Apple Valley Traveling Baseball
2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures January 2017 Table of Contents Preface Playing Age Levels 2017 Player Evaluation Process Coaches Evaluations Core Components Rating Scale Spring Tryouts Participation Injury or Illness Player Identification Placement of 3rd Graders Closed Tryouts Tryout Results Groups and Order of Participation Roles and Responsibilities Player Evaluation Criteria Evaluation Categories o Hitting o Bunting o Outfield o Infield o Running Format o Hitting o Outfield o Infield o Running o Catching o Pitching
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures Preface The VAA Traveling Baseball Commission is committed to managing a fair and equitable evaluation process for interested baseball players and their families. To meet this goal, we use evaluation procedures that are understandable, unbiased and offer opportunities for all qualified players to demonstrate their skills. The VAA Traveling Baseball Commission believes that players develop their baseball talents under different timelines, so evaluation procedures must provide all players an opportunity to graduate from one level to another as his/her skill improves over time. The policies and procedures outlines here try to make the tryout process as fair and objective as possible. Playing Age Levels The birth date cutoff is April 30. The team (age level) for which a player is eligible is the same as the player’s age on that date. A player cannot play up (i.e. play on a team older than his/her age level) unless he/she is in the same school grade as the older age as seen in the chart below. If a player chooses to move up and play at his/her grade level, he/she must remain with that group for the remainder of his/her participation in VAA traveling baseball. For example, a player born June 15, 2004 will be 11 as of April 30, 2017; however, if the player is currently in 6th grade, they will be allowed to play at the 12 Year Old level if they choose. As stated above, PLEASE keep in mind that such an election would be permanent and be in effect for ALL subsequent years in the Traveling Baseball program. See table below. Shaded lines are recommended by VAA Traveling Baseball Commission. Age as of 4/30/2017 8 8 or 9
Grade in School 2nd 3rd
Team Level Can't play 10 - Must repeat 10’s next year
9
4th
9 or 10 10 10 or 11 11 11 or 12 12 12 or 13 13 13 or 14 14 14 or 15 15
4th 5th 5th 6th 6th 7th 7th 8th 8th 9th 9th 10th
10 - Could choose not to play until next year - would play with younger grade remainder of traveling baseball 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 13 15 15
*Players that have previously participated in Traveling Baseball cannot change the age level in which they participate. 2
2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures 2017 Player Evaluation Process Players will have gone through a two part evaluation process to determine their overall placement for 2017 team selection. Part one is a coach’s evaluation of player performance during the 2016 season. Players that participated in the 2016 were evaluated by a minimum of two and a maximum of three coaches from the team they played on in the 2016 season. Scores of those coaches were averaged to give a player a single score in each area evaluated. The coaches evaluation accounts for 35% of the overall 2017 evaluation score a player will receive. Part two of the evaluation is a formal tryout that will be held on March 17 of 2017. March tryout scoring will be conducted by the Apple Valley High School Baseball Coaching Staff. March tryout scores will account for 65% of the overall evaluation score a player will receive. Notes: 1) The March 2017 tryout score will make up 100% of a player's total evaluation score if that player did not participate in Apple Valley Traveling Baseball during the 2016 season. 2) All players will go through the same process for tryouts.
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures Coaches Evaluations The coaches evaluation was developed to be objective using a numerical rating system around five (5) core evaluation components, with each using a 1-5 point rating/ evaluation scale. Each of these evaluation scales included narrative-based standards that allow for coaches to select a specific place on the scale for each player assessed. Coaches evaluated players in the core components: 1) Batting o Contact / Average o Swing Mechanics o Strength / Power 2) Infield o Handling Grounders o Fundamentals / Footwork o Throwing Accuracy 3) Outfield o Catching Fly Ball o Reaction to Ball o Arm Strength 4) Running o Mechanics o Speed o Acceleration 5) Other o Knowledge of the game o Overall Rating Players that played pitcher or catcher in 6 or more games during the 2016 season were also evaluated on their skills and abilities at those positions. This was done for supplemental purposes only. It was not used in the overall scoring of the coach’s evaluation scores. Rating Scale for each element of the 5 core components 1) Score of 5 for Impact Player - A player who has superior talent and leadership. Significantly impacts game. Top 20% of the team. 2) Score of 4 for Good Player - A player whose ability would rank in the top 40% of the team. 3) Score of 3 for Average Player - A player who's ability would rank in the middle of the team. 4) Score of 2 for a Below Average Player - A player who's ability would rank them in the lower 40% of the team. 5) Score of 1 for a Developing Player - A Player whose ability would rank them in the lower 20% of the team. * Based on the above scoring method the highest score achievable would be 70 points for the coach’s evaluation. 4
