Am I eligible to play in Los Gatos Little League?
Boundaries are set by Little League international. If you live within the boundary or attend a Los Gatos school, you may play in Los Gatos Little league and participate in the post-season. Boundary finder
Is Little League Baseball just for boys?
Absolutely not! There are female players in all levels of Los Gatos Little League (LGLL).
What is my child’s baseball “league age”?
Use this chart to determine your child’s “League Age.” The league age is used to determine eligibility to play in the different divisions (see levels of play below)
What division can my child play in?
Los Gatos Little League has several divisions based on age and skill. There is a division for everybody! Check our Levels of Play page for more information and always feel free to email us with any questions.
How much does it cost to play baseball?
Player registration fees account for a large portion of our income. See Registration page for fee information.
What baseball equipment will my child need?
We encourage all players to have their own equipment, especially due to hygiene and covid precautions. We recommend purchasing an age and skill appropriate glove, USA Baseball bat, and helmet. You will need to buy baseball pants (with belt loops) for games (Your manager will provide more specifics on team colors). LGLL will issue a uniform jersey, cap, socks and belt to each child for use during league games.
Rubber cleats are recommended for all athletes. Metal cleats are prohibited.
In AA catchers must wear a cup. In AAA, Majors, and Juniors it is strongly recommended every player wear a cup.
Please consult with your coach in regard to the choice of which USABat standard baseball bat size you should get before purchase. Select one that is light and can be swung quickly through the strike zone. There is no advantage to a heavy bat at all if you can’t catch up to the pitched ball!
You may wish to consider setting aside funds for:
Equipment bag (bat bag)
Name on back of jersey ($7-$8)
Snack shack cards ($20.00)
End of season party ($20.00)
Where are games played (Updated for 2024 Season)?
T-Ball games may be played at Blossom Hill Elementary near the Kindergarten classrooms or on the Single A field at Blossom Hill).
Single A games are played on the baseball diamond at Blossom Hill Elementary closest to Blossom Hill Road (BHA)
AA Games are played on the baseball diamond at Blossom Hill Elementary adjacent to the A field (BHAA)
AAA Games are played at Balzer Field, located in the Phil Knopf Sports Complex at 57 Miles Ave. in downtown Los Gatos.
Majors Games are played at Baggerly Field, located in Blossom Hill Park
Juniors and Intermediate home games are played at Fisher Middle School. Away games will take place at other District 12 Little League fields.
When are the games played?
Schedules vary, but most teams play at least two games per week. One during the week and one on the weekend. Weekend games on Saturday and/or Sunday typically start at 9:00 am. and run to dark. For weekday games, most will start at 5:30pm (4:30 before DST). Players are usually requested to arrive at the field one hour prior to game time but will depend on manager preference.
Are there time limits on games?
In order to keep all games on schedule and to prevent weekday games going well into the night. LGLL does have time limits for most of our games. In general, no new inning may start after the following times:
Tee Ball – 3 innings max or 60 minutes (whichever is first)
Minor “A” – 6 innings or 90 minute games (whichever is first)
Minor “AA” – 6 innings or 90 minute games (whichever is first)
Minor “AAA” – 6 inning games or 2 hours (whichever is first)
Majors – 6 inning games or 2 hours (whichever is first)
Juniors – 7 inning games. There are no time limits except darkness.
Challenger - approx. 60-75 minute games
How often and where will my child practice? (Updated for 2024)
Practice schedules are determined by the League Commissioners, with the approval of the Board of Directors, and shall be limited as follows:
Tee Ball - Practice sessions last 60 minutes and begin around the first week of March and run through the end of May.
Minor A - Practice sessions are usually 60 minutes and begin around the first week of March and run through the end of May. Additional practice times may be available after Daylight Saving Time.
Minor AA/AAA-Practice sessions are usually 90 minutes per session. Any combination of practice sessions and games are typically limited to a max of three (3) per week (i.e., 2 games and 1 practice, 1 game and 2 practices, etc.).
