EYB is proud to offer the experience of playing tournament baseball to our in-house players who try out and are offered a position on those teams. In addition to all-star tournament teams, we form teams for the Little League International Tournament.
Traditionally we have fielded all-star teams at the 8 (2 teams), 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 year old age group. The age cut off is May 1st for these teams (i.e. players turning 9 after April 30th of the current year are eligible to play on the 8 year old team). We hold an open tryout at all age levels and all registered EYB players are welcome. Little League tournament team tryouts will be no earlier than June 15th.
Here is what you need to know about these teams:
TIME COMMITMENT: Generally speaking players who play on our Tournament Teams are extending their baseball season by another month. Tournament play extends through July, which can include the 4th of July weekend. Most tournaments start on a Wed. and are played through the weekend. Most teams will schedule 3-4 tournaments in July. All the tournaments entered are in the general Chicagoland area, so there is no overnight traveling.
The Little League tournament will take priority over other tournaments. Little League tournament teams play double elimination tournaments beginning with a District tournament with the champion moving on to the Sectional tournament and that champion moving on to the State tournament (and so on, ultimately to Williamsport, PA for the top 12U teams to play in the Little League World Series).
After the all-star teams are picked, Managers will schedule practice once a week, generally on Sunday. As the in-house season winds down, practices will increase to 3-4 times a week. It is not uncommon for these teams to play a game or hold a practice 5-6 days a week during the tournament season. Little League tournament teams will hold tryouts after June 14th. After the teams are announced Managers will similarly start tournament practices.
COST: These teams are funded entirely by the players families. The overall cost can vary depending on how many tournaments a team enters, but generally they look like this with a 12 player team:
Total Cost: $250-$400
Tournaments: approximately $50-60 per person, per tournament