Information on SWPLL Tryouts
SWPLL Tryouts
Southwest Portland Little League tryouts are on Sunday, February 26, and Sunday, March 4 at the WILSON HIGH SCHOOL GYM. Times are listed below. If you cannot make one of these dates, please email: players@swpll.org
Tryouts are held so that teams can be balanced. Managers and board members observe the players so that teams can be selected with a good mix of pitchers, fielders, and hitters. Tryouts never cause players to be excluded from teams, it only helps in distributing players amongst teams.
If a player doesn't attend at least one tryout session, that player is not eligible for the season's draft and will be placed on a waiting list. It is up to the Player Agent to determine if there is room for that player. Per Little League International rules, all 12-year-olds will be placed on a Majors team unless a waiver is completed and signed by the parents, Board and District Administrator.
Age ranges reflect "Little League" ages, and indicate a player's age as of April 30th of the current year for Baseball or Dec. 31 for Softball.
What is a Tryout?
On a predefined date each player that is required to try out will be assigned a unique number and asked complete a series baseball and softball drills. The player will be rated by each team’s manager and coach and SWPLL’s player agent, as well as an unbiased third party. A player draft will be held with the managers and coaches and SWPLL’s player agent in attendance.
The skill evaluation/tryout serves as an aide to the managers/coaches of the draft selection process. The divisions are not age-bound; rather, teams are selected based on players’ talent level according to each team’s manager/coach.
WHAT TO BRING TO TRYOUTS
Bring a glove, bat, hat, tennis shoes AND cleats (tryouts will be indoors on a gym floor, so no black-soled shoes; however, we may move a portion of tryouts outdoors -- weather permitting).
Tryout Schedule
Sunday, February 26
9:00 a.m. – Softball (all)
11:00 a.m. – Majors Returning Players A-J
12:00 p.m. – Majors Returning Players K-Z
1:00 p.m. – 12yr – New Players (Did not play Majors last year) A-Z
2:00 p.m. – 10-11yr Players who want to be considered for Majors (Did not play Majors last year) A-Z
3:00 p.m. – AAA Returning Players A-J
4:00 p.m. – AAA Returning Players K-M
5:00 p.m. – AAA Returning Players N-Z
Sunday, March 4
9:00 a.m. – Majors Makeup
10:00 a.m. – 10yr (A-J)
11:00 a.m. – 10yr (K-Z)
12:00 p.m. – 8-9yr (A-E)
1:00 p.m. – 8-9yr (F-K)
2:00 p.m. – 8-9yr (L-O)
3:00 p.m. – 8-9yr (P-Z)
4:00 p.m. – Softball Makeup
Who Must Tryout?
- Any player who wants to play Majors;
- Any player who wants to play AAA;
- Any player ages 9-12 who is new to the league
***Please Note: ALL RETURNING AAA & MAJORS PLAYERS ARE REQUIRED TO TRYOUT.***
Who Does NOT Need to Tryout?
Any player who wants to remain in AA baseball or softball, or below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I played Majors or AAA last year. Do I have to tryout again?
A: Yes. All returning players will be required to attend tryouts in case a redraft is required.
Q: I played Majors or AAA last year. Do I automatically return to the same team?
A: Maybe. If there is no redraft, you have the option to return to that team. However, you will still be required to attend Tryouts in case a redraft is required.
Q: I played Majors or AAA last year. Can I tryout for a different team?
A: Absolutely. You can go back into the draft, but your former team still has the ability to draft you again. If you really do not want to play for the same team, please email our player agent Josh Stegman and let him know why.
Q: I played on a AAA team last year and want to tryout for a majors team this season. What happens if I don’t get drafted by a Majors team?
A: Then you go back into the AAA draft. Any AAA coach has the option to draft you. You are NOT guaranteed to be on the same AAA team you were on last year if you attend tryouts.
Q: My mom or dad is a coach, do I still have to tryout?
A: Even if your parent is coaching, if you’ve never played Majors or AAA you are required to tryout.
Q: I was in AAA last season, but I played on the Majors “Fall Ball” team. Do I still have to tryout?
A: Yes, you still need to attend tryouts.
Q: I was in AA last season, but I played on the AAA “Fall Ball” team. Do I still have to tryout?
A: Yes, you still need to attend tryouts.
Q: I was in AAA last season, but I participated in the Honors/All-Stars teams following the season. Do I still have to tryout for majors?
A: Yes, you still need to attend tryouts.
Q: I was in AA last season. What happens if I tryout for AAA or Majors and don't get selected?
A: You will return to AA again this season.
