League Structure and Levels of Play
The league is divided into levels of play commensurate with player age, maturity, and ability. Player development is focal to all levels. To ensure a safe and positive experience, all league age 8 players and older (except returning Majors players) are required to participate in a skills assessment/tryout session. This session guides appropriate team formation.
Click here for guidance on Little League Age determination.
Tee-Ball Rookies
Age Range: League age 4; any new League Age 5 and 6.
Schedule: One game/week (Saturdays), one practice/week (weekday evenings).
Team Formation: Teams are formed by neighborhood/school. Requests for coaches or teammates are accommodated, if possible.
Intent: Learning fundamental skills in a nurturing environment. Batter hits the ball from a batting tee. Fielders try to register outs, though base runners are not removed from the bases.
Tee-Ball Sluggers
Age Range: Mostly League Age 6, some new 7.
Schedule: One game/week (Saturdays), one 60 min. practice/week (weekday evenings).
Team Formation: Formed by neighborhood/school. Requests for coaches or teammates are accommodated, if possible.
Intent: Geared toward older/returning players. Hybrid coach pitch and batting tee use. No strikeouts. Outs are recorded, with emphasis on developing fielding and throwing skills.
A Level
Age Range: Mostly League Age 7 and 8, some 9.
Schedule: Two games/week (weekday evening, Saturday), one 90 min. practice/week (weekday evening).
Team Formation: Formed by neighborhood/school. Requests for coaches or teammates are accommodated, if possible, though age and experience are considered in assigning teams.
Intent: Spirit of competition is introduced. Wins and losses are recorded, outs are registered, and batters can strike out. Coaches pitch to batters and are positioned on the field during play. Continuous batting order and time at all positions ensures positive experience for all.
AA Level
Age Range: Mostly League Age 8 and 9; very few advanced age 7; some age 10 determined to not be ready for AAA.
Team Formation: League age 8 and older must participate in a skills assessment to determine eligibility for AA. Teams formed by a player draft. Not all eligible players may be drafted, and will then play Single A (with a call-up option).
Intent: Increased team competitiveness introduced. Players pitch, base stealing is allowed. Continuous batting order, playing time distributed evenly, all will play infield positions in every game. Increased playing time at key positions may occur.
AAA Level
Age Range: Mostly League Age 9, 10 , and 11, with a very few advanced League Age 8.
Team Formation: League age 8 and older must participate in a skills assessment to determine eligibility for AAA. Teams formed by player draft. Not all eligible players may be drafted, and will then play AA (with a call-up option).
Intent: AAA is a completely competitive level. Continuous batting order, no player may sit out for 2+ consecutive innings. Position specialization begins to take place.
Majors Level
Age Range: Mostly league age 11 and 12, with a very few advanced age 10.
Team Formation: All newly-eligible Majors players (previously unassigned to a spring season Majors team) are required to attend the skills assessment. All returning Majors players (previously assigned to a spring season Majors team) are NOT required to attend the skills assessment. Teams formed by player draft.
Intent: Majors is highly competitive, and follows Little League rules and regulations. Majors level teams play “real” baseball at a competitive, yet supportive level.
Intermediate
Age Range: Primarily for recently "aged out" players who are League Age 13.
Intent: A transitional division with adjusted field dimensions to help players move from Little League to the "Big Field." Players pitch from 50' and the bases are 70' apart. Play includes leads and steals. Other Little League teams are played against. Focus is to help prepare players for high school baseball.
Challenger
Age Range: League age 5 to 18, for individuals with physical or intellectual challenges.
Intent: The Challenger program is Little League's adaptive program for those with physical or intellectual challenges, allowing participation in a baseball program with the assistance of Majors teams. The season lasts approximately 6 games, weather depending.