Paradise Valley North Little League: 2012 Spring Season Divisions
Majors is for 5th, 6th and 7th graders. It is a competitive division in which a Mandatory Skills Evaluation is held to determine qualifications.
Balanced teams are formed through participation in the Skills Evaluation. All 12 year olds will be drafted to a Majors team unless parents specifically request to Play Down. Non-drafted 11 and 10 year olds are released to the AAA Division. All evaluation and draft-related information is strictly non-public.
The skill level of the Majors players is materially higher than the AAA division. Standings and scores are kept throughout the season, which culminates in a playoff tournament. The Majors playoff champion competes in a Tournament of Champions against other area league champions at the end of the season.
Expect three to four events per week, including practice and typically three games.
AAA (Kid Pitch)
AAA is for players in 4th through 6th grade. Most children play for a total of 2 or 3 years before graduating to Majors.
AAA represents a significant step forward in the level of play. First, it marks the first time the children pitch to one another. Players also begin to steal bases at the AAA level.
Competition is also introduced as part of the game. The kids play a standard 6-inning game, with three outs per side. Scores and standings are both kept throughout the regular season, and a seeded playoff tournament is used to determine a champion.
There is increased emphasis on basic skills, playmaking decisions, teamwork along with respect for umpires and coaches. Instruction and participation, however, remain paramount in AAA play. Every player is in the batting order at all times. No child may sit out more than 2 innings in a game. The goal is to continue to hone their abilities, learn new skills, and have FUN.
AAA registrants participate in Skills Evaluation, to allow the coaching staffs to evaluate players for purposes of balancing the teams. Following the evaluations, the AAA coaches hold a draft to determine rosters. All evaluation and draft-related information is strictly non-public. Every AAA age-eligible child will end up on a AAA roster. Nobody is turned away for lack of ability.
Roster assignments are completed in February, at which time parents will receive notification as to where their son or daughter has been placed.
AAA teams enjoy 1 game during the week and another on Saturday, with practices during the week. Practices start at the end of February.
Teams in AAA will be formed by a draft of the Managers in mid-February, with practices starting in early March. Our regular season will run through mid-May, followed by our annual Championship Saturday.
Those players not drafted by a AAA team are automatically entered into the AA level. Scorekeeping, pitch counts, game scores, standings, end of season Championship are all included. Expect three to four events per week, including practice and typically two games.
AA (Machine Pitch)
AA is for 1st-3rd graders that have previously played A Division baseball. Players at this level graduate to a machine-pitched baseball, using a hardball and with catcher's in full equipment.
AA Division continues the prior emphasis on instruction over competition. During the regular season, no scores are kept, but a standard 3-out inning is introduced.
AA team assignments are made with an eye towards balancing team competitiveness, which is a change from the Coach-Pitch and Tee-Ball philosophy. AA registrants participate in a Skills Evaluation, but their participation is purely to evaluate players for purposes of balancing the teams. Following the evaluations, the AA Managers hold a draft to determine rosters. All evaluation and draft-related information is strictly non-public. Every AA age-eligible child will end up on a AA roster. Nobody is turned away for lack of ability.
Team assignments are finalized at the end of February and parents are notified via email of their child's assignment. The time commitment typically includes 1 game during the week and/or 1 game on the weekend along with a practice during the week. Practices begin at the end of February.
A (Coach Pitch)
In the A Division the focus is on learning the basics. It provides players the first opportunity to hit a pitched ball, thrown gently by coaches (using a super-cushioned "safety" baseball in all practices and games). Scores are not kept and the entire team bats every inning, regardless of "outs" made. Emphasis is on basic skills, teamwork and FUN!
Teams are organized by school as much as possible, and often players can return to the same team. Roster sizes are small, targeting 10 players, so everyone plays.
Expect one practice and one game each week.
Team assignments are finalized at the end of February and parents are notified via email of their son or daughter's assignment.
Juniors
Juniors Baseball is a competitive program designed for 13 and 14 year old players. Players participating in Juniors include those aiming to continue playing at the high school level as well as those looking merely to continue playing the sport they've enjoyed throughout their several years within the PVNLL. In addition, high school freshmen that are still Little League age 14 can also participate in the Juniors program.
There is a mandatory Skills Evaluation, and a player draft. The teams play against other local little league programs. Practices begin early March.
The Juniors program represents a significant step forward as it is the first time these players will move to a regulation baseball diamond, with all the associated challenges of 90-feet bases, extended throws, and mounds 60 feet 6 inches from home plate.
Additionally, the rules of Juniors ball more closely mimic professional baseball. The introduction of leads, stealing, and the like increases the complexity (and enjoyment) of the game for Juniors players.
Coaches in Juniors possess extensive coaching experience and the ability to teach advanced fundamentals and strategy. Juniors coaches focus on ensuring fun for the team while markedly improving the players' fundamental skills as they learn to adjust to playing on the big diamond. Coaches use positive encouragement to develop the players into good teammates and confident teens.
There are usually two games per week along with additional weekly practices. Standings and scores are kept throughout the season, which culminates in a playoff tournament. The Juniors playoff champion competes in a Tournament of Champions against other area league champions at the end of the season.
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