West Covina American Little League
Player Skills Evaluation, Spring 2024
Player Skill Evaluations are necessary for allocating players into teams through a draft conducted by managers in the Farm, Minor, and Major Divisions. Managers are encouraged to have representatives present during both the main evaluation session and the makeup session. To assist in a fair evaluation of each player, the Player Agent and Coaching Coordinator will also participate in the process.
Player Skill Evaluations are not required for Rookie, Intermediate and Junior Divisions as teams will be assigned by the Player Agent.
PREPARING FOR EVALUATION
Players should prepare for evaluations by wearing the right gear, including a safety cup, baseball glove, and helmet, and bringing water. Managers should also come equipped with a lawn chair, clipboard, pen, and notes from the previous season to help with evaluations. A Skills Evaluation Ranking Sheet will be provided to managers with a list of candidates in their division, including their tryout number, league age, and rating columns.
EVALUATION DATE
Evaluation Sessions for Players are held in January, including the Main Evaluation Session and the Makeup Session. Depending on the Player Agent's discretion, extra one-on-one skill evaluation appointments may be scheduled.
EVALUATION DAY PROCESS
Every player will be given a bib with a tryout number and asked to verify their registration information. Additionally, each player will receive raffle fundraiser tickets. Once the bib is pinned to the back of the jersey, players will be asked to line up in the order of arrival and wait for further instructions from the coaches.
The evaluation process will focus on five distinct areas: batting, catching fly balls, fielding ground balls, throwing, and speed & agility. Each skill will be scored on a scale of 1-5, with 25 being the highest possible score. Sportsmanship and other factors will also be noted in the comments. When evaluating players, managers will review their scores and carefully consider the comments to help them make informed draft decisions. These evaluations also play a crucial role in calculating a player's overall average score.
MANAGER’S CHILDREN
For a fair and unbiased evaluation process, it is essential that managers' children participate in Player Skill Evaluations and are evaluated using the same standards as other players. This practice will assist managers in objectively ranking players and placing them in their appropriate round during the draft.
NO SHOWS
Every player must be evaluated. In order to guarantee an effective draft, every player must undergo an evaluation process. To facilitate this process, West Covina American Little League board has scheduled multiple evaluation days. As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to ensure that your player attends one of the evaluation opportunities, a make-up session, or schedule an appointment with the Player Agent. If a player is unable to attend any of these events, they will be classified as a "No Show." Please refer to WCALL Draft Procedures to understand how a player's draft selection may be affected if they fail to show up.
PETITION FOR ADVANCEMENT OF PLAYER
To ensure balanced, fair, and equitable play, all players must register for the division determined by their birth date. However, players are eligible to either petition to play up to the next higher division or play down to a lower division. The Player Agent reviews and approves all petitions, with the collaboration of the Executive Board. It's important to note that the general policy is to never allow a player to skip a division. They may only petition to play up if they have already completed a season in the division they would otherwise be registered for. At any level with a Skills Evaluation, players scoring in the top tier of the next age level may be contacted and/or asked to consider the next level up, depending on circumstances. To ensure balanced teams for competitive play, the Player Agent may opt to bring up players from younger divisions to fill a roster. However, priority placement is given to players of the little league age for their defined division, and petitions are only considered if there is available space after priority placement for each division.
Petition to Play Up:
In order for players to advance to a higher division, they must attend the evaluation for that division. This is a prerequisite for being considered eligible for the draft in the desired division. This policy only applies to players advancing to Farm, Minor and Major drafted divisions. If the Player Agent and Coaching Coordinator determine that a child may be at risk by participating in a specific division, they may be deemed ineligible for that division’s draft. This policy is in place to prioritize the safety and well-being of all players. The Player Agent shall discuss this matter with the player's parent or guardian before making a final decision. In such cases, the player will be placed in their designated division according to their Little League age. Please note that Little League Age Nine (9) year olds are eligible to petition to play in the Major Division.
Petition to Play Down:
If a parent or guardian considers their child ineligible for their assigned division based on their little league age, the Player Agent will step in to determine the best division for that player based on their skills and ability. However, the league will not place a player in a division if it poses a safety risk for them and their teammates. The Player Agent will consult with the child's parent or guardian prior to declaring the child ineligible. In such cases, they would be assigned to a division based on their little league age. Little League Age Seven (7) year olds can petition to play in the Rookie Division. Little League Age Ten (10) year olds can petition to play in the Farm Division. Little League Age Eleven (11) year olds can petition to play in the Minor Division.