Travel Team Players are selected through an evaluation process known as a Tryout. Player tryouts are conducted by the Travel Program at a pre-announced site, date, and time with posted announcements publicly at least 30 days prior to the Tryout. The tryout schedule is announced through a variety of media, such as:
- Social Media
- Elk Grove Baseball Websites
- EGPD Electronic Boards
- Email Blasts
- Flyer placement, public or private establishments
Each player is to be evaluated by a minimum of three evaluators including the Travel Team manager for the age being evaluated. Two individual evaluators will be selected by the Travel Board. These evaluators may come from the community at large, prior Travel Managers, high school coaches or Travel or House Board Members with experienced baseball knowledge. Evaluators CANNOT have any affiliation with the age level evaluation.
The Travel Team Manager written evaluation results totals 50% of the Tryout points, while the two independent evaluators total 25% each. Players are ranked by a total number of points awarded from the skill evaluation. All tryout evaluations are the property of the TP. The top 5 (five) ranked players at each tryout that reside within the Elk Grove Park District Boundaries are automatically awarded a position on the Travel Team. Additional players are selected by the Manager after the top five ranked players have made verbal commitment to participate on the Travel Team.
The objective of the Tryout process is to offer a fair and equitable opportunity for each candidate to perform certain defined criteria for all Tryout participants.
Tryout format will be posted prior to the commencement of the Tryout.
Tryout candidates CANNOT wear ANY uniform part or equipment displaying prior Travel Team affiliation. Players who come to a Tryout wearing any “illegal” uniform or possessing “illegal” equipment will be asked to leave.
Full-Time Team Evaluation Process (When second team manager has applied & approved)
Individual(s) must express an interest in managing either the first team or second team during the annual manager selection process. The travel board will approve both a manager for the first team and second team (if an individual applies for the second team manager)
All players interested in trying out for full-time travel baseball will show up and participate in the full-time tryout for the appropriate age level. All tryout procedures defined in the travel program operating procedures will be followed.
The tryouts will be held and the evaluation process will be as follows:
- The first team manager will evaluate each player
- At least two independent evaluators will evaluate each player
- The second team manager (if exists) will evaluate each player
The scores will be tallied and the first team manager will be provided his evaluation scores combined with the two independent evaluators.
The first team manager will be required to take the top five players that reside in the Elk Grove Park District boundaries and then take players to form a team of at least 10 players and no more than 15.
The second team manager will then be provided his evaluation scores combined with the two independent evaluators (except the players that made the first team).
The second team manager will be required to take the top five players that reside in the Elk Grove Park District boundaries and then take players to form a team of at least 10 players and no more than 15.
Once a player is selected on the first team, they cannot choose to not participate on that team in favor of playing on the second team.
At this time, a third full-time team will not be considered.
The residency requirements are listed below by level:
8U 50%, 9U 70%, 10U 60%, 11U-14U 50%
All Elk Grove Travel Baseball Teams are required to have selected players meet the above residency requirements. Selected players may come from other towns only if the specific age level lacks at least a minimum of 10 Tryout participants.
Players who choose to tryout for an older age level (i.e., playing “up”) will be selected in the following the below order of precedence:
- The manager of the first team for the playing “up” age will have first choice.
- The manager of the second team (if a team exists) for the playing “up” age will have next choice if player has not been selected.
- The manager of the first team for the player age (May through April birthday) will have next choice if player has not been selected.
- The manager of the second team (if a team exists) for the player age (May through April birthday) will have next choice if player has not been selected.
The player must tryout for both age levels if the player wants to try to play “up”, but have a chance to play at their age level if not taken by the play “up” team.