHER / SISTER OPTION: If there are two or more siblings in the draft then once the first brother or sister is drafted the Manager automatically has the Option to draft the other brother or sister as his/her next selection Failure to exercise the Option makes the second sibling available to be drafted by any team

DURATION of Title DURATION OF TITLE: Each player acquired shall, for the duration of their major league career, be property of the team making the acquisition, unless traded or released. DURATION OF TITLE only applies to a Plan A Draft. Re-Drafting does not guarantee that the players will remain on the same team each year.

TRADES Managers may trade players up to 14 days after the first scheduled game (it is highly recommended that all trades be done PRIOR to the start of the Season). All trades must be through and with the approval of the Player Agent Minor League Players may not be traded for Major League Players All trades must be player for player Trades involving a player for draft choices are not permitted All trades must be for Justifiable Reasons and must be approved by the League Board of Directors

Team Registration Five days prior to the first scheduled game, each manager shall register with the Player Agent the number of player as determined in Regulation III Teams will be monitored to ensure rosters are at proper levels Managers are required to inform the Player Agent if a player has repeated absences from practices or games

ROSTERS ROSTERS Make sure they are Accurate Submit to Williamsport By April 1st (may be updated by June 5th) Rosters can be Input “On-Line” at www.littleleague.org Send a Copy of all Rosters to the DA

Maintain the Player List and PLAYER TRANSACTIONS Maintain the Player List and All Player Records Once Rosters are set and the Season Starts, The Player Agent is Responsible for “Monitoring” the Number of Players on each team and Coordinating Player Replacements All Player Replacements must be coordinated by the Player Agent – NOT by the affected Manager(s)

PLAYER REPLACEMENTS When a player is lost due to injury, illness, relocation or resignation: The Manager shall advise the Player Agent The Player Agent shall advise President and the Board If the release is approved by the BOD, the President sends letter of release to the player and parents stating release is for justifiable reason The Manager reviews the player list with Player Agent and selects a replacement The Replacement becomes a permanent member of that team NOTE : Failure of a Manager to report a vacancy should result in disciplinary action against that Manager

POOL PLAYERS A pool of players from existing regular season teams can be created with players that are willing to participate in extra games during the regular season when teams are faced with a shortage of rostered players for a regular season game. What does it Mean? Every regular season player is entitled to be a Pool Player Pool Players can only be used when a team has a “shortage” of players (if a team already has 10 or 11 players for a game, they should not be assigned any Pool players).

POOL PLAYERS Guidelines The Player Agent will create and run the Pool Player Pool. The Player Agent will use the pool to assign players on a “rotating basis” to specific games when teams are short players. Managers/Coaches MAY NOT pick/ choose players from the pool to play for them in any game/games Managers/Coaches using Pool Players NOT Assigned by the Player Agent will be subject to Disciplinary Action by the BOD

POOL PLAYERS   A Player may only be a Pool Player in the Division which he/she plays (e.g.: a 12 year old can not be a Pool Player in BOTH Majors and Juniors, he can only be a Pool Player in the Division in which he is playing) Exception: 13 and 16 are “swing ages” so, for example, a 13 year old playing in Juniors can play as a Pool Player in Seniors. There are also special participation requirements for Pool Players MPR is 9 Defensive Outs Pool Players can NOT Pitch Please refer to the LL Rulebook.

POOL PLAYER Call-Out List SAMPLE Call-Out Sheet POOL PLAYER Call-Out List Division: ____________ Last Name First Name Phone # Team Date Called Can Play (Y/N) “Assigned to” Team/ Date SAMPLE FORM The first time a Manager requests a Pool Player, the Player Agent starts calling from the top of the list. Once a player says Yes, that player gets assigned to that game. For the next request, the Player Agent starts calling where he/she left off and continues down the list. When he/she gets to the bottom of the list then he/she goes back to the top and starts all over.

Assure the Selection is FAIR to ALL Players ALL STARS Oversee the Selection of All Star Players in accordance with the League Guidelines / Local Rules / Bylaws Assure the Selection is FAIR to ALL Players

ALL STARS Compile the All Star Team Eligibility Affidavit and Supporting Documentation as well as the Tournament Player Verification Including Verification of Each Player’s: League Age Residence (or Waiver) Game Participation

Got a Problem? IF YOU NEED HELP, ASK FOR IT The District Staff is comprised of individuals who have EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE in Little League They are READY TO HELP

Your MAIN District 5 CONTACTS District Administrator JOE LIBERATORE (727) 742-7166 E:Mail jliberaflda5@gmail.com