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posted 03/12/2009
ARLINGTON BABE RUTH BASEBALL
LEAGUE AFFILIATION
Starting in 2010, each Senior League team will be affiliated, or paired with, an
Intermediate League team. After draft day, all players will
receive a phone call from an affiliation representative (Senior or Intermediate League manager/coach) notifying the player of the affiliation that they were drafted to (for example, the Giants/Braves). This pool of players will practice together as one unified team until rosters are finalized, at which point thirteen
players will be assigned to the Senior League team, and all others to the
Intermediate League team. Consider this the equivalent of Red Sox spring
training - everyone reports to camp, but before the start of the season,
players must be assigned to either Boston or Pawtucket.
During the season, due to injuries or absences, one of the two teams may
need an additional player in order to fill their roster. In this case, a
player normally on one roster will be asked to play for the other roster
for one or more games. In previous years, players were "locked into"
their respective teams at the start of the season, and only under extreme
circumstances did players move between leagues. NOTE: THIS AFFILIATION IS PART OF THE PROGRAM AND PLAYERS SHOULD PLAY UP OR DOWN, AS ASKED.
Q. Why is the league doing this?
A. The original impetus for affiliation came from the looking at the number
of total players in the league, and attempting to preemptively solve the
problem of player shortages. The Rays, an Intermediate League team, was disbanded that year due to the player shortage, and this suggestion was
made to provide more stability to the league. As the idea was discussed,
the league found that there were additional benefits in the plan, namely
the opportunity for increased playing time and the chance for some players
to compete at a higher level. It also gives senior level players the opportunity to play some games in the intermediate level - a great chance for some additional practice.
Q. So... what team am I going to be on?
A. If you are new to the program, as noted above, you will be drafted to one of the affiliations. After additional evaluation from the managers/coaches, you will play at the level that is determined best for you at this time
If you were on a Senior League team last year, you will remain on that
team.
If you were on an Intermediate League team last year and did not try out for Seniors, you will remain on your Intermediate team.
If you were on an Intermediate League team last year and tried out for Seniors , you MAY be drafted by ANY Senior League team. If you are NOT drafted by a senior team, you will return to your current intermediate team.
Q. I played in the Intermediates last year and I did not try out. Will I
be forced to play in the Senior League?
A. If you do not want to play at the Senior League level, bring this up
with the affiliation coaches during practice. All players are placed
based on their current skill and while we make every attempt to please
players, we must make sure that the players are at the correct skill
level.
Q. How does this benefit me as a Senior League/Intermediate League player?
A. For both leagues, affiliation should prevent your team from forfeiting
games. Even losing a game you've played to completion is better than
winning a game by forfeit. Intermediate players who may be
apprehensive about playing at the Senior level, or who may have felt
they were a victim of numbers, affiliation should give them a chance to
play at a higher level on a part-time basis, which was previously
impossible due to the way the league was structured.
Q. What are the team affiliations?
A. Teams were selected by blind draw and are:
A’s / White Sox
Braves / Giants
Dodgers / Indians
Marlins / Cardinals
Red Sox / Cubs
Rockies / Phillies
Any questions should first be directed to your team manager. If you need additional information beyond what they have given you, please feel free to contact any board member.
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