Spring Training Evaluation Program (STEP)

Players enrolled in the 8U, 10U, 13U or 16U attend Spring Training Evaluation Program (STEP) where League Official and Coaches’ recommendations are used to place players. These evaluation sessions are kept fun, friendly, and informal.

• Players not attending will be randomly added to teams.
  
• Coach's children playing in the league are encouraged to still participate so that we can make sure our teams are balanced.

Note: League officials provide coaches with their baseline ratings. Coaches use this, as well as their own information, to draft players.

Parents and Players Guide to Spring Training Evaluation Program (STEP)

Location –TBD

Dates & Times - TBD

Confirm your responsibility to make sure your player is at STEP.
Bring your glove. A batting helmet and bat are recommended, but can be provided by the league.
Dress the same as you would for a baseball/softball practice: sneakers (if indoor) or cleats, hat, tee shirt or sweatshirt, and baseball pants, or sweatpants. 
Purpose – STEP is to allow the league and the coaches to rate players in order to form balanced competitive teams. Every player will get placed on a team. 

We know that many kids have not played since last season. We also understand that a player’s ability to hit the ball or throw a strike on so few repetitions is not necessarily indicative of their skill level. Please trust us to evaluate form and mechanics as much as, if not more than, results. 

PLAYER EVALUATIONS WILL NOT BE SHARED WITH PARENTS. This policy is non-negotiable. The information gathered in STEP is only for use by the league officials and coaches involved in the drafts for the purpose of assisting ASBL in forming balanced, competitive teams. It is not designed to provide specific feedback on individual players. All coaches have been instructed not to provide STEP information to parents, so please do not ask them for it.

Evaluation – Players will be asked to:

• Perform drills on hitting, fielding, throwing, outfield, running and pitching (optional).

Volunteers will lead the kids through the different drills one at a time, so every evaluator sees every child perform each task. Two league officials will evaluate every child (this provides a consistent baseline). Coaches from their divisions will evaluate the players. The evaluations will be on a five-point scale

Draft –Arlington Softball Baseball League will hold one draft per division. League officials provide coaches with their baseline ratings. Coaches use this, as well as their own information, to draft players. Coaches fill their teams to the limit of 11 to 12 players.