In 2008, LGLL supported three divisions (T-Ball, Minors & Majors) incorporating six levels-of-play (T-Ball, Coach Pitch, Machine Pitch, AA, AAA, & Majors), each of which is appropriate for players at different stages in the development of  their baseball skills.  In 2009, we are introducing a Challenger Division, which offers boys and girls with physical and mental challenges the opportunity to participate in an organized baseball program.

The appropriate level-of-play for a child is not determined strictly or solely by the player's age, although age is one factor that parents and coaches use to help ascertain the correct level for that child.  In the level-of-play descriptions, below, we provide guidelines for the skill levels and ages of children who may play at each of the levels.  All of LGLL's age guidelines are consistent with those suggested by the Little League organization.  Along with these guidelines, feedback from Player Evaluation Sessions, and evaluations from prior year coaches, players are drafted onto teams by Managers (AAA, and Majors) or placed on teams by LGLL Commissioners (AA, Machine Pitch, Coach Pitch, and T-Ball).

Generally, teams are formed top to bottom (i.e., in succession from Majors to AAA to AA...down to T-Ball) according to the following schedule: 

• Majors in early February,
• AAA in mid-February,
• AA in late-February, and
• Machine Pitch, Coach Pitch and T-Ball in early March.

You may click on one of the links, below, to see our description of that level-of-play.  Or you can scroll down this page to view all the descriptions:

T-Ball Division (5 and 6-year-olds)
T-ball is open to all 5 and 6-year-old first-time players and, by request, to 7 or 8-year-old players who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding.*  In T-Ball, players begin by hitting off a batting tee but may progress to hitting coach-pitching as the season advances.  The primary goals of T-ball are to have fun, to instruct children in the fundamentals of baseball, and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork. 

• No previous skills or experience are required.

• The T-Ball Commissioner forms teams with the purpose of ensuring an enjoyable experience for players, parents and coaches.  The Commissioner will consider criteria such as coach or teammate requests and the school attended by the player, although we cannot guarantee we will be able to honor requests.

• Games last a maximum of 3 innings  or 70 minutes.  Each inning, every player bats off a tee, using a cushioned T-ball, and plays in the field.  Players rotate positions in the infield/outfield.  No scores are kept.

• Teams will have 1 weekday practice and 1 Saturday game each week.  The season, which begins in late-March and ends in early-June, includes approximately 10 games.


 

Minors Division (7 to 12-year-olds)
The goal of the Little League Minors divisions is to prepare children for eventual selection onto a Majors Division team.  LGLL has established 5 levels-of-play within its Minors Division.  Most of the players will be between 7 and 11 years old, although 6-year-olds with a year of T-ball experience and 12-year-olds, who receive waivers from the District, may also play within our Minors Division.  In 2009, 6 year-olds with one year of T-ball experience are eligible for either the Coach Pitch or Machine Pitch levels.

Coach-Pitch
In Coach Pitch (CP), coaches reinforce the fundamental skills: batting, throwing, catching, and base running, in a game environment.  Players improve their understanding of how to play the game of baseball.  They learn more about base running, defensive situations, and rules-of-play.  CP is open, by request, to 6, 7, and 8-years-old players who are not yet ready for Machine Pitch.*  6-year-olds with a year of experience in T-Ball, are encouraged to play Machine Pitch. 

• Players who register for CP have learned basic skills (batting stance and grip, throwing motion, fielding stance) and should be familiar with the rules-of-play.  Players should be able to make semi-accurate throws and play catch with each other.  Parents of 6-year-olds (with some experience) or 7-year-olds (with no experience) who aren't developmentally ready for hitting a machine-pitched baseball, may request their children play in CP.* 

• The CP Commissioner forms teams with the purpose of ensuring an enjoyable experience for players, parents and coaches.  The Commissioner will consider criteria such as coach or teammate requests and the school attended by the player, although we cannot guarantee we will be able to honor requests.

• Games last a maximum of 4 innings or 90 minutes.  Each inning, every player hits machine coach-pitched baseballs.  Players do not strike-out, but are put on base if they have not hit after 6 pitches.  Players who are "put-out" in the field are removed from the base paths.

