Last Updated: March 31, 2026 • Subject to change
1. Purpose
All-Stars and Tournament Teams are an opportunity for select Lafayette Little League players and coaches to join age-based competitive teams made up of the league's top-ranked players to represent LLL in both Little League-organized and locally hosted tournaments during the summer.
While we certainly want to win and expect to field competitive teams, summer baseball is about continuing to play, developing skills, representing the LLL community, and of course, having fun.
2. Overview
Each year, Lafayette Little League will assemble the following Summer Tournament teams:
- 12-Year-Old All-Star & Tournament Team
- 11-Year-Old All-Star & Tournament Team
- 10-Year-Old All-Star & Tournament Team
- 9-Year-Old All-Star Team
All-Star Teams will primarily compete in Little League International tournaments, including District, Section, State, Regional, National, and World tournaments. Secondarily, they will compete in locally hosted tournaments once/if eliminated from Little League International tournament play.
Tournament Teams (previously called "The Generals") will compete in locally hosted tournaments put on by leagues within District 4 and the surrounding area.
All-Star and Tournament Teams are made up of 12 players per team per age group.
3. Player Selection
All-Star and Tournament Team players are selected by the LLL Division Head Coaches by age group, based on the following criteria:
- Current season performance at the end of the regular season, based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis
- Sportsmanship, respect, work ethic, and other intangible factors
Selection Process
- Coaches convene at the end of the regular season (before playoffs) to discuss all eligible players per age group.
- Ballot voting: Each head coach receives a ballot listing all eligible players and selects up to 30 candidates they believe deserve All-Star consideration. To ensure fairness and eliminate bias, coaches are prohibited from voting for their own child — any such vote will be removed. Ballots are submitted confidentially to the President and three All-Star Committee Members.
- Tallying & placement: Once all ballots are collected, votes are tallied. Players receiving the highest number of votes earn their place on the All-Star team (spots 1–12) or Tournament team (spots 13–24).
- Results shared: The President of LLL and the All-Star Committee share final results and rankings with division coaches, and help orchestrate player outreach.
4. Player Eligibility & Participation Expectation
- All players considered for an All-Star Team must have participated in no less than 70% of scheduled regular and pre-season games.
- The President and All-Star Committee reserve the right to grant exceptions to the attendance requirement on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances (e.g., prolonged illness or injury, family hardship).
- Players and player families must be able to commit to the vast majority of summer practices, games, and tournaments.
Participation in All-Stars is considered an honor and a commitment — to your teammates, your coaches, and your community.
5. Coach Eligibility & Selection
The selection of All-Star coaches is a comprehensive process designed to identify the most qualified and effective leaders for our teams. All interested and eligible coaches are invited to submit a formal application, which is reviewed by a dedicated Selection Committee composed of league officials.
Top candidates will participate in a structured interview process evaluated on key competencies including:
- Coaching philosophy and approach to player development
- In-game strategic thinking
- Communication skills and ability to serve as a positive role model
The Selection Committee will make its final recommendation to the LLL Board of Directors for approval, ensuring a fair and thorough process for all applicants.
Coach selection occurs after team rosters are finalized to ensure players are evaluated on merit — not on who their parent is.
Each All-Star Team will be composed of three official coaches: a Head Coach and two Assistant Coaches. Coaches who have served as a league-registered coach (head or assistant) during the current spring season will be considered first. Coaches are reselected every year; however, history as an All-Star coach is taken into consideration.
Selected coaches are the only coaches allowed in the dugout during games.
6. Playing Rules
Official Little League on-field rules are adhered to in All-Star tournaments and vary by age level. There are, however, differences in playing time compared to the LLL regular season.
Unlike the regular season, there is no Little League-imposed minimum defensive playing time requirement for 10, 11, and 12-year-old teams. However, LLL ensures all players receive meaningful time on the field:
| Age Group |
Minimum Defensive Innings Per Game |
| 9–10 Year-Old (All-Star & Tournament) |
3 innings |
| 11–12 Year-Old (All-Star & Tournament) |
2 innings |
Coaches may use discretion in managing defensive assignments based on game situations, but the expectation is that every player gets meaningful time on the field.
Continuous batting remains in effect for all ages — every player in the lineup bats regardless of defensive position.
7. All-Stars Timeline (2026)
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Late Feb / Early March
Opening Day
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Early April
Parents notified about All-Star opportunities and requirements, coinciding with the start of the regular season
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Early May
Prospective All-Star manager interviews begin
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May 14
Regular season ends
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May 17
Coach player nominations due
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May 21
All-Star rosters and coaches announced
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June 1
Summer practices begin
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Late July
Last tournaments end (ages 9–12)
8. Frequently Asked Questions
When do All-Stars take place and how many games are played?
All-Stars runs from early June through the end of July. Teams will participate in approximately 15–20 games, depending on results, with practices 2–3 times per week. The commitment is equal to another full season of Little League baseball, but condensed into two months.
Are there additional costs for participating in All-Stars?
Yes, there is a one-time registration cost to cover tournament fees, practice shirts, and uniforms for every player to keep. There is also a one-time payment toward a team budget to fund team-specific activities. Costs can vary each year, but expect to pay around $300 total.
Will travel be involved?
For District Teams, travel is possible if your team advances beyond Sections and competes in State tournaments and beyond, depending on where those tournaments are held. For Tournament Teams, there is no travel outside of the immediate East Bay area.
Why is attendance mandatory?
Selection and participation in All-Stars is considered an honor that provides players with a short but significant on-field opportunity that few kids experience. The goal of our All-Star teams is to be as successful as possible, which requires a higher level of commitment to teammates, coaches, and families involved. Please see the Player Eligibility & Participation Expectation section for full details.
When is the best time to plan a summer vacation without interfering with All-Stars?
For ages 11 and under, after July 31st. For the 12-Year-Old District Team, if eliminated before the State tournament, they would also finish no later than July 31st. If they advance beyond the State tournament, competition could extend into September.
I'm a coach but wasn't selected to coach All-Stars. How can I still participate?
Only the three officially selected coaches are allowed in the dugout. However, if the coaching staff chooses, they can invite parents to help with practices. Each team also has a variety of parent volunteer roles to help support team logistics off the field.