REGISTRATION

Q:  Why is a late fee charged beginning Feb 1st?
 

Q: What drills are performed at the D1/CR Evaluations?
A: Many parents have asked for additional details about player evaluations. Beginning in 2006, the D1 and Cal Ripken divisions standardized on the evaluation criteria for both leagues. This gives the coaches and coordinators a common base to use for the players aged 9 to 12. 

Here are the criteria on which we rate each player:

Base Running – Timing from Home to First and First to Third.

Infield – Fielding grounders straight on, to the left and the right and throwing to different bases from the shortstop and 2^nd base positions.

Outfield – Catching popups thrown to the left, right and straight at the player.

Batting – Hitting against a coaching throwing medium paced balls. We measure contact and swing form.

Pitching –  Measure of accuracy (strikes) and arm strength from a 45’ distance.

Catching – Measure of position behind the plate, ability to catch and strength of throw to 2^nd base.

Q: How is the GYBL draft handled in general?
A: After evals, coaches and coordinators meet to draft players for their teams.  Draft and team formation sometimes gives rise to questions and doubt about fairness. With the player’s best interest in mind, GYBL works earnestly and takes many measures to ensure that the process is as positive and fair as possible – always with the player’s best interest in mind. Board meetings have been devoted to the topic and policies have been written, reviewed, and established. Most importantly GYBL supports an open channel of communication where input from parents, coaches and players is always welcome and considered seriously.

We wish it were possible to place every player on a team that all parties feel is ideal.  GYBL board members, coaches and administrators work diligently on behalf of the children of Groton, and, weighing all factors,  strive to do what is best for each player.   We invite your input and participation.    By virtue of the fact that your child plays baseball, you are a vital element of the equation for success.

 Q: What is the process for the Division 1 draft?
A: All D1 players attend evaluations and receive a numeric score in several different drills.  In the past these have included fielding grounders, running the bases, catching, pitching, hitting, and fielding fly balls.  The player then receives an overall score that is the average of all the drills combined.  The Division Coordinator assembles his coaches and distributes the master list of players and their rankings.  The coaches then attend a draft and each coach is automatically assigned his son/daughter.  The score their son/daughter received is their team's starting point.  The coach that has the lowest ranking has first pick in the draft.  At the conclusion of the first round the team average is again ranked and whatever team has the lowest ranking has the first pick in that round. 

The draft is done this way in an effort to achieve parity among all the teams.  This has always worked well for us in the past and we will continue to operate in this capacity.

Q: What is the process for the Cal Ripken draft?
A:  The Cal Ripken draft is conducted in the same basic manner as the D1 draft.  All Cal Ripken players attend evaluations and receive a numeric score in several different drills.  In the past, the drills have included fielding grounders, running the bases, catching, pitching, hitting, and fielding fly balls.  The player then receives an overall score that is the average of all the drills combined. Every child that signs up for Cal Ripken is evaluated, regardless of where they played last year.   Players that have previously played in CR Majors, and are within the CR age range, are guaranteed a spot the following year on the same team.  Returning Majors players MUST attend the evaluations to receive an evaluation score.  The returning players scores are tallied up for each team and the team with the lowest ranking will have first pick in the draft. Re-ranking of the teams is done at the completion of each draft round to achieve parity among teams.   This is done to develop players working together and establish esprit de corps among teams.  If there is a problem with last year's coach and you would like to re-enter your child into this year's draft, contact the Division Coordinator prior to the evaluations.   

Currently, GYBL's policy is that every 12 year old MUST play in Majors.  Each team is allowed no more than eight, 12-year-olds.  Once the number of 12-year-olds is known through our registration process then we determine the number of teams in Majors.  This also determines our number of available roster spots for children trying out from last year's Cal Ripken Minors and D1 programs.  The 12-year-olds are selected first in the draft, and after they have all been chosen the draft is opened up to the remaining players.  Players NOT selected for Majors are put into a pool for the Minors draft that is usually conducted within a couple of days, using  the same process.

 Q: What is my child's practice and game schedule?
A: Generally speaking players in all divisions practice or have games at least 2 weeknights per week, but not necessarily on the same nights each week. Guidelines for each division, follow.