ALL-STAR INFORMATION AND SPECIFIC FAQS

All-Star selections, when 2-3 coaches have committed to coach an age group, may begin as early as the conclusion of an age group’s 4th-5th regular season game, depending on the performance of the entire age group.
 

All-Stars is NOT an option for TeeBall but is possible at ALL other levels in Baseball AND Softball.

All-Star Team Rosters: As per the PYJSBA Board, 50% of each levels' all-star teams' players must, when possible, include a combination of our primary sending districts, Bass River, New Gretna, Tuckerton, Little Egg Harbor, and West Creek. Should a level roster need to allow more than a 50% make-up of outside district players when formulating teams, it must be presented to the board by the coaching staff.  

PYJSBA is officially chartered with the state of New Jersey,  Ripken Baseball, and Babe Ruth (Baseball & Softball) Organizations to ensure our players and coaches have the opportunity to participate in district (when available) and state level All-Star Post-Season play. All-Star play is a more competitive experience beyond rec level play to celebrate the efforts and successes experienced by the most talented players who emerge throughout the rec season. Players who wish to engage in an All-Star Experience where the highest skilled players in the district and state compete against because they legitimately stand out among the best players in the league.  Tournament play is against competitive teams from outside of Little Egg Harbor and our immediate surrounding towns.  Selection for this program is based on results and team need.

This opportunity fully depends on the number of registrations PYJSBA receives from season to season, the skill-level of players, consistent level of play, and finding coaches willing to coach the teams. (For Coaches to be eligible, they must be certified and involved in PYJSBA, board approved, and able to fully participate in the All-Star experience). Should All-Stars be a possibility based on performance, conduct, stats, and coaches’ feedback, the main tournament experience is scheduled to begin in mid- to late-June potentially continuing into late July, depending on each team’s success.  Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth teams from across New Jersey participate annually in this tournament. 

In the spirit of transparency and fairness for all participating players in our program, the PYJSBA Board has adopted use of Game Changer and accurate stat keeping throughout the regular season. All-Star roster spots are earned based on the first 4-5 regular season stats, gameplay, conduct, and performance. Beginning at some point in May, players that have proven an ability to compete at a higher level via in-season stats and performance from inner-league play and who are interested in participating in All-Stars receive invitation to begin practicing with their age group’s perceived All-Star team. The top players remain on a revolving roster until a minimum of 10 players are considered the “Top 10.” It is possible for players to gain and lose these roster spots based on performance or commitment. PYJSBA aims to formulate the most competitive All-Star teams possible. Players and parents need to be accepting of this process to retain eligibility because just as quickly as a player can be bumped from the rotating roster, they can be invited back. As early as the last week of May, once a solid 10 player team is assembled and board approved, official All-Star preparation begins. There will be two remaining spots for players who may possibly emerge late in the season for an official roster of 12.

• There is no additional cost for players to participate in this portion of our program.

All Division PYJSBA Coaches help select and formulate the most competitive 10-player teams possible for participation. Each Final Roster will also have 2 substitute roster spots for players who may not be a part of the Top 10 in talent but exhibit All-Star quality characteristics or emerge as stat leaders late. They too, have the opportunity to continue to participate in practices and possibly receive limited playtime during the tournament.

2025 Anticipated Dates:

These are the tentative dates for SNJ State Tournament. There are no longer “District” rounds. Teams begin with State Tournament Team Play. If they win, they move on to Regionals. The following dates are subject to change. Definitive dates and times are shared when they become available.

