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Select Baseball Q/A
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Select Baseball Info
The Tradition Begins Here! - Select Baseball
The Keller Knights teams 9-14 will be playing at the AAA level and the Keller Aces teams 9-14 will be playing at the AA level during the baseball season. The 14u Keller Blaze will be playing at the AAA level during the baseball season.
AGE REQUIREMENT: The players age as of April 3Oth is the player's eligible age division for that current season.
On behalf of KYA, thank you for your interest in having your son play on a 'select' baseball team through KYA. Below is an information sheet that will answer some of your questions. I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have, but before you ask, please ask your coach. Even though our coaches run similar programs and tryouts, there may be specific requirements or requests that may be unique to your age group or coach. Below is some information regarding the tryout.
Information
Should you choose to try out, the commitment should not be taken lightly. This is a serious commitment of time, energy, and money for the selected players and parents. Most select teams: begin practice in January, play games from February through July, play numerous tournaments both locally and remotely which may include other states, play tournaments that start on Thursday evenings and may end on Monday evenings (including Sunday morning, evenings and holiday’s).
The reason why the term 'Select' is used is because not all kids will make a team. This is not intended to demoralize any child, but it’s simply part of playing at this level of competition.
The number of teams KYA has chosen to 'sanction' was based on a number of things to include the following:
1) quality of the coaches requesting a team/s
2) past success of these coaches
3) past success of that age group’s All-Star teams
4) current number of 'sanctioned' select coaches in that age group
5) field space availability
6) general parental/player interest, etc.
The timeline for the player selection process and the method that these teams will be formed will be left to the individual head coaches with supervision from KYA. All final selections must be complete by Jan 31. This will allow those not making one of the KYA Select Teams to still have time to register for our Spring Recreation program.
Select baseball is NOT an equal play program, although our guidelines prescribe minimum playing requirements and encourage all players to participate in every game and over the course of every tournament. We encourage all coaches to provide a memorable experience and to provide each player with quality game time experience.
Should you have further interest, please contact your respective age group coaches for more specific information regarding the tryout and the individual team requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Additional information and commonly asked questions on KYA Select Baseball:
1. What league do the teams play?
Most likely the team will play in the NTI Spring League in either the AA or AAA division. Please see their website at www.ntibaseball.com for more information.
2. How much does Select Baseball cost?
This will largely depend on the amount of tournaments a team decides to play. The most common amount is an estimate of $600 per player for the spring/summer season. Keep in mind; this could vary significantly pending on the team. The amount can also vary pending on fundraising and sponsorship money.
3. What about uniforms?
The team is responsible for supplying there own uniforms in Select Baseball. The coaches will supply this information.
4. What is 'AA/AAA' Baseball and how does it differ from current recreational or select leagues?
KYA and many neighboring communities recognize and utilize the USSSA Baseball, Incorporated Team Classification System. The primary focus of USSSA Baseball is the development of programs that allow teams of all skill levels to compete against one another. USSSA believes the overall development of all players can be enhanced by the experience and fun of national tournament play. Until now the majority of players were denied this opportunity because of their skill level. USSSA Baseball offers programs for four levels of play. Major and AAA programs are national programs that culminate in a World Series. The AA program is a regional program run by participating states that culminates at a National tournament. The A level is for recreational teams and is at a state level only.
Classification Guidelines- State Directors determine actual classification.
Major Division- The top competitive teams in the country.
AAA Division- Middle of the pack competitive teams.
AA Division- Teams that have restricted rosters, drafted players through a tryout format.
A Division- Recreational League teams only.
5. Do I register for the KYA recreation league?
If you do not make a team, you will need to register for the Recreational in the Spring if you wish to play. If you make a team, you will register differently from Recreational registration, and your coach will supply this information.
6. What additional costs will a Select player incur?
Other than the KYA player registration fee, Select teams have to pay for their own uniforms. Select teams will play a few more games than the recreational league and the umpires for Select games cost a fair amount more than the recreational league umpires. The Select coaches will have to manage the additional costs for team uniforms and any tournaments the team may join. In summary, the parents of Select players should expect additional costs after normal KYA player registration fees are paid. These costs will vary depending upon the uniform selected by the team/coach, and what other functions the team participates in, including tournaments. It is highly recommended for a team to have a 'checks and balances' system in regards to its finances. It is also recommended that there is a Team Manager that handles this portion of the management of the team.
7. When and how will coaches be selected?
Coaches must submit an application to the Select Director which is then given to a Selection Committee. Each of the committee members has considerable coaching and administrative experience in recreational and select baseball. Once this committee interviews in-person the coaching applicants, they will recommend the coach selections to the KYA board. Once the KYA Board of Directors approves the committee's recommendations, the selected coaches will be notified. Their name will also be posted on the KYA.
8. How do I tryout for a Select team(s) and when will I know if my player made the AA team?
All newly formed select teams will have an open tryout for all the age appropriate players that would like to tryout for that team. A few days after the coaches are selected; those coaches will be assigned a field and time to have their tryout. Those tryout times and locations will be posted on the KYA web-site.
9. How many teams will there be in each age group?
This depends on 2 things; The number of coaches and the number of players. Having 3 coaches, for example, does not mean that there will be 3 teams if there is not enough talent to support the third team. We would like to have at least two teams in each age group, but this will vary year to year and by the age group.
10. Will there for sure be Select team/s in all age groups?
Not necessarily. The plan is to have teams at all age groups sponsored by NTI. Those age groups are all age pure and consist of 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, and 14U. If there isn't enough coach or player interest, some age groups may not make.
11. How many times a week will there be practice and games?
Typically teams practice around 3 times a week. There are no restrictions on how many times a team may practice. Typically teams will play double-headers on Saturdays through NTI. This will depend on the league and the age-group. There are no guarantees on game times, or the day of the week games could be played.
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