What's the Best Way to Pick Youth Teams?

March 10 -- Alex Furlow, 6 feet tall and lanky, had played baseball, the sport he loves, since kindergarten.

So when the 12-year-old all-star came to the annual Little League tryouts in Davis, Calif., he figured he'd be a shoo-in to move up to the next level where most kids his age play.

But Furlow was shocked when a poor showing landed him instead on a team with kids several years younger and many inches shorter.

"I never even dreamed that that would happen," said his mother, Teri Furlow, recalling how crushed Alex was upon hearing the news.

While Alex's case may not be typical, it illustrates the complications — and seeming illogic — that surrounds how youth sports leagues choose their teams.

Everyone involved agrees the purpose of organized sports should be for kids to make friends, learn and — most importantly — have fun.

But as baseball and softball seasons get underway this spring, the perennial debate is about how to organize teams to achieve that.

"I think it's as much a social thing as anything for the kids," said Steve Gwiasda, president of the Ames Girls' Softball Association in Iowa. "It's important they meet new friends. The emphasis isn't on winning, but you're playing the game for a reason. I don't mean it's ignored — kids are still competitive — but I think it's as much a social thing, too."

To Draft or Not?

For decades, teams that are part of the official Little League International organization, as well as some other leagues, have favored selecting teams with a draft system.

But groups that are not affiliated with Little League often opt for a more random method of selection, such as assigning players by neighborhood.

The idea behind the more random selection methods is that each team will have a hitter like homerun king Barry Bonds or a pitcher who throws bullets like USA Softball's Jennie Finch, along with a mix of players at other skill levels.