All-Star play is meant to be a fairly challenging experience for kids who wish to engage in tournament play against competitive teams from all over the state.
All-Star teams and tournaments are organized by age-grouped teams (9U, 10, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U). Bigfork combines with Whitefish and Columbia Falls Cal Ripken leagues to assemble five Glacier All-Star teams to showcase the best in the Flathead Valley.
In order for a given child to participate on an All-Star team, three things must be in place.
First, the child (and the family) have to want to participate. All-Star play is somewhat more intense than our regular season, its more competitive and is position play. It involves a significant time commitment for practices and tournament play (including travel). It involves certain expenses. Not all children and families are interested in this, and that is certainly fine; but if a child is going to be considered for an All-Star team, the first question to be asked is: Do we as a family want to do this?
Second, the child needs to be available for practices and games. We have four planned tournaments through early July. If you think your child would like to be considered for All-Star play, but he or she is going to be unavailable (for example away on vacation) during the tournament itself, or for a significant number of team practices – again, this is probably not something you should plan to pursue.
Finally, if a child and family want to be considered, and the child will be available, he or she must be selected for all-star play through a mandatory try-out session(s). Unlike our regular season – which emphasizes inclusion – All-Star rosters are limited by Babe Ruth baseball tournament regulations to a minimum of 12 players and a maximum of 15 players. Players are selected by Team Coaches through the try-out assessment. Look out for the try-out dates via email and posted to our Facebook page.
The Glacier All-Star Team’s Coaches, in consultation with the League Presidents, shall determine and or identify the: (a) All-Star Team practice schedule; (b) anticipated overall time commitment (including practices, travel, and games) for players and families; (c) anticipated costs for players and families; and (d) the effect on playing time of missing team practices.