Tee Ball

Tee Ball Softball is for girls 4-5 years old (with a local option for 6- and/or 7-year-olds) who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. In Tee Ball Softball, players hit a ball off a batting tee. Rules of the game may be varied to accommodate the need for teaching and should focus on fun, fitness, and fundamentals. The primary goals of Tee Ball Softball are to instruct children in the fundamentals of softball and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork. There is no minimum or maximum composition for Tee Ball rosters, but we would recommend smaller roster sizes to help keep all players engaged. No live pitching is permitted in this division. Generally, the diamond used is a 60-foot diamond, but the league has the option to use a 50-foot diamond. Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved as managers, coaches, and volunteer in a variety of other capacities.

For additional Little League Tee Ball resources visit LittleLeague.org/TeeBall.

Minor League

Minor League Softball is for participants 5-11 years old and can be operated with multiple divisions that are based on age and/or ability. Divisions may include “machine pitch,” “coach pitch” and “player pitch.” By local option, a player who is league age 5 or 6 for the current season and has played a year in Tee Ball is eligible for the coach pitch or machine pitch minor divisions. A local league might organize its 7-8-year-olds in the Coach Pitch Division and its 9-10-year-olds in the Player Pitch division; however, by local option, some of the 9-year-olds could “play down” in the coach pitch division, and some of the 8-year-olds could “play up.” This is entirely the choice of the local league board of directors. (League age 12-year-olds may participate in the Minor Division under certain circumstances.) There is no minimum or maximum composition for rosters, but most leagues have rosters in the 8-12 range. Competitive divisions of Minor League Softball may only use nine players on defense. The diamond has 60-foot base paths and a 35 foot pitching distance. Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved as managers, coaches, and volunteer in a variety of other capacities.

Little League (Major Division)

The Little League Softball® division (sometimes known as the Major Division) is for players ages 9-12. A local league may choose to limit its Major Division to 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds, or 11-12-year-olds. The field uses a 60-foot diamond and a 40 foot pitching distance. A local league may dual-roster 12-year-olds, assessed capable, to a Major and a Junior division softball teams. The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or “All Stars”) of 10-to-12-year-olds from within this division, and the team may enter the International Tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Girls Little League Softball World Series, featuring teams from around the world. All expenses for the teams advancing to the World Series (travel, meals, and housing) are paid by Little League International. Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved as managers, coaches, and volunteer in a variety of other capacities.

 All ages referenced are “baseball age” as calculated by the Little League age chart.