McLean Little League Softball Program
The Softball Program offers five levels of play: Major League, Minor League (AAA and AA), Transition, and Seniors Softball.
Major League Softball is the highest level of softball competition in the Little League. All players league age 10-12 are eligible to play at this level. Nine-year-olds may request eligibility, but will only be made eligible for the majors draft in exceptional circumstances.
Players are individually selected to teams by team managers through a player draft that is conducted prior to the spring season. Once selected to a Major League team, a player is expected to complete their LL eligibility (through 12 years of age) with that team.
Teams play an average of 2 games per week and typically practice twice a week.
Minor League Softball. MLL will have two (AAA and AA) minor league levels. All 9-12-year-old players not drafted onto a Majors Softball Team will be assigned to a AAA or AA team. Based upon skills shown at tryouts and the number of players available to form teams at various levels of play, some 8 year olds (and, in special circumstances, occasionally a 7 year old ) wishing to “play up” may be assigned to AA teams. Eight year olds may request eligibility for AAA. but will only be made eligible for AAA in exceptional circumstances. While the emphasis is on skill development, AAA is competitive: scores and standings are kept and players are selected to teams in the spring through a player draft. In AA, while scores may be kept, there are no standings. At each level, players pitch some innings while other innings are pitched by machine, with the goal being by the end of the spring season (if not sooner) to have all player pitching at AAA and as much as practical at AA.
Transition Softball is geared to 7 and 8 year old girls (6 year olds with one or two years of t-ball experience will be considered for this level on a case by case basis). The goal of Transition Softball is instructional, with an emphasis on player development, teaching basic skills and introducing softball rules. Pitching at this level is by machine and neither scores nor standings are kept.
Seniors Softball is for players 13 through 18 years of age. The league’s Seniors program was restarted successfully in the fall of 2011, but the overall program at this level is still in a developmental stage. It is anticipated that the seniors team(s) will play other area teams (e.g.,in Arlington and Great Falls) of similar age levels. It is also possible that the team would play a local travel tournament or two, but such determination would only be made in consultation with the participating families and could be subject to supplemental charges to cover travel tournament fees.
Developmental League - Rookie (T-Ball 2) and T-Ball
Rookie (T-Ball 2) welcomes 6 and 7-year-old boys and girls (Little League Age) generally as a progression from Tee-Ball. It is where young players continue to learn, develop and practice fundamental skills at an early age.
The games during the first half of the season are played with a coach throwing soft toss 15 feet from the batters. During the soft toss phase, a Tee is available and will be used after 5 pitches to keep the game active and give developing hitters confidence in making good contact at bat. Offensively, there will be six batters. During the second half of the season the pitching machine will be introduced on the main field. Soft toss will continue to be played in the field set up in the outfield. The pitching machine will be set up so the yellow foam ball can be used. A Tee will still be available and will be used after 5 pitches to keep the game active and give developing hitters confidence in making good contact at bat. Offensively, there will be six batters. Teams generally practice once each week and play one game a week.
Players will bat in rotation until all players have batted once in each inning, regardless of the number of outs made. The last batter circles the bases. Defensively, six players will play the field with players positioned at pitcher’s mound, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS and between 1st & 2nd or a split-pitcher. The remaining players, from each team, will play a game with throw-down bases in the outfield, with adult supervision. After 25 minutes, the teams will switch, so every child has the opportunity to play on the main infield.
In Rookie ball, the players continue to have the opportunity to develop hand-eye coordination and swing techniques while gaining confidence in seeing a pitched ball. In addition, the defensive team is allowed more opportunities to develop fundamental fielding skills. Team rosters are limited to a maximum of 13 players.
Tee-Ball (TB) welcomes boys and girls ages 5 and 6 (Little League Age) to the fun and enjoyment of playing ball. In Tee-Ball first-time young players learn, develop and practice fundamental skills. Teams generally practice once each week and play one game a week.
For the entire season, players hit a soft baseball from a tee located on the front edge of home plate. Offensively, there will be six batters. Players will bat in rotation until all players have batted once in each inning, regardless of the number of outs made. The last batter circles the bases.
Defensively, six players will play the field with players positioned at pitcher’s mound, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS and between 1st & 2nd or a split-pitcher. The remaining players, from each team, will play a Tee-Ball game with throw-down bases in the outfield, with adult supervision. After 25 minutes, the teams will switch, so every child has the opportunity to play on the main infield.
The players are given the opportunity to develop hand-eye coordination and swing techniques without the concern of being hit by a pitched ball. In addition, the defensive team is allowed more opportunities to develop fundamental fielding skills. Team rosters are limited to a maximum of 13 players.
FOR ALL LEVELS TRANSITION OR BELOW:
If you want to request a specific manager or teammate here's how:
- Check with the manager or player you wish to play with, to confirm you are registering for the same level of play. This is the PRIORITY in determining teams.
- At registration, request the manager or teammate by name, directly on the form. Unfortunately, the league cannot process requests that say, “same team as last year” or “the Yankees”.
- If you are new to the area or to MLL, please feel free to indicate a school or neighborhood preference for teammates.
Fall Ball has all five of the above levels. The emphasis of fall ball at all levels is on development. All levels are low key. No standings are kept at any level nor is there a draft. The fall ball program is supplemented with several skills clinics for Majors and Minors players.
Questions regarding the Softball Program should be directed to the Vice President of Softball, Brad Prendergast at [email protected].