Majors/Juniors/Seniors-Practice sessions are usually 90 ~ 120 minutes per sessions. Any combination of games and practices typically limited to a max. four (4) per week (i.e., 3 games and 1 practice, 2 games and 2 practices).
Special Practices-Managers may schedule additional practices (i.e., batting cages, pitching practices, etc.).
Challenger Practices - Manager will advise the schedule as teams are formed.
LGLL utilizes school district fields for practices. You will know which field you practice on once your child is placed on a team and your team manager contacts you.
When will practices begin? (Updated for 2024)
Depending on weather and team assignments, practices typically begin:
Tee Ball – Early March
Minor “A” –Early March
Minor “AA” –February
Minor “AAA” –February
Majors –February
Juniors –February
Challenger -Pending enrollment
What is Evaluation Day? Does my child need to attend?
There are five recommended area in which each candidate should be given the opportunity to (1) Batting/bunting (2) Fielding fly balls (3) Fielding ground balls (4) Throwing (5) Run in competition with children having the same league age.
The participation in the Evaluation process, and assessment of all players(AA, AAA, Majors & Juniors) is contingent about each child meeting Little League’s eligibility requirements. Once a child has gone through evals, it is the responsibility of the team managers, the president, and the league’s player agent to operate and assure a fair and equitable draft that follows one of Little League’s approved draft methods. All managers, nominated by the League President and approved by the league’s Board of Directors for the current season, must attend the tryout so they can assess/grade players for their own reference.
Evaluations for players hoping to be drafted onto an AA, AAA, Majors or Juniors team is highly recommended. If you player does not show up for Evaluation Day, there is a chance they will not get drafted in their desired level and may roll back down to the previous level. Due to the logistics of Evaluation Day - LGLL only offers the one day.
When will I find out what team my child will play on? (Updated for 2024)
Drafts for AA, AAA, Majors, and Juniors will be completed by February 10th. Your child's manager should notify you of the first team meeting shortly after the draft. Single A and Tee Ball teams will be formed in February.
We attempt to limit roster size to 12 players. This depends on the number of players in each division and the number of qualified managers available.
When is Opening Day?
Opening Day will be March 16th, 2024
Will there be team pictures?
Yes, team pictures are scheduled for March 16th, 2024
How long will the season last?
Each division has its own length as indicated below. If there are rained out games, we try to schedule Fridays and Sundays for makeup games.
Tee Ball – End of February/Early March through end of May
Minor “A” – End of February/Early March through end of May
Minor “AA” – Mid February through early June
Minor “AAA” – Early February through early June
Majors – End of January through end of May
Juniors – Mid February through mid-May
Can my child be placed on a team with one of his/her friends?
In the Challenger, Tee Ball, and Minor “A” division we will make every effort to try and honor your request (indicated from your online player registration).
In the AA, AAA, Majors, Intermediate, and Juniors division all players are drafted by managers to their respective team. While your child may not initially have friends on the team they are drafted to, many children make new friends with their teammates during the months long season.
I have two (or more) children of similar age, can they be on the same team?
Although not required, it is a LGLL practice to honor requests of parents that brothers and sisters be assigned to the same team. Such requests must be directed by email to [email protected] prior to the draft
Who is responsible for staffing the Snack Shacks?
We are a volunteer league and the Snack Shack can only operate if we have volunteers. Each family is required to volunteer for 5 hours during the season with Snack Shack being the primary position. You will have the option to “buy-out” your time at the beginning of the season for $750. The snack shack is overseen by a shift supervisor. Children may help if their parent is present in the snack shack at all times.
If my child is unhappy with the team he/she has been placed on, can he/she switch teams?
Only in extreme cases do we allow children to switch teams after the teams have been formed. Such requests must be made via an email to [email protected] Parents must submit in writing the reason(s) they do not want their child to play for a certain manager/coach. All players who are affected will be handled on an individual basis and all requests will be kept confidential.
