Division selection should be done based on age, years of experience, comprehension, maturity, and skill level.  Placing a player in too low a division may result in the player becoming frustrated, while placing a player in too high a division may result in the player becoming fearful of the game.  We want all kiddos to be comfortable in their division, challenged appropriately, but above all, have a fun and rewarding experience that allows them to grow as players, teammates, and also as an individual.  FLL is focused on inclusion for all who want to play but also facilitating the development of those who strive to become excellent baseball players. Parents may reach out to the FLL Registrar, Board members, and its coaches to inquire as to the appropriate division for their player(s). Please consider the following carefully when registering your young player: If a player’s age, skill, and knowledge reasonably meet the division description, they are ready to play in that division, otherwise, a Petition is required.

The season will begin with several weeks of practice prior to forming teams (Spring Training during the month of March) to allow coaches the opportunity to observe and evaluate each player to help ensure players are placed in the appropriate division.  It is possible that FLL will recommend that a particular player be moved from the division originally registered, either up to a more competitive division, or down to a more instructional division, based on their current skill, ability, and confidence, all to provide the most rewarding experience for all our players.  We want to take the concern out of a parent who is unsure of which division to choose and ensure that all kids have the opportunity to take the field to learn, build friendships, and have fun playing the game of baseball.  It should be noted that moving a player up or down a division may happen both prior to and/or during the season depending on circumstances.

Little League Baseball® requires FLL to evaluate all players ages 9-15 to determine the most appropriate division in which they should play.  It should be noted that for a player of league-age 9 to play in Majors, or a player of league-age 12 to play in AAA (waiver required), the player's skill level must be very consistent with that of the players in the division for which it is desired to participate, and FLL will make this determination based on evaluation and observation. Players are drafted into these divisions, however, all players registered will be placed on a team, EVERYONE plays.

Please note that all references to a player's age are with respect to their League Age, which is determined by Little League Baseball® for the player's age on August 31st. You can check your players “League Age” here: https://www.littleleague.org/play-little-league/determine-league-age/

Division Descriptions

T-Ball:

T-Ball is intended to introduce the game of baseball to young players (ages 4-6) or older players (age 7) unfamiliar with the game.  This division is for players with very little to no prior playing experience.  This is the division in which players “discover” the basics of throwing, fielding, hitting, and running bases, but do not yet have the skill or ability to perform these actions successfully with any consistency.

Little League Baseball® requires all first-time players, ages 4-6, to play at least one season of T-Ball.  At age 5, FLL does not allow a player to play up to A.  At age 6, a player may play up to  A if they played T-Ball the prior year.

A:

A is the division for young players, ages 6-8,  who are still developing their skills, but are beginning to throw with accuracy and consistency, are tracking the ball in the air and moving their glove to the ball (not avoiding it, if still avoiding or looking away from the ball, T-Ball is probably the appropriate division), are able to make good contact nearly every time when batting off a tee, and are able to time their swing relatively well with a thrown ball (if timing is still excessively deficient, T-Ball is probably the appropriate division).  The player may not catch or field the ball, make an accurate throw, or hit a strike every time, but they have the ability to do this somewhat frequently and not just “by chance.”  Practicing these actions is productive without the need to resort to more basic drills that do not depend on such skills.

A is typically comprised of players who understand the basic rules of baseball and the sequence of play:  3 strikes, 3 outs, hitting, throwing, catching, running bases, innings, etc.  They may not understand or fully grasp player positions, force outs, tagging up on a fly ball, etc., but these are the things they will begin to learn in A.

At age 7, and if appropriate, a player may play AA if they played A the year prior.

AA:

AA is an instructional division for growing players, ages 7-9 who have developed the ability to catch regularly, throw with reasonable accuracy, field a ground ball somewhat regularly, are beginning to track and move toward and possibly catch fly balls, and are able to hit strikes with relative consistency.  AA players understand the basic and intermediate concepts of the game, and have a general understanding of player positions, and know “where the play” is.

AA players not only begin to refine their skills and mechanics, but also their situational awareness and position responsibilities given different defensive/offensive scenarios.  Players will begin to learn specific positional skills including pitching, catching, infield and outfield although they will rotate through most, if not all, positions during the season. Coaches will begin to identify field positions for which players are most suited depending on skill, ability, comprehension, throwing, and arm strength.  Players who demonstrate the ability to throw with greater control will be given an opportunity to practice pitching and may pitch in games during the second half of the season.  Similarly, catchers and first baseman will also be identified.

AAA:

AAA is a semi-competitive division consisting of players, ages 9-11*, who have developed the skills necessary and have the ability to catch, throw, field, and hit with consistency.  A player may have a deficiency in one or two of these skills, but not to the extent that it prevents them from improving through participation in practice and games or puts them at risk of injury.  These players generally understand position responsibilities given different scenarios, but may react improperly or at times not know what to do when involved in a play.  The intent of AAA is to place players in competitive situations but also facilitate instruction as needed to develop comprehension, engagement, and proper reaction during a sequence of play, while improving skills in preparation to advance to more competitive divisions. *Players that are League Age 8, have completed 1 yr of AA, and who are advanced in skill level may petition the league to be evaluated for consideration to play up to AAA. 

