Little LeagueLittle LeaguePlayer AgentPlayer Agent

Is there a“What am I supposed

to do When” guidefor a Little League

Player Agent?

The Answer is“NO, not really” !!!

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Little LeagueLittle LeaguePlayer AgentPlayer Agent

YOURepresent the

Players,ALL of the Players

YourPRIMARY

RESPONSIBILTYis to make sure that

EVERY Playeris treated Fairly

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What’s Next?What’s Next?

If you don’t have a copy of

“A Year in the Life of Hometown Little League”

GET ONEA copy can be downloaded/printed from

http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/asap/2015/HometownPublication.pdf

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If you don’t have a copy of

“The Little LeagueOperating Manual”

GET ONE(every Board Member should have one)

Player Agent • Assists the president in checking Birth Records and Proofs of Residency (three)• Conducts Tryouts• Conducts Player Selections (Drafts)• Coordinates the transfer of players to/from teams (Trades, moves from Minor to Majors, etc)• Runs the Player Pool• Assists in compiling the Tournament AffidavitsAll in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball

Separate Player Agents may be selected to oversee individual divisions within the league.

The player agent shall NOT manage, coach or umpire in the division over which he/she has authority, unless the local league has received a Waiver from Little League Headquarters.

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What’s FIRST?What’s FIRST?

PRIOR to Registration

To preclude problems later, make sure your By-Laws / Local Rules

include guidance on how:

1. Player Selections (Draft Method) for Regular Season Teams will be done

2. Regular Season Managers and Coaches will be appointed / approved

3. Division Champions will be decided4. All Star Players will be selected5. All Star Managers and Coaches will be

appointed / approved

A COPY of the By-Laws / Local Rules should be POSTED at Registration so that everyone knows BEFORE the Season Starts, how things are going to be done.

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REGISTRATIONREGISTRATION

Multiple Dates and Times(specify Date of Registration CLOSURE)

Contact Last Year’s PlayersAdvertise, Advertise, AdvertiseMake Sure EVERYONE Knows

Things to POST:

League Boundary Map

Tryout Schedule

By-Laws / Local Rules

Budget / Financial Report

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REGISTRATIONREGISTRATION

Have “Knowledgeable” Workers at Sign-Ups

You/They MUST Verify

Players’ AGE (Certified Birth Certificate)

Player’s RESIDENCY (against the Map)If the Player’s Parents/Guardian reside

“outside the league boundary” then send thatPlayer/Parent to the appropriate League.

You do NOT have the authority toRegister Players who do NOT meet

Residency Requirements

Exceptions: II(d) and IV(h) WaiversOut-Of-Boundary Player Waivers

Need Proof of Residency(must be Prior to February 1st

of the current year (season)7

REGISTRATIONREGISTRATION

OTHER THINGSTO TAKE CARE OF:

POOL PLAYER Sign-Ups

Managers / Coachesand Umpire Sign-Ups(make sure each one fills out a

Volunteer and CORI Application)

Sponsor Solicitations

Gather information about Parent/Guardian Professions

(CPAs, Lawyers, Plumbers, Carpenters, Lawn Maintenance, etc…)

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Mistakes at Registration can lead to BIG problems later.

AFTERAFTERREGISTRATIONREGISTRATION

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DOUBLE Check to make sureALL of the Players that were

Registered meet RESIDENCY Requirements.

Identify those that don’t and assure that:

They already have an Approved Waiver

OR

They meet the requirements for a Waiver and the BOD wants to request

one

OR

They need to be sent to the proper league

II(d) WaiverII(d) Waiver(Player Waiver)(Player Waiver)

The Board of Directors of the Local League, with the approval of the player involved, reserves the right to continue as a player, any individual

(1) whose residence changes from within the boundary to outside the league’s boundary or

(2) who lives outside the league’s boundaries because of a revision of such boundaries even if the child then resides in the territory of another league.

Current Major League, Minor League or Tee Ball players or any sibling whose brother or sister met the criteria under II (d) at one time may be retained.

Any player meeting (1) or (2) above may be retained for the remainder of his/her career, including Little League, Junior, Senior and Big League competition.

NOTE: A player who qualifies under this regulation and

elects not to participate for a playing season is not eligible to be retained for the subsequent season.

