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8-8-88
Run from 2nd to 3rd
25 Wins
Catch a Knuckler
Throw Strikes
Hits and No Runs
Who Can't Bunt
1960 Cy Young

• the player is at a level where he or she will have fun
• the player is at a level at which he or she is optimally safe
• the player is at a level where his or her skills will be appropriately challenged and advanced
  

The Little League playing levels are as follows:

• Tee Ball:  5-6 years old
• Rookie:  6-7 years old  (6 if played T-Ball at age 5)
• Minors:  8-9 years old
• Majors Division 2:  9-12 years old
• Majors Division 1:  10-12 years old
• Challengers  5-22 years old

If you wish your child to play in a level outside his or her age group, please consult the commissioner of the level that you wish for your child. Your commissioner will make the decision based on consultation with you and your child’s coach from last year or Fall Ball.

Tee Ball -- Ages 5-6
typically kindergarten

A soft Incrediball baseball is used for player safety.  Players hit the ball from a batting tee (no one pitches).  To encourage sportsmanship and keep the games moving along, we do not keep score in Tee Ball.  Every player plays in the field and bats each inning.  All games are played on Saturdays only and usually last about an hour and a half.  During the week teams usually have one practice which lasts an hour.  Players provide a glove, but Little League supplies a uniform.  At the end of the year the player keeps the hat and the T-shirt.

If your child is 5 or 6 and has never played organized baseball, Tee Ball is a great place to begin.  However, if your child is 7, we recommend you move your child up to the Rookies level even if your player has no baseball experience.  If your child is 6, has played a season in Tee Ball, can hit a pitched ball every now and then, and can catch a thrown ball every now and then, consider having him or her move up to Rookies.

If you wish, you may request a particular coach or teammate for your player when you fill out the Spring 2009 registration form.  Or, if you have no preference, the league commissioner will assign your player to a team, usually with children from your child's school.



Rookie League -- Ages 7
typically first grade

The baseball is the same soft-covered Incrediball that is used in the Tee Ball program.  Coaches pitch to their team for the whole season.  Nine or ten players bat each half inning.  Defensively, ten players take the field, including a catcher in full gear and fielder in the mound area. Games last approximately one hour and forty-five minutes.  One game is played on Saturday, several weekday games are scheduled during the season, and one practice is held during the week.

If your child is 7, the Rookie League is probably where he or she should play.   If your child played T-Ball as a 5-year-old, then the Rookie League could be suitable for your 6-year-old.

If your child is 8, then you most likely will move up to Minors.  If your player has consistently been able to hit the ball, and catch it when it comes to them in the field, Minors is the place to go to continue their baseball development.  Again, the Commissioner for this level can help you make this decision, if you wish.

If you wish, you may request a particular coach or teammate for your player when you fill out the Spring 2009 registration form.  Or, if you have no preference, the league commissioner will assign your player to a team, usually with children from your child's school.



Minors League -- Ages: 8-9
typically second grade

Minors uses a safe Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) ball.  Players begin pitching at mid-season. Game scores are kept casually, but there are no standings or championships.  The coaches are expecting kids with a wide range of baseball ability.  One game is played on Saturday, one game is played during the week, and one practice is held during the week.

If your child is 8, then he or she would choose between Rookies and Minors, as described above.  If your child is 9 years old, then we would expect him or her to move up to Minors, or our Majors divisions might be a better choice, unless he or she has had very little baseball experience or is not comfortable with pitched balls, catching or throwing.  Again, the Commissioner for this level can help you make this decision, if you wish.

If you wish, you may request a particular coach or teammate for your player when you fill out the Spring 2009 registration form.  Or, if you have no preference, the league commissioner will assign your player to a team, usually with children from your child's school.



Majors Division 2 -- Ages 9-12

Real baseballs are used, umpires work the games, scores and standings are kept, and there is a playoff tournament at the end of the season.  Players are selected to teams by a draft by the coaches and overseen b the league Player Agent to ensure a fair level of competition during the season. Returning Majors 2 players are reassigned to their team from the previous year.

If your 9-year-old can hit a pitched ball and can throw and catch consistently, then he or she is ready for Majors 2.  Please keep in mind that real baseballs are used at this level, so it is important that your player is able to catch a baseball thrown or hit by a coach or another player and feel comfortable facing player pitching.  Many 9- and most 10-year-olds, and all 11- and 12-year-olds, should be playing either Majors 2 or Majors 1.  Again, the Commissioners for the Majors 1 and 2 Divisions can help you make this decision.



Majors Division 1 -- Ages 10-12

Real baseballs are used, umpires work the games, scores and standings are kept, and there is a playoff tournament at the end of the season.

This is the highest level of Little League baseball.  Players are selected by Majors 1 coaches on a draft basis to ensure a fair level of competition during the season.



Challengers Division -- Ages 5-22

Our Challenger Division provides boys and girls with disabilities, ages 5-22, the opportunity to play Little League Baseball.  Challenger players use standard Little League equipment and play on regular Little League fields in a non-competitive setting. Under the flexible rules of this Division, each Challenger player is teamed with an Majors Division Little League player who provides game guidance, support, assistance when needed, and friendship for the players as they hit, run the bases, and field the ball.  Each player performs at his or her individual level of ability, with baseball skill building always a primary goal.  The managers and coaches are committed to the goal of having each player experience his or her moment of baseball glory!



Team Assignment Day

All players who wish to play at the Majors level must attend one of the two Team Assignment Days, which will be held on sometime in February/March. This year, Team Assigment Days are Sundays, February 22 and March 1, 2009. Returning Majors 1 players and 9-year-olds who wish to return to their Majors 2 teams do not have to attend Team Assignment Day. Ten-year-olds who wish to return to their Majors 2 teams are encouraged to attend, but should contact ALL if they wish to be excused from attending.


All players will be assigned to a team.  Team Assignment Day gives the Majors 1 and Majors 2 coaches a chance to evaluate players to determine their appropriate level.  As noted above, the objective is to facilitate the formation of balanced, competitive teams. The purpose is not to create a high pressure try out environment for the children.  It is meant to be fun.  For those parents of 9- and 10-year-olds who are undecided or unsure at which level their child should be placed, Team Assignment Day is a good opportunity to get input from the coaches and Commissioners.


You may reach League Commissioners at our website or hotline.


We hope this information is helpful to you.  You can also keep up with Arlington Little League by visiting our website, located at www.arlingtonlittleleague.org.  We look forward to welcoming your player and your entire family to Arlington's finest youth baseball program!

Arlington Little League is a cooperative effort with the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources