This Program Is Designed To Train

Tournament Directors For Illinois State Little League Tournaments

And Is Only A Guideline.

* This Presentation is neither Approved or Disapproved by Little League Baseball and Softball.

2010Illinois State

Tournament Manual 

 

The enclosed manual contains helpful suggestions and recommendations to assist your community in effectively running a successful Little League State Tournament. Our sincere thanks to all of our volunteer workers. Without your dedication to your local Little League, conducting an event of this magnitude would be impossible.

Best of Luck!

Contact numbers for the State Tournament Staff’s InformationIllinois State website: www.eteamz.com/ilstatelittleleagueorg/

Tim Ward, DAHome: 217-322-6408 Email: timward@frontiernet.netCell: 217-248-7511Steve Behymer, ADAHome: 217-289-3332 Email: behymer@adams.netWork: 217-322-7404 cellCell: 217-242-0006Rick Schroll, ADACell: 217-371-2615 Email: rschroll@casscomm.comRobert “Bob” Rigg, UICHome: 309-837-1822 Email: riggfamily@macomb.com Cell: 309-333-5569

Kevin Spoon, ADA SoftballHome: 217-322-6468 Email: spoonz@frontiernet.netCell: 217-248-1485Scott Budke, ASAP OfficerHome: 309-543-3402 Email: budke@grics.netCell: 309-264-7845Jim Kelly, ADAHome: 618-372-3208 Email: pickelly3@aol.comCell: 618-535-3242Brian DeLoche, ADA SoftballHome: 217-323-2646 Email: deloche@casscomm.comCell: 217-414-7630

Central Region Headquarters PH# 317-897-6127

(For Protest situations only if you cannot reach a State Tournament Staff Member)

Report Game Scores nightly to Max Lauritzen phone at 815-897-6331 or by email to Max Lauritzen 416@comcast.net so it can be posted on the state website. Also, please communicate all Rainout and other info from your tournament location that needs to be posted.

Concession Stands and Tournament Site Phone NumbersLocation #1 _______________Location #2 _______________

Location #3 _______________ Location #4 _______________

2010 InformationThis is a guide line to make your contact information from.

Field Recommendations For Hosting State Tournaments

• All games shall be played upon Little League fields approved by the Tournament Director. Exception to this rule can only be made with the consent of the Regional Director.

• Generally, a skin or non grass infield is suitable for baseball or softball.  However, grass infields are recommended for baseball. 

• Fields must be enclosed with an outfield fence.• Outfield fences for the Little League Divi sion of Baseball should be a

maximum of 225 feet from home plate and a minimum of 195 feet. • For 9-10 and 10-11 divisions of Baseball, a maximum of 225 feet and a

minimum of 180 feet.• For Junior League Baseball, a maximum of 350 feet and a minimum of 250

feet. • For Senior League and Big League Baseball, a maximum of 420 feet and a

minimum of 280 feet.• For Softball the distance to the outfield fence should be 200 feet.• Tournament Directors should not per mit portable outfield fences to exceed

200 feet (300 feet for Junior/Senior/Big League Baseball).• A request to use an artificial mound for tournament play may be submitted to

the Tournament Committee in Williamsport (through the District Administrator/Tournament Director and Regional Office). An artificial mound must not be used unless approved in writing by the Tournament Committee for a specific tournament site/level, and only for the current year.

Umpire Requirements for State Tournaments of Selected Umpire's

• Umpires must be of adult age.• Umpire shall be recommended by their League President and

District Administrator. • Umpire shall work regular season, District Tournament and

Sectional tournament before being promoted to umpire a state tournament.

The Host District Administrator is responsible for the following :• Select a minimum of two (2) umpires, if available, from DA

recommendations for state tournaments that are not from the host district.

• Provide each selected umpire (from outside the district) with the cost of a hotel room. (optional)

• Provide each selected umpire with a hat and shirt. (optional) • Provide each selected umpire( from outside the district) with $10

per day of meal money or equivalent meal vouchers. (optional)• Utilize selected umpire's for one semi-final and or championship

game if available. (optional)

STATE TOURNAMENT GOALS

1. Tournament staff and volunteers should strive to maintain a positive attitude toward Little League and the challenges of the tournament.

2. Decisions made by the tournament committees should be based on what is best for the participants we are serving, not what is best for us. The tournament and activities are designed for the players.

3. Tournament committees and the state staff should develop a sense of loyalty toward each other and the total program.

4. The operation of our State Little League Tournament should be done in a first class manner. This can be done in a positive way without being braggy or showy.

5. Our Tournament Location should be known for hosting the best tournaments in Illinois. It is helpful if we treat our opponents as our guests.