8u, 10u, & 12u Softball

Districts

• 6/13-6/15
  • Location: Waretown

States

• 6/26-6/30
  • Location: Egg Harbor

Regions

• 7/10-7/14
  • Location: Vineland

Baseball  8u, 9u, 10u, 11u, & 13u-16u

Districts

• 6/15 - 6/19
  • Location: TBD

States

• 6/25-6/29
  • Location: TBD

Iron Man - District Consolation Tournament if losing in Districts or no States

• 7/7-7/10
  • Location: Jackson

Regions

• 7/16-7/20
  • Location: TBD

13u Baseball

Districts

• 6/27-6/30
  • Location: TBD

States

• 7/7-7/11
  • Location: TBD

Regions

• 7/22-7/26
  • Location: TBD

We attempt to organize All-Star teams in baseball and softball as age-grouped teams: 8u, 9u, 10u, 11u, 12u, 13u, 13u-16u. Players that exhibit a superior skill level above and beyond their age may be considered to “play up” in all-stars; however, this depends on the roster formulation process as PYJSBA aims to formulate the most competitive rosters possible for every age level that PYJSBA coaches volunteer to lead. For example, it’s essential to appreciate that a 9u player who “could” play up with the 10u is much different than a 9u player who “should” play up with the 10u, especially if that 9u player gives the 9u team a better chance at competing and a reasonable 10u player is available. This applies to ALL eligible players and all-star teams. Players and parents should anticipate participating at their age level because a “bump up” for all-stars is rare and done out of necessity, not convenience or preference. Players are not, under any circumstances, permitted to “bump down” for all-stars. 

Again, this opportunity varies from year to year and level to level based on the number of registrations PYJSBA receives, the skill level of players, consistent level of play, team needs, and having PYJSBA coaches willing to coach the teams. (For Coaches to be eligible, they must be certified and involved in PYJSBA, board approved, and able to participate in the All-Star experience fully).

As is long-standing practice, PYJSBA combines with out-of-town players who must also meet the "40% Rule," which helps PYJSBA assemble multiple competitive age-grouped All-Star teams. Therefore, it is essential to remember that our all-star teams are not inclusive of only Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton, Bass River, New Gretna, and Eagleswood players. If a talent pool in a specific age group proves deep enough to assemble two teams in one age group, PYJSBA will do that.

* “40% Rule” - All players within our sending district are eligible for All-Star selection if they attend and participate in 40% of their scheduled games with PYJSBA before final selections.  This only includes the weekly regular season games. Regular season games added to the “set” schedule after the start of the season can be used as make-up and additional games for players to qualify. If a regular season game is added beyond the ten (10) scheduled Saturdays or moved because of weather, the game would count toward the players’ regular season requirement of five (4) regular season games.

Depending on the number of players registered, the skill-level of players, consistent level of play, and finding coaches willing to coach the teams, PYJSBA aims to formulate all-star teams, provide jerseys, hats, and patches, and pay for tournament play for all eligible and skill-level-appropriate players ages 8 through 16.  Again, PYJSBA only offers this opportunity if we have the necessary numbers to fill the age-appropriate teams AND a Coach announces willingness to head a team at or before the end of April. (For coaches to be eligible, they must be certified and involved in PYJSBA, board approved, and able to participate fully in the All-Star experience). 

Additional Requirements for Eligibility

The player (and the family) have to want to participate.  All-Star play is more demanding than our regular season. It involves additional time, focus, and commitment for practices and, inevitably, tournament play. It may involve certain expenses if a team advances to regional play.  Not all players and families are interested in this, and that is certainly fine; but if a player is going to be considered for an All-Star team with PYJSBA, player participation is expected in “All-Star Practices,” so the first question to be asked is: Do we as a family want to do this?  

The player must be available for a reasonable number of all-star practices, if scheduled and when possible and commit to attending all official All-Star games. Tournaments are scheduled by the state of New Jersey, the Cal Ripken, and Babe Ruth organizations. As a local league, we have no control over that.  If your player is invited to participate, and you think your player would like to be considered for All-Star play, but he or she is going to be unavailable (for example away on vacation) during the tournament(s) as outlined above, or for a significant number of team practices, this is probably not something you should plan to pursue. Anticipated Timeframe of All-Star Tournament: Anywhere between June 15 through July 28 with the possibility of going beyond August 1 depending on team success if they reach the regional level.  See above for this season’s anticipated tournament dates.

