Congratulations!  Your son has just completed his 8^th season of Little League Baseball. Beginning as a league age 5 year old in T-Ball and concluding with his 12 year old season in the Majors on the 60’ diamond.  So now what?

As you evaluate your next opportunity in Youth Baseball consider that you DO NOT have to leave Little League to continue to your baseball experience.  Instead, Little League offers the following three additional levels of play: 

Junior Baseball – Ages 13-14

Senior Baseball – Ages 15-16

Big League Baseball – Ages 17-18

Consider the following benefits of playing baseball within the Little League Program.

• Competitiion
• Community
• Affordabilty
• Flexibility

Here are some commonly asked questions, and answers, regarding the Junior, Senior and Big League Programs:

How does the field of play differ at the Junior, Senior and Big League level?

A 90’ Diamond is used at all three levels of play – the same size your son will play on in High School.  However, the players are grouped by age so the physical abilities within each age group are similar as your son progresses through the divisions. This allows for a high level of competition while allowing players to progress at their own pace.

Are any of the rules different in the Junior, Senior and Big League levels of play?

Playing on the 90’ Diamond brings many different aspects of the game into play - It's Real Baseball!!

•  Leading-off
• Hit & Run Plays
• Squeeze-Plays
•  Pick-Off Plays
• Designated Hitters

Does Alderwood offer play at these levels?

Alderwood Little League offers play at all three levels.

How many games are played during the season, and how much practice is available?

Little League is a competitive program. During the Spring season each team plays a 25-30 game schedule against teams from around Snohomish County. This is an extremely convenient aspect of the Junior, Senior and Big League Program. After the regular season there is often opportunity for “Special Game” tournaments and a “Tournament of Champions” featuring the best teams from each league of play. Beginning on June 15^th of each year, all-star competition is offered at each level. Just like the Little League World Series, teams at the Junior, Senior and Big League levels compete for the chance to advance to their own World Series  and beginning this season all three are televised by ESPN and are streamed over the internet on Youth Sports Live!

This past season, Alderwood’s Junior Baseball team finished fourth in district, and our Senior Team (combined with Mill Creek) won the District Tournament and finished 5^th in State Competition!  The District Big League team was represented by SIX Alderwood Big League Players (that's over 1/3 of the team roster). See our website for highlights.

This sounds great, but once my son is in high school won’t this conflict with High School games?

Little League is a flexible program that allows players to participate on both High School and Little League teams.  Further, participation in high school games count towards eligibility for All-Stars so your son will not be penalized or prohibited from competing in All-Stars while participating on a high school team.  Most High School baseball games are played in the afternoon shortly after school.  Little League games are played in the evening with the earliest start time around 5pm.  Since our games are mostly played on High School fields, those games must be done before our teams begin play.  Finally, Little League games at the Junior and Senior level do not begin until later March which is nearly the half way point of High School Baseball. Big League Baseball does not begin play until May so your son’s High School ball will not conflict with Little League at all in this case.

What is the cost to play in the spring season?

Little League is an affordable program.  Alderwood Little League charges one fee which encompasses all the costs of uniforms and field rental.  The fee this season is only $180.  Here is what you get for your money:

• Pre-season practices beginng in February (Juniors and Seniors) and April (Big League) through the start of the regular season (Mid-Late March for Juniors/Seniors, May for Big League).  Each team typically practices three times per week.
• A 25-30 game regular season schedule
• Special Game Tournaments
• Additional tournament opportunities
• An opportunity to tryout and participate on an All-Star Team representing your community (All-Stars carry no extra charge)

Do you offer a fall program?

Alderwood Little League offers a fall program for next years Junior baseball players (age 13 or 14 by April 30, 2010).  Teams compete in an approximate 20 game schedule among teams from within Snohomish County eginning after Labor Day and concluding in late October.  This presents a great opportunity for players advancing from the 60’ diamond to get oriented to the larger field of play. It is also flexible with expanded fall rosters allowing players to participate in multiple fall sports.

My son is being recruited for a Select Baseball Team.  How do I chose?

Since its founding, Little League has remained a community-based program that is operated by local volunteers and supported by the neighborhoods it serves.  “Playing Little League has always been about developing social skills and understanding the values of leadership, personal accountability and teamwork,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “Every child who plays Little League wants to have fun, while we as an organization want to make the program practical and affordable for all of our leagues.”   Other youth baseball and softball organizations have gained favor in recent years, despite the cost and lack of a governing body or safety oversight for players. Travel ball or select club teams charge parents exorbitant amounts of money under the guise that they offer a better, more competitive brand of baseball or softball.  Further, they lack the oversight to ensure the safety of the players.  Little League is the only Youth Baseball Organization to employ a pitch count limit to ensure the safety of young players arms.

Little League offers the best of both worlds.  A competitive, flexible and affordable brand of ball representative of your local community. To leave more, follow this link:  http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/2009/Jan-April/Despite_Economy_Little_League_Remains_the_Affordable_Choice_for_Children__Families_and_Neighborhoods.htm

I want my son to get involved now.  How May I register?

We will begin registering for the spring season in early January.  Please watch this website for details.  However, now is the time to start recruiting your friends to join you at Alderwood Little League this spring.

I still have questions, who may I call?Please email us at alderwoodlittleleague@msn.com and we will contact you promptly.