2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures Spring Tryout The goal of the Spring tryout evaluation process is to ensure that all players are given a fair evaluation, and that players are placed at the best level for their abilities. All players' baseball skills will be evaluated by a team of two rotating evaluators (Apple Valley High School Baseball Coaches) for each session. This helps ensure the player’s skills are evaluated by a large number of qualified evaluators. The evaluators will be people who are known to possess the knowledge necessary to evaluate a player's skill at a particular level. Evaluators will not be related to any of the tryout participants involved in their assigned age level. Participation A player must participate in all scheduled tryout session(s) for their age group, unless the Traveling Baseball Commissioner grants an excused absence prior to the start of tryouts for all of AVTB. If such absence is granted the players evaluation will be handled in the following manner. 1) Player shall be allowed to come to one of the others scheduled tryout sessions (other than their scheduled tryout). If player cannot make one of the other tryout sessions then: 2) Player’s coaches evaluation from the previous season will be used to calculate 100% of the players overall tryout score instead of just 35% had they gone through tryouts. Coaches evaluation scoring will be weighted in manner so it does not give player an advantage or disadvantage in overall scoring. If player does not have a coaches evaluation from the previous season (Note: all returning players will have a coaches evaluation from the previous season) then: 3) Player will be placed on the lowest level team for their age group. Only exception to this process shall be for players who miss tryouts for a medical reason as outlined in the following paragraph. Injury or Illness Absence A player who has registered for tryouts and cannot participate due to an injury or illness will be excused, prior to the start of the tryout session, upon delivery of a doctor's note describing the player's limitations. A player excused due to injury or illness must present a signed doctor's release indicating that the player is medically fit before he/she will be allowed to participate in any Valley Athletic Association activities. A player who misses more than 50% of the scheduled tryout sessions due to illness, and provides a doctor's excuse, may be granted a special tryout, once he/she provides a physician's release to participate. A player who misses any of the scheduled tryout sessions due to an injury may be placed on a team at the discretion of the Traveling Baseball Commission. Player Identification A number assigned at the tryout sessions will identify each player. A player must not wear clothing from any year's traveling team, or any article of clothing with
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures his/her name imprinted on it. Players in violation will be sent to change and may miss all or part of one or more sessions. Placement of 3rd graders If cuts need to be made for any team, 3rd graders will be cut over 4th graders regardless of the tryout rankings of the 3rd graders. Tryouts Closed Tryouts are closed to everyone except players/participants, VAA Traveling Baseball Board Members working at tryouts, provisional coaches working at tryouts and Apple Valley High School Baseball Staff involved in evaluations. (No parent may be involved in running a station at which their child is a player / participant.) The kids are much more comfortable and relaxed knowing their parents aren’t watching. All parents must leave the tryouts immediately after their child is checked in. Failure to do so may delay the tryout. Some of the VAA Traveling Baseball Board Members and Provisional Coaches will be assisting with the tryouts, but they will not be involved in any of the tryouts that their child is in. Tryout Results Player Evaluation Specific tryout results will not be shared with players or parents. History dictates it is not appropriate to share specific results of evaluations with players or parents. The commissioner, if requested by a parent, can provide a verbal summary of their child’s performance. Group and Order of Participation Players are broken into groups, with each group having the same number of the previous year AAA, AA and A players. In addition, players from the previous years’ teams will be broken up evenly by skill level into the different groups. (i.e. if there are 3 groups and 11 players returning from the 2016 AAA team, then 4 players will be in 2 groups and 3 players in the 3rd group.) For players who did not try out the previous year, they will be divided equally among the groups. For 10-year-old players we will strive to divide them equally based on feedback received from previous year coaches and level coordinators. (i.e. if there are 36 players trying out, 1 thru 12 are in group 1, 13 thru 24 are in group 2 and 25 thru 36 are in group 3). Participant #’s 1, 13 and 25 start the first session because someone has to go first. The starting spot is then rotated over the remaining mandatory sessions where virtually every player gets to go first depending on the size of the group.
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Roles and Responsibilities Participant
Role/Responsibility
Commissioner & Tryout Coordinator
Organization Responding to questions Insuring coverage Working with evaluators Providing food and beverages Insuring VAA Board liaison gets results as tryout rounds are completed Keep evaluation results after tryouts (only person with the results) Assist VAA Board liaison with evaluation entry into spreadsheet Will not participate in data entry of son’s age level or tryout sessions Organization Responding to questions Focus on 10-12 age tryouts Assist VAA Board liaison with evaluation entry into spreadsheet Will not participate in data entry of son’s age level or tryout sessions Organization Responding to questions Focus on 13-15 age tryouts Assist VAA Board liaison with evaluation entry into spreadsheet Will not participate in data entry of son’s age level or tryout sessions
10-12 Age Group Director
13-15 Age Group Director
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Roles and Responsibilities Continued AVTB Board Appointed Recorder
Enter evaluation results into spreadsheet after each evaluation round Keep evaluation results (spreadsheets and notebooks) over night between tryout days Upon completion of tryouts – tally results. Top 8 player’s scores are not reported. Top 8 players are alphabetized Evaluation results in spreadsheets and notebooks are tracked by player’s evaluation number Only person that tracks player’s evaluation number to player’s name Provisional coaches provide needed help to facilitate the tryouts. Shag balls, hit, set up base paths, launch fly balls, etc. Provisional coaches will organize players before and after tryouts for instructions and announcements Provisional coaches will not work at a station that their son is at Provisional coaches do not have input into the evaluation process When the age group the provisional coach will be coaching is being evaluated, the provisional coach will watch the players at the evaluation stations. This will provide the provisional coach his/her own
