Peninsula Youth Softball Association
All-Star Information

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Number of Players: All the division managers select the first 7 to 9 players. The managers rank the players based on how they viewed the player's performance during the season, during tryouts, and how they can best serve the team's needs. The all star coaches select the remaining 3 to 5 players.


The Team: The ideal team would be 5 position players, 2-3 pitchers, 2 catchers and 3 utility players/pinch hitters/pinch runners. However, most of the players selected will have played infield positions, catcher and pitcher. As a result, the teams make up will likely be 7 position players (pitchers playing infield/outfield when not pitching), a catcher, a backup catcher, and 3 utility players that can play infield or outfield and the role of designated hitter or pinch runner.

Skills: The players selected by the all star coaches should have a good knowledge of the game. They need to be coachable, and have a good concept of team play because they could be a role player. Bunting, base running, and hitting will also be important considerations in the selection of the players as well as defensive skills.

Playing Time: Players are not guaranteed playing time. The best 9 players in the coaches' opinion will get the majority of playing time. Pinch runners, bunters, and hitters will be used strategically as needed.

Tournament Play: Tournament play is very different from recreational play. Only 9 players are on the field for defense, and bat on offense for the 10U, 12U, and 14U. The 8U will depend on which tournament it is. This limits playing time for many players, but at the same time real game strategy and tactics can be used.

Commitment: The tournament season is very different from recreational season. It begins the week after tryouts.  Practices will begin on Sundays even prior to the end of the regular season, and the season may go into mid July, or the end of July depending upon how well the team does. There will be 4-6 tournaments, and the team will play 12-40 games depending on how many games we win. When we play in a tournament, expect to be at the site as early as Thursday or Friday afternoon, all day on Saturday, and hopefully all day on Sunday. There could be as many as three or four games played in one day. Practices may be four to five days a week and last two to three hours.

Expectations: Players can expect to play positions that they have not played before, and may not be a starter. They maybe role players with limited playing time. There may be times when they do not see action for several games, yet they are still expected to come to practice and be part of the team. This can be very hard for the players, as well as the parents to accept since they were key players on their recreational teams, and now they are role players. This is where the understanding of TEAM PLAY becomes important.

Cost: Each year the fee to play all-stars is set after we determine the total costs of uniforms and tournament entry fees.  The amount is announced at tryouts. All star jackets will be available for purchase at an additional cost to be determined. One parent for each all star player will be expected to volunteer 4 hours of work during our Cool Breeze Tournament at Robb Field in mid-June for field prep or snack shack. It is a great tournament, and the league needs parent volunteers to help make it a success.

The all star level of play is much higher than what you have experienced at the recreational level. Just like in the 10U, 12U, and 14U  8U pitchers can walk batters, and only nine players play on defense.

The selection process is one of the most difficult tasks for the recreation coaches and the all star coaches. Some players and parents are going to be disappointed that they did not make the team. Some will feel that they should have made the team over another player. Unfortunately, that will be the reaction for some regardless of whom the recreation coaches and all star coaches select. Everyone has a different opinion of players. All coaches will never agree on the same ranking of the top 7 to 9 players. Just as they will not agree why certain players were selected as role players over other players. It is a fact, no matter what is said or done, there will never be 100% agreement. This may be something you may not want to hear, but it is important, and it is reality.

For those players who are not starters, the only thing that can be said in answer to the question ("why do I come to practice, try hard, and don't get to play much?") is that the tournament season can be looked at as a SOFTBALL CAMP. In a short tournament season, the players will; 1) learn skills that they did not have a chance to learn in recreational season; 2) learn new game strategies and tactics; 3) have more practice hours than they did during recreational season; 4) see a higher level of competition; 5) learn the meaning and importance of a team.

There will be one tryout day in early May, and possibly a second tryout day if the all-star coaches feel it's necessary. The day and time will be given after the first tryout. We encourage you to attend all tryouts for best results. Failure to attend tryouts may result in your not being selected for the Team.

Players will be informed whether or not they made the team prior to Closing Day, and the team will be introduced at our Closing Day Ceremony.


 



 

PYSA
P.O. Box 70020
San Diego, Ca 92167