• Players rotate through infield and outfield positions, although coaches may consider safety in assigning positions.  Ten defensive players take the field during each half-inning.  Players share equal playing time and will sit out innings, but no player will sit out a second inning until all players have sat out one inning.  Catchers are positioned behind home plate and catch "live" pitches.  Game scores are not kept.

• Teams will have one practice, one weekday game, and one Saturday game each week during the season which begins in late-March or early-April and ends in late-May or early-June.

Machine-Pitch
Many of the players in Machine Pitch (MP) will be 7-years-old although, upon request, 8 and 9-year-olds may enroll.  Also, parents of 6-year-olds with one year of T-Ball experience my elect to have their children play in MP.  In MP, coaches reinforce the fundamental skills: batting, throwing, catching, and base running, in a game environment.  Players improve their understanding of how to play the game of baseball.  They learn more about base running, defensive situations, and rules-of-play.

• Players who register for MP have learned basic skills (batting stance and grip, throwing motion, fielding stance) and should be familiar with the rules-of-play.  Players should be able to make semi-accurate throws and play catch with each other.  MP is comprised primarily of 7-year-olds, but parents of 8 or 9-year-olds, with little or no prior experience or who don't meet the developmental guidelines for AA, may request MP.  Parents of 6-year-olds (with some experience) or 7-year-olds (with no experience) who aren't developmentally ready for hitting a machine-pitched baseball, may request their children play in CP.*

• The MP Commissioner forms teams with the purpose of ensuring an enjoyable experience for players, parents and coaches.  The Commissioner will use information such as Player Evaluation Session feedback, players' schools, and coach or teammate requests when forming teams.  We cannot guarantee we will be able to honor requests.

• Games last a maximum of 4 innings or 90 minutes.  Each inning, every player hits machine-pitched baseballs (hard balls) at 35-40 MPH.  Players do not strike-out, but are put on base if they have not hit after 6 pitches.  Players who are "put-out" in the field are removed from the base paths.

• Players rotate through infield and outfield positions, although coaches may consider safety in assigning positions.  Ten defensive players take the field during each half-inning.  Players share equal playing time and will sit out innings, but no player will sit out a second inning until all players have sat out one inning.  Catchers are positioned behind home plate and catch "live" pitches.  Game scores are not kept.

• Teams will have one practice, one weekday game, and one Saturday game each week during the season which begins in late-March or early-April and ends in late-May or early-June.

AA
AA is the first level of player-pitched baseball in LGLL.  The majority of the players in AA will be 8 or 9-years-old.  AA teams may also include some 10-year-olds who are not developmentally ready for AAA and who either chose to play in AA or were not drafted onto AAA teams.  Experienced 7-year-olds may be drafted onto teams if they attend the "AA" Evaluation Session (see Player Evaluation Sessions information for details).  In AA, coaches emphasize the advancement of players’ baseball skills. Players are taught to apply those skills and make their own decisions in live game situations.  AA introduces live pitching from the players, as well as base stealing and bunting.  AA is meant to prepare players for  their introduction to competitive baseball in AAA. 

• Players entering AA should be able to demonstrate the following skills:  the ability to hit a baseball pitched on a flat line (not lobbed), the ability to catch and throw a ball on a flat line, and knowledge of all field positions and base locations.  Players should not be afraid to catch a baseball or to have a ball pitched at them.  Most children play in AA for two years prior to entering AAA.  Parents of 10-year-olds with little experience and who don't meet the developmental guidelines for AAA may request their children play in AA.*

• Managers will draft AA teams using information from the Player Evaluation Sessions and evaluations from prior year coaches.

• Games last a maximum of 6 innings or 90 minutes.  Teams observe continuous batting; the batting order includes all players on the team.  Players may be called out on strikes and half-innings end after 3 outs.  Players are rotated through infield and outfield positions, although coaches may consider safety in assigning positions.  Defensive players take the field during each half-inning.  Players will sit out innings, but no player will sit out a second inning until all players have sat out one inning. 

• Youth umpires are used in AA games.  Official game scores are kept and team standings tracked.

