Q: What is the Wisconsin All-Stars Baseball?
A: Wisconsin All-Stars Baseball provides an opportunity for talented youth baseball players from across Wisconsin to come together as a team and compete at Cooperstown Dreams Park in Cooperstown, New York.
To be eligible, players cannot turn 13 prior to May 1st of the year they participate.
Q: Who coaches the Wisconsin All-Stars?
A: Wisconsin All-Stars is led by Head Coach Brian Burgert, along with Assistant Coach Richie Boyce, Coach Willie Mueller and Coach Eric Cruise.
Q: What is Cooperstown Dreams Park?
A: Cooperstown Dreams Park is a premier youth baseball tournament experience located in Cooperstown, New York. Each summer, teams (104) from across the country come together for a week of baseball, competition, team bonding and memories that last a life time.
For Wisconsin All-Stars players and families, Cooperstown is the culmination of the summer season and an experience unlike any other.
Learn more about Cooperstown Dreams Park:
Q: What is the application process?
A: Complete the online application and submit the required tryout fee. Once your application has been received, you will receive additional information regarding tryouts.
All players interested in becoming a Wisconsin All-Stars must attend tryouts (2 day tryout) and participate in the evaluation process.
Sign up on line at www.wasbaseball.com
Wisconsin All-Stars tryout: *$100.00 tryout fee.
THERE WILL BE NO REFUND FOR ANY FEE SUBMITTED TO THE WISCONSIN ALL-STARS FOR THE TRYOUT.
Cash or check. Checks can be made payable to: Wisconsin All-Stars. Fees can be sent to 1256 Lake Breeze Rd, Oshkosh WI 54904 or paid day of tryout.
Walk ups are welcome the day of tryouts.
Q: When and where are tryouts held?
A: Tryouts (2 day tryout) are held annually in the fall in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Specific dates, times and location are announced on our website and social media pages.
Players should arrive early to allow time for check-in and registration prior to the start of tryouts.
Q: What is the procedure for player selection?
A: All players are evaluated during tryouts by the Wisconsin All-Stars coaching staff and clinicians. Players are evaluated on their baseball skills, effort, attitude, team work and overall ability to contribute to the team.
Following tryouts, the coaching staff carefully reviews each players evaluation before making the final selections.
All players will be notified once the selection process is complete.
Q: What do we look for in a player?
A: We look for more than just baseball ability. We want players who are coachable, hardworking and willing to give 100% every time they step on the field.
We look for players who have a positive attitude, respect their coaches and teammates, and understand the importance of being part of a team.
Baseball skills are important, but so are effort, attitude, character and being a GREAT teammate.
Q: What are the player fees?
A: The player fee for the Wisconsin All-Stars program is $2,199.00.
The player fee is due at the first parent meeting following the selection of the team.
Additional costs, including travel and lodging, are the responsibility of each family unless otherwise noted.
Q: What is covered by the player fee?
A: The player fee covers the Wisconsin All-Stars summer baseball program and the player’s participation at Cooperstown Dreams Park.
The fee includes tournament entry fees, secondary insurance, player pack apparel, CDP player apparel, CDP uniform, (jersey (2), hat, socks (2), team lodging and meals at Cooperstown Dreams Park, AYHOF ring, uniform laundry, administrative costs and miscellaneous expenses.
Travel, lodging and personal expenses for players and their families are not included unless otherwise noted.
Q: What is the refund policy for player fees?
A: Player fees are non-refundable.
If a player is unable to participate in the agreed-upon activity (instructional or tournament) because of injury, illness, family circumstances, postseason involvement, or any other reason, Player Fees Will Not Be Refunded.
If a player/family decides to play with another team, and does not fulfill their commitment to participate in agreed-upon tournament, they relinquish the player fees as well as any future opportunities with the WISCONSIN ALL-STARS.
Q: When and where are practices held?
A: Practices begin Memorial Day weekend, with practices scheduled Friday through Monday.
Once school is out for the summer, we generally practice Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 AM-1:00 PM in Oshkosh. Additional practice days may be added or scheduled days may occasionally change, sometimes on short notice.
