ALL-STAR INFORMATION AND SPECIFIC FAQS

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 team play on the “tryout roster,” 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. 

The PYJSBA All-Star Hybrid Model

In the spirit of transparency and fairness for all participating players, the PYJSBA Board has adopted a hybrid model approach to “All-Star Tryouts” by embedding “tryout games” (and practices if possible) throughout the regular season. All-Star roster spots are earned based on regular season stats, gameplay, and performance in additional higher-level games that are scheduled during the regular season. Beginning at some point in April, 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 rotate onto an “All-Star Tryout” roster from week to week. 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 as PYJSBA aims to formulate the most competitive 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. Once a solid 10 player team is assembled and board approved, official All-Star preparation begins.  

• In the event that league play for possible “All-Star Tryout Teams” entered in TSE or USABL begins prior to the regular season or players are able to accumulate 3 regular season games of stats and game play, previous rosters are used where those players are available; then, players who coaches and the board know enough about regarding previous game play.

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

All level PYJSBA Coaches are expected to help select and formulate the most competitive 10-player teams possible for participation. Each Final Roster will also have 2 alternate 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. Please remember, no player who makes the roster is guaranteed playtime or position choices based the aim is to field the most competitive team possible.

2024 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 (regionals start 7/18) states must start by 7/5 but can start as early as 6/27

• 9U (regionals start 7/10) states must start by 6/27

• 10U (regionals start 7/17) states must start by 7/5 but can start as early as 6/27

• 11U (regionals start 7/10) states must start by 6/27

• 12U (regionals start 7/16) states must start by 7/5 but can start as early as 6/27

• 13U (regionals start 7/18) states must start by 7/11 but can start as early as 6/27

• 14U (regionals start 7/18) states must start by 7/11 but can start as early as 6/27

• 13-16 (regionals start 7/17) states must start by 7/11 but can start as early as 6/27

We can organize All-Star teams in baseball and softball as age-grouped teams, 8u, 9u, 10u, 11u, 12u, 13u, 14u, 16u, and Babe Ruth (13/14/15/16u).  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 important 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 need, and finding 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 fully participate in the All-Star experience).

As is long-standing practice, PYJSBA combines with out-of-town players who must also meet the "50% Rule," which helps PYJSBA assemble multiple competitive age-grouped All-Star teams. Therefore, it is important to remember that our all-star teams are not inclusive of only Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton, Bass River, New Gretna, and Eagleswood players. Should a talent pool in a specific age group prove deep enough to assemble two teams in one age group, PYJSBA will do that.

* “50% Rule” - All players within our sending district are eligible for All-Star selection if they attend and participate in 50% of the games they are scheduled with PYJSBA.  This only includes the weekly Saturday games (and “Tryout Games” once a player is invited to participate). 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. In that, 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 (5) regular season games. This rule also applies to all “potential all-star players” once they are invited and rostered on “tryout teams” and includes a combination of regular season games AND “Tryout Games.” For example, there are ten (10) regular season games (Saturdays barring postponements) and eight (8) “Tryout games,” and a player is invited to the “tryout roster,” right away because they were on an “All-Star Team” last season, they’d need to attend and participate in nine (9) games to be All-Star eligible, 5 regular season games and 4 “All-Star Tryout” games. 

Likewise, if a new player, whose history is not known to the PYJSBA board through previous season play, attends and proves themselves through a minimum of three (3) regular season games before invitation to the “tryout roster,” and three (3) “Tryout games” have been played before the player is rostered, there’d be a total of ten (7) regular season games remaining and a five (5) “All-Star Tryout Team” games remaining for a total of 4 more regular season and 3 “All-Star Tryout Team” games that player would be required to participate for eligibility. “All-Star Tryout Team” games not attended because a player is not on the roster do not count toward their “50% Rule” requirement, but it does once they are placed on the “All-Star Tryout Team” roster. Therefore, it is important to recognize that the “50% Rule” can and will be different for everyone depending on when they are invited to participate on the “All-Star Tryout Team.”

