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T-Ball
Ages 5-6 (As of April 30, 2010) This is our entry division for first- and second-year players. We introduce players to hitting, throwing and fielding. Batters hit the ball off of a ball stand known as a "Tee" and run the bases. There is no pitching to batters and the balls used at this level are softer than in higher divisions. Everyone plays and no scores are kept. There are no tryouts -- players are randomly placed on teams. There is one practice and one game per week. The games take place on Saturday mornings. A (Baseball) Ages 6-7 (As of April 30, 2010) Players are introduced to more advanced practice drills and fundamental baseball strategy. Coaches pitch to the players, using the same (softer) ball used in T-Ball. Everyone plays, no scores are kept and there are no tryouts. Players are randomly placed on teams. There is one practice and one game per week. The games take place on Saturday mornings. AA (Baseball) Ages 7-9 (As of April 30, 2010) Players are focused on the fundamentals and mechanics of hitting, throwing and fielding, preparing them for play in the Minors and Majors divisions. Batters hit off a pitching machine. A "safety ball" is used. It is harder than the ball used at the T-Ball and A levels, but slightly softer than the Minors and Majors ball. Game scores are not kept and there are no league standings. Everyone plays and players are placed on teams at random. There is one practice and one or two games per week. AA is a division where the kids develop necessary baseball skills and confidence, enabling a seamless transition to the next level. Age-appropriate kids not drafted onto Minors or Majors teams will be assigned to AA. Minors (Baseball) Ages 9-11 (As of April 30, 2010) This is a more competitive division. All 10 and 11-year-olds not drafted onto a Majors division team will be drafted into the Minors. More advanced skills of pitching, hitting, throwing and fielding are emphasized with the goal of reaching a skill level that prepares them for the Majors division. Players pitch to hitters, utilizing pitch count limits according to age. All players are in the batting order and must play a minimum of 3 innings in the field. Players go through a preseason tryout and are drafted each year onto teams by the managers. Scores and standings are kept. All Minors teams participate in a postseason double-elimination playoff tournament. Teams have 1-2 practices per week and there are two games per week. Majors (Baseball) Ages 10-12 (As of April 30, 2010) This is the most competitive division of Little League baseball. The majority of players in this division are 11 and 12 years old, along with many 10-year-olds with advanced skills. A 9-year-old with very advanced skills may play in Majors if invited by a manager and ONLY with parental approval. All 12-year-olds that desire to play in the Majors division will be drafted onto a team. Majors teams draft 10 new players each year after the preseason tryouts in January. The Majors select for skill, attitude and team need and are not required to draft any specific age group. 10, 11 and 12-year-olds that are drafted must play on the team they are drafted onto. 10 and 11-year-olds not drafted onto a Majors Division team will be drafted onto a Minors team. Standings are kept and the season culminates with double-elimination playoffs. Majors players are selected after the season to fill the 10, 11 and 12-year-old District All-Star Teams and the Majors Superbowl Team (mostly 12-year-olds). Teams practice twice per week and there are two games most weeks. Minors (Softball) Ages 7-9 (As of December 31, 2009) A developmental, teaching division for younger girls and those rather new to softball. Most girls transfer from baseball to softball at these ages. Coaches pitch underhanded to the hitters and teach the fundamentals of throwing, catching, baserunning and fielding. The goal is to prepare the girls to move up to the Majors division at age 10. A few top 9-year-olds will play in the Majors division and a few 10-year-olds that prefer to stay in the Minors division will be allowed to do so. There is one practice per week on a weekday evening and one game per week on Sunday afternoon. Majors (Softball) Ages 9-12 (As of December 31, 2009) This fast-pitch division is more competitive. Players pitch to the opposing team. Scores and standings are kept and playoffs are held. Four teams compete in a 12-game season. A tryout is held for all 9-year-olds and new players so that they can be placed correctly. A few top 9-year-olds will play in the Majors division and a few 10-year-olds that prefer to stay in the Minors division will be allowed to do so. There is one practice and two games per week. One of the games is on Saturday afternoon and the other is on a weekday evening. |
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Hillsborough Little League of California |
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