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Countryside Little League

Est. 1982 - Clearwater, Florida

Save these dates

  • Skills Demonstration 1/20/2024
  • 1/20/2024 ALL REC CARDS MUST BE PURCHASED BY THIS DAY, MUST BE GOOD THOUGH 3/31 FOR SPRING SEASON
  • T-Ball Jamboree 1/22/2024
  • Manager Meeting and Bag Distribution: 1/27/2024
  • Team Announcements 1/27/2024
  • First Week of Practice: 1/29/2024 (ALL BACKGROUND CHECKS DUE PRIOR)
  • Spring Opening Day: 2/24/2024
  • Community Day and Picture Day: 4/13/2024
  • Spring Season Ends: 5/18/2024

Please note these dates are subject to change.

Skills Demonstration/Player Evaluations

WHAT IS SKILLS EVALUATION DAY?

S
kills Demonstration, or Evaluation Day, is an opportunity for team managers to gain a quick understanding of each player's skills. This helps the managers pick equally distributed teams for a more fun and competitive season.  Players should bring their glove and helmet, and a bat if they have one.  The event focus on fielding, throwing, and batting.  Please note this is not a tryout; it's merely an opportunity for our coaches to evaluate a child's skills so that we can best try and balance our team assignments.  Every child will be placed on a team roster. 

This event occurs both in our Softball and Baseball programs.  The event may or may not be scheduled on different days.

Players in T-ball or A-ball DO NOT need to attend.  

SPRING 2023 SOFTBALL SKILLS DEMONSTRATION DAY

SAVE THE DATE:  SATURDAY, JANUARY 21ST

Who:   Little League Age Softball Players 6-12 years old (2023 Little League Softball Age Chart)

Where:  Countryside Community Park (Map). Field 2.

Time:   It will depend on your child's age group. Info will be released soon (registration is still open!)


How long does the event last?  

Each on-the-field session will last about 60 minutes.

Upon Arrival:
All players will check-in at the table by the concession stand to receive a player number ID prior to taking the field. Parents need to fill out the  Clearwater Rec Card Form and turn it in at the check-in tent.  Save yourself time and fill it out beforehand!

Players Should Bring:

-Water bottle
-Glove
-Batting helmet
-Bat (Players are welcome to bring their own Little League approved bat if they would like. While we encourage players to bring their own bats, they must be checked prior to batting. Learn more about Little League approved bats here.)

-Players should wear softball pants and cleats.

-Little League rules do not require players to wear face masks but Countryside Little League suggests they do.

-Please be sure to collect all your belongings when the skills demonstrations end. 

In Case of a Rain-Out:

Make up dates for a rained-out event will be Monday, Jan 23. More information will be sent in the event a rain-out occurs.

SPRING 2023 Baseball Skills Demonstration Day

SAVE THE DATE:  SATURDAY, JANUARY 21ST

Who:   Little League Age Baseball Players 7-12 years old (2023 Little League Baseball Age Chart)

Where:  Countryside Community Park (Map). Field 1.

Time:   It will depend on your child's age group (registration is still open!)



How long does the event last?  

Each on-the-field session may last between 75-90 minutes.

Trying Out For an Older Division:

For players who want to be considered for playing in an older division, they must attend both skills time slots (for current league age and older division). If a player does not attend both skills demonstrations, he will not be considered to move up a division.

Upon Arrival:
All players will check-in at the table by the concession stand to receive a player number ID prior to taking the field. 

Players Should Bring:

-Water bottle
-Baseball glove-Batting helmet
-Baseball Bat (Players are welcome to bring their own Little League approved bat if they would like. While we encourage players to bring their own bats, they must be checked prior to batting. Learn more about Little League approved bats here.)

-Players should wear baseball pants, baseball cap, athletic cup, and cleats.

-Please be sure to collect all your belongings when the skills demonstrations end. 

