We’ve heard several complaints about players not making their league’s All-Star team. That is a common occurrence, but this year a common theme is a misunderstanding of who is eligible for which team, especially at the older ages.

For baseball divisions playing on the big field (Juniors, Seniors, and Big League), the players are eligible primarily by age — not by which division they played in during the regular season.

• Players league age 12, 13, or 14 that played in the Juniors or Seniors division (including the “Middle School teams”) could be eligible for the Juniors All-Stars.
• Players league age 13, 14, 15, or 16 that played in the Juniors, Seniors (including the “Middle School teams”), or Big League division could be eligible for the Seniors All-Stars.
• Players league age 15, 16, 17, or 18 that played in the Seniors (including the “Middle School teams”) or Big League division could be eligible for the Big League All-Stars.

All ages refer to League Age.

For instance, some Juniors players who may have been standouts in their division during the regular season might be surprised to find that the Juniors All-Stars are largely made up of players from the Middle School teams (which are Seniors teams). But keep in mind that the most talented 13 and 14 year-olds may have playing up at the higher level.  Likewise with the Seniors All-Stars being filled by 15 and 16 year-old Big League players.

Neither Virginia District 16 nor Little League International has any input into which particular players are selected. Local leagues may put additional restrictions, as long as they continue to meet the rules set forth in the Green Book. These local rules are most often discussed and voted on during your league’s General Membership Meetings. If you wish to change the local rules, get involved with your league and attend the General Membership Meetings. Leagues are always looking for additional volunteers.