Provisional Coaches
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures additional information for use during team selection
Roles and Responsibilities Continued Evaluators
Evaluate players at assigned station entering results in notebooks Evaluators are at one station for an entire round of players for an age group, and then move to the next station. Result is no evaluator evaluates an age group at the same station more than once Sign and date all evaluation sheets Participate in tryouts
Players Tryout Facilitators (AVTB Board Members)
Extra people are needed to facilitate the evaluation process and keep expenses down They will not be involved in their son’s age group Assist in tryouts by catching balls thrown by player during outfield and infield They will not have a vested interest in any players evaluation results
HS Players
Non-Participant Parents Children under 16 years old
Role/Responsibility None – Tryouts Closed to Parents None – children under 16 years old of anyone participating in the tryout process cannot attend tryouts Children of coaches may not assist in the tryout process
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Player Evaluation Criteria All athletes trying out for the traveling baseball program will be evaluated and graded on their abilities in the following categories: (percentage of total evaluation is noted) Main Evaluation Areas: Hitting (32%) Infield (32%) Outfield (32%) Speed (4%) Catching and pitching are optional activities. Unless a player does not want to pitch or catch, participation is recommended as scores will be given by the evaluators for those participating. The scores are not included in the mandatory evaluation results; however, the optional scores are made available to the provisional coaches during team selection. All 10-15 year old tryouts will use the following format without exception. The process will be standardized for all ages. The evaluation process will utilize a standardized scoring system from 1 up to 7, with 1 being the lowest and 7 being the highest available score. All players’ scores will be compiled and players will be rated from highest to lowest total points. Evaluation Categories: 1) Hitting: - Form - Contact - Hit Well - Bunt-Form and contact 2) Outfield: - Fielding form/Positioning - Fielding Range/Catch - Strength of arm - Throwing accuracy 3) Infield: - Fielding form/Positioning - Fielding Range/Catch - Strength of arm - Throwing accuracy 4) Speed: - Timed 40-yard dash 10
2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Hitting: What evaluators will be looking for? 1) SETUP - Hands ready, grip, coil, head on ball 2) STRIDE - Timing balance, length of stride toward pitcher 3) SWING - Quick hands - ahead of ball, hip rotation, extension How evaluators will score hitting: Form (1-7 Points): 1) No Form (Setup, stride and swing not correct) 2) Minimal Form (Hands OK, not stride or swing) 3) Marginal Form (Setup OK, not stride or swing) 4) Below Average Form (Setup and stride OK, not swing) 5) Average Form (Setup, stride and swing OK) 6) Above Average Form (Setup excellent, stride and swing OK) 7) Excellent Form (Setup, stride and swing excellent) Hitting Contact (1-7 Points): 1) No Contact 2) Minimal Contact (Missed hitting over half balls) 3) Marginal Contact (Tick, pop up foul ball) 4) Below Average Contact (Weak grounder/infield pop up) 5) Average Contact (Grounder, solid contact) 6) Above Average Contact (Solid base hit – line drives) 7) Excellent contact (Solid hit – to left, center and right) Hit Well (1-7 Points): 1) No Hits (No Hits) 2) Minimal (Tick, weak pop up foul balls) 3) Marginal (Weak infield hits, some foul balls) 4) Below Average (Infield hits, some strong foul balls) 5) Average (Equal infield and outfield hits) 6) Above Average (Strong outfield and infield hits) 7) Excellent (Rockets, sharply hit, deep hits)
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Bunting: What evaluators will be looking for? 1) SETUP – Hands, grip 2) SQUARE - to pitcher, bat position 3) ADDRESS - meet ball, top of ball How evaluators will score bunting: Form (1-7 Points): 1) No Form (Setup or square or address not correct) 2) Minimal Form (Setup OK, not square or address) 3) Marginal Form (Setup, square to pitcher OK, not bat position or address) 4) Below Average Form (Setup, bat position OK, not square to pitcher or address) 5) Average Form (Setup, Square OK, not Address) 6) Above Average Form (Setup, square, meet ball OK not on top) 7) Excellent Form (Setup, square, address OK) Bunting Contact (1-7 Points): 1) No Contact (Afraid and backs out) 2) No Contact (Makes attempt to hit ball) 3) Marginal Contact (Tick, pop up foul ball) 4) Below Average Contact (Weak, ball would roll foul) 5) Average Contact (Balls bunted, easily fielded by catcher) 6) Above Average Contact (Solid bunt but to areas easily fielded) 7) Excellent contact (Solid bunt to either 1st or 3rd base side)
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Outfield: What evaluators will be looking for? 1) FIELDING POSITION - (Circle the ball, position for the throw) 2) CATCH - (2 Handed, shoulder high) 3) THROW - (Strong, accurate) How evaluators will score Outfield: Form/Positioning (1-7 Points): 1) No Form (Not ready in ready position) 2) Minimal Form (On balls of feet, hands down) 3) Marginal Form (On balls of feet, hands up) 4) Below Average Form (Ready position, eye on ball, one hand, not middle of ball) 5) Average Form (Ready position, eye on ball, middle of ball, one hand) 6) Above Average Form (Ready, eye on the ball, middle of ball, not positioned to throw) 7) Excellent Form (Ready, eye on the ball, middle of ball, positioned to throw, 2-hands) Fielding Range/Catch (1-7 Points): 1) No range (Minimal ability to get to balls, 0-1 catches) 2) Minimal fielding range (Gets to and catches 2 balls) 3) Marginal fielding range (Gets to and catches 3 balls) 4) Below Average fielding (Gets to and catches 4 balls) 5) Average fielding range (Gets to and catches 5 balls) 6) Above Average fielding range (Gets to and catches 6 balls) 7) Excellent fielding range (Gets to and catches 6 balls with ease and time to spare) Strength of Arm (1-7 Points): 1) No Strength (Hardly able to throw the ball) 2) Minimal Strength (Very weak throw, lob, well short of target) 3) Marginal Strength (Weak throw, some line throws, short of target) 4) Below Average Strength (Slow throw, lots of arc, barely to target) 5) Average Strength (Strong throw, some arc, to target) 6) Above Average Strength (Strong throw, most on a line, to target) 7) Excellent Strength (Hard, rocket throw on a line, to target) Throwing accuracy (1-7 Points): 1) No Accuracy (No throws close to target) 2) Minimal Accuracy (Most throws not close to target) 3) Marginal Accuracy (Throws close target but all either low, high or a reach)