In Case of a Rain-Out:

Make up dates for a rained-out event will be Monday, Jan 23rd. More information will be sent in the event a rain-out occurs.


Skills Demonstration FAQs

Q: What should my child bring?
A:
Players should bring:

  • Baseball/softball glove
  • Batting helmet
  • Bats -- Players are welcome to bring their own Little League approved bat if they would like.  While we encourage players to bring their own bats, they must be checked prior to batting.
  • Players should wear baseball/softball pants or comfortable clothes.
  • Please be sure to collect all of your belongings when the skills demonstrations end.  

Q: How can I prepare my child for skills demonstrations?
A:
Please encourage your child to try his or her best at the skills demonstrations, but in the end, this is supposed to be FUN! We want the kids to relax and take a deep breath - everyone of league age is placed on a team!

Based on the player’s performance during the skills demonstration, they may be drafted by a manager to play at the higher level of their eligibility. Participating at the skills demonstrations does not guarantee the player will be drafted to the higher Division, but a player must participate in tryouts to be eligible to play at the higher level.

Q: What if my child can't make the skills demonstrations dates?
A: Players who do not attend the skills demonstrations, and did not reschedule a time with the Player Agent to attend a skills demonstration, will not be included in the Draft Pool and will be assigned to teams by "Hat Pick".  Learn more about Hat Picks here.

Q: What if a registered player can’t participate in the skills demonstrations due to an injury?
A: 
A registered and paid player who is physically unable to participate in the tryouts due to a temporary injury (e.g., broken arm, sprained ankle, etc.) should notify the Player Agent of their injury and recuperative status and then still attend a skills demonstration session. They will be excused after skills demonstration registration.

Q: What if  I want my child to remain in Minors (A - AAA divisions)?
A: 
Occasionally, in the interest of a player’s safety or development, parents may prefer that the player not play at his or her highest level of eligibility. Sometimes playing a level below the minimum for his or her age group is indicated.  For example, Little League International requires that all 12 year-olds, regardless of their experience level, be assigned to a Majors Division team. This might present a physical or emotional risk for the player. When it is in the best interest of the player, the parents can request a waiver of this rule to keep the player at the appropriate level. Parents wishing to exercise this option must notify the Player Agent in writingPlease note that per Little League International rules, 12 year olds are NOT ALLOWED to pitch in AAA.

Q: What happens at skills demonstrations?
A:
 Countryside Little League uses a skills assessment process to determine eligibility and skill level.

When the player arrives at the skills demonstration, they will be directed to the registration table. Only players who are paid/approved registrants will be allowed to participate in the skills demonstrations. The players will all be given an identification number to attach to their shirt and then directed to the warm-up area.
 
In the warm-up area, the players should stretch and pick a partner to throw a ball with and loosen their arms. When the managers and league staff are ready, they will be instructed on where to wait for their turn.
 
Each player will in turn be evaluated on the following:

  1. Fielding ground balls
  2. Catching fly balls
  3. Throwing after fly balls and ground balls
  4. Batting
  5. Pitching (if time allows)
  6. Running (if time allows)

Each player rotates through positions 1 through 6 above until all players have had their opportunity.
 
During each activity the managers from each division evaluate the players. Each manager and coach has his own style and preference, but they are all evaluating skill, results, and effort.

Q: Who is allowed inside the field during the skills demonstrations?
A:
Only managers, league staff, and other approved personnel are allowed.  Assistant coaches are not allowed on the field – as no assistants have been assigned prior to the skills demonstrations.

Q: I volunteered to manage a team. Does my child need to attend skills demonstrations?
A: 
Yes, before and possibly during the draft, managers’ children are discussed in terms of placement in the division so attendance at skills demonstration helps to make the placement equitable to all involved.

Contact Us

Countryside Little League

2640-D Sabal Springs Drive 
Clearwater, Florida 33761

Email: [email protected]

Countryside Little League

2640-D Sabal Springs Drive 
Clearwater, Florida 33761

Email: [email protected]
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