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Back of II(d) FormBack of II(d) Form

The league president will process a II(d) form. Once the president completes the form, he/she must compile “residency requirement “ verification that each youngster meets the conditions of II(d) as outlined above. The league president will present this verification to the District Administrator for review. Once the district administrator verifies the documentation meets the regulations, the district administrator will sign the II(d) form granting his or her approval. The league and the district will maintain the form and documentation in their files. This verification process is only required once during a participant’s career. The league must maintain this form and documentation for this player for the duration of his/her career until the player graduates from the program or breaks service with the league. Tournament team players will be required to carry a copy of this form and documentation with them throughout the tournament. If contested during tournament play, the league will be required to produce the documentation. Additionally, if it is determined at a later date that the player does not meet the conditions of II(d), the player is ineligible for further participation. Situations in which documentation is not available must be referred to the Charter Committee through the regional office for a decision. The decision of the Charter Committee is final and binding.

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IV(h) WaiverIV(h) Waiver(Parent / Guardian(Parent / Guardian

Waiver)Waiver)

If a person had previously resided within the league boundaries for two years while serving that league as a dedicated manager, coach or member of the Local League Board of Directors for two years, his or her sons and/or daughters are eligible to try out and be selected by teams in that league

(1) provided such service to the league from which the person has moved has continued,

(2) subject to written agreement from the league within whose boundaries they currently reside and

(3) supported by a recommendation of the District Administrator, to Regional Director to the Charter Committee.

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Back of IV(h) FormBack of IV(h) Form

The league president will process the IV(h) form. Once the president completes the form, he/she must compile “residency requirement” verification that each youngster meets the conditions of IV(h) as outlined above. The league president will present this verification to the District Administrator for review. Once the district administrator verifies the documentation meets the regulations, the district administrator will sign the IV(h) form granting his or her approval. Theleague and the district will maintain the form and documentation in their files. This verification process is only required once during a participant’s career. The league must maintain this form and documentation for this player for the duration of his/her career until the player graduates from the program or breaks service with the league. Tournament team players will be required to carry a copy of this form and documentation with them throughout the tournament. If contested during tournament play, the league will be required to produce the documentation. Additionally, if it is determined at a later date that the player does not meet the conditions of IV(h), the player is ineligible for further participation. Situations in which documentation is not available must bereferred to the Charter Committee through the regional office for a decision. The decision of the Charter Committee is Final.

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Out of BoundaryOut of BoundaryPlayer WavierPlayer Wavier

The Player:Does NOT meet II(d) or IV(h) anddoes NOT meet League Residency Requirements (the parents/guardian live outside of the league boundaries) and it is a “HARDSHIP” for the player to play in the league where he/she should play.

These Waiver Requests need to be Filed ”IMMEDIATELY”

DO NOT Wait and DO NOT allowan Out-Of-Boundary Player

to attend Try-Outs,be Drafted , or start practicing

PRIOR to a Waiver being APPROVED.

If you do and the Waiver is DENIED the player will NOT be allowed to play in your league and you “could” end up having to Re-Draft all of your teams.

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Out of BoundaryOut of BoundaryPlayer WavierPlayer Wavier

(Process)(Process)

1. If a parent or legal guardian “requests” that an Out-Of-Boundary player be allowed to participate in your league your BOD must decide whether or not it will apply for a Waiver for the child. The BOD can decide NOT to apply for the Waiver in which case the parent or guardian is simply told the player can NOT play in the league as per the LL Rules/Regulations. If the BOD decides to apply for a Waiver, the parent(s) or legal guardian must be informed that the child cannot tryout, practice, play until the Charter Committee in Williamsport makes the final decision on the Waiver and the Waiver could be: “Denied”, “Approved for Regular Season Only”, or “Approved for Regular Season and Tournament Play” . The parent/guardian should be told that many Waivers are denied and that even if approved, most are for Regular Season Only and do NOT allow the child to play in All Stars. In addition, most waivers are for ONE Year Only.

2. The President, at the direction of the Board of Directors (BOD), writes a Letter Requesting the Waiver. The Letter needs to explain the reason(s) why the player wishes to play in the league. The letter must identify which local league the parent(s) or legal guardian resides. If the residency is in an area not covered by another league that must be stated in the letter.

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Out of BoundaryOut of BoundaryPlayer WavierPlayer Wavier

(Process)(Process)

3. The parent(s) or legal guardian must also write a letter explaining the situation and describing why they want the child to play in the league in whose boundary they do not reside.