Pre-Tournament MeetingFor Managers, Coaches, and Umpires

• Welcome• Introduce Staff, Managers, Coaches, Umpires, and Team Hosts• Tournament Ground Rules • Tournament Rules Review (By Umpire and Chief)• Review Tournament Documents (By Tournament Director or DA)• Walk the field of play

• Umpires Meeting for Tournament Umpires

1. Responsibility for overseeing the total tournaments activity.

2. Conducting the coin flip for home team before each game.

3. Responsibility for providing volunteer Little League umpires and assigning times to umpires for the tournament.

4. Have knowledge of tournament rules of tournament being hosted.

5. Recording of player, manager, or coaches changes on Eligibility Affidavit. Player changes must be accompanied by Certification of Live Birth.

6. Recording of innings pitched by players on the back of the Eligibility Affidavit. (Baseball Only)

8. Calling Central Region on protests.

9. Calling in of Scores or Rainout situations for posting on State Website.

State Tournament Directors Duties

STATE TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS DUTIES IN DETAIL

1. Meet with Managers and Coaches a minimum of 1 hour before game start. A. Conduct coin flip (If not done at pre-tournament meeting) . B. Look over Medical Releases to make sure all are there and completed. C. Take possession of Eligibility affidavit and check for completion. D. Hand out and explain lineup cards. E. Go over pitching eligibility.2. 30 minutes before game, visiting team warm-up on field for 10 minutes.3. Pickup lineup cards for announcer and official scorer.4. Check players and pitchers for eligibility (Prevent any problems before they happen).5. 20 minutes before game home team warm-up on field for 10 minutes.6. 10 minutes before game, announcement of players (first game played per team and championship game only).7. Play national anthem (game 1 of each night only).8. 5 minutes before game Umpires, Managers, and Coaches meeting at home plate to talk over ground rules and exchange lineup cards 9. START GAME ON TIME AS SCHEDULED.10. At the end of the 3rd inning, or later, conduct local fund raisers (50/50 Drawing, Raffles, or other procedures).11. At the 4th inning start over for the second game of the night, or 45 minutes before the expected start of the second game.12. Do not start a game before the scheduled starting time.

Little League Baseball and Softball

PRE-GAME ANNOUNCEMENTTO BE READ OVER PA BEFORE START OF GAME

Ladies and Gentlemen: At this time we would like to remind you that you are NOT at a major league game. This is Little League. The adults working in this program have given many hours of their time developing their team and their leagues.

We ask that you as Little League parents and fans do not criticize, boo, or use noisemakers, or try to belittle anyone concerned with the activity of today’s game. We would like for you to cheer and encourage your team and all good plays, as effectively as you can. Players, managers, coaches, grandparents, and fans that do not comply with this request will be asked to leave the ballpark.

Look at changing

Tournament Directors are AuthorizedTo Pay Expenses From

Tournament Income

•Championship Pennants (Paid for and provided by State DA Association)

•Approved Little League Pins for Players, Managers, Coaches, (All Teams) and Umpires•Postage, Telephone, and Out of Pocket Expenses

Tournament Directors

Responsibility for Expense at

No Cost to the Tournament

• Baseballs and Softballs (Approved be Little League)• Volunteer Umpires• Scorekeepers

SCOREKEEPER-ANNOUNCER BOOTH

CHAIRPERSON ______________________

Purpose: There shall be of (Adult Age) - Official Scorekeeper, Scoreboard Operator, Announcer, and Tournament Director in the booth for each game. This is very

important because of pool play, pitch counts, pitching changes, and mandatory play.

No other persons shall be permitted in the booth.

Public Announcements: Will be made as conditions dictate.

Notes: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SCORERS

• The Tournament Director having jurisdiction shall appoint and provide an official scorer for each game.

• The official scorer shall, immediately following each game, enter on the reverse side of each team’s Eligibility Affidavit:

1. Date of the game2. Name of each player who pitched3. Number of innings pitched 4. Number of pitches (Baseball only) 5. Name of opponent6. Score of the game7. Signature of Tournament Director or assistant. This record shall be accepted as official. This is the only official record of the game!

Other Committees that need to be formed with Chairpersons

A List of Scheduled Duties, Procedures, Times, Dates and People to Help

•Concession Stand•Tournament Umpires•Field Preparation•Medical Staff•Sound

Tournament Document Training

•Little League Tournament Affidavit•Little League Tournament Pitcher’s Record•Little League Baseball Pitch Count Data Sheet•Proof of Age Requirements•Residence Eligibility Requirements•Little League Medical Release

RESIDENCE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Each local Little League determines the actual geographic boundaries of the area from within which it shall select players. These boundaries must be described in detail and shown on a map and dated when making application for a Little League charter. Players will be eligible to play with that league only if they reside within the boundaries provided to and approved by Little League Baseball, Incorporated.A player will be deemed to reside within the league boundaries if:

A. His/her parents are living together and are residing within such league boundaries, OR; B. Either of the player’s parents (or his/her court-appointed legal guardian) resides within such boundaries. It is unacceptable if a parent moves into a league’s boundaries for the purpose of qualifying for tournament play.“Residence,” “reside” and “residing” refers to a place of bona fide continuous habitation. A place of residence once established shall not be considered changed unless the parents, parent or guardian makes a bona fide change of residence.