• This rule does NOT include practices and is in part, a reason behind why PYJSBA does not accept requests for regular season roster placement. Typically, PYJSBA’s most talented players participate in multiple baseball programs, and PYJSBA knows preparation is taking place even if they are absent from practice. However, it’s up to the player to perform on game day and remain a good teammate. 

• Regular season teams are drafted by PYJSBA coaches based on player performance at one or all evaluation nights in early March. Information regarding evaluations is posted on the Registration Information page. (Out-of-town players are welcome to request being placed with a maximum of one (1) other player from their town for transportation reasons and/or having a familiar face on their team. You can email this request to PYJSBA’s Player and Coach Agent. All other players are left up to fair and equal drafting opportunities for PYJSBA coaches). 

Anticipated Regular Season Schedule

PYJSBA promises our players and families 1-2 experiences per week (5pm-7pm) with guaranteed games on Saturdays. On Saturdays, we anticipate Ages 4-8 playing between 9am and 12pm. Ages 9-12 playing 1pm through 6pm. Ages 13+ playing 10am through 4pm. (These times are dependent on times set within the majority of surrounding leagues, umpire availability for older levels, and may differ slightly when we know these schedules). Nothing we offer has mandatory attendance; however, missing practices and games slows individual and team development and makes creating game-day lineups difficult for coaches.  This is another reason why team and coach requests are not accepted and limited even to out-of-town players. Lastly, unless fields are unplayable, PYJSBA expects scheduled practices and games to occur. 

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 end of April. (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). 

If PYJSBA is successful in the guidelines outline above, and there are a sufficient number of players capable of playing at the required high level, and PYJSBA coaches are available and approved; then, we begin the process by scheduling more competitive games outside our league that may require driving beyond Little Egg Harbor (No more than 50-60 minutes away) on weeknights or Sundays so as not to interfere with Saturday game schedules. It is possible, depending on the level, that if a regular season game is scheduled on a Saturday afternoon, an “All-Star Tryout Game” could be scheduled that morning if it works for “currently” rostered team. 

Additional Requirements for Eligibility

First, the player must be available to participate in invite-only “All-Star Tryout Games" based on previous seasons and present season performance, team coaches’, opposing coaches’, and board members’ recommendations. These “All-Star Tryout Games" are scheduled THROUGHOUT THE SEASON, beginning in early to mid April to early May depending on the age group and known history of the players and additional league entered. Players are rostered to play in higher level games scheduled within an organized travel league (USABL or TSE). IF players are hoping to make the eventual final All-Star Roster, they must participate in these extra games when possible.  Again, invitations are determined by team coaches, opposing coaches, and board members and do change from week to week as coaches begin formulating rosters. It is possible that a player who made a previous season All-Star team starts on the “Tryout Team” but does not make a present one because other players have improved or did not play. 

*New players, whose history is not known to the PYJSBA board through previous season play, must prove themselves through a minimum of three (3) regular season games before invitation consideration. 

Second, 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, “All-Star Tryout” games, 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 on the “All-Star Tryout Team,” so the first question to be asked is: Do we as a family want to do this?  

Third, the player must be available for a reasonable number of all-star practices, if scheduled and when possible, and "Tryout Games" 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 itself, or for a significant number of team practices or more than 50% of the “Tryout Games” remaining when invited, 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 within the all-star tryout evaluation process run by selected 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 not receive 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, travel, and games) for players and families; (c) anticipated costs for players and families; and (d) the effect on playing time for missing team practices, “tryout games,” and official All-Star Games.

All-Star Program FAQ’S:

 

What is the All-Star Program?

All-Star game play 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-star "tryout games" by team PYJSBA coaches, opposing PYJSBA coaches, and/or the PYJSBA Board.  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? 

There are two components to this question. First, there is a regular season time commitment for “potential all-stars.” All “potential all-star players” must attend 50% of the games they are scheduled to play. This can include a combination of “Tryout Games” once a player is invited to the “tryout roster” AND regular season games.  *New players, whose history is not known to the PYJSBA board through previous season play, must prove themselves through a minimum of three (3) regular season games before invitation to the “tryout roster.” “Tryout games” not attended because a player is not on the roster does not count toward their 50% rule, but it does if they are placed on the “try-out roster.” 

