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When in college, I was the Physical Instructor for a local city park in Chicago. My second summer there, I was asked to manage the Major division All-Star Team in city competition. I agreed. There were 12 teams, and each team sent three players to the tryouts. We could carry 18 on the playoff roster. I had to send 18 brokenhearted boys home. At the next BOD meeting, I cursed them out, as only a former Marine sergeant could do. I told them this was a stupid system. The reply was, "They're told they're trying out". I told them that as soon as the boy hears, "All-Star", everything else is shut out. They tell their parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, and anyone else who will listen.
I then told them, that if they wanted me to take the team next season, it would be on my terms. Since I watched ALL the games, and one of our umpires (he would be coaching with me) worked most of the games, we would do the choosing. We picked the best player at each position, then filled in, choosing at least one from each team.
Unfortunately, we lost our starting RH pitcher and SS before the playoffs. Doing some jockeying around with the positions, we lost the North side Championship in extra innings. My partner umped the City championship Game and was of the opinion that, with our full squad, could have won City.
But the main point is, there were no parents involved. There were no politics involved. The boys were happy, the BOD, managers and coaches, and the parents were happy.
Of course, this will not and cannot happen in a "regular" youth program.
Bob
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