All-Star play is meant to be a fairly challenging experience for kids who wish to engage in tournament play against competitive teams from outside of Berkshire County.  Our main tournament experience is the Cal Ripken District Tournament & Western Mass. Cal Ripken State Tournament, in which Cal Ripken teams from the New York State border in far Western Mass. to I-495 in the Milford area participate.

All-Star tournaments are typically organized by age-grouped teams.  Accordingly, it is our league’s plan to combine with the other Berkshire County Cal Ripken leagues to assemble five All-County All-Star teams : a 12 and under team; an 11 and under team; a 10 and under team; a 9 and under team and an 8 and under team. If there are sufficient numbers of kids interested then additional teams at each age level will be considered. The All-County All-Star teams will work to offer practices in multiple locations to ease the burden of traveling for practices. In our state tournament, a child is eligible to play on only one All-Star team.

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. 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. Tournaments are scheduled by the state Cal Ripken organization. As a local league, we have no control over that.  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.  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 Managers and league board members.  There is no mandatory playing time rule for our All-Star teams.

The All-Star Team’s Manager, in consultation with the League President, 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.

FAQ’S:

 What is the All-Star Program?

All-Star play begins after the regular season is complete, although some teams may begin practices earlier. All-Star play is tournament play against competitive teams from outside of Berkshire County.  Our main tournament experience is the Cal Ripken District Tournament & Western Mass. Cal Ripken State Tournament, in which Cal Ripken teams from the New York State border in far Western Mass. to I-495 in the Milford area participate. All-Star tournaments are typically organized by age-grouped teams.

Accordingly, it is our league’s plan to combine with the other Berkshire County Cal Ripken leagues to assemble five All-County All-Star teams : a 12 and under team; an 11 and under team; a 10 and under team; a 9 and under team and an 8 and under team. If there are sufficient numbers of kids interested then additional teams at each age level will be considered. The All-County All-Star teams will work to offer practices in multiple locations to ease the burden of traveling for practices. In our state tournament, a child is eligible to play on only one All-Star team.

Who Can Participate?
Any player league age 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 who is actively enrolled in the spring league for Berkshire Cal Ripken.  In order to qualify, the player must attend at least 50% of the spring league games to be eligible for the All Stars. (Note any player league age 7 may try out for the 8 year old team). 

Does My Child Have to Attend the Evaluation Session?

In order to be considered for placement on an All-Star team players must attend the evaluation session. He or she must be selected for all-star play.  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 Managers and county league board members and coaches. There is no mandatory playing time rule for our All-Star teams.

How Much of a Time Commitment Can I Expect? 

Schedule is contingent on the success of the team: More You Win, Further You Advance, More Games You Play. Typically, the All-Star team’s season begins in mid-June and ends mid-July, but it can go into the first week of August. Practices may begin as early as May. Number of practices will depend on the coach, but 1 practice a week during regular season and 5-7 practices a week after the regular season is typical.

Can I Take a Summer Vacation?

Yes, you can take vacation. However, players need to be available for practices and games. Tournaments are scheduled by the state Cal Ripken organization. As a local league, we have no control over that.  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.

It is highly encouraged that All-Star team players defer vacation plans until after District & State Tournaments are held in early to mid-July. Some prefer to defer their plans until August. A player's scheduled absence for vacation during District and State Tournaments will be taken into consideration when selecting a team. 

What are the Costs We Can Expect?

The fees for All-Star play are established by the town sponsoring the team. Fees are typically less than $150 per player. These fees will cover essential costs: Insurance, Equipment, Uniforms and tournament entry fees. Additional costs for travel and hotels will be incurred if the team advances to the State and/or Regional tournaments.