Croton Little League Website: Little League 2012 Divisions
All 5th, 6th, and 7th graders new to the Major Leagues must attend a skills evaluation session to gauge talent so that managers can draft more balanced teams. Players returning to the Majors do not need to attend skills evaluation. Six inning games are played according to official Little League rules. Standings are kept and trophies are awarded to all players. Due to the competitive nature of this division, players with more developed baseball skills will play more innings than less skilled players. Children who seek a less competitive, instructional experience in which the amount of playing time is more balanced are invited to remain in AAA Minors.
Minors AAA
This level is for third and fourth graders, and is competitive, but is a less competitive experience than the majors. Players will pitch, catch and steal bases, and major league rules will be introduced during the season. Players are expected to make a serious commitment to the team. Good attendance at practices and games is necessary.
Minors A
This is an instructional level for second graders. Players bat against a pitching machine or coach.
Rookie Ball
This division is for first graders. Children progress from batting from a tee to coach or manager pitching. Six runs or three outs equal half an inning. Games will be played at upper C.E.T. field.
TeeBall
The goals of this noncompetitive division are to teach children fundamental skills and how to play the game. Games last two to three innings, and no team standings are kept. Practice schedule depends on the individual manager of each team. Children will be notified about their team in early April by their manager. An average of two games per week are played following opening day on weekday evenings at 6pm. This division is for children enrolled in kindergarten. Games will be played at Vassallo Park. Children bat from a tee.
Softball Majors
The Major Leagues are using the national softball major league structure as required by the national Williams-port organization. Players are typically be in Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7. There may be a skills evaluation session to gauge talent so that managers can draft balanced teams. This is the competitive part of the softball division. Official regulations and playing rules of Little League Softball are followed. Attendance at practices and games is mandatory. Fourth graders are encouraged to try out for the major softball teams unless there is a strong desire to play at the more simplified Minors level.
Softball Minors
This division of softball is equivalent to the Minors AA Division in baseball. Managers and Coaches pitch during April games while developing team pitchers. Starting on May 1st team pitchers will pitch the entire game, rotating pitchers every inning. Each batter gets seven pitches or three swings. Walking is not permitted. In this league, players get used to a game setting with parent umpires calling bases and three strikes for an out. The players play on a reduced size field, and the focus is instructional. Emphasis will be on teaching the basics of handling the softball: throwing, catching, and batting. All players will have a chance to play each position as they are instructed. No team standings are kept in this division. The spirit of this division is to learn and have fun while making the transition from T-Ball to serious play in the major soft-ball division. Second and third graders should register for this division.
Challengers
This is a division for children with physical and/or mental disabilities, focusing on having fun, learning the game and developing team work, citizenship and fair play. Each player has a "buddy" who assists in batting, running and fielding. Everyone plays and bats until he/she hits the ball. Tees are used or, if appropriate, a coach pitches. Six runs, three outs or batting through the roster equals a half inning.