Majors:

Majors is a competitive division which consists of players, ages 10-12 whose understanding of the game of baseball is well established, and whose skills and abilities allow them to perform all aspects of the game both physically and mentally.  These players can catch well thrown balls with ease, hit strikes, field ground balls regularly, catch fly balls, and have attained sufficient comprehension and experience to react properly to most sequences of play (able to determine themselves when a mistake has been made rather than the coach needing to inform them and provide detailed instruction).  In this division, players’ skills and knowledge are refined and coaches focus on improving skills that may be lagging, and refining skills that are advanced.  Coaches set greater expectations on players in the Majors division including holding players accountable for their actions and behavior.  Although instruction is still provided, coaches offer encouragement and make a deliberate effort to motivate players to perform to the best of their ability.  While players may play a variety of positions during the season, players most often play in the position(s) for which they have demonstrated/attained skill and knowledge.

Intermediate:
The Intermediate Division, commonly referred to as 50/70, is a transitional division that offers a slightly larger playing field than the traditional Majors field with 60ft bases, but is smaller than the full size baseball diamond of the Juniors Division with 90ft bases.  The Intermediate 50/70 division is played on a field with a 50ft pitchers mound and 70ft bases. 


Juniors:

Juniors is for players ages 12 - 15 who have progressed through the minors and majors divisions and have the skill and ability to play competitive baseball where players naturally throw harder, hit harder, and run faster on a larger playing field (60.5ft pitchers mound, 90ft bases).  This division historically consists of players ages 13-15, however, players age 12 may play in the Juniors division provided their skill level is sufficient. Similar to the Intermediate 50/70 Division, Little League Rules allow players age 12 to dual roster in both Majors & Juniors at the same time.  The Juniors Division may also include players with limited playing experience, but can throw, catch, and hit, and want to play baseball.  Please note that Juniors is typically for players ages 12-14, however, because FLL does not offer a Seniors Division and consistent with Little League Rules, FLL allows players age 15 to play in the Juniors Division but players age 15 may not pitch in the Juniors Division.

All-Stars:

At the conclusion of the regular season, All-Stars teams will be selected to represent FLL in Little League Baseball’s® postseason tournaments.  A Little League (Majors) All-Stars team will be assembled to represent FLL and will consist of the league’s best baseball players (ages 10-12) with consideration given to abilities to play each position including pitching and catching, relative to other players. There will also be a tournament team assembled for players ages 8-10, and a team for players ages 9-11.  Of these two teams, the 8-10s team is selected first to make this team as competitive as possible.  The Juniors Division will also have an All-Stars team for players age 12-14, as will the Intermediate Division for players age 11-13.  Only the Little League (Majors), Intermediate (50/70), and Juniors All-Stars teams may advance to the World Series Tournaments while the tournaments for Ages 8-10 and Ages 9-11 culminate at the State level.  All-Stars extend through the months of June and July, possibly into August for the Little League and Juniors All-Stars.

Closing Remarks:

The experiences our players get in each division, their growth in both character and playing ability, and the opportunity to learn how to be a respected competitor and teammate does not happen without the help of our league volunteers (coaches, helpers and board members).  We are always in need of additional volunteers to step in to maintain momentum.  This is especially true for parents of players in our younger divisions; they help our league maintain continuity from year to year.  We have been building momentum the last few years with no intention of letting up and although our league places players into divisions and on to different teams each season, FLL is truly one team… Please join us!  We will find a place where you can help make a difference for our players.  If you have any questions or would like more information about volunteering, coaching, or registering your player, please reach out!  Specific league Rules for each division can also be found on our website at flagstafflittleleague.org.

Thank you,

Nye F. McCarty

FLL Vice President

Abridged Division Descriptions:

T-Ball:

Ages: 4-6, all first time players 7 and under.

Ability: none

Knowledge: knows what a baseball, bat, and glove are

A:

Ages: 6-8 (have played T-Ball)

Ability: throw with some accuracy, track ball in air to catch (sometimes), hit off a tee consistently, round bases

Knowledge:  3 strikes, 3 outs, innings, position names, basic rules of baseball.

AA:

Ages: 7-9

Ability: throw and catch consistently, time swing with pitch and hit strikes, field grounders, attempt to catch fly balls, run bases

Knowledge: player position responsibilities, force outs, where the play is, the count, general rules of baseball, sequence of play

AAA:

Ages: 9-11

Ability:  catch, throw, and hit strikes with consistency and confidence; quickly react to a ball put into play; maintain awareness

Knowledge:  player position responsibilities in different scenarios, tag outs, tagging up/respond to base coaches, sliding, cut-offs, backing up the play, double plays, intermediate rules of the game

Majors:

Ages: 10-12

Ability: catch hard hit/thrown balls including grounders and fly balls with minimal effort, selectively hit strikes with power, immediately and aggressively react to a ball in play, remain focused

Knowledge of:  comprehensive knowledge of both offense and defense, fielder’s choice, infield fly, stealing bases, Little League Pledge

Intermediate:

Ages: 11-13

Ability: same as the Majors Division, but on a slightly larger baseball diamond (50ft pitchers mound, 70ft bases), but may also include players who have little previous playing experience but can catch, throw, and hit and want to play baseball.

Knowledge of: same as the Majors Division but will learn to lead off from bases

Juniors:

Ages: 12-15

Ability: same as the Majors & Intermediate Divisions, but on a larger baseball diamond (60.5ft pitchers mound, 90ft bases), but may also include players who have little previous playing experience but can catch, throw, and hit and want to play baseball.  Players age 15 may not pitch.

Knowledge of: same as Majors & Intermediate Divisions but will gain a comprehensive understanding of the rules and play sequences of the game of baseball.