• Teams will have one practice, one weekday game, and one Saturday game each week during the season which begins in mid to late-March and ends in late-May or early-June.

AAA
Players are introduced to more competitive play in AAA.  Coaches continue to emphasize the development and use of good baseball mechanics for throwing, catching, fielding, and batting.  Players also develop an increased understanding of how to play in different game situations.  AAA provides a “real” Little League baseball experience and prepares players for the higher level of competitive play in Majors.  Most of the players in AAA will be 9, 10 or 11-years-old.  Since AAA teams will be drafted by coaches, there may also be some experienced 8-year-olds drafted onto teams if they attend the "AAA" Evaluation Session (see Player Evaluation Sessions information for details).  Little League rules mandate that 12-year-olds may only play in AAA with specific District approval.

• Players entering AAA should have command of the basic skills of baseball (fielding, catching, throwing, batting and base running).  Players should also understand appropriate actions in game situations, such as when and where to make put-outs, how to steal bases, how to tag-up on fly balls, and how to execute cut-offs. 

• Teams are drafted (selected) by the AAA managers using information from Player Evaluation Sessions.  AAA teams may also include some 10 and 11 year-olds who either were not drafted onto Majors teams or chose to play in AAA.  Parents of 10 or 11-year-olds may request that their child ONLY be considered for the AAA draft if:

  • they feel the child is not developmentally ready for Majors,

  • their child would prefer or benefit from the additional playing time and position rotation in AAA, or

  • their child is not prepared to make the time commitment necessary to play on a Majors team.

• Games last a maximum of 6 innings or 2 hours.  AAA rules-of-play include continuous batting, where the batting order includes all players on the team.  There are no restrictions on stealing and bunting.  Managers are required to rotate players to infield and outfield positions, although, by Little League rules, 12-year-olds are not allowed to pitch. 

•  AAA utilizes youth umpires.  Official game scores are kept and standings are tracked.  Teams participate in a end-of-year tournament at the conclusion of the regular season.

• Teams typically have two games and one practice each week during the season which begins in early to mid-March and ends in early-June.

• Players entering Majors have demonstrated command of the basic skills of baseball (fielding, catching, throwing, batting and base running). They also understand appropriate actions in game situations, such as when and where to make put-outs, how to steal bases, how to tag-up on fly balls, and how to execute cut-offs.  Parents may request that their 11-year-old child NOT be included in the pool of potential Majors players (and, therefore, ensure the child is NOT drafted into Majors).* Parents may make this choice if their child is not developmentally ready for Majors, if their child would prefer or benefit from the additional playing time and position rotation in AAA, or if their child is not prepared to make the time commitment necessary to play on a Majors team.

• Players compete for positions and playing time, although every child in Majors plays a minimum of three innings and one at-bat each game.  Majors play does not employ continuous batting; only nine players may bat in a team's line-up during each inning.

• Games last a maximum of 6 innings or 2 hours.

• Experienced adult umpires officiate at Majors games.  In each game, the home team must supply an official scorekeeper.  Season standings are tracked and regular-season champions are recognized.  Majors teams participate in a end-of-year tournament at the conclusion of the regular season.

• Teams begin practicing several times per week in early-February.  During the season, which lasts from late-February or early-March through early-June, teams may continue to practice two or more times and will play two games each week.

Challenger Division (ages 5-18) - New to LGLL in 2009!
The Challenger Division offers boys and girls with physical and mental challenges the opportunity to participate in an organized baseball program. The most fundamental goal of the Challenger Division is to give everyone a chance to play and to be a part of a team.  The Challenger Division is a structured athletic program that incorporates “Buddies” from the Majors Division.  Playing with the same equipment on the same fields, Challenger Division participants have the opportunity to experience the joys of pulling together as a team, being cheered, and earning awards for their achievements.  There is no cost to participate! 

For more information or to sign-up please contact Danielle Jolley ( (408) 438-0310 or  jolley5s@aol.com).

* During On-Line Registration, parents have the opportunity to specify that their child be placed at the LOWER end of our level-of-play guidelines if they feel it is appropriate given the child's level-of-skill and experience.