Secondly, 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 2-3 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.

Q: What are PYJSBA’s Tournament Options?

As a program that prides itself on development of baseball and softball players, PYJSBA wants nothing more than  to offer tournament play opportunities for our best performing players. With that said, not all teams are as talented as we hope but demonstrate the potential worth the extra effort. Therefore, PYJSBA coaches are afforded two options for tournament play.

• Tournament Option One (the only option for 8u Baseball & Softball) is the District/State Tournament. This tournament is for programs that believe they have a team or multiple teams that can compete at the highest level of competition across Ripken Baseball Charters with the possibility of regional and state advancement. There is no qualifying district tournament to determine eligibility; this was eliminated. If programs want in, they're in.

• Tournament Option Two is an “Iron Man Tournament” or a developmental tournament PYJSBA finds, which is for Programs that want to offer an All-Star Experience but don’t necessarily have a State Tournament caliber team. This is a single tournament with no opportunity to advance beyond the teams entered.

Q: What are “Tryout Games?”

“Tryouts” for All-Stars are embedded as “tryout games” in a more competitive league outside PYJSBA (and practices if possible) throughout the regular season. All-Star roster spots are earned based on regular season stats, gameplay, and performance in additional higher-level games that are scheduled during the regular season. Beginning at some point in April, players that have proven an ability to compete at a higher level via in-season stats and performance from inner-league play and are interested in participating in All-Stars receive invitation to rotate onto an “All-Star Tryout” roster from week to week. The top players remain on a revolving roster until a minimum of 10 players are considered the “Top 10.” At this time, official All-Star preparation begins. All level PYJSBA Coaches are expected to select and formulate the most competitive 10-player teams possible for participation. Each Final Roster will also have 2 alternate roster spots for players who may not be a part of the Top 10 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. Please remember, no player who makes the roster is guaranteed playtime or position choices based the aim is to field the most competitive team possible.

Q: If my child is selected to participate in All-Star "Tryout" practices and games, do they have to attend to secure a spot on an All-Star team?

A: Yes. If an extenuating circumstance occurs that would prevent a player from attending the All-Star Tryout practices and games after receiving an invitation to participate, what to do will be communicated by the participating level coaches.

All-Star Selection Process

In order for this to work, all level coaches must be cooperative and willing to work with the volunteering All-Star team head coaches to make selections and team formulation possible.

*Special Note: PYJSBA will try to hold our Annual Southside Championship or an equivalent regular season playoff at a certain point in late May or early June and can guarantee that all teams will have their best players available for those games.

• Specific level Coaches will be asked in April for their top-performing catchers’, pitchers’, fielders’, and batters’ stats (if available), notes on gameplay, and competitive attitude.

• “All-Star Tryout Games:” PYJSBA will enter an established league to ensure higher-level opponents. These games will occur on the volunteering head coach’s regularly scheduled “rec game slot” so as not to add extra days to players’ and coaches’ schedules when possible. Other players not considered part of the "top 10" on this coach's team are provided the option to play with the other participating level teams.

• One potential sacrifice other level coaches must be willing to make is playing one out of two rec games per week starting in May, without their best players. In their place would be players from one or both of the other two teams not scheduled to play two games that week.

• Each week, stats and in-game performance from the higher-level outer-league game and inner-league games will be reviewed to again determine the current “Top 10” All-Star Prospects.  If the current week’s Top 10 are different players from the previous week, or other “Top 10s” are not available that week, new top-performing prospects will alternate into the roster of 10 and replace low performers, regardless of who they are.

• The goal is to have a “Top 10” All-Star team identified no later than the first week of June based on higher-level game stats and overall gameplay to then continue higher-level practices and games revolving around the remaining two “alternate” spots until they are filled.

Should a player whose stats prove them to be an All-Star Prospect late in the season after a “Top 10” are rostered, these players will be afforded the opportunity to join the “Top 10” as an alternate and possibly move up the roster depending on performance in the higher level practices and games.

Please remember, there is no mandatory playing time rule or positional guarantees for our All-Star teams.