Summer Season Baseball
The summer ball / all stars is the most competitive season for Baseball in Carleton Russel. Players are separated into age and in some cases skill delineated divisions.
Summary
During the summer season, we offer various levels of developmental, competitive league play, and we strive to roster an Expos all-star team at each division of play. What we roster depends on registration. The Expos all-star teams are formed via tryouts and allow our strongest players to compete against the best players of other Little Leagues across Ottawa, as well as represent CRLL at district, and, if successfull, at provincial and national Little League tournaments. When blessed with sufficient players, we strive to offer ongoing developmental play at each division by rostering additional CRLL Expos teams at the lower-level tiers of the Ottawa Interlock League. These teams compete against other Little League teams from the Ottawa area at a level of play consistent with each other's abilities, allowing everyone to focus on player development. For more information, please visit our Summer Program page.
- Minors and above - Evaluations in May
- Season runs from July to Mid-August
- Will form as many tiered teams as possible
If we have more interested players than available spots in CRLL, we will refer players to other leagues with open positions. We make every effort to place all players who want to participate in summer ball on a team. However, there may be instances where we have to release players, usually due to numbers, such as having 17 registrants, which is too many for one team but not enough for two.
During the summer season, CRLL teams compete in the Ottawa Summer Interlock League. This league includes teams from other Ottawa area Little Leagues in District 6 (South Ottawa, Orleans, Glebe) and District 2 (Ottawa West, East Nepean, Kanata). Some summers, we also welcome teams from neighboring districts like Brockville, Williamsburg, Mississippi, Perth, and Kemptville.
For each age division, we aim to create one, two, or possibly more summer teams based on registration numbers. While there are no set nights for summer games, they are typically scheduled during the week (Sunday through Thursday), with occasional Friday or weekend games when necessary due to field availability.
Interesteed in joining the summer ball or all-star program? Please read the following carefully:
- Summer Play Registration: Registration for our summer play programs operates on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your registration priority, all players must complete the summer play registration. Please note that in some cases, we may initially limit registration to one team, and additional players will be placed on a waitlist. Once we have enough interest to form a second team, those on the waitlist will be contacted and moved off the waitlist. The order in which players are moved off the waitlist is determined by the date and time of their registration. We appreciate your patience in this process. When possible, we will explore opportunities for our teams to play in adjoining leagues after completing our rosters.
- Vacation Planning: We understand that summer is a time for family holidays, and we expect players may be absent for some games, even for extended periods. Don't hesitate to register, as you'll have the opportunity to note your expected vacation times in the registration form. We aim to ensure each team has enough players to accommodate holiday absences without any issues
- All-Star Tryouts: Tryouts for our All-Star teams will be scheduled on available days, typically on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Each division typically has a minimum of three tryout sessions, and players are required to attend at least two of these tryouts to be considered for placement on an All-Star team. The number of tryout sessions may vary based on the number of players attending.
- Eligibility for All-Star Selection: Only players who have participated in a minimum of 60% of their spring season games are eligible for All-Star selection. Players have the option to decline tryouts and choose to play in a lower division if they prefer. However, all eligible players from various spring divisions are welcome to try out for the All-Star team. New players who did not participate in our Spring Season may still register. While they won't be eligible for tournament play, they will be considered for placement on a team for summer league play if space is available.
- Additional Details for All-Star Tryouts: Players trying out for the All-Star teams are encouraged to scroll to the bottom of this page to access specific details about participation at this level.
Divisions
Minor / Major
There are three (3) divisions within the Ottawa Summer Interlock League for the minor and major levels. Usually CRLL rosters teams at the All Star level in both divisions and any other additional teams formed will be within the Interlock League at an appropriate level of play; however All Star participation is dependent upon the commitment of sufficient coaches and players.
- All Stars: The CRLL Expos All Star Team will compete both in the Annual Little League Tournament as well as participating in the All Star Interlock schedule. Additional weekend tournaments may be available within the team's schedule as supported by additionally negotiated team fees. It is expected that the All-Star teams will plan for a robust and often intense practice schedule. All Star participation demands a high level of commitment both for time and potential travel expenses.
- Canadians Division. This division is considered a strong competitive division with skill levels just below the All Star level. Teams will play a full interlock schedule against other competitive teams in the region participating in the Ottawa Summer Interlock League. Additional weekend tournaments may be available within the team's schedule as supported by additionally negotiated team fees. Fair play, position diversity and player development will remain the key focus for our coaches at this level, even if the competitive level is enhanced. The decision by the Executive Board to place a team in this division will be based upon coach and evaluator recommendations.
- Nationals Division. The key focus in the National Division is player development and fostering a love of the game in an inclusive environment. Every attempt will be made to accommodate ALL registered players. Every attempt will be made to balance National division teams when able. Fair play in a safe fun environment is the priority. Teams will play a full interlock schedule against other developmental teams in the region participating in the Ottawa Summer Interlock League.
Juniors
CRLL will roster summer Junior teams if there are sufficient players registered. A Junior All-Star Expos team will only compete in the Annual International Little League Tournament if sufficient players and coaches are available with the required level of commitment. The All Star team will compete at the Canadians level within the interlock when not engaged with Tournament play. Additional teams will be formed at the Canadian and/or National Division level if sufficient players are available.
Seniors
CRLL will roster summer Senior teams if there are sufficient players registered. A Senior All-Star Expos team will only compete in the Annual International Little League Tournament if sufficient players and coaches are available with the required level of commitment. The All Star team will compete in the Canadians level within the interlock when not engaged with Tournament play. Additional teams will be formed at the Canadian and/or National Division level if sufficient players are available.
All-Star Teams
All-Star teams are selected after a tryout process in June. These teams represent our league in the World Wide Little League Tournament which starts with the District 6 playdowns and continue on to Provincial, Canadian and World Series Championships for the successful teams (Minors are capped at the Provincial Level).
All-Star Team Participation and Eligibility
Participation Commitment: Players selected for our All-Star teams must be available for tournament playdowns, including districts, provincial, national, and international events. We kindly request that players and their families plan their vacations around these crucial tournament dates, which can be found in the Tournament Dates section below. If any unavoidable absences arise, please promptly disclose and discuss them with the team manager and league representatives. Parents and players will be requested to sign a commitment letter to ensure a clear understanding of the expectations. It's essential to note that this commitment includes financial responsibilities for travel and accommodation. While some player-specific subsidies may be available, they are not guaranteed.
Passport Requirement: With the exception of the Minor Expos, All-Star players should have a valid passport to facilitate potential travel to the United States for participation in the World Series.
Summer Interlock League: Additionally, All-Star teams will have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Interlock league alongside other All-Star teams in the Ottawa Area. This league typically involves two games per week, one at home and one away. Teams also have the option to plan and participate in additional tournaments, though these would be at the team's expense. The scheduling of these additional events will be flexible, taking into consideration the availability of families and the team's schedule.
Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for selection to an All-Star team, players must meet the following criteria:
- Participation: Players must have actively played in 60% or more of the regular season scheduled games within the same division of play (excluding playoffs). Games missed due to medical reasons can be excluded from the 60% calculation, provided a doctor's note is provided.
- Residency: Players must meet stringent residency requirements as stipulated by our league.
- Age Verification: Players are required to provide appropriate proof of age.