Evaluation Schedules published – Evals begin February 1st

Note:  The schedules below have been revised to reflect the cancellation of minors baseball evaluations on the Feb 5 snow day.  Please take note of the changes.

The schedules for evaluations for ZLL’s baseball and softball programs have been finalized.  If your child meets the age requirements to participate in one of our programs we urge you to attend the appropriate evaluation session.  Participation in the evaluation is the best way to ensure players are appropriately drafted or assigned on teams.

The schedule is as follows:

50/70 Baseball (ZLL’s most challenging and competitive program for players aged 11-13 – birthdates between May 1, 2000 and April 30, 2003)

  • Saturday February 1 from 8 am to 11 am at Zionsville Middle School
  • Saturday February 8 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Zionsville West Middle School

Majors Baseball (The standard Little League program for players aged 10-12 – with birthdates between May 1, 2001 and April 30, 2004)

  • Saturday February 1 from 12 pm to 3 pm at Zionsville Middle School
  • Thursday February 6 from 7 pm to 9 pm at Zionsville West Middle School
  • Saturday February 8 from 8 am to 10 am at Zionsville West Middle School

Minors Baseball (Our middle level program for younger and developing players aged 9-11  – with birthdates between May 1, 2002 and April 30, 2005)

  • Saturday February 1 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Zionsville Middle School
  • Wednesday February 5 from 7 pm to 9 pm at Zionsville West Middle School
  • Saturday February 8 from 11 am to 3 pm at Zionsville West Middle School

Rookie Baseball (Introductory baseball programs for players aged 6-8 – with birthdates between May 1, 2005 and April 30, 2008)

  • Saturday March 1 from 8 am to 4 pm at Zionsville West Middle School

Majors Softball (The standard Little League softball program for players aged 11-12 – with birthdates between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2002)

  • Saturday February 1 from 12 pm to 4 pm at Zionsville Middle School
  • Saturday February 8 from 8 am to 12 pm at Zionsville West Middle School

Minors Softball (Mid level softball program for players aged 9-10 – with birthdates between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004)

  • Saturday February 1 from 8 am to 12 pm at Zionsville Middle School
  • Saturday February 8 from 12 pm to 4 pm at Zionsville West Middle School

Note to Softball Parents of 8-year-old girls –

If your daughter is 8-years-old, and you would like for her to evaluate to play in Minors Softball (mid level program for players 9-10 – with birthdates between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2004) this season, she will need to attend one of two evaluation sessions held on February 1 or February 8. Evaluating for the Minors does not guarantee a spot on a Minors roster. The player must evaluate well enough to be drafted or create a safety concern for her peers. If she is not drafted she will be placed on a Rookies team.

Rookie Softball (Introductory softball program for players aged 6-8 – with birthdates between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007)

  • Saturday March 1 from 8 am to 4 pm at Zionsville West Middle School

What should we bring to evaluations?

In order to comply with Little League International requirements, parents must bring the following documents to the evaluation and present them upon arrival at the sign in table:

  • An original birth certificate.  A ZLL official will make a photocopy of the original and return the original to you.
  • Proof of residency in ZLL’s geographical area or proof of attendance at a school within the borders of ZLL’s geographical area (public or private school).
    • ZLL recommends bringing a printout or copy of your child’s report card from a ZCS school or other school in located in ZLL’s geographical area is the most straightforward way of demonstrating residency.  (you may redact grades.)
  • A completed Little League Medical Release form

Players will not be allowed to evaluate without these documents.  If you have questions about the documentation requirements, please contact Ben McAfee, ZLL Player Agent at playeragent@zionsvillelittleleague.org.

Players participating in the evaluations should wear comfortable sports clothing including tennis shoes/running shoes.  They should bring their bat, glove, and helmet – these items will be available if you do not own one.

What happens at the evaluation?

Players will be asked to participate in a series of drills to test for various athletic abilities and skills:

  • Running for speed
  • Fielding ground balls and pop ups hit or thrown to them
  • Arm strength and accuracy
  • Pitching mechanics, arm strength and accuracy (for player pitch programs)
  • Hitting mechanics, contact, and power

Players are tested in small groups and evaluated by prospective team managers and coaches.  The evaluation process takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes for a group.  Depending on your arrival time, you should expect to wait, so plan accordingly.  In the past, Saturday morning and weekday evening evaluation periods are the busiest.

If you are unable to participate in evaluations, your child will still be drafted or placed onto a team.  Please contact ZLL Player Agent Ben McAfee at playeragent@zionsvillelittleleague.org if you have questions or are unable to participate in evaluations.