Jefferson County Little League Division Breakdown and Descriptions
February 22, 2022 5:39AM CST
New Baseball inside a baseball glove on the outfield grass next to the foul line
The Little League Baseball & Softball program includes divisions for all children, ages 4-12.
2022 Baseball Divisions:
Tee Ball – Boys & girls League ages 4-6
Often, a family’s first introduction to Little League is the Tee Ball program. Tee Ball is the entry level division for players, ages 4-6. The experience is grounded in fun, fitness and fundamentals while also being a key to growing a child’s love for the game. Tee Ball uses bats and balls specifically designed for use at this division. Tee Ball team’s average 7-10 players and will play 10 games over a 10-week season playing a mix of their games on week nights and Saturday mornings. Teams will have practices 1-2 days a week depending on their team’s game schedule. The batters will hit the ball off of a stationary tee. Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this entry level of Little League. Once your child is 6 years of age, they are eligible to stay playing at Tee Ball or move up into one of the Rookies divisions which is Rookies Baseball (coed ages 6-8). Each child’s parents along with the division head and LL board will determine at what division the child shall be placed. Parents will be able to state their preference when they sign their child up.
Rookies Baseball – Boys & girls League ages 6-8
This division will continue and expand on the fundamentals of baseball. The basics of throwing, hitting and fielding will be the focus points. Kids will get a chance to play at all positions at some point during the season. The kids will hit off of a pitching machine. Kids will not be pitching at this level. Rookies Baseball team’s average 8-12 players and will play 12 games over an 11-week season playing a majority of their games on week nights and possibly a Saturday morning or two. Teams will have practices 1-2 days a week depending on their team’s game schedule. Once your child is 8 years of age, they are eligible to stay playing at Rookies Baseball or move up into one of the Minors divisions which are Minors Baseball (coed ages 8-10) or Minors Softball (girls ages 8-10). Each child’s parents along with the division head and LL board will determine at what division the child shall be placed. Parents will be able to state their preference when they sign their child up.
Minors Baseball – Boys & girls League ages 8