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures 4) Below Average Accuracy (1-2 throws at targets chest, rest at targets feet, had to jump or 1 step away) 5) Average Accuracy (At least 3 throws at targets chest) 6) Above Average Accuracy (Most throws at targets chest) 7) Excellent Accuracy (All throws at targets chest) Infield: What evaluators will be looking for? 1) FIELDING POSITION - (Ready position (knees bent, feet apart), attack the ball, and hands out front throwing hand above glove) 2) CATCH - (2 Handed, head down, funneled in, field in center of body) 3) THROW - (Strong, accurate, quick & fluid) How evaluators will score Infield: Form/Positioning (1-7 Points): 1) No Form (Not ready in ready position) 2) Minimal Form (On balls of feet, upright) 3) Marginal Form (Ready position OK, not charging the ball) 4) Below Average Form (Ready position, eye on ball, not charging the ball, one hand) 5) Average Form (Ready position, eye on ball, hands out in front, one hand) 6) Above Average Form (Ready, eye on ball, positioned to throw, hands out in front) 7) Excellent Form (Ready, eye on the ball, hands out front, charging the ball, positioned to throw, 2-hands) Fielding Range/Catch (1-7 Points): 1) No range (Minimal ability to get to balls, 0-1 catches) 2) Minimal fielding range (Gets to and fields 2 balls, ball not in middle of body) 3) Marginal fielding range (Gets to and fields 3 balls ball not in middle of body) 4) Below Average fielding range (Gets to and fields 4 balls, usually ball not in middle of body) 5) Average fielding range (Gets to and fields 5 balls, ball not always in middle of body) 6) Above Average fielding range (Gets to and fields 6 balls, ball in middle of body) 7) Excellent fielding range (Gets to 7-8 balls, ball in middle of body, soft hands) Strength of Arm (1-7 Points): 1) No Strength (Hardly able to throw the ball) 2) Minimal Strength (Very weak throw, lob, well short of target) 3) Marginal Strength (Weak throw, some line throws, short of target) 4) Below Average Strength (Slow throw, lots of arc, barely to target) 5) Average Strength (Strong throw, some arc, makes it to target) 6) Above Average Strength (Strong throw, most on a line to target) 7) Excellent Strength (Hard, rocket throw on a line, to target)
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures Throwing accuracy (1-7 Points): 1) No Accuracy (No throws close to target) 2) Minimal Accuracy (Most throws not close to target) 3) Marginal Accuracy (Throws close target but all either low, high or a reach) 4) Below Average Accuracy (2-3 throws at targets chest, rest at targets feet, had to jump or step away) 5) Average Accuracy (At least 4 throws at targets chest) 6) Above Average Accuracy (Most throws at targets chest) 7) Excellent Accuracy (All throws at targets chest) Running: Number of players running divided by 7. Points are awarded 1 – 7 depending on finish. Example, if 28 players ran, the 4 fastest times get 7 points, next 4 fastest get 6 points down to the four slowest times getting 1 point.
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Format Hitting All players at all ages will go through a rotation of hitting. A rotation will be completing a station of soft-toss and live pitching. At each station a player will watch 1 pitch, bunt 1 pitch and swing at 8 pitches for a total of 10 pitches at each station. o Live pitching will be from approximately 40 feet for all ages. o Live pitching will be adjusted so they are age appropriate. o The Tryout facilitator has the discretion to call do-over for an unhittable pitch as well as the discretion to call strike on hittable pitch (i.e. normal strike zone) at which the player did not swing. The facilitator DOES NOT want to have to do this. Please make sure your player knows to swing at strikes just like a game situation with 2 strikes. o The order of rotation at this station shall be random from what was used in hitting or Infield. Outfield: All players at all ages will go through a rotation of outfield. A rotation will consist of 8 fly balls being hit to each player. Player will be positioned in center field; player will have a fly ball hit to their right, to their left, in front of them and behind them. Each of these fly balls when then thrown into a cut-off person positioned at approximately where 2nd base would be located on the players age appropriate field size. Player will stay positioned in center field; player will have a fly ball hit to their right, to their left, in front of them and behind them. Each of these fly balls when then thrown into a person positioned at approximately where home plate would be located on the players age appropriate field size. A cut-off person will not be utilized for this throw. o The order of rotation at this station shall be random from what was used in hitting or Infield. Infield All players at all ages will go through a rotation of infield. A rotation will consist of 8 ground balls being hit to each player. Two ground balls will be hit right at the player, two ground balls will be hit to the players left, two ground balls will be hit to the player’s right and the remaining two ground balls will be of random in nature. o All right-handed players will field ground balls at shortstop and throw to first base. Left-handed players will field ground balls at second base and throw to third base. o The order of rotation at this station shall be random from what was used in hitting or Infield. 16
2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures o Ground balls will be batted for all age levels. Running Players will run a timed 40-yard dash. Two rounds. Catching This is an optional event; will not figure into the overall player tryout score Receive 5 thrown balls - 2 throws to second base/2 throws to third base Pitching This is an optional event; will not figure into the overall player tryout score 5 pitches (may or may not be off of a mound depending on equipment available)