4. If the parent(s) or legal guardians reside within the boundary of another league then that league must be contacted by league requesting waiver and the President of that league, at the direction of the Board of Directors (BOD), shall write a letter stating whether the league agrees with the Waiver Request or disagrees with the request. If the league disagrees, the reason/basis for the disagreement is to be included in the letter.

5. All of the letters are forwarded to the District Administrator (DA).

6. The District Administrator will provide his/her opinion on the Waiver Request and will forward all documentation to the Region (for subsequent forwarding to Williamsport for review by the Charter Committee).

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Out of BoundaryOut of BoundaryPlayer WavierPlayer Wavier

(Process)(Process)

7. If the DA or Region or Charter Committee needs any additional information the affected parties will be notified and asked to provide the needed information/documentation.

8. Notification of the Final Decision by the Charter Committee will be made through the Region to the DA and the requesting League involved. The decision of the Charter Committee is FINAL.

REMEMBERIF the Waiver is Denied and you allowed the player to

be Drafted you could end upRe-Drafting your Teams

You do NOT want to have to do that,so PLEASE, do NOT allow the player to participate

until the Waiver is APPROVED

Also, IF the Waiver is not Fileduntil “Tournament Time”

it is almost GUARANTEED to be Denied !!!

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AFTER AFTER REGISTRATIONREGISTRATION

Waiver FormsRegulation II(d)Regulation IV(h)

Out-Of Boundary Waiversany “Other” Waivers

Submit to DA Early (Why Wait?)

Player Waivers Must be ApprovedPRIOR TO

the Player Participating

AGAIN - BE VERY CAREFUL WITH WAIVERSIf a player attends Try-Outs and gets Drafted

and starts to practice or play and then the Waiver is Disapproved, you may be required to Re-Draft ALL of your Teams in that Division if a

complaint is filed.20

What Else?What Else?

PRIOR TO TRYOUTS:

BOD decides on DRAFT METHOD to be used (affects who needs to Try-Out)

BOD decides on how to handleLate Sign-Ups (eg: put on Waiting List)

Appoint Managers (President)

Approve Managers (Board)

If there are not enough APPROVED Managers, a BOD Member may attend Try-Outs and may Draft the Team.The Team will then be given to the Manager once he/she is Approved

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Determine League Determine League “Breakdown”“Breakdown”

Breakdown the Registered Playersinto separate Lists forBaseball and Softball

Breakdown the Players by League Age

List how many of each age in Baseball,

how many of each age in Softball

(see the Form on Next Page – Form needs to be Completed and a copy sent to the DA)

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Identify the“Returning” Players

for each Competitive League Team

Identify any “Released” Players:Players may only be “Released”

with Board Approval

All Returning Competitive League Players that were “Released” need to be notified that they

need to attend Try-Outs(make notifications)

NOTE: If a Re-Draft is being done, the BOD may want ALL Players to attend Try-Outs(to be fair to any new Managers whomay not know the Returning Players)

Determine League Determine League “Breakdown”“Breakdown”

How Many Teams?How Many Teams?How Many Players?How Many Players?

Based on the LISTSthe BOD decides:

Determine Age Groupingsfor each Division

Remember - 12 year olds need a “Waiver”approved by the DA to play in Minors

(see the next page for the Waiver Request Form)

Determine number of Teamsin each Division

(can vary in each Division)

Set how many Players there will be on each Team

(can vary in each Division but MUST be at least 12 in Competitive Divisions)

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TRYOUTSTRYOUTS

You Must have anApproved Charter

and InsurancePRIOR

to Holding Try-Outs

If you do not have aCharter / Insurance

the players willNOT be Covered

if they get Hurt and your League can be heldLiable for such Injuries

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TRYOUTSTRYOUTS

The Player Agent generates thePlayer Lists and Ratings Sheets

(see next slide for Sample Rating Sheet)

Give a Copy to Each Manager(each Team must be represented)

The Player Agent (or Designee)Coordinates / Conducts the Tryout

Should Test ALL 5 Skill Areas(bat/bunt, field fly balls,

field grounders, throw, and run)

To be eligible for a Competitive Division Draft

the Player must Attend at least 50% of the Tryout Sessions

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DRAFTSDRAFTS

Make Sure theDRAFT is FAIR

The BOD determines the Draft Method

There are several Draft Plansin the LL Operating Manual including Plans

for Team Expansion / Reduction

The BOD may choose to usedifferent Draft Plans for different Divisions

If the BOD wants to use a Draft Plan thatis NOT in the Operating Manual

then it must be submitted toWilliamsport for Approval

It must be Approved BEFORE it can be used

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DRAFTSDRAFTS

You’ll NeedYour Copy of the Latest

“Little League Operating Manual”(the White Book)

It contains the variousPlayer Selection (Draft) Plans

and provide guidance foreach method.

