Greetings Santa Monica Families! 
 
We hope everyone has had a great 2025 Spring season so far. It is truly wonderful to watch all these kids learn, grow, create friendships, and just plain have fun playing baseball with Santa Monica Little League. Now that the temperatures are heating up, and the sunscreen is coming out, it's hard to believe, but it's almost time for All Star Season. For those of you who are new to Little League, or those who may be curious about how all this works, we wanted to provide you with a breakdown of our All-Star Program. 
- Tom Gissendanner, SMLL President

SANTA MONICA LITTLE LEAGUE ALL-STAR PROGRAM 

Overall Summary: 

At the end of the Spring season, Santa Monica Little League (SMLL) will select All Stars, recognizing players for their Spring season performance, to form the team that will represent Santa Monica Little League in The Little League International Tournament. 

There are six levels of tournament play in Little League baseball, with opportunities for players ages 8 to 16. The tournaments start at the District level in June, and teams must win their way to advance through the International Tournament. 

The age 10 & under and age 11 & under Tournaments culminate at the State Level (at the end of July), while the Little League (age 12 & under), Little League Intermediate (50/70) Baseball, Junior League, and Senior League divisions all conclude at the World Series Tournament, at the end of August. 

For full details please visit the official Little League page. 

District 25: 
Santa Monica Little League is one of nine leagues within District 25 that will form teams to compete in the Tournament. Click here for full list of teams. 

The Little League International Tournament: 
In the first round of the Tournament, all SMLL All-Star teams will compete for a chance to become the District 25, All-Star Champion. The winners will advance to the next round of the Little League International Tournament, called Sectional. The Sectional champions advance to the State tournament. 

For 11u and 10u teams, the tournament ends with the State championship (win or lose). For 12u and older, the State Champions advance to the Regional tournament, and then the Regional Champions advance to the Little League World Series.

*If any SMLL team is eliminated from any of the above tournament rounds prior to winning State (11u & 10u) or the World Series (12u and above), the All-Star season will officially end for that team. 

Head Coach Selection: 
Any active coach in Santa Monica Little League can volunteer to serve as a Head Coach with final selection by the SMLL Board of Directors. Forms will be sent out the final weeks of the spring season for interested coaches to submit their names. Every All Star coach must have their Diamond Leader certification through Little League International. 

Player Selection: 
Players will be voted on by regular season Head and Assistant (primary) Coach Votes.  All-Star Head Coaches will also have a set number of players that he or she can add to the roster, as designated by the SMLL Board.  All Stars are selected based on their on-field performance, effort, commitment, and sportsmanship in the 2025 Spring Season. All players who have played in a minimum of 8 regular season games, are eligible for consideration. Medical exemptions are available due to injury. 

A fair selection process is determined by the SMLL Board of Directors. The core goal of selecting All Stars across each division is to recognize our players, and to form competitive teams to represent Santa Monica in the Little League International Tournament. All star teams may not be announced prior to May 15th.  

Team Commitment: 
The All Star Team and tournament play is an opportunity offered to selected players, at no additional cost to the player’s family, aside from a recommended donation to cover the cost of uniforms.
 
However, it does require a time commitment from players and families to actively participate in daily practices and tournament games, which may require travel, starting at the end of the regular spring season.
If teams advance, tournament play will continue through the end of July for 11u and 10u, and through the end of August for 12u and upper divisions. 

Selected players will be asked to sign a commitment form. 

Alternates: 
SMLL Players who are not selected to play on an All Star team, may still be offered the opportunity to be an alternate. Alternates are chosen through the same board approved All Star selection process. Alternates may practice with the All Star team, or an Alternate Team, and will have the potential of being "called up" due to illness, injury, or other potential player absences. Alternates may also have the opportunity to play versus other Alternate or "Select" teams, or in tournaments over the summer. This is dependent upon coach availability and interest to lead the Alternate teams. 

All Star teams and their Alternates will be publicly communicated and celebrated during Championship Saturday on Saturday, May 17th.  

Questions: 
If you have any questions about the All Star program, please reach out to any of the below board members: 
● Tom Gissendanner, President: [email protected] 
● David Jurenka, Vice President: [email protected] 
● Noah Graff, Player Agent: [email protected] 

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to an exciting All-Star season this Summer.