Finally, if a player is invited to participate, and the player and family want to be considered, and the player will be available, he or she must be selected through their performance in the regular season, conduct, and stats, inevitably selected by league coaches and board members in an effort to assemble the most competitive teams possible.  Unlike our regular season  – which emphasizes inclusion – All-Star rosters are the most competitive mix of players within our program. We are limited by Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball and softball tournament regulations to a maximum of 12 players. It is also important to remember that there is no mandatory playing time rule for our All-Star teams, so it is possible for a player to be selected and receive limited game-play time; however, they will participate in all practices and activities associated with the All-Star team.

The All-Star Team’s Manager, who is selected by the PYJSBA Board from PYJSBA coaches who voice interest, in consultation with the League President & Board, and participating coaches shall determine and or identify the: (a) All-Star Team practice schedule; (b) anticipated overall time commitment (including practices and games) for players and families; (c) anticipated costs for players and families; and (d) the effect on playing time for missing team practices and official All-Star Games.

All-Star Program FAQ’S:

What is the All-Star Program?

All-Star gameplay begins after the regular season is complete in mid-June; although, "tryout games" begin as early as April if enough returning players reregister, who played on on an all-star team the season before and as late as May if and when the possibility to develop an all-star team emerges.  All-Star play is team play among the highest-skilled players within the town against competitive teams from outside of Little Egg Harbor and our immediate surrounding area.  The ideal tournament experience begins toward mid- to late June, with possible advancement into late July and early August.  Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth teams from across New Jersey participate annually. For a more detailed description of PYJSBA’s All-Star Program, please read the provided information above the FAQs.

Who Can Participate?

EVERY PYJSBA registered player 8 years of age and older who achieve all requirements outlined above.

How does my player get selected to participate in All-Stars?

Prospective players must be recommended for all-stars by team PYJSBA coaches, opposing PYJSBA coaches, and/or the PYJSBA Board accompanied by stats from 4-5 regular season games.  Unlike PYJSBA’s regular season  – which emphasizes inclusion – All-Star rosters are the most competitive mix of players within our program. We are limited by Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball and softball tournament regulations to a maximum of 12 players. It is also important to remember that there is no mandatory playing time rule for our All-Star teams, so it is possible for a player to be selected and not receive game-play time; however, they will participate in all practices and activities associated with the All-Star team.

How Much of a Time Commitment Can My Player and I Expect? 

All-Star Scheduling is contingent on the success of the team: “The More You Win, The Further You Advance, The More Games You Play.” Typically, the All-Star team’s season begins in mid-June and ends in mid-July, but it can go into the first week of August. Practices may begin as early as April or May. The number of practices depends on the coach, but up to one (1) practice a week during the regular season and 1-2 practices a week after the regular season is possible depending on the needs of the team.

Can I Take a Summer Vacation?

Yes, you can take vacation. However, players need to be available for practices and games. Tournaments are scheduled by the state Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth organizations. As a local league, we have no control over that.  If you think your player would like to be considered for All-Star play, but he or she is going to be unavailable (for example away on vacation) during “tryout games,” practices, or the tournament itself, this opportunity is probably not something you should plan to pursue.

Once selected, it is strongly encouraged that All-Star team players defer vacation plans until after Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth Tournament play concludes in mid- to late July. Some prefer to defer their plans until mid-August. A player's scheduled absence for vacation during All-Star related activity must be taken into consideration when selecting a team, so please communicate these plans.

Q: What are the Costs We Can Expect?

The fees for All-Star play are established by PYJSBA, the state, and Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth Organizations. In the past, there has never been a fee for All-Star participation except for personal expenses.  We aim to keep this tradition going for now and PYJSBA covers all essential costs: Insurance, Equipment, Uniforms and tournament entry fees. Personal expenses like additional costs for travel are incurred by parents if the team advances.