It also provides information on the various Options (Freezes)

NOTE:If you want a District Representative to attend your Draft(s) just call the DA and it will be arranged.

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DRAFTSDRAFTS

“Three” Approved Player Selection Methods

Plan A:Returning Players remain on Team. New players get Drafted

Plan B:Re-Draft of All Players. Can be in Two Parts (Returners first then New Players) or in One Part (All Players eligible to be taken at any time – must assure all “returners” get drafted)

Plan C:Blind Draft (randomly pick players out of a hat “by age”)

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DRAFTSDRAFTS

EXPANDING

There are Four Options (Plans) for Expansion (adding more teams).

The BOD decides which one to use.

REDUCING

Board decides which teams are to be eliminated.

Returning Players on those teams are drafted in a “Preliminary” Draft

Then the Drafting of the New Players takes place

DRAFTSDRAFTS

The LL Operating Manualincludes “Options” (Freezes)that are allowed to be used

Managers mustPre-Identify

their “Options”

No “Gentlemen’s Agreements”(or “Ladies Agreements” for that matter)

The Player Agent CONDUCTS the Drafts

Document and Approve all Tradesand submit them for Board Approval

Establish Final Waiting Lists(Waiting Lists are not recommended, LL is

“For the Kids” so every effort should be taken to assure that ever player that registered on time gets to play.

Late registrations can be placed on a Waiting List)34

DRAFTSDRAFTS

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The selection of players for the various teams within a league shall be in compliance with the Little League Draft Selection System as detailed in the Operating Manual.

NOTE: All candidates who are league age twelve (12) must be drafted to a Little League Major Division team, or to a Junior League team.

Exceptions can only be made with written approval from the District Administrator, and only if approved at the local league level by the Board of Directors and the parent of the candidate.

DRAFTSDRAFTS

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Options that must be made in writing to the Player Agent48 hours prior to the Draft

•Brother / Sister of player currently on the team

•Sons / Daughters of Managers

•Sons / Daughters of Returning Coaches

DRAFTSDRAFTS

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OPTION FOR BROTHER / SISTER OF PLAYER CURRENTLY ON THE TEAM:

Manager may submit an option on a draftee if the player candidates brother or sister is a member of the manager’s teamIf option is submitted, the Manager MUST draft the sibling within the first three draft selections

This OPTION does not apply to Plan B Re-Drafts.

DRAFTSDRAFTS

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MANAGER’s CHILDREN OPTION:

Manager must exercise option at or before specified round

The Manager Option takes priority over any other Option

NOTE: The child must be drafted in or before the applicable round specified in the Little League Operating Manual based on the Division and the player’s League Age.

DRAFTSDRAFTS

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New Coaches shall NOT be appointed nor approved until after the Draft

A Returning Coach may exercise a Child Option, through Manager provided:

•Coach has served in the league as a coach or manager (at any level) for the past two years•Coach is returning to the same team as last year.

NOTE : In order to exercise this option, the coach MUST qualify under BOTH conditions

NOTE: The child must be drafted in or before the applicable round specified in the Little League Operating Manual based on the Division and the player’s League Age.

The Returning Coach Option does not apply to Plan B Re-Drafts

DRAFTSDRAFTS

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BROTHER / SISTER OPTION:

If there are two or more siblings in the draft then once the first brother or sister is drafted the Manager automatically has the Option to draft the other brother or sister as his/her next selection

Failure to exercise the Option makes the second sibling available to be drafted by any team

DURATION of TitleDURATION of Title

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DURATION OF TITLE:Each player acquired shall, for the duration of their major league career, be property of the team making the acquisition, unless traded or released.

DURATION OF TITLE only applies to a Plan A Draft.Re-Drafting does not guarantee that the players will remain on the same team each year.

TRADESTRADES(if your league allows them)(if your league allows them)

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Managers may trade players up to 14 days after the first scheduled game(it is highly recommended that all trades be done PRIOR to the start of the Season).