The Wisconsin All-Stars program does its very best not to interfere with other baseball commitments our players may have. This is one of the reasons we schedule our practices during weekday mornings whenever possible.
We do ask families to understand that flexibility and commitment are important, as the practice schedule may need to change throughout the summer.
Q: What is expected from the players?
A: All players should arrive at all practices/games on time with their own equipment. This includes all catchers gear, batting helmets, baseball gloves, bats, batting gloves, baseball shoes and baseball attire for all practices. We expect players to dress for the weather.
To give 100%. Never give up. Be a GREAT teammate.
Q: What is expected from the parents?
A: We ask parents and families to support and be committed to the Wisconsin All-Stars program. Support not only your player, but every player on the team. Treat coaches, players and other families with respect, and refrain from negative or derogatory comments.
Each player and family comes from different towns, schools and baseball backgrounds, but when we are together, we are one team. We win as a team and we lose as a team.
We ask parents to lead by example and let the coaches do the coaching. Our goal is to provide every player with the best possible experience both on and off the field.
Active participation is an important part of the WAS program. We encourage families to be involved-attend and support camps, tryouts, help with sponsorships, recommend prospective players and families who would be a good fit for our program, and support the continued growth and success of Wisconsin All-Stars.
Above all, we expect everyone associated with WAS to represent the program with class and respect, on and off the field.
Q: What is NOT accepted?
A: The Wisconsin All-Stars program does not tolerate poor sportsmanship, disrespectful behavior or actions that put oneself above the team. We expect our players and families to be supportive, positive and committed to the success of our team.
We will not accept behavior that demeans, discourages or disrespects players, coaches or families. Creating unnecessary conflict or problems within the team or organization is also unacceptable.
Criticizing, blaming, second-guessing or undermining a player or coach-especially in front of others-has no place in our program.
We are a team. We support one another, represent WAS with class and always strive to set a positive example both on and off the field.
Q: What is expected at the Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament?
A: Our players are always expected to conduct themselves with class, sportsmanship, hustle, effort and enthusiasm at all times. Play hard. Play your best. Support your teammates. Respect your coaches, opponents, umpires and everyone associated with Cooperstown Dreams Park.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience. Playing at Cooperstown Dreams Park is a special opportunity and one that we want every player and family to remember for a lifetime.
Represent WAS with pride-both on and off the field.
Q: How is player participation determined?
A: Starting lineups, positions, pitching rotations, and all substitutions are determined by the coaching staff. Every effort is made to give all players opportunities to participate based on their abilities and the needs of the team.
Playing time and plate appearances may vary from player to player. Coaches will make decisions based on individual skills, game situations, and most importantly, what gives the team the best opportunity for success.
Q: What about lodging and travel?
A: Parents are responsible for making their own travel and lodging arrangements to and from New York. WAS does reserve a hotel block in Syracuse for players and families.
For lodging in Cooperstown, we are happy to provide recommendations. We have a great relationship with a local company that can assist families in finding homes, cottages, hotels, camp sites or appartments to rent individually or share with other families.
Wisconsin All-Stars also has a travel agent available to assist families with travel arrangements if needed.
Q: TRADING PINS.... ?
A: ABSOLUTLEY! Trading pins are HUGE at Cooperstown Dreams Park and are a lot of fun for players, siblings, parents, and coaches. Pin trading takes place throughout the week and is a great way for players to meet and interact with other teams. While also giving siblings the same opportunity.
We do ask that everyone respect the pins of others. All trades must be agreed upon by everyone involved.
A Final Note from Wisconsin All-Stars
Wisconsin All-Stars expects players and parents to represent the program in a positive and respectful manner both on and off the field. Behavior that becomes detrimental to the team or program may result in a player’s membership being terminate.
Our coaching staff is committed to the success and development of every player. Coaching decisions are made with the best interests of the team in mind and may be based on many factors observed throughout practices and games—not simply statistics.
We ask parents to allow our coaches to coach and our players to compete without distraction. Our goal is not only to prepare young athletes to succeed in baseball, but also to teach the teamwork, discipline, and character that will help them succeed in life.
"Life as in baseball must be coached"... Coach Lou Presutti