Little League Softball Division Age

West Seattle Little League is an instructional softball league focused on learning the game of softball in a fun atmosphere that promotes Little League values of courage, character and loyalty. Softball divisions ages are based off the League Age which is your player's age on January 1st of the calendar year. WSLL has also created a table to help you quickly determine your player’s league age and which division they will typically play in.

Tee Ball & Coach Pitch

Visit our baseball divisions page to learn more about our co-ed Tee Ball and Coach Pitch divisions for players ages 4-7.

Softball Divisions of Play


Rookies Softball
Ages 7 & 8 

General Info
- Rookies softball is geared toward teaching sound softball fundamentals, like throwing, fielding and batting techniques
       - Typical skill level includes players who:
       - New to softball or might have some experience
       - Are developing the ability to throw and catch consistently 
       - Are beginning to understand defensive situations 
- Team formation is created by WSLL with an importance of matching coach and friend request 
- Roster size is 9-12 players, depending on sufficient volunteer Managers/Head Coach and Assistant Coaches
- WSLL provides team hats, socks & jersey shirts 
- Families provide softball glove, cleats, batting helmet, pants & long sleeve under shirt
- WSLL can loan pants and gloves if needed
- Typically have one evening practice during the week (days and times are determined based on coach preference and will be communicated after teams are formed)
- Typically have one or two games including a Saturday game (there may be some exceptions to this)
- Individual game scores will be kept, but overall standings and records will not be maintained
- Parents of team players are required to volunteer as field umpires and will call basic safe/out and prevent excessive base running
 
Batting/Pitching
- 11” ball
- Pitching is done entirely by coaches
- No walks
- Each inning consists of three outs or a maximum of five runs
 
Batting Order
- The batting order shall be continuous and include all players on the team roster present for the game batting in order
- Each player is required to bat in their respective spot in the batting order
 
Fielding
- No infield fly, obstruction, interference rule enforcement.
- Base running
- No steals


Minors Softball
Ages 9 and 10
 

General Info
- Minors softball is both instructional and competitive, with a greater emphasis on instruction
- Minors softball is a modified version of coach pitch, with players pitching at least a portion of every game, moving towards full player pitch only for the last third of the season
- Typical skill level includes players who:
       - Have increasing ability to throw and catch 
       - Can hit pitched balls some of the time
       - Have increased softball awareness of more complex situations
- Roster size is  9-12 players, depending on sufficient volunteer Managers/Head Coach and Assistant Coaches
- Team selection by draft after player assessment day
- All kids are drafted onto teams
- WSLL provides team hats, socks & jersey shirts 
- Families provide softball glove, cleats, batting helmet, pants & long sleeve under shirt
- WSLL can loan pants and gloves if needed
- Typically have one or two evening practices during the week (days and times are determined based on coach preference and will be communicated after teams are formed)
- Typically have two games including a Saturday game (there may be some exceptions to this)
- Individual game scores will be kept and standings are maintained
- Division tournament at the end of the season
- Parents of team players are required to volunteer umpires to officiate games and enforce the applicable rules; training provided and opportunities for mentorship exist
- Players are eligible to be considered for All-Stars

Batting/Pitching
- 11” ball
- Pitching rubber is 35 feet from home plate
- At the start of the season, players pitch a portion of every game and then the coach pitches
- By the last third of the season, players pitch the entire game
 
Batting Order
- The batting order shall be continuous and include all players on the team roster present for the game batting in order
- Each player is required to bat in their respective spot in the batting order
 
Fielding
- Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions
 
Base Running
- Steals are allowed but no stealing home. No double steals.
- No lead offs

Majors Softball
Ages 11 and 12

General Info
- Majors softball continues development of skills, pitching, and strategy
- Majors softball incorporates and encourages a higher skill level to develop a more competitive level of play
- Typical skill level includes players who:
       - Can make routine infield and outfield play
       - Can hit pitched balls much of the time
       - Understand softball situations without adult guidance
- Roster size is 9-12 players, depending on sufficient volunteer Managers/Head Coach and Assistant Coaches
- Team selection by draft after player assessment day
- All kids are drafted onto teams
- Playing times can be unequal and only Little League minimums are enforced.
- WSLL provides team hats, socks & jersey shirts 
- Families provide softball glove, cleats, batting helmet, pants & long sleeve under shirt
- WSLL can loan pants and gloves if needed
- Typically have one or two evening practices during the week (days and times are determined based on coach preference and will be communicated after teams are formed)
- Typically have two games including a Saturday (there may be some exceptions to this)
Individual game scores will be kept and standings are maintained
- Division tournament at the end of the season
- Parents of team players are required to volunteer umpires to officiate games and enforce the applicable rules; training provided and opportunities for mentorship exist
- Players are eligible to be considered for All-Stars team that may compete for the Little League Softball World Series
 
Batting/Pitching
- Entirely player pitch
- 12” ball
- Pitching rubber is 40 feet from home plate
 
Batting Order
- The batting order shall be continuous and include all players on the team roster present for the game batting in order
- Each player is required to bat in their respective spot in the batting order
 
Fielding
- Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions
 
- Base Running
- Stealing is allowed


Juniors Softball
Ages 13 & 14

General Info 
- Juniors softball continues development of skills, pitching, and strategy
- Juniors softball incorporates and encourages a higher skill level to develop a more competitive level of play
- Typical skill level includes players who:
       - Can make routine infield and outfield plays 
       - Can hit consistently
       - Understand softball situations without adult guidance 
       - Are preparing to play at the high school level
- Roster size is 9-12 players, depending on sufficient volunteer Managers/Head Coach and Assistant Coaches
- Team selection by draft after player assessment day
- All kids are drafted onto teams
- Playing times can be unequal and only Little League minimums are enforced.
- WSLL provides team hats, socks & jersey shirts 
- Families provide softball glove, cleats, batting helmet, pants & long sleeve under shirt
- WSLL can loan pants and gloves if needed
- Typically have one or two evening practices during the week (days and times are determined based on coach preference and will be communicated after teams are formed))
- Typically have two games including a Saturday (there may be some exceptions to this)
- Individual game scores will be kept and standings are maintained
- Division tournament at the end of the season
- Parents of team players are required to volunteer umpires to officiate games and enforce the applicable rules; training provided and opportunities for mentorship exist
- Players are eligible to be considered for All-Stars team that may compete for the Junior Little League Softball World Series
 
Batting/Pitching
- Entirely player pitch
- 12” ball
- Pitching rubber is 43 feet from home plate
- 60 foot diamond
 
Batting Order
- The batting order shall be continuous and include all players on the team roster present for the game batting in order
- Each player is required to bat in their respective spot in the batting order
 
Fielding
- Defensive positioning is more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions
 
Base Running
- Stealing is allowed

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