What Items Go Into a International Tournament Team’s Eligibility Documents Book
The Tournament Eligibility Affidavit – commonly a binder or book of some sort – contains a collection of forms and documents that are required by Little League® International, specific to each player on the tournament team roster and the team itself.
In the time between the selection of a league’s International Tournament team(s) and its first tournament game (typically in the district level), the local league is responsible for completing a tournament eligibility affidavit using the Little League Data Center, and preparing a book of eligibility materials that is initially reviewed by the local league president and player agent and then verified and certified by the District Administrator.
The District Administrator and/or his/her staff will verify the information presented appears to meet the requirements for participation in the International Tournament. The information affirmed using these various forms and documents is designed to corroborate each Little Leaguer’s regular season participation and eligibility to participate in the international tournament within the Little League program. The tournament eligibility affidavit book is to travel with the team to each tournament site and game and must be made presented to the Tournament Director before each tournament game. As a team progress through the levels of play (section, state, region), the tournament director for each of these tournaments must review and verify all the documentation before play begins.
The following pieces of documentation need to be inside the book at the time of verification, and throughout the tournament season:
- Tournament Eligibility Affidavit. The affidavit is automatically generated as a part of the online Tournament Affidavit process through the Data Center. All pages of the affidavit, including pitching records must be included.
- A signed boundary map by the league president and District Administrator, showing the actual boundaries of the league, with locations noted for the residences of the parent or legal guardian (court-appointed) or location of the school for every participant named on the affidavit. This map is automatically generated as a part of the online Tournament Affidavit process.
- A tournament player verification form for each player listed on the tournament affidavit. These forms are automatically generated as a part of the online Tournament Affidavit process. Past years forms are permitted.
- Three or more documents (one from each group) to determine residency of the parent(s) or legal guardian (court-appointed) or an approved document to support school enrollment for each player named on the tournament affidavit.
- Any claims/waivers supporting the eligibility of the players, team, league or coaching staff [i.e. II(d), IV(h), Charter Committee, etc.]
The following items, while may be included by the league in the Tournament Eligibility Affidavit book, they are not required and shall not be required by District Administrators, Tournament Directors, or staff.
- Medical Release Forms
- Form and Release (i.e. Model Release) Forms
- Abuse Awareness Course Completion Certificates
- Volunteer Application and Background Check Completion
- Regular Season Scorebooks or Box Scores
Please note that while original birth certificates must be verified by each District Administrator prior to the start of tournament play, copies of birth certificates are NOT carried with each player’s information. However, any player utilizing a statement in lieu of for proof of age must have the statement and supporting documents within the Affidavit Book.
Additionally, based on certain conditions or exemption listed in the tournament rules or local (city, county, state) requirements, some of the following information may be necessary to be carried in the Affidavit Book.
- Supplemental Tournament Affidavit Sheet – School Participation for players who were members of a school baseball/softball team and meet the requirements for the condition.
- Physician’s note for any player who missed regular season games that releases the player for full participation for the balance of the regular season and/or tournament play.
- Concussion Training Certificate if required to be verified by the tournament director.
- Any other local (city, county, state) requirements for specific training courses if required to be verified by the tournament director.
Each team’s eligibility book is to be returned by the Manager to the League President at the completion of that year’s Tournament. The forms and documents are kept on file by the league because many can be used to establish the eligibility of players who are selected to a tournament team in a future season(s).