ARIZONA BASEBALL & SOFTBALL

There are many benefits playing in a youth baseball league can bring. If you are looking for an activity that can enhance your child’s life, then baseball is a great choice. From improving their focus and coordination skills to enabling them to make new friends and spend more time outdoors, baseball truly is an all-around fantastic sport for kids.

LITTLE LEAGUE DIVISIONS

Tee Ball Baseball 

Tee Ball Baseball is for boys and girls 4-5 years old (with a local option for 6- and/or 7-year-olds) who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. In Tee Ball, players hit a ball off a batting tee. Rules of the game may be varied to accommodate the need for teaching. The primary goals of Tee Ball are to instruct children in the fundamentals of baseball and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 20 players, but most leagues have rosters in the 12-15 range. No live pitching is permitted in this division. Generally, the diamond used is a 60-foot diamond, but the league has the option to use a 50-foot diamond. 

Tee Ball Softball 

Girls Tee Ball Softball is for girls 4-5 years old (with a local option for 6- and/or 7-year-olds) who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. In Girls Tee Ball Softball, players hit a ball off a batting tee. Rules of the game may be varied to accommodate the need for teaching. The primary goals of Girls Tee Ball Softball are to instruct children in the fundamentals of softball and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork. There is no minimum or maximum composition for rosters, but most leagues have rosters in the 8-15 range. No live pitching is permitted in this division. Generally, the diamond used is a 60-foot diamond, but the league has the option to use a 50-foot diamond. 

Minor League Baseball 

Minor League Baseball programs for boys and girls may be operated within each division for younger players with less experience. The minor league may be players ages 7-12. Divisions may be established within the Minor League for “machine pitch,” “coach pitch” or “player pitch.” By local option, a player who is league age 6 for the current season and has played a year in Tee Ball may be “moved up” to a coach pitch division. A local league might have its 7-8-year-olds in the Minor League Coach Pitch Division, while its 9-10-year-olds are in the Minor League Player Pitch Division. However, by local option, some of the 9-year-olds could “play down” in the coach pitch division, and some of the 8-year-olds could “play up.” This is entirely the choice of the local league board of directors. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 20 players, but most leagues have rosters in the 12-15 range. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet. 

Minor League Softball 

Girls Minor League Softball programs may be operated within each division for younger players with less experience. The minor league may be players ages 7-11. Divisions may be established within the Girls Minor League Softball Division for “machine pitch,” “coach pitch” or “player pitch.” By local option, a player who is league age 6 for the current season and has played a year in Tee Ball may be “moved up” to a coach pitch division. A local league might have its 7-8-year-olds in the Girls Minor League Softball Coach Pitch Division, while its 9-10-year-olds are in the Girls Minor League Softball Player Pitch Division. However, by local option, some of the 9-year-olds could “play down” in the coach pitch division, and some of the 8-year-olds could “play up.” This is entirely the choice of the local league board of directors. There is no minimum or maximum composition for rosters, but most leagues have rosters in the 8-12 range. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 35 feet. 

Little League Baseball 

Minor League Baseball programs for boys and girls may be operated within each division for younger players with less experience. The minor league may be players ages 7-12. Divisions may be established within the Minor League for “machine pitch,” “coach pitch” or “player pitch.” By local option, a player who is league age 6 for the current season and has played a year in Tee Ball may be “moved up” to a coach pitch division. A local league might have its 7-8-year-olds in the Minor League Coach Pitch Division, while its 9-10-year-olds are in the Minor League Player Pitch Division. However, by local option, some of the 9-year-olds could “play down” in the coach pitch division, and some of the 8-year-olds could “play up.” This is entirely the choice of the local league board of directors. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 20 players, but most leagues have rosters in the 12-15 range. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet. 

Little League Softball 

The Girls Little League Softball Division (sometimes known as the Major Division) is for girls ages 9-12. A local league may choose to limit its Major Division to 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds, or 11-12-year-olds. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 40 feet. The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or “All Stars”) of 11-12-year-olds from within this division, and the team may enter the International Tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Girls Little League Softball World Series, featuring teams from around the globe. All expenses for the teams advancing to the World Series (travel, meals and housing) are paid by Little League International. 

Junior League Baseball 

The Junior League Baseball Division is a program for boys and girls ages 13-14, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. (A modified diamond is available during the regular season.) The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or “All Stars”) of 13-14-year-olds from within this division (and/or from within the Senior League Division), and the team may enter the International Tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Junior League Baseball World Series, featuring teams from around the globe. All expenses for the teams advancing to the World Series (travel, meals and housing) are paid by Little League Baseball. 

Junior League Softball 

The Girls Junior League Softball Division is a program for girls ages 12-14, using a conventional 60-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 40 feet. (A modified diamond is available during the regular season.) The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or “All Stars”) of 12-14-year-olds from within this division (and/or from within the Girls Senior League Softball Division), and the team may enter the International Tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Junior League Softball World Series, featuring teams from around the globe. All expenses for the teams advancing to the World Series (travel, meals and housing) are paid by Little League International. 

Source: Arizona State Little League