WAGS All-Stars
The purpose of this document is to inform you and your daughter about how All-Stars works. If you choose to have your daughter participate in the All-Star selection process, the parents and player will be required to sign forms with the following information.
WAGS has a rich tradition of successful All-Star teams representing the league in USA SOFTBALL tournaments. WAGS teams have claimed numerous district, state, and national championships.
For those of you who are new to WAGS or are unfamiliar with All-Stars, each recreation league puts together its best talent to create up to three different skilled traveling All-Star teams in each division. Each league then enters some of the many tournaments that are held around Southern California between May and July each year.
We generally enter six to seven different tournaments each year including our own tournament in which teams as far away as San Diego will come to compete. The number of teams we form in each division is decided based upon the talent in a particular division as decided by the division directors and the director of All-Stars based on feedback from the managers. (It is possible that not all the teams listed in the tournament documents will be formed.)
The teams we form are classified as Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The Gold team is comprised of 12 athletes who are voted on by the division managers under the supervision and approval of the division director and the director of All-Stars.
The selection criteria used for each team is not always the “most talented” or “best softball player.” It may include (but not be limited to) ability, game performance (under pressure), attitude, softball IQ, player’s natural position, utility usage of each player. Example: A player may be chosen to a team because she is a great bunter or very fast, yet may not be the all- around player another player is. The managers may choose a player for specific situations.
The Gold team is expected to compete and win at the highest levels. The Silver and Bronze teams are expected to compete at a high level but be slightly more focused on the developmental aspects of the game. When a player is selected for an All-Star team we believe it is an honor that a player is asked to represent WAGS throughout Southern California in the tournaments in which we compete.
The All-Star season is quite different from the recreation (regular) season. The manager selection process is more focused on the manager’s understanding of how to teach the game, implement strategy, motivate a team, and be a leader and communicate effectively. The player selection process is different in the drafting process as it is more rigorous with efforts made to create well rounded teams.
The selection process for the managers and players can be exciting and disappointing. Many girls who did not make a team at all—or didn’t make the level team they thought they should— have come back in the following years eventually becoming Gold players. Not making a team can be very disappointing but All-Stars by its nature must exclude some girls who do not have the required talent—yet!
The All-Star season requires a tremendous time commitment from both the parents and the girls. Teams can practice every day and then play multiple games during a weekend. The season begins May 1 with practices and tournaments starting in mid-May and every weekend thereafter up to July 1. Most of the tournaments are within an hour driving time, except the final tournament in Escondido, which requires an extended weekend stay.
Besides the time commitment, the cost of All-Stars starts around $700 for 8U-14U, and $600 for 6U. The registration fee includes uniforms, tournament fees, and USA SOFTBALL fees. Additional costs might include snacks, meals, and lodging expenses for Escondido. Optional expenses might include additional team items, jackets, bat bags, practice shirts, etc.
One of the most important things to understand if your daughter is selected to an All-Star team is that the playtime rules are different. Some of them are:
There is no minimum play requirement. At the Gold level, the manager’s goal is to win. They will play the most qualified players in each position. While not likely, your daughter could sit on the bench for a majority of the game(s). At the Silver and Bronze level, we encourage the managers to develop multiple players at each spot and while the goal is to “win,” balancing playing time is also important.
There is no requirement for the manager to play your daughter in the infield.
In 10 Gold, 12s and 14s, your manager may choose to bat nine players in the lineup. Your daughter may only bat on occasion.
If your daughter is a pitcher, she may pitch only and never play any other position.
The question you are most likely asking yourself now is: Why would I want to have my daughter be subjected to those rules? The reason is that this is competitive play. The goal is to win. The goal is for your daughter to improve her skills. All-Star season is typically equivalent to two regular season game schedules and up to three regular season practice schedules. Even if she sits on the bench in games, she will be a better player the following season (because of the practice and training).
We hope this gives you a better understanding of All-Stars. If your daughter is interested and you have questions, please contact your manager or division director.
It is of the utmost importance that a full commitment be made to the All-Star team by all players selected. Players will be asked to list all conflicts and their dates including other sports, family vacations, or any other conflicts that would or could interfere with your daughter’s participation in either games or practices. (It is not necessary to include medical or dental appointments unless they are expected to lead to protracted absences.) Please Note: A single conflict of one or more days in duration may not affect your daughter’s eligibility, but multiple conflicts will affect eligibility. To be eligible for Gold Team play, players and coaches MUST be available for the USA SOFTBALL District Qualifier AND State and National Tournaments (if the team qualifies). After the team is chosen, however, all playing time decisions are at the manager’s discretion.
The All-Star teams are chosen to give the best chance to win. Any change in the rosters can adversely affect all of the teams in that age group.
We want to make sure that each parent clearly understands the following rule:
● In the event your daughter is selected to a team and you decide that you do not want her on that particular t eam, or you decide to quit in the middle of the All-Star season, or you miss a tournament(s) (not previously disclosed on her signed All-Star Nomination and Commitment Form), she may be replaced (at the discretion of the WAGS board) and deemed ineligible for all WAGS All-Star play the current season as well as the following season. If there are extenuating circumstances you will have the opportunity to petition the WAGS b oard to participate in WAGS the following year. In other words, All-Star play requires a firm commitment of t ime and resources.