Coach_Kevin

I agree with Charlie on this, I've seen it in all the sports I've coached.  It's like the kids are in slow motion.  I haven't found one sure fire solution.  The "who will start" might be a good motivator like Charlie suggested.

A few others:
We were the only team that did this, but I'd use the last 2 min of our pregame warm-up with a passing drill.  The kids formed a circle and I was in the middle passing to them at a rapid pace. No look passes to make sure they were paying attention. It was fast paced and sometimes I'd close in on a kid throwing it back to them several times to get that intensity going.

Another thing we'd do is bring the team over to the bleachers and have the parents involved in the cheer.  Seems goofy, but all those people chanting together created a lot of energy.  

Last resort might be to have a pregame meeting at Starbucks.

Only have a 1 hour practice so:
Drills-60%
Play Execution (including scimmage)-25%
Addressing the team -5%
Other (ultimate football)-10%

Our little league does the same thing. Winning teams manager has right of first refusal to coach the all-stars. To the victor goes the spoils. He/ she might not be the best manager but what is the alternative? There is so much politics in little league that you couldn't have voting or someone deciding for the league. Any way you go about it, there is sure to be some hurt feelings. Deciding it on the field leaves no room for whining.