All-Star Coach Requirements and Responsibilities

Eligibility

• All Head Coaches must serve as a Head Coach during the Spring season for the West Raleigh Baseball League.
  • In cases where West Raleigh cannot provide adequate resources, the Executive Director, All-Star Commissioner, and League Commissioner will make coaching recommendations.
• Coaches in good standing, with no red-flag issues, will be considered for All-Star Head Coach positions after season-ending evaluations have been submitted and reviewed by the All-Star Coordinator and Executive Director.

Responsibilities

• Head Coaches are responsible for team scheduling, roster management, and ensuring full compliance with Cal Ripken/PONY rules and any tournament regulations.
• Coaches may not schedule events during the Spring season that conflict with a player’s West Raleigh League commitments unless prior approval is granted by the All-Star Coordinator or Executive Director.
• Coaches are accountable for the behavior of both players and parents at all events.
  • Misconduct may result in removal from the team at the discretion of the All-Star Commissioner, Executive Director, and Board of Directors.
• All coaches must strictly adhere to Pitch Smart guidelines. Failure to comply may result in suspension or removal from a Head Coaching role.

Player Participation Notes

Eligibility & Registration

• Players must participate in the WR Spring regular season to be considered for the All-Star program.

• Players must indicate interest in the All-Star program during registration: February 15–27, 2025.

• Interested players will attend an evaluation workout on March 2, 2025 (schedule TBD).

• Evaluations will take place throughout the Spring season.

Evaluation & Selection

• Spring League Head Coaches will evaluate all interested players using observations from practices, games, and workouts.

• Coaches will submit votes by the second week of April to determine All-Star team rosters.

• Players voted onto the Blue, Red, or White rosters receive an invitation to participate. Families who decline the invitation will not be placed on a roster.

Conflicts

• West Raleigh League practices and games take priority over All-Star events. Efforts will be made to avoid scheduling conflicts whenever possible.

• Families with schedule conflicts for a specific All-Star team must submit a request to remove their child from consideration by March 14 via email to league@westraleighbaseball.org. The Executive Director and Commissioner will review requests. Approval is not guaranteed and may affect the player’s eligibility for All-Star selection.

Participation Rules

• Committing to a West Raleigh All-Star team prohibits playing on another travel or All-Star team during the All-Star season. Violation may result in dismissal from the program. Coaches must report any knowledge of players participating with non-WR teams to the All-Star Commissioner.

• Participation in scholastic sports (e.g., middle school teams) is allowed and encouraged.

• Previous All-Star participation does not guarantee future selection.

• Age cutoff is determined by the player’s age on or before April 30.

Additional Notes

• Player safety and arm care are a top priority. Early team formation (9U–12U) must not compromise well-being.

• Communication between coaches (Blue, Red, All-Star, and Spring teams) is vital to ensure a smooth process and a positive experience for all players and families.

• Uniform designs and colors must be consistent across all teams (Blue, Red, White) and age groups (8U–12U).

• Adding guest players to a West Raleigh All-Star team is at the discretion of the Executive Director, based on availability.

West Raleigh Blue/Red Teams Expectations

West Raleigh Blue and Red teams will participate in the Cal Ripken or PONY trail. Teams will have one to two (1-2) practices a week during the Spring season and no more than three (3) practices during the Summer. The spring season will have no more than an optional one (1) tournament. Summer season will have no more than five to seven (5-7) tournaments depending on age (8U - 5 tournaments, 9U & 10U - 6 tournaments, and 11U & 12U - 7 tournaments). This includes the Cal Ripken/PONY trail. Tournaments are scheduled by the Head Coach. All events are to be administered by WR All Star Commissioner. Events will not conflict with the West Raleigh Baseball Spring League. Should a conflict arise, West Raleigh League practices and games take precedence over All Star practices and events. Cal Ripken and PONY dates may be announced in May. Families can expect dates to be similar to the previous years. The expectation for these trails is to compete in the trails until the teams are eliminated.

West Raleigh White Teams Expectations

West Raleigh White teams will participate in the local tournaments. Teams will have one (1) practice a week during the Spring season and no more than two (2) practices during the Summer. The spring season will have no more than an optional one (1) tournament. The summer season will have no more than five to seven (5-7) tournaments based on age (8U - 5 tournaments, 9U & 10U - 6 tournaments, and 11U & 12U - 7 tournaments). Tournaments are scheduled by the Head Coach. All events are to be administered by WR All Star Commissioner. Events will not conflict with the West Raleigh Baseball Spring League. Should a conflict arise, West Raleigh League practices and games take precedence over All Star practices and events.

All Star Program Fee (Estimated):

Fall Select:

Summer All Star teams can have the option continue on into the Fall season. If the team is going to participate in Fall Select:

• All head coaches are to set expectations and schedules by July.
  • In the past, teams have practiced 1-2 times a week with 2-4 tournaments in the Fall.
  • If the teams are playing both Fall Select and Fall rec., teams would typically practice once a week with the tournaments being scheduled around the three "off weekends" during the Fall rec season.
• Teams can play or practice no later than the second week of November.
• Cost for Fall Select is $50 per player (insurance, name/branding, and WR field space if available).
  • Teams will be invoiced around the beginning of August.*
• Teams will be responsible for their own tournament fees and practice fields.
  • West Raleigh will have fields available for practices on Sundays. This schedule will be set based on first come first serve once the Fall League schedule is set.
• Events will not conflict with the West Raleigh Baseball Fall League. Should a conflict arise, West Raleigh League practices and games take precedence over Fall Select practices and events.

 

All Star policies and procedures are managed by the All Star Coordinator and Executive Director. Conflicts are handled on a case-by-case basis, with final decisions made at their discretion.