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures Preface The VAA Traveling Baseball Commission is committed to managing a fair and equitable evaluation process for interested baseball players and their families. To meet this goal, we use evaluation procedures that are understandable, unbiased and offer opportunities for all qualified players to demonstrate their skills. The VAA Traveling Baseball Commission believes that players develop their baseball talents under different timelines, so evaluation procedures must provide all players an opportunity to graduate from one level to another as his/her skill improves over time. The policies and procedures outlines here try to make the tryout process as fair and objective as possible. Playing Age Levels The birth date cutoff is April 30. The team (age level) for which a player is eligible is the same as the player’s age on that date. A player cannot play up (i.e. play on a team older than his/her age level) unless he/she is in the same school grade as the older age as seen in the chart below. If a player chooses to move up and play at his/her grade level, he/she must remain with that group for the remainder of his/her participation in VAA traveling baseball. For example, a player born June 15, 2004 will be 11 as of April 30, 2017; however, if the player is currently in 6th grade, they will be allowed to play at the 12 Year Old level if they choose. As stated above, PLEASE keep in mind that such an election would be permanent and be in effect for ALL subsequent years in the Traveling Baseball program. See table below. Shaded lines are recommended by VAA Traveling Baseball Commission. Age as of 4/30/2017 8 8 or 9
Grade in School 2nd 3rd
Team Level Can't play 10 - Must repeat 10’s next year
9
4th
9 or 10 10 10 or 11 11 11 or 12 12 12 or 13 13 13 or 14 14 14 or 15 15
4th 5th 5th 6th 6th 7th 7th 8th 8th 9th 9th 10th
10 - Could choose not to play until next year - would play with younger grade remainder of traveling baseball 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 13 15 15
*Players that have previously participated in Traveling Baseball cannot change the age level in which they participate. 2
2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures 2017 Player Evaluation Process Players will have gone through a two part evaluation process to determine their overall placement for 2017 team selection. Part one is a coach’s evaluation of player performance during the 2016 season. Players that participated in the 2016 were evaluated by a minimum of two and a maximum of three coaches from the team they played on in the 2016 season. Scores of those coaches were averaged to give a player a single score in each area evaluated. The coaches evaluation accounts for 35% of the overall 2017 evaluation score a player will receive. Part two of the evaluation is a formal tryout that will be held on March 17 of 2017. March tryout scoring will be conducted by the Apple Valley High School Baseball Coaching Staff. March tryout scores will account for 65% of the overall evaluation score a player will receive. Notes: 1) The March 2017 tryout score will make up 100% of a player's total evaluation score if that player did not participate in Apple Valley Traveling Baseball during the 2016 season. 2) All players will go through the same process for tryouts.
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures Coaches Evaluations The coaches evaluation was developed to be objective using a numerical rating system around five (5) core evaluation components, with each using a 1-5 point rating/ evaluation scale. Each of these evaluation scales included narrative-based standards that allow for coaches to select a specific place on the scale for each player assessed. Coaches evaluated players in the core components: 1) Batting o Contact / Average o Swing Mechanics o Strength / Power 2) Infield o Handling Grounders o Fundamentals / Footwork o Throwing Accuracy 3) Outfield o Catching Fly Ball o Reaction to Ball o Arm Strength 4) Running o Mechanics o Speed o Acceleration 5) Other o Knowledge of the game o Overall Rating Players that played pitcher or catcher in 6 or more games during the 2016 season were also evaluated on their skills and abilities at those positions. This was done for supplemental purposes only. It was not used in the overall scoring of the coach’s evaluation scores. Rating Scale for each element of the 5 core components 1) Score of 5 for Impact Player - A player who has superior talent and leadership. Significantly impacts game. Top 20% of the team. 2) Score of 4 for Good Player - A player whose ability would rank in the top 40% of the team. 3) Score of 3 for Average Player - A player who's ability would rank in the middle of the team. 4) Score of 2 for a Below Average Player - A player who's ability would rank them in the lower 40% of the team. 5) Score of 1 for a Developing Player - A Player whose ability would rank them in the lower 20% of the team. * Based on the above scoring method the highest score achievable would be 70 points for the coach’s evaluation. 4
2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures Spring Tryout The goal of the Spring tryout evaluation process is to ensure that all players are given a fair evaluation, and that players are placed at the best level for their abilities. All players' baseball skills will be evaluated by a team of two rotating evaluators (Apple Valley High School Baseball Coaches) for each session. This helps ensure the player’s skills are evaluated by a large number of qualified evaluators. The evaluators will be people who are known to possess the knowledge necessary to evaluate a player's skill at a particular level. Evaluators will not be related to any of the tryout participants involved in their assigned age level. Participation A player must participate in all scheduled tryout session(s) for their age group, unless the Traveling Baseball Commissioner grants an excused absence prior to the start of tryouts for all of AVTB. If such absence is granted the players evaluation will be handled in the following manner. 