Residence shall be established and supported by documents from THREE OR MORE of the following categories to determine residency of such parent's) or guardian:

1. Driver’s License 2. Voter’s Registration 3. School records 4. Welfare/child care records 5. Federal records 6. State records 7. Local (municipal) records 8. Support payment records 9. Homeowner or tenant records10. Utility bills (i.e., gas, electric, water/sewer, phone, mobile phone, heating, waste disposal) 11. Financial (loan, credit, investments, etc.) records12. Insurance documents13. Medical records14. Military records15. Internet, cable or satellite records16. Vehicle records17. Employment recordsNote: Example – Three utility bills (three items from No. 10 above) constitute only ONE document.

It is recommended that the league require some proof of residence within the league’s boundaries at the time the player registers. Players and their parents/guardians are advised that a false statement of residence may lead to ineligibility to play Little League Baseball or Softball. Under NO circumstances does ANY person have the authority to grant a waiver that allows a child to play in a local little league program IN ANY DIVISION, when that child does not quality under these residency requirements.

If the claim for residency is challenged, three of the above materials must be submitted to Little League Baseball, Incorporated, with an affidavit of residency from the parent(s) or guardian, which shall decide the issue, and that decision will final and binding. Residency documents must illustrate that the residence (as defined above) was inside the league’s boundaries for at least one-half of the regular season (as of June 15 of the year in question).

Tournament Requirement for Non-Citizens: A participant who is not a citizen of the county in which he/she wishes to play, but meets residency requirements as defined by Little League, may participate in that county if:

1. his/her visa allows that participant to remain in that county for a period of at least one year, or;

2. The prevailing laws allow that participant to remain in that county for at least one year, or;

3. The participant has an established bona fide residence in the county for at least two years prior to the start of the regular season.

4. Exception can only be made by action of the Charter Committee in Williamsport. Any request for waiver pertaining to the eligibility of a player must be submitted in writing, by the president of the local Little League through the district administrator, to their respective Regional Director not later than the date prescribed in Regulation IV (j). Requests submitted after that date will not be considered.

101 WAYS TO PRAISE A CHILDWOW * WAY TO GO * SUPER * YOU’RE SPECIAL * OUTSTANDING * EXCELLENT * GREAT * GOOD * NEAT * WELL DONE * REMARKABLE * I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT * I’M PROUD OF YOU * FANTASTIC * SUPER STAR * NICE WORK * LOOKING GOOD * YOU’RE ON TOP OF IT * BEAUTIFUL * NOW YOU’VE GOT IT * YOU’RE INCREDIBLE * BROVO * YOU’RE FANTASTIC * HURRAY FOR YOU * YOU’RE ON TARGET * YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY * HOW NICE * HOW SMART * GOOD JOB * THAT’S INCREDIBLE * HOT DOG * DYNAMITE * YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL * YOU’RE UNIQUE * NOTHING CAN STOP YOU NOW * GOOD FOR YOU * I LIKE YOU * YOU’RE A WINNER * REMARKABLE JOB * BEAUTIFUL WORK * SPECTACULAR * YOU’RE SPECTACULAR * YOU’RE DARLING * YOU’RE PRECIOUS * GREAT DISCOVERY * YOU’VE DICOVERED THE SECRET * YOU FIGURED IT OUT * FANTASTIC JOB * HIP, HIP HURRAY * BINGO * MAGNIFICENT * MARVELOUS * TERRIFIC * YOU’RE IMPORTANT * PHENOMENAL * YOU’RE SENSATIONAL * SUPER WORK * CREATIVE JOB * SUPER JOB * FANTASTIC JOB * EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE * YOU’RE A REAL TROOPER * YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE * YOU ARE EXCITING * YOU LEARNED IT RIGHT * WHAT A IMAGINATION * WHAT A GOOD LISTENER * YOU ARE FUN * YOU’RE GROWING UP * YOU TRIED HARD * YOU CARE * BEAUTIFUL SHARING * OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE * YOU’RE A GOOD FRIEND * I TRUST YOU * YOU’RE IMPORTANT * YOU MEAN A LOT TO ME * YOU MAKE ME HAPPY * YOU BELONG * YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND * YOU MAKE ME LAUGH * YOU BRIGHTEN MY DAY * I RESPECT YOU * YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME * THAT’S CORRECT * YOU’RE A JOY * YOU’RE WONDERFUL * YOU’RE PERFECT * AWESOME * A+ JOB * YOU’RE A-OK-MY BUDDY * YOU MADE MY DAY * THAT’S THE BEST * A BIG HUG * A BIG KISS * SAY I LOVE YOU!!!

P.S. REMEMBER, A SMILE IS WORTH 1000 WORDS !!!