East Lyme Little League: Spring 2013 Divisions
For League Ages 9, 10, 11, 12.
Major League baseball is played at a competitive level for players who have mastered or nearly mastered the fundamentals of the game, displayed good sportsmanship, and developed the self-confidence to play competitive Little League. This league plays an intense 20 game schedule.
AAA Baseball
For League Ages 8*, 9, 10, 11.
AAA Baseball is designed to give players the ability to play in a Major League atmosphere while playing at an appropriate skill level. The focus of AAA Baseball is on continuing the development of the fundamentals of the game while introducing game strategy and competition. Teams play a 15-16 game schedule.
AA Baseball
For League Ages 7*, 8, 9.
AA Baseball focuses on the continued development of the player's fundamental skills. Skill development at this level is on hitting the pitched ball and completing plays in the field with introduction of field and base coverage. The majority of the season is a "coach-pitch" league. Toward the end of the season, players will be expected to pitch certain innings per game. Teams play a 14 game schedule.
A Baseball
For League Age 6, 7.
A Baseball provides the player with his/her first experience on the full size Little League field. The primary skills of baseball are reintroduced and practiced. This league will gradually introduce the pitched ball to the batter, as a tee will be sparingly used for the first half of the season. Teams will play no more than 2 games per week.
T-Ball
For League Ages 4, 5.
Tee Ball provides the entry level to the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. This league introduces the primary baseball skills of hitting, running, catching, and fielding. Teams play one week day game and one Saturday morning game each week.
Minors AA Softball
For League Age 7, 8 (6 yr olds are eligible if they’ve played at least one year of t-ball or A ball)
AA Softball provides the player with her first experience on the full size Little League field. The primary skills of softball are introduced and practiced. Focus will be on the proper mechanics of throwing, fielding, and hitting. This division is coach pitch but all players will be introduced to the windmill pitching technique.
Minors AAA Softball
For League Ages 9 & 10 (8 yr old play-up option)*
AAA Softball focuses on the continued development of the player's fundamental skills and sportsmanship. Skill development at this level concentrates on hitting the pitched ball and completing plays in the field with introduction of field and base coverage as well as introducing game strategy and competition. This division is “modified player pitch”, meaning that players will pitch to the batter, but a coach will finish any batter that sees four balls. Scoring and standings will be maintained throughout the year, but the emphasis is on player development.
Major League Softball
For League Ages 11, 12 (10 yr old play-up option)*
Major League softball is played at a competitive level and is played according to the official Little League softball rules. Emphisis will be placed on refining the fundamentals and learning situational strategies. Bunting and stealing are introduced as well as a focus on offensive and defensive team play with the overal goal of understanding the complete game. Although this is a competitive division, player development is still a primary focus.
Jr/Sr League Softball
For League Ages 13, 14, 15, and 16.
Jr/Sr League Softball focuses on development of new skills, introducing new/advanced play and strategy, reinforcing basics, and preparing the player for the High School level.
Challengers Division
The Challenger Division enables boys and girls with physical and mental disabilities, ages 5-18 or the completion of high school, to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. This league introduces the primary baseball skills of hitting, running, catching, and throwing. Teams play one game per week (Thursday) starting in April and lasting until mid-July.