1) Player shall be allowed to come to one of the others scheduled tryout sessions (other than their scheduled tryout). If player cannot make one of the other tryout sessions then: 2) Player’s coaches evaluation from the previous season will be used to calculate 100% of the players overall tryout score instead of just 35% had they gone through tryouts. Coaches evaluation scoring will be weighted in manner so it does not give player an advantage or disadvantage in overall scoring. If player does not have a coaches evaluation from the previous season (Note: all returning players will have a coaches evaluation from the previous season) then: 3) Player will be placed on the lowest level team for their age group. Only exception to this process shall be for players who miss tryouts for a medical reason as outlined in the following paragraph. Injury or Illness Absence A player who has registered for tryouts and cannot participate due to an injury or illness will be excused, prior to the start of the tryout session, upon delivery of a doctor's note describing the player's limitations. A player excused due to injury or illness must present a signed doctor's release indicating that the player is medically fit before he/she will be allowed to participate in any Valley Athletic Association activities. A player who misses more than 50% of the scheduled tryout sessions due to illness, and provides a doctor's excuse, may be granted a special tryout, once he/she provides a physician's release to participate. A player who misses any of the scheduled tryout sessions due to an injury may be placed on a team at the discretion of the Traveling Baseball Commission. Player Identification A number assigned at the tryout sessions will identify each player. A player must not wear clothing from any year's traveling team, or any article of clothing with
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures his/her name imprinted on it. Players in violation will be sent to change and may miss all or part of one or more sessions. Placement of 3rd graders If cuts need to be made for any team, 3rd graders will be cut over 4th graders regardless of the tryout rankings of the 3rd graders. Tryouts Closed Tryouts are closed to everyone except players/participants, VAA Traveling Baseball Board Members working at tryouts, provisional coaches working at tryouts and Apple Valley High School Baseball Staff involved in evaluations. (No parent may be involved in running a station at which their child is a player / participant.) The kids are much more comfortable and relaxed knowing their parents aren’t watching. All parents must leave the tryouts immediately after their child is checked in. Failure to do so may delay the tryout. Some of the VAA Traveling Baseball Board Members and Provisional Coaches will be assisting with the tryouts, but they will not be involved in any of the tryouts that their child is in. Tryout Results Player Evaluation Specific tryout results will not be shared with players or parents. History dictates it is not appropriate to share specific results of evaluations with players or parents. The commissioner, if requested by a parent, can provide a verbal summary of their child’s performance. Group and Order of Participation Players are broken into groups, with each group having the same number of the previous year AAA, AA and A players. In addition, players from the previous years’ teams will be broken up evenly by skill level into the different groups. (i.e. if there are 3 groups and 11 players returning from the 2016 AAA team, then 4 players will be in 2 groups and 3 players in the 3rd group.) For players who did not try out the previous year, they will be divided equally among the groups. For 10-year-old players we will strive to divide them equally based on feedback received from previous year coaches and level coordinators. (i.e. if there are 36 players trying out, 1 thru 12 are in group 1, 13 thru 24 are in group 2 and 25 thru 36 are in group 3). Participant #’s 1, 13 and 25 start the first session because someone has to go first. The starting spot is then rotated over the remaining mandatory sessions where virtually every player gets to go first depending on the size of the group.
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Roles and Responsibilities Participant
Role/Responsibility
Commissioner & Tryout Coordinator
Organization Responding to questions Insuring coverage Working with evaluators Providing food and beverages Insuring VAA Board liaison gets results as tryout rounds are completed Keep evaluation results after tryouts (only person with the results) Assist VAA Board liaison with evaluation entry into spreadsheet Will not participate in data entry of son’s age level or tryout sessions Organization Responding to questions Focus on 10-12 age tryouts Assist VAA Board liaison with evaluation entry into spreadsheet Will not participate in data entry of son’s age level or tryout sessions Organization Responding to questions Focus on 13-15 age tryouts Assist VAA Board liaison with evaluation entry into spreadsheet Will not participate in data entry of son’s age level or tryout sessions
10-12 Age Group Director
13-15 Age Group Director
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Roles and Responsibilities Continued AVTB Board Appointed Recorder
Enter evaluation results into spreadsheet after each evaluation round Keep evaluation results (spreadsheets and notebooks) over night between tryout days Upon completion of tryouts – tally results. Top 8 player’s scores are not reported. Top 8 players are alphabetized Evaluation results in spreadsheets and notebooks are tracked by player’s evaluation number Only person that tracks player’s evaluation number to player’s name Provisional coaches provide needed help to facilitate the tryouts. Shag balls, hit, set up base paths, launch fly balls, etc. Provisional coaches will organize players before and after tryouts for instructions and announcements Provisional coaches will not work at a station that their son is at Provisional coaches do not have input into the evaluation process When the age group the provisional coach will be coaching is being evaluated, the provisional coach will watch the players at the evaluation stations. This will provide the provisional coach his/her own
Provisional Coaches
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures additional information for use during team selection
