Divisions of Play
T-ball (ages 4-6): The first baseball experience for most players, all that is needed is an interest in baseball and perhaps some basic knowledge of the game. Players will be taught the fundamentals of baseball with an emphasis on throwing, fielding, and hitting. Players may hit from a tee or a coach pitched ball, with the goal of having players hit a pitched ball by the end of the season. Teams normally play 1 weekend game per week and have a weekday practice. Games are generally three innings with all batters on a team batting in their half of the inning. No outs or scores are recorded. Teams at this level are dissolved and re-drafted each season in keeping with Little League guidelines.
Minor Leagues Coach Pitch (ages 6-8): Players at this level continue to develop the fundamentals of throwing, fielding, and hitting, as well as base running and an understanding of the game. The position of catcher is introduced at this level. Games are played with a 3 out or 5 runs scored per half inning format. A continuous batting order is used and teams may play up to 10 players in the field by way of a 4-player outfield. Teams generally play two games per week and have a weekday practice and participate in a city-wide championship at the end of the spring season. Teams at this level are dissolved and re-drafted every season in keeping with Little League guidelines and the EFLL By-Laws.
Minor Leagues Player Pitch (ages 8-10): Players continue to cement the fundamentals of baseball and further their understanding of the game as the ball is generally “live” at this level. Pitching is introduced and developed at this level. The continuous batting order and 10 fielders remain in use. Teams generally play two games per week and have a weekday practice and participate in a city-wide championship at the end of the spring season. Teams at this level are dissolved and re-drafted every season in keeping with Little League guidelines and the EFLL By-Laws.
Major League (ages 10-12): Competitive Little League play. A nine-player batting order and nine position defense are used. Teams generally play two games per week and have a weekday practice. Teams compete within the league for season long standing and compete in end of season tournaments. Teams at this level retain returning players and rising players are drafted to fill rosters in keeping with EFLL By-Laws.
The Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division was introduced in January, 2010, as a pilot program for 12- and 13-year-olds which utilizes a 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot base paths.
The division, which was new division of Little League Baseball in 2013 for players league-age 11-13 with postseason tournament opportunities, including a World Series, offers a transition for players between the standard Little League field size (46-foot pitching distance and 60-foot base paths) and the Junior/Senior field size (60-foot, 6-inch pitching distance and 90-foot base paths).
Regular season players in the Little League Intermediate 50/70 Baseball Division have the opportunity to dual roster, meaning he/she can play in the Little League Major Baseball Division during the same season. Achieving tournament eligibility is possible in either division, but a player must choose one division of play to participate in during the tournament season.
Many of the Junior League rules are used such as runners being permitted to lead off bases, runners may attempt to steal at any time, and allowing an on-deck batter.
Junior Division/Senior Division
The Junior/Senior League Baseball Divisions are programs for boys and girls ages 12-16, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. Modified diamond dimensions may be used during the regular season.
Notes:
1) All ages referenced are “baseball age” as calculated by the Little League age chart.
2) Players who have played at least one season of T-ball may be considered for play at the Minor League Coach Pitch division by parental request and consultation with the player’s previous coaches.
3) Players who have played at least one season at the Minor League Coach Pitch level may be considered for play in the Minor League Player Pitch division by parental request and consultation with the player’s previous coaches.
4) Players of age 12 are not permitted to pitch in the Minor League divisions.