Expert: John Priest - 3/10/2008

Question
I have a question regarding "drafts".  It has always been that our league has drafts for players who are entering their first year of play in minors, then they play on that same team through out minors until they reach major league and have to go through drafts again.  Just recently they have decided to change it to where each kid has to go through the draft every year and may or may not play on the same team as the previous year.  Is this league rule or can they change it from year-to-year?

Answer
Kim,
I am not entirely sure about the rules of little league baseball.  I can see that having drafts every year can make for more equal and competitive teams.  This will also create problems with the teams having to get to know each other every year.  In my opinion having a draft when they enter the minors would put them on the correct team.  They should be on that team until they are ready for the majors.  When they are ready for the majors their should be another draft to get them on the proper team.  Usually drafts are a part of the league rules and in order to change the rules the baseball rules committee needs to vote to change them.  
Hope this helps,

John Priest
Nokona Batman