Roles and Responsibilities Continued Evaluators
Evaluate players at assigned station entering results in notebooks Evaluators are at one station for an entire round of players for an age group, and then move to the next station. Result is no evaluator evaluates an age group at the same station more than once Sign and date all evaluation sheets Participate in tryouts
Players Tryout Facilitators (AVTB Board Members)
Extra people are needed to facilitate the evaluation process and keep expenses down They will not be involved in their son’s age group Assist in tryouts by catching balls thrown by player during outfield and infield They will not have a vested interest in any players evaluation results
HS Players
Non-Participant Parents Children under 16 years old
Role/Responsibility None – Tryouts Closed to Parents None – children under 16 years old of anyone participating in the tryout process cannot attend tryouts Children of coaches may not assist in the tryout process
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Player Evaluation Criteria All athletes trying out for the traveling baseball program will be evaluated and graded on their abilities in the following categories: (percentage of total evaluation is noted) Main Evaluation Areas: Hitting (32%) Infield (32%) Outfield (32%) Speed (4%) Catching and pitching are optional activities. Unless a player does not want to pitch or catch, participation is recommended as scores will be given by the evaluators for those participating. The scores are not included in the mandatory evaluation results; however, the optional scores are made available to the provisional coaches during team selection. All 10-15 year old tryouts will use the following format without exception. The process will be standardized for all ages. The evaluation process will utilize a standardized scoring system from 1 up to 7, with 1 being the lowest and 7 being the highest available score. All players’ scores will be compiled and players will be rated from highest to lowest total points. Evaluation Categories: 1) Hitting: - Form - Contact - Hit Well - Bunt-Form and contact 2) Outfield: - Fielding form/Positioning - Fielding Range/Catch - Strength of arm - Throwing accuracy 3) Infield: - Fielding form/Positioning - Fielding Range/Catch - Strength of arm - Throwing accuracy 4) Speed: - Timed 40-yard dash 10
2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Hitting: What evaluators will be looking for? 1) SETUP - Hands ready, grip, coil, head on ball 2) STRIDE - Timing balance, length of stride toward pitcher 3) SWING - Quick hands - ahead of ball, hip rotation, extension How evaluators will score hitting: Form (1-7 Points): 1) No Form (Setup, stride and swing not correct) 2) Minimal Form (Hands OK, not stride or swing) 3) Marginal Form (Setup OK, not stride or swing) 4) Below Average Form (Setup and stride OK, not swing) 5) Average Form (Setup, stride and swing OK) 6) Above Average Form (Setup excellent, stride and swing OK) 7) Excellent Form (Setup, stride and swing excellent) Hitting Contact (1-7 Points): 1) No Contact 2) Minimal Contact (Missed hitting over half balls) 3) Marginal Contact (Tick, pop up foul ball) 4) Below Average Contact (Weak grounder/infield pop up) 5) Average Contact (Grounder, solid contact) 6) Above Average Contact (Solid base hit – line drives) 7) Excellent contact (Solid hit – to left, center and right) Hit Well (1-7 Points): 1) No Hits (No Hits) 2) Minimal (Tick, weak pop up foul balls) 3) Marginal (Weak infield hits, some foul balls) 4) Below Average (Infield hits, some strong foul balls) 5) Average (Equal infield and outfield hits) 6) Above Average (Strong outfield and infield hits) 7) Excellent (Rockets, sharply hit, deep hits)
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Bunting: What evaluators will be looking for? 1) SETUP – Hands, grip 2) SQUARE - to pitcher, bat position 3) ADDRESS - meet ball, top of ball How evaluators will score bunting: Form (1-7 Points): 1) No Form (Setup or square or address not correct) 2) Minimal Form (Setup OK, not square or address) 3) Marginal Form (Setup, square to pitcher OK, not bat position or address) 4) Below Average Form (Setup, bat position OK, not square to pitcher or address) 5) Average Form (Setup, Square OK, not Address) 6) Above Average Form (Setup, square, meet ball OK not on top) 7) Excellent Form (Setup, square, address OK) Bunting Contact (1-7 Points): 1) No Contact (Afraid and backs out) 2) No Contact (Makes attempt to hit ball) 3) Marginal Contact (Tick, pop up foul ball) 4) Below Average Contact (Weak, ball would roll foul) 5) Average Contact (Balls bunted, easily fielded by catcher) 6) Above Average Contact (Solid bunt but to areas easily fielded) 7) Excellent contact (Solid bunt to either 1st or 3rd base side)
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Outfield: What evaluators will be looking for? 1) FIELDING POSITION - (Circle the ball, position for the throw) 2) CATCH - (2 Handed, shoulder high) 3) THROW - (Strong, accurate) How evaluators will score Outfield: Form/Positioning (1-7 Points): 1) No Form (Not ready in ready position) 2) Minimal Form (On balls of feet, hands down) 3) Marginal Form (On balls of feet, hands up) 4) Below Average Form (Ready position, eye on ball, one hand, not middle of ball) 5) Average Form (Ready position, eye on ball, middle of ball, one hand) 6) Above Average Form (Ready, eye on the ball, middle of ball, not positioned to throw) 7) Excellent Form (Ready, eye on the ball, middle of ball, positioned to throw, 2-hands) Fielding Range/Catch (1-7 Points): 1) No range (Minimal ability to get to balls, 0-1 catches) 2) Minimal fielding range (Gets to and catches 2 balls) 3) Marginal fielding range (Gets to and catches 3 balls) 4) Below Average fielding (Gets to and catches 4 balls) 5) Average fielding range (Gets to and catches 5 balls) 6) Above Average fielding range (Gets to and catches 6 balls) 7) Excellent fielding range (Gets to and catches 6 balls with ease and time to spare) Strength of Arm (1-7 Points): 1) No Strength (Hardly able to throw the ball) 2) Minimal Strength (Very weak throw, lob, well short of target) 3) Marginal Strength (Weak throw, some line throws, short of target) 4) Below Average Strength (Slow throw, lots of arc, barely to target) 5) Average Strength (Strong throw, some arc, to target) 6) Above Average Strength (Strong throw, most on a line, to target) 7) Excellent Strength (Hard, rocket throw on a line, to target) Throwing accuracy (1-7 Points): 1) No Accuracy (No throws close to target) 2) Minimal Accuracy (Most throws not close to target) 3) Marginal Accuracy (Throws close target but all either low, high or a reach)
