WHAT IS ACEs?
ACEs is the travel arm of GVLL. The purpose of ACEs is to offer players a more competitive option in addition to rec baseball.
ACEs runs two seasons; Spring and Fall.
Spring ACEs
General Info. 
11 & 12U (Spring) 10 & 9U (Spring) 9U (Spring)
Fall ACEs
General Info. 10, 11 & 12U (Fall)
Important Additional Information
Please Read Eligibility Dates Fees Attendance
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FALL ACES
General Info.
In Fall, ACEs is run concurrently with GVLL Fall ball. GVLL eligible players are given priority, but occasionally non-GVLL players may be invited to play if there are open spots.
9U, 10U, 11U & 12U Fall ACEs
Tryouts for Fall ACEs will take place at the end of the Spring rec season. Baseball ages “move up” in the fall, so those players who were 10U in Spring will be 11U in Fall, and so on.
Spring 8s and 9s will be eligible for 10U Fall ACEs Spring and Spring 10’s and 11’s will be eligible for 12U Fall ACEs. If we have enough players, we will have a team for each age group (ie 9U, 10U, 11U, and 12U). Open spots not accepted by the end of the rec. season will be filled from tryouts which will take place in July. If there are still open spots at the end of the summer, GVLL will hold one final open tryout around Labor Day.
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SPRING ACES
General Info.
In Spring, ACEs is run concurrently and cooperatively with rec. ball. ACEs players must play in the GVLL Spring Rec season. The team will practice once weekly and play one league double-header each Sunday. These games are often in lower Westchester or Queens or Brooklyn and a car or a ride is usually necessary. If the schedule allows, the team will also play in one outside travel tournament before the start of Spring rec.
9U & 10U (Spring)
Prior to Majors & AAA tryouts, GVLL will announce and hold ACEs spring tryouts for any open spots. Top 9 & 10U players will be selected and invited to join the ACEs 10U team. If we have enough players, we will have a team for each age group (ie 9U and 10U). ACEs will have their own practices and will participate in a local travel league which will not conflict with Majors or AAA games. The hope is that they will not conflict with practices either — but this may happen on occasion.
The ACEs teams will play in the annual Memorial Day Tournament (MDWT). Open tryouts will be held near the end of the Spring Season for the Little League World Series Tournament (LLWST) team. Participation in ACEs does not guarantee selection for the LLWST team.
ACEs players MUST commit to being available for the MDWT, and all ACEs games.
11U & 12U (Spring)
Prior to Majors & AAA tryouts, GVLL will announce and hold ACEs spring tryouts. Top 11 & 12U players will be selected and invited to join the ACEs 12U team. If we have enough players, we will have a team for each age group (ie 11U and 12U). ACEs will have their own practices and will participate in a local travel league which will not conflict with Majors or AAA games. The hope is that they will not conflict with practices either — but this may happen on occasion.
The ACEs teams will play in the annual Memorial Day Tournament (MDWT). Open tryouts will be held near the end of the Spring Season for the Little League World Series Tournament (LLWST) team. Participation in ACEs does not guarantee selection for the LLWST team.
ACEs players MUST commit to being available for the MDWT, and all ACEs games.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A few additional things to keep in mind
It cannot be emphasized enough that accountability, dedication, reliability, and sportsmanship are essential factors in selection for the travel and tournament teams. These players (and parents) represent our organization and they must do so in a manner that, win or lose, radiates sportsmanship and dignity even at such a young age. Managers and coaches are responsible for their teams and will not tolerate negative behavior, even at the expense of removing talented players.
The goal of ACEs is to develop our players and to make our MDWT and LLWS teams stronger, aka, to win. Unlike rec. ball, players will not necessarily receive equal playing time. Talent and commitment, along with positional needs, will be the main determining factors in team selection as well as playing time.
The goal of FALL ACEs is to expose younger players to travel ball and develop them for both the Spring rec. season and Spring ACEs. There will be more parity in terms of playing time, position rotation etc. in Fall ACEs than in Spring ACEs.
