Little League Division Age

West Seattle Little League features five Divisions of Play. Ages are based off the League Age which is your player's age on August 31st of the calendar year.

Divisions of Play


T-Ball
For ages 4 and 5
  •  Introductory baseball…focused on teaching and fun.
  • No scores kept, no umpires. 
  • Although there is a designated manager, EVERY parent is a “coach” and should be helping out.
  • Team selection by request and player placement.
  • WSLL attempts to keep team roster sizes to 9-12 players; but can only do this with sufficient volunteer Managers/Head Coach and Assistant Coaches.
  • Teams typically have one evening practice during the week.
  • Games are typically Saturdays (there may be some exceptions to this).  
  • Practice and game schedules are not yet determined for any division a the time of registration.

Typical skill level: Players still learning simple baseball rules and how to catch, throw and hit a ball.  Short attention spans dominate.

Coach Pitch
For ages 6 and 7
  • Defensive positions more defined here. Some defensive outs made, but not consistently.
  • No scores kept, no umpires.
  • Team selection by request or Player Agent placement.  
  • No draft.
  • Teams typically have one evening practice during the week.
  • Games are typically on Saturdays (there may be some exceptions to this).
  • Practice and game schedules are not yet determined for any division a the time of registration.

Typical skill level: Can make contact with a pitched ball some of the time.  Can throw and catch the ball, but only inconsistently.  Simple baseball rules and positioning are understood.

Rookies
For age 8 
 
  • Hybrid Kid/Coach pitch.  
  • Kids pitching from shorter distance than Minors (~ 38’).  
  • No walks and no base stealing.
  • Team formation will be done via a ‘skills’ assessment day and team assignment.
  • 7 year olds may qualify to play in AA/Rookies if they have played a minimum of one year of Coach Pitch.
  • Parents of team players are required to volunteer as Field umpires and will call basic safe/out and prevent excessive base running.
  • "Home Plate" Umpire will call balls/strikes from behind the mound.
  • No infield fly, obstruction, interference rule enforcement.
  • Individual game scores will be kept, but overall standings and records will not be maintained.
  • Teams typically have one evening practice during the week.
  • Games are 1-2 a week and may be any day except Sunday.  
  • Practice and game schedules are not yet determined for any division a the time of registration.

Typical skill level: More consistent ability to catch thrown balls, field grounders and catch easy pop ups.  Ability to throw ball accurately to designated target at reasonable distances. (2nd to 1st; and SS to 1st are good tests).  Clear understanding of basic defensive situations and where to play the ball.  Players should be able to bat off Coach Pitch pitches majority of the time; and hit off kid pitches in strike zone some of the time.

Minors
For ages 9 and 10
 
  • 100% kid-pitch.  
  • Competitive.  Standings are kept for the first time and there is a division tournament at the end of the season.
  • Team selection via a draft after the team assessment day.  All kids are drafted but you may NOT request a coach or teammate.
  • Playing times can be unequal and only Little League minimums are enforced.
  • Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions.
  • Parents of team players are required to volunteer as umpires to officiate games and enforce the applicable baseball rules.  Rules and Umpire training is provided, and mentorship opportunities exist with experienced umpires.
  • Teams typically have one-two practices from early-March to end of May.  
  • Teams have two games a week and days of the week may vary.
  • Teams participate in an end of season championship based on standings. 
  • Practice and game schedules are not yet determined for any division at the time of registration.   

Typical skill level: Consistent ability to throw and catch, can hit an easy pitch most of the time, hitting balls to the outfield more often.  Pitching from the full 46’ distance.  Steals are allowed.  Players have an increased baseball awareness of more complex situations.

Majors
For ages 11 and 12
  • All 11-12 players must be in this division to qualify for All Star play.  
  • Standings are kept and there is a division tournament at the end of the season.
  • Team selection by draft after a player assessment day.  All kids are drafted.
  • Playing times may be unequal and only Little League minimums are enforced.
  • Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions.
  • Parents of team players are required to volunteer as umpires to officiate games and enforce the applicable baseball rules.  Rules and Umpire training is provided, and mentorship opportunities exist with experienced umpires.
  • Teams typically have one-two practices from early-March to end of May. 
  • Games are typically twice a week with varying days each week.
  • Practice and game schedules are not yet determined for any division at the time of registration.

Typical skill level: Can make routine infield and outfield plays, pitchers can throw 50+ MPH with increasing accuracy and some are throwing breaking balls.  Some batters are able to hit balls with tremendous force and are able to hit home runs over the fence.  Players usually understand baseball situations without adult guidance.

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