The following is the summary of the general process related to player assignments to Canton Little League (CLL) age 9 to 12 summer teams.

All players wishing to play on a Canton Little League (CLL) summer travel team are required to register on-line.  Depending on the number of applicants in each age group and volunteers willing to coach the teams, Canton Little League summer travel teams will play in both the Suburban Youth Baseball League and the South River League.  Each age group will have a level A and level B team in the Suburban League.  The South River League will include 10 and under and a 12 and under teams based on the number of applicants.

It is understood that other family events occur during the summer months (vacation, camp, commitments to other sports), however, to be fair to those players who make a commitment to play Summer Baseball, Canton Little League is requiring that the player and parents make a commitment that they will not miss more than 2 regular season games and make every effort to attend all playoff games during the season.  Please keep in mind that this policy is designed to allow for those unavoidable circumstances, but since this is a tryout/selection team the overall commitment objective should still be 100% attendance at all games & practices.  If such a commitment can’t be made, please notify the Canton Little League.

All registered candidates will be considered for selection to a summer team based on skills demonstrated during tryouts on May 31^st and performance in the current Canton Little League season.  The Summer League Player Agents will over-see the selection of the teams. The tryouts will consist of typical baseball drills (hitting, throwing and fielding).  The evaluations will be made by individuals who do not have a child in the applicable age bracket.  Canton Little League will use evaluators who are fair, impartial and have a reasonable knowledge of baseball skills.  The order of the evaluations will be the primary basis for selection of the teams.  The player’s performance in the current Canton Little League season, attitude and coachability will also be considered.  Input from the league Player Agents and/or team managers may be used.

Evaluation of pitchers and catchers will be based on a player’s performance in the current Canton Little League season.  Evaluating a pitchers or catchers performance in actual game situations is the fairest process as compared to a throwing session during the May 31st tryouts. Additionally, not all candidates want to pitch or catch and an equitable grading system for non-pitchers/catchers verses pitchers/catchers is not achievable.  Input from the league Player Agents and/or team managers will be used to grade pitchers and catchers. The Summer League Player Agents will adjust rosters accordingly and fairly for placement of pitchers and catchers. 

Every attempt should be made to attend the summer tryouts on May 31^st at the appropriate time.  Parents are required to provide advance notice of an absence.   Players who can not attend their scheduled tryouts will be asked to come to an evaluation with a different age group so that an assessment can be made of the player’s skill level.  If a candidate does not attend the May 31^st tryouts then they will be placed on a team using the best judgment of the Summer League Player Agents.   

For the May 31^st tryouts, players are to report to the back of the Kennedy School 30 minutes before their schedule start time.  This is required to sign-in, get their squad assignment and to warm-up.  All players should come prepared with their own gloves, bats and bring at least one bottle of water to carry with them.

For the May 31st tryouts, Parents are to bring a copy of their child’s birth certificate.  We must submit birth certificates to the appropriate summer leagues in order to place your child on a roster.  Canton Little League does not maintain copies of any birth certificates so any copy you previously provided us was returned or destroyed.

During the tryouts parents are asked to quietly stay up in the parking lot and avoid contact with your child.  The evaluation process is stressful and the kids do not do any better with added pressure by their parents.   

The evaluation and team selection is a subjective process.  Canton Little League is committed to make the process as fair as reasonably possible.  Parents are asked to respect the final decision on team selections. 

The goal will be to announce the 9U and 10U teams during the second week of June.  The 11U and 12U teams will be announced on or about June 15^th.

Below are some general guidelines and principles for summer baseball.

The level “A” and “B” teams playing in the Suburban League are competitive oriented teams.  As such there is no guarantee on playing time.   The top players will play more. 

The 10U and 12U teams playing in the South River League will be competitive oriented but the coaches will provide reasonable (not equitable) playing time for each child.

A natural instinct for all parents is to want their child to play and succeed.  The coaches will be making decisions on playing time and positions based on what is best for the team.  Parents are asked to respect the decision of the coaches.

All players need to commit to attending all summer league games and practices.   Where conflicts exist parents are expected to provide the coaches ample advance notice.