Division Structure

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T-Ball Division (League Ages 5-6)

The T-Ball Division is a training process by which young players can learn, develop and practice fundamental baseball/softball skills at an early age, and receive maximum enjoyment from the experience.

Most players ages five through six have not developed skills to pitch accurately or to hit a pitched ball. Consequently, neither the batter nor fielders are given ample opportunity to develop fundamental hitting and defensive skills outside an organized T-Ball program.

The younger player benefits in several ways by hitting the ball from a “tee.” He or she has the opportunity to develop hand-eye coordination and swing technique without the fear of being hit by a pitched ball. The defensive team is allowed more opportunity to develop fundamental fielding skills. Players will learn the basics of the game as well learn how to be coached and be a member of a team.

Within SALL, five and six year olds play in T-Ball. Each player hits off the tee and all players bat each inning, regardless of the number of outs. No official score is kept as the program is intended to be instructional instead of competitive.

Jr. Minor Baseball (League Ages 7-8)

Children coming into Little League each year are eager to learn, develop skills and look forward to the opportunity to be selected on “Major” division teams. The goal of Jr. Minor League Baseball is to prepare children for eventual selection to a Major Division team.

Jr. Minor plays in a sling pitch division. Teams are formed by the division VP. No tee is used, as coaches operate a sling pitching machine that delivers the ball to the batter. As in T-Ball, all players bat and there are ten defensive positions. There are no umpires, no official score is kept and there are no league standings. Emphasis is placed on instruction and fundamentals.

Minors Baseball (League Ages 8 – 9)

The goal of Minor League Baseball is to prepare children for eventual selection to a Major Division team. This division is a skill building level for 8 to 9 year olds , who are fine-tuning their batting and fielding skills.

Minor plays in a kid pitch division. Teams are formed by the division VP. Trained volunteer umpires enforce little league rules and local adopted rules. No official score is kept and there are no league standings. Emphasis is placed on instruction and fundamentals.

Majors Baseball (League Ages 10-12)

Little League Baseball – known as the Major division, is generally oriented for experienced players who are ten through twelve years old. Occasionally some nine year olds are drafted into the division, with SALL Board approval.

Typically, a Major division player will have played at least two years in the Minor divisions and should have mastered the fundamentals of batting, fielding and throwing. Trained volunteer umpires enforce Little League Baseball and Local Board Adopted Rules. Game score and division standings are kept.

Excluding the previously mentioned age guidelines, the division separation is primarily by skill and the teams are formed through a formal draft conducted by the managers after tryouts are complete. To ensure equitable distribution of talent, all players not already rostered on a Major division team must attend tryouts. If a player misses tryouts, he/she may be made ineligible for Majors and go through a blind draft process to be placed on a minor division team. We do not permit parents dictating the division level. If you have legitimate concerns on your child’s ability to compete at higher levels, we will do our best to make accommodations.

50/70 Intermediate Baseball (League Ages 11-13)

The Intermediate Division of Little League was created so that more players have the opportunity to play additional baseball. The division offers players league age 11 through 13 to expand their play and

bridge a transition from the Majors 46/60 field dimensions to the new 50/70 fields and prepare them for going even further at the 60/90 fields. But that’s not the sole reason for the introduction of the division. Offering the Little Leaguer more games, more competition, more fun and greater flexibility are the core reasons for the expansion. The rules in the Intermediate Division will allow for leading off, pick-off

attempts and more. The advance skill player will be challenged and be allowed to compete with like skilled players at the district, sectional, regional and World Series levels.

Junior/Senior Baseball (League Ages 13–16)

Currently, SALL has not been able to field a Jr./Sr. division due to interference with high school baseball and not enough younger players.

Jr/Sr League is a program for most 13 – 16 year olds who have participated in lower divisions, although previous participation is not a prerequisite. Jr/Sr division players should demonstrate skill, leadership and maturity while enhancing all skills, rules knowledge and situational baseball play in a competitive environment. At this level there may not be equal playing time; however, minimum play rules will be followed.

Minors Softball (Girls – League Ages 6-9)

Minor Softball is a program for 6-9 year olds, combination of coaches pitch and introduction of player’s pitching. Children coming into Little League each year are eager to learn, develop skills and look forward to the opportunity to be selected on “Major” division teams. The goal of Minor League Softball is to prepare children for eventual participation on a Major Division team. This division is a skill building level for 6-9 year olds , who are fine-tuning their batting and fielding skills.

Minor plays in a sling pitch division. Teams are formed by the Softball Division VP. There are no official umpires, no official score is kept and there are no league standings. Emphasis is placed on instruction and fundamentals.

Majors Softball (Girls – League Ages 9-12)

Major Softball is a program for 9-12 year olds, regardless of experience. Typically, a Major division player will have played at least two years in the Minor divisions and should have mastered the fundamentals of batting, fielding and throwing. Trained volunteer umpires enforce Little League Baseball and Local Board Adopted Rules. Game score and division standings are kept.

Junior/Senior Softball (Girls – League Ages 13-16)

Junior/Senior Softball is a program for 13-16 year olds, most of whom will have some experience. Jr/Sr division players should demonstrate skill, leadership and maturity while enhancing all skills, rules knowledge and situational baseball play in a competitive environment. At this level there may not be equal playing time; however, minimum play rules will be followed.

Challenger Division (Open to all Ages)

The Challenger Division is a program for mentally and physically disabled youth to enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities. The value of the Challenger Division is found in the proven therapeutic and socialization benefits of participation in sports, the strengthening of the participants’ self-esteem, the opportunities to mainstream into other divisions of play, and the disciplines of teamwork, citizenship and fair play which are hallmarks of the Little League program. Some rules that apply to Little League Baseball have been adjusted to accommodate the Challenger Division’s unique requirements.

The Philosophy of the Challenger Division is to provide the framework for a structured athletic activity for all youth in the community. Chartered by the United States Congress as an education program, it is incumbent upon Little League Baseball to provide the same organizational structure as is offered the other divisions, and to assimilate the Challenger Division participants into the structure of the Little League program