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures 4) Below Average Accuracy (1-2 throws at targets chest, rest at targets feet, had to jump or 1 step away) 5) Average Accuracy (At least 3 throws at targets chest) 6) Above Average Accuracy (Most throws at targets chest) 7) Excellent Accuracy (All throws at targets chest) Infield: What evaluators will be looking for? 1) FIELDING POSITION - (Ready position (knees bent, feet apart), attack the ball, and hands out front throwing hand above glove) 2) CATCH - (2 Handed, head down, funneled in, field in center of body) 3) THROW - (Strong, accurate, quick & fluid) How evaluators will score Infield: Form/Positioning (1-7 Points): 1) No Form (Not ready in ready position) 2) Minimal Form (On balls of feet, upright) 3) Marginal Form (Ready position OK, not charging the ball) 4) Below Average Form (Ready position, eye on ball, not charging the ball, one hand) 5) Average Form (Ready position, eye on ball, hands out in front, one hand) 6) Above Average Form (Ready, eye on ball, positioned to throw, hands out in front) 7) Excellent Form (Ready, eye on the ball, hands out front, charging the ball, positioned to throw, 2-hands) Fielding Range/Catch (1-7 Points): 1) No range (Minimal ability to get to balls, 0-1 catches) 2) Minimal fielding range (Gets to and fields 2 balls, ball not in middle of body) 3) Marginal fielding range (Gets to and fields 3 balls ball not in middle of body) 4) Below Average fielding range (Gets to and fields 4 balls, usually ball not in middle of body) 5) Average fielding range (Gets to and fields 5 balls, ball not always in middle of body) 6) Above Average fielding range (Gets to and fields 6 balls, ball in middle of body) 7) Excellent fielding range (Gets to 7-8 balls, ball in middle of body, soft hands) Strength of Arm (1-7 Points): 1) No Strength (Hardly able to throw the ball) 2) Minimal Strength (Very weak throw, lob, well short of target) 3) Marginal Strength (Weak throw, some line throws, short of target) 4) Below Average Strength (Slow throw, lots of arc, barely to target) 5) Average Strength (Strong throw, some arc, makes it to target) 6) Above Average Strength (Strong throw, most on a line to target) 7) Excellent Strength (Hard, rocket throw on a line, to target)
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures Throwing accuracy (1-7 Points): 1) No Accuracy (No throws close to target) 2) Minimal Accuracy (Most throws not close to target) 3) Marginal Accuracy (Throws close target but all either low, high or a reach) 4) Below Average Accuracy (2-3 throws at targets chest, rest at targets feet, had to jump or step away) 5) Average Accuracy (At least 4 throws at targets chest) 6) Above Average Accuracy (Most throws at targets chest) 7) Excellent Accuracy (All throws at targets chest) Running: Number of players running divided by 7. Points are awarded 1 – 7 depending on finish. Example, if 28 players ran, the 4 fastest times get 7 points, next 4 fastest get 6 points down to the four slowest times getting 1 point.
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2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Format Hitting All players at all ages will go through a rotation of hitting. A rotation will be completing a station of soft-toss and live pitching. At each station a player will watch 1 pitch, bunt 1 pitch and swing at 8 pitches for a total of 10 pitches at each station. o Live pitching will be from approximately 40 feet for all ages. o Live pitching will be adjusted so they are age appropriate. o The Tryout facilitator has the discretion to call do-over for an unhittable pitch as well as the discretion to call strike on hittable pitch (i.e. normal strike zone) at which the player did not swing. The facilitator DOES NOT want to have to do this. Please make sure your player knows to swing at strikes just like a game situation with 2 strikes. o The order of rotation at this station shall be random from what was used in hitting or Infield. Outfield: All players at all ages will go through a rotation of outfield. A rotation will consist of 8 fly balls being hit to each player. Player will be positioned in center field; player will have a fly ball hit to their right, to their left, in front of them and behind them. Each of these fly balls when then thrown into a cut-off person positioned at approximately where 2nd base would be located on the players age appropriate field size. Player will stay positioned in center field; player will have a fly ball hit to their right, to their left, in front of them and behind them. Each of these fly balls when then thrown into a person positioned at approximately where home plate would be located on the players age appropriate field size. A cut-off person will not be utilized for this throw. o The order of rotation at this station shall be random from what was used in hitting or Infield. Infield All players at all ages will go through a rotation of infield. A rotation will consist of 8 ground balls being hit to each player. Two ground balls will be hit right at the player, two ground balls will be hit to the players left, two ground balls will be hit to the player’s right and the remaining two ground balls will be of random in nature. o All right-handed players will field ground balls at shortstop and throw to first base. Left-handed players will field ground balls at second base and throw to third base. o The order of rotation at this station shall be random from what was used in hitting or Infield. 16
2017 Apple Valley Traveling Baseball Player Evaluation Policies and Procedures o Ground balls will be batted for all age levels. Running Players will run a timed 40-yard dash. Two rounds. Catching This is an optional event; will not figure into the overall player tryout score Receive 5 thrown balls - 2 throws to second base/2 throws to third base Pitching This is an optional event; will not figure into the overall player tryout score 5 pitches (may or may not be off of a mound depending on equipment available)
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