If my child decides to quit can I get a refund?
If a player quits the league prior to being placed on a team a partial refund is given. If the player quits after the team is formed, no refund is given.
What is a player freeze?
In the Little League player draft system used by LGLL, the manager's children are frozen and cannot be drafted by another manager.
When are player evaluations?
Evaluation day for AA, AAA, Majors, and Juniors will be Saturday, January 20th at Los Gatos High School.
Challenger, Tee Ball and Minor “A” division players do not have evaluations. They are assigned to a team by the league.
If my child is not as good as the other kids, will he/she have a chance to play?
Every child on every team will play a minimum number of innings each game. Little League rules and LGLL local rules strictly enforce minimum playing time.
Tee Ball – 60 minute games. Everyone bats each inning, everyone plays each inning
Minor “A” – 90 minute or 6 inning games. Everyone bats each inning, everyone plays defense each inning. At least 1 inning playing infield.
Minor “AA” – 120 minute or 6 inning games. Continuous batting order, 4 innings on defense, at least 1 of those innings playing infield.
Minor “AAA” – 120 minute or 6 inning games. Continuous batting order, 4 innings on defense, at least 1 of those innings playing infield.
Majors – 6 inning games. 1 plate appearance, 9 outs on defense minimum.
Juniors – 7 inning games. 1 plate appearance, 3 innings on defense minimum.
Challenger - Everyone bats each inning, everyone plays each inning
How many managers/coaches can a team have?
Majors may have 1 manager and 2 coaches on the field
AAA may have 1 manager and 2 coaches on the field.
AA may have 1 Manager and 2 coaches on the field.
A may have 1 manager and 2 coaches on the field.
Tee Ball may have 1 manager and unlimited coaches on the field.
Unlimited approved assistant coaches during practice are permitted.
All managers, coaches, assistant coaches must be on the approved volunteer list AND have a current fingerprint on file with the DOJ before taking the practice or game field with the players. At least One (1) adult must be in the dugout at all times during games.
How are managers and coaches selected and trained?
LGLL selects mangers and coaches that have a sincere interest in kids and a respect for the game of baseball. All regular and active volunteers must complete a volunteer application, pass a nationwide background screening check every year, and have fingerprint on file. Managers are interviewed by members of the Board of Directors, who then make the determination for who will manage the teams.
Managers and coaches are offered training by the league including skills, drills, and how to run a practice. Managers and coaches must attend the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) training, and attend refresher/update training in baseball skills every year.
Are there any Local & Ground Rules?
Official little league rules are used and can be found here. In addition, LGLL has adopted local rules that can be found here.
Who umpires games?
Los Gatos Little League depends on adult volunteer and youth umpires to officiate baseball games. More information about umpires can be found here.
I don’t agree with the calls that the 12 year old umpire is making during my child’s game, who do I report him to?
The umpires are human and will make mistakes. Little league is a recreational league with an emphasis on sportsmanship and positive behavior. If glaring inconsistencies occur in an umpires calls, a brief private conversation with your team's manager is (somewhat) acceptable.
Parents are encouraged to set the example for the players and refrain from making any disparaging remarks about the umpire or calls being made. In addition, if an individual (player, coach, manager, spectator, etc.) becomes disruptive during a game the umpire has the authority to suspend play until that individual leaves the premise.
Who do I contact if I have a problem that needs to be resolved?
[email protected]
What should I do if I need to report a disciplinary issue?
We take disciplinary issues serious and investigate all items that are brought to our attention. Please send an email to [email protected] to report any issue.
Many times parents wait until the end of the season to voice concerns about an individual’s behavior (coach, manager, player, parent, spectator, etc.). It is highly encouraged that any issue be reported to the league as soon as possible so that action can be taken immediately and prevent further issues through the season.
Anonymous reports can be filed if there is concern with including your name with the incident. Keep in mind, the board can take no action except to monitor behavior from anonymous reports.