Player Assessment

AR Softball implemented player assessments for all players 10U and older to create tiered skilled teams to allow players to develop with similarly skilled players. Players are evaluated by outside, paid evaluators with the assistance of AR coaches or volunteers. We believe this provides the fairest and most objective scoring.

Fall Assessments - Fall allows evaluators to see players in a more realistic environment than in a gym in the middle of winter and while most players are still warmed up and playing their best after summer ball. We realize many players put in time over the winter to improve, however, we believe Fall provides a good snapshot of the player’s current skill level for appropriate team placement.

We will continue to apply changes to the process while keeping costs affordable for our players and their families. Constructive and helpful feedback is welcomed and appreciated.

Team Formation

Once evaluations are completed, we work with our selected head coaches to form teams.  We start with the Maroon team for an age group then work down the list until all teams in that age group are formed.  Coach input on players is considered, as are player attitude, energy, coachability, and yes, even parent attitude and energy!

The top six players for an age group are "locked" for the Maroon team and the Maroon team coach then fills their remaining spots with his or her next 5-6 choices. Board approval is required for each additional spot while considering specialty positions and the need to have pitchers and catchers still available for lower teams. Meaning: The Maroon team coach cannot fill their team with all pitchers and catchers!

Once the Maroon team is formed the process is repeated for our Silver and Black teams until all teams are formed. In some cases, higher scoring younger players may be invited to “play up” to help fill another age group.

Players can play up on an as needed basis only but can never play down. This decision is not made until parents are contacted to discuss.

Pitcher and Catchers

Pitchers and Catchers may choose to have their pitching/catching scores used to determine team placement, or they can choose not to use their scores. We fully encourage kids with interest in these positions to pursue them and do not want players to feel they will be penalized in any way for attempting these positions in a tryout situation

“If you've been involved with youth sports for more than a day, you've definitely heard this word.  Heck, you may have even said this word.........politics.

Yes, the dreaded "politics", where the evil intentions of others align to malign you and your family.  

But are they really?  Well.....maybe....but there's more to it and it may be your fault.

Let's say we have a player who finished 12th in evaluations and another player that finishes 13th.  Player #12 has proven to be difficult to coach in years past, is constantly late and has never come across as a team player.  Player #13 is consistently early to practice, is a great dug out leader and works to apply everything they are taught.

Let's look at this same scenario, but with parents.  Player #12's parents have been a constant bother to coaches in the past, emailing coaches about why their kid isn't playing where they want them to or batting where they want them to and they can be heard behind the fence at games questioning every decision the coach makes.  In contrast, player #13's parents ask how they can help the team, they volunteer to take on some additional tasks that make the season better for the team and they are a positive cheering voice in the stands.

In both of the scenarios, a decision could be made to take player #13 instead of player #12, and it has nothing to do with their try out scores.  These are the scenarios where we typically see the "politics" label applied to decision making, where instead parents and players are most likely failing to understand how their actions affect the overall team selection process.

For the most part, coaches are volunteers that are giving their time to make this program and their community a better place.  We invest heavily to make sure they are highly qualified volunteers, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a donation of their time.  If a coach wants to make a decision that will make their season easier and more enjoyable, we don't call it politics, we call it smart.

So there you have it, the dirty truth behind evaluations, team formation and "politics".  In the end, we have an incredible association with wonderful families and these "issues" aren't usually much of an issue for us.  But it's important for us to be transparent about our processes and concerns in order to make sure that we continue to improve in the years to come.” (https://andover.multisportsystems.com/tryouts)