NCBB Travel / Select Baseball Programs 

**As of November 2019** 

The following is an overview of New Canaan Baseball’s Cal Ripken (12 yrs old and younger) travel baseball programs. Program offerings and policies may change over time as determined by the NCBB Board, and NCBB may deviate from these policies for unique or extraordinary circumstances (e.g. disciplinary reasons, safety issues, relocation, etc.).  

* The 7year old spring / summer program is less of a true travel team and more of a supplemental program for stronger 7-year-olds looking for additional baseball with a travel environment.

** In the past, New Canaan has had anywhere from 2-6 summer travel teams (in addition to the “All-Star” teams). The number of teams offered at various ages will be dependent on the number of registrations. 

Rams Select Spring Travel Program 

Description: The spring travel program is for New Canaan youth baseball players seeking additional baseball in the Spring at a higher level of competition that is likely to be experienced in the New Canaan house league. The Spring travel program is intended to complement the New Canaan House league spring program, enabling players to make both House and NC Rams Select games/practices. All Spring travel players age 12 and under MUST play in the New Canaan house league as well. The requirement to play house league goes away after Majors (age 13). 

The season runs from March through Memorial Day weekend in May and will include approximately 12-16 games including 1-2 tournaments and at least one practice per week.

(Note: the “7 yr” team will have a less demanding schedule with fewer games, and workouts with a greater focus on player development.

Team Selection Process: Teams will be selected based on a structured approach which strives to ensure the integrity of the team selection process. There will be a tryout event administered by independent evaluators Players will be evaluated on how they perform in a number of skills including hitting, pitching, fielding and running.

The independent group administering the tryouts will provide New Canaan Baseball recommendations for team selection. These recommendations will then be considered by a steering committee of NC baseball coaches and board members who will make the final team selections.

Summer All-Star Program 

Description: The Summer All-Star program is comprised of the 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12-year-old New Canaan “All-Star” teams which will represent New Canaan in the Cal Ripken League District tournaments (and State, Regional and National tournaments if they qualify). The Summer All-Star program is targeting the best New Canaan baseball players for each age group and those players willing and able to make a substantial time commitment to the team from June 1 through at least mid/late July and possibly into early August (dependent on how far the team goes in the Cal Ripken League tournaments).

In addition to the Cal Ripken League tournaments, the Summer All-Star teams may play games in other leagues as determined by the NCBB co-Heads of Select. 

SPRING / SUMMER All-Star Team Selection Process: 

1) Player Ranking:  A player ranking process will determine the top players from a given eligible universe of players by a voting group. This will include as much data possible and helps the more they play with in the NC Baseball Programs throughout the winter and spring.  Winter and Spring participation is not mandatory, but helps so evaluators have more data.  (see below for Player Ranking Process details)

2) First 8 Roster Spots:  The first 8 roster spots will be determined by a straight numerical ranking from the Player Ranking Process.

3) Coach Selection:  After the first 8 roster spots have been determined, NCBB will endeavor to identify the team’s Head Coach from among the parents of the initial 8 players from Step 2. (see below for Coach Selection Process details)

4) Final Committee Vote:  The final roster spots (teams must have minimum 12) will be determined by a vote from a committee with relevant insight into the players (typically a smaller subset of the initial voting group) and then inevitably allow the head coach to fill out a roster if so additional players needed.

a. Candidates for the final four roster spots can only come from players ranked in the Top 15 from the Player Ranking Process

b. The final four roster spots will be determined following a committee discussion and may take into consideration subjective factors such as specific position needs, attitude, and sportsmanship.

Player Ranking Process 

1) The voting group will consist of individuals with relevant insight into the respective age group and will be appointed by NCBB co-Heads of Select and co-Presidents. At least one coach from the applicable house league and travel division’s teams will be part of the voting group. 

2) The voting group will submit a rank ordering of players 1-15 

3) The voting group will be instructed to consider the body of work and not just current year house league performance or draft order. 

4) Voters will exclude their own child from their ranking; the ranking of their child from all the other voters will be averaged and will be given that rank in that voter’s ballot. 

Coach Selection Process 

1) The NCBB co-Heads of Select will consider comments/thoughts from some of the parents of the first 8 players selected (Coach from spring to summer does not have to change and is strongly encouraged).

2) Starting in the Winter, the NCBB Heads of Travel / Select will solicit interest from potential coaches to see who the possible coaching candidates are and whether they are interested in Head Coach or Assistant Coach role.

3) The NCBB NCBB Heads of Travel / Select, in consultation with at least 2 other Board members, will select coaches based on a range of factors (feedback, baseball resume, coaching experience, style/demeanor, time commitment/availability, past body of work) 

New Canaan Rams Select and All-Star Play-Up Policy 

New Canaan Baseball no longer allows play-ups in either the Spring Travel or Summer All-Star programs. Players are required to play with their age group as determined by the Cal Ripken baseball age chart (the player’s age as of April 30th of that year). 

NOTE CHANGE – in 2020 NCBB Heads of Travel / Select have determined that in order for teams to stay most competitive on a travel circuit, NC will look to have teams stay continuous throughout winter, spring and summer.  Rosters in spring could be smaller than 12 to allow for additional players come summer.  Additional players added are subject to the last 4 players selected and will be heard by NCBB Heads of Travel / Select and inevitably chosen with Head Coach.  It is not mandatory to play spring in order to make travel, but it is highly encouraged for numerous reasons.