Please keep in mind that this program is still in its infancy and there will be glitches from time to time. Evaluating players is not an exact science and sometimes one player will be selected over another based on the needs of the team. We encourage parents to offer feedback on ways to improve the program but not to complain about our choices of one player over another.
Finally, here is some additional information regarding eligibility, dates, fees, playing time and attendance.
ELIGIBILITY
To participate in the GVLL Travel Program, you must live or attend school within the GVLL Boundary, and be of appropriate LLoA League Age for the team and season.
Click here for GVLL Boundary map
Click here for LLoA League Age Chart
DATES
Spring ACEs tryouts for any open spots will be held in the Fall. The ACEs season will run from late March to late June.
Fall tryouts for ACEs players will be held in the late Spring and Summer. Players do not automatically receive a spot in the Fall if they played in the Spring; they must try out again. Any open spots will be filled by tryouts. Fall ACEs will run from September to November.
FEES
There is an additional cost, over and above GVLL Rec ball, to play on an ACEs team. The costs coach salary, league and tournament fees, uniforms, umpires, and equipment among other things. The specific amounts will be determined prior to spots being offered to players. Need based Financial Aid will be offered.
ATTENDANCE (TRAVEL AND REC)
Players are expected to make 80% of all travel practices and 90% of all travel games and MUST play in the MDWT as well as be available for the LLWS. ACEs players must also play in at least 75% of their rec ball games.
If you have a specific question about the program, please contact [email protected]
Tournament and Travel Teams FAQ
How are travel and tournament teams formed?
Travel and tournament teams are formed using several selection methods throughout the year, including tryouts, scouting and manager evaluations. For more on the selection process and on the travel program in general, go here.
How do I know if my child made the team or not?
Once the teams are selected each season, a coach or manager will contact all players who tried out to let them know if they are on the roster or not.
Can I appeal?
No. The decisions of the travel coaches concerning travel rosters are final.
What is the commitment?
Playing on a travel team requires that your child attend 90% of all games and 80% of all practices. Depending on your child's team, games may include tournaments every weekend in Westchester during the fall and handful of tournaments during the spring, as well as the Memorial Day Weekend Tournament in Manhattan and the Little League World Series qualifying tournaments, which start at the end of June. Practices will vary depending on the team and season but will generally take place once or twice a week.
How is the travel program different than regular rec ball?
Unlike in rec ball, the goal of the travel team is to win. In rec ball, all players are given an opportunity to play all positions and are guaranteed a minimum amount of playing time, but in travel ball, positions and playing time are earned. GVLL rec teams play other GVLL teams, while travel teams play elite teams outside our own league.
Does my child have to play rec ball in order to play travel ball?
Yes, to participate in travel ball you must play GVLL rec ball, live within the district and meet the age requirements.
Click here for GVLL Boundary map
Click here for the LLoA League Age Chart
Where are games played?
The venues will vary but will most likely include NYC, Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey and might include Pennsylvania and Maryland as well.
Can girls play on the travel baseball teams?
Yes. Any girl who qualifies through the selection process as a top player is eligible to play on a travel team.
My child is a strong player who I think could compete with players who are in the next age group up. Is he eligible to play on the older team?
Yes. We believe strong players should play up in the travel program, as challenging them to push themselves is good for their development and means they can grow into the role of team leader the following year. Whether your child is identified by a scout or manager to join the older team or you would like him to participate in a tryout for that team, we encourage you to pursue the chance to let him play up. Keep in mind if he does not make the older team, he still has the opportunity to play on the younger team, assuming he earns a spot.
If my child does not make the team this year, can he be considered for the team next year?
Yes. If your child did not make the team this year, he has the opportunity to earn a spot the following year.
If my child makes the team this year, does he automatically make the team next year?
No. Every player on a travel team must earn his or her spot each year.
What if I have additional questions?
Start by reading our travel page. If you don't find your answer there, email us at [email protected]