All trades must be through and with the approval of the Player Agent

• Minor League Players may not be traded for Major League Players

• All trades must be player for player

• Trades involving a player for draft choices are not permitted

All trades must be for Justifiable Reasons and must be approved by the League Board of Directors

Team RegistrationTeam Registration

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Five days prior to the first scheduled game, each manager shall register with the Player Agent the number of player as determined in Regulation III

Teams will be monitored to ensure rosters are at proper levels

Managers are required to inform the Player Agent if a player has repeated absences from practices or games

ROSTERSROSTERS

ROSTERS

Make sure they are Accurate

Submit to WilliamsportAs Early As Possible

(within 2 weeks of the Start of the Season)

Deadline is around June 8th

(see current year Operating Manual for actual date)

Rosters can be Input “On-Line”at www.littleleague.org

Send a Copy of all Rosters to the DA

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PLAYER PLAYER TRANSACTIONSTRANSACTIONS

Maintain the Player List andAll Player Records

Once Rosters are set and the Season Starts, The Player Agent is Responsible for “Monitoring” the Number of Players on each team and Coordinating Player Replacements

All Player Replacements must be coordinated by the Player Agent – NOT by the affected Manager(s)

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PLAYER PLAYER REPLACEMENTSREPLACEMENTS

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When a player is lost due to injury, illness, relocation or resignation:

The Manager shall advise the Player Agent

The Player Agent shall advise President and the Board

If the release is approved by the BOD, the President sends letter of release to the player and parents stating release is for justifiable reason

The Manager reviews the player list with Player Agent and selects a replacement

The Replacement becomes a permanent member of that team

NOTE : Failure of a Manager to report a vacancy should result in disciplinary action against that Manager

POOL PLAYERSPOOL PLAYERS

A pool of players from existing regular season teams can be created with players that are willing to participate in extra games during the regular season when teams are faced with a shortage of rostered players for a regular season game.

What does it Mean?

1. Every regular season player is entitled to be a Pool Player

2. Pool Players can only be used when a team has a “shortage” of players (if a team already has 10 or 11 players for a game, they should not be assigned any Pool players).

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POOL PLAYERSPOOL PLAYERS

 GuidelinesThe Player Agent will create and run the Pool Player Pool.

The Player Agent will use the pool to assign players on a “rotating basis” to specific games when teams are short players.

Managers/Coaches MAY NOT pick/ choose players from the pool to play for them in any game/games

Managers/Coaches using Pool Players NOT Assigned by the Player Agent will be subject to Disciplinary Action by the BOD

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POOL PLAYERSPOOL PLAYERS

  A Player may only be a Pool Player in the Division which he/she plays

(eg: a 12 year old can not be a Pool Player in BOTH Majors and Juniors, he can only be a Pool Player in the Division in which he is playing)Exception: 14 and 16 are “swing ages” so, for example, a 14 year old playing in Juniors can play as a Pool Player in Seniors.

There are also special participation requirements for Pool Players• MPR is 9 Defensive Outs• Pool Players can NOT Pitch

Please refer to the LL Rulebook.

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SAMPLESAMPLECall-Out SheetCall-Out Sheet

POOL PLAYER Call-Out List

Division: ____________

Last Name

First Name

Phone # Team Date Called

Can Play (Y/N)

“Assigned to” Team/ Date

The first time a Manager requests a Pool Player, the Player Agent starts calling from the top of the list. Once a player says Yes, that player gets assigned to that game.For the next request, the Player Agent starts calling where he/she left off and continues down the list.When he/she gets to the bottom of the list then he/she goes back to the top and starts all over.

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ALL STARSALL STARS

Oversee the Selection of All Star Players in

accordance with the League Guidelines / Local

Rules / Bylaws

Assure the Selection is FAIR to ALL Players

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ALL STARSALL STARS

Compile the All Star TeamEligibility Affidavit and Supporting Documentation

Including Verification of Each Player’s:

League Age

Residence (or Waiver)

Game Participation

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Got a Problem?Got a Problem?

IF YOU NEED HELP,ASK FOR IT

The District Staffis comprised of individuals

who have EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE in Little League

They areREADY TO HELP

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District 16District 16InfoInfo

District Administrator

Joe BaglieriH-781-595-0194C-781-953-5247E-Mail joebjnj@aol.com

District Web sitewww.eteamz.com/madistrict16

Most forms shown in this presentation can be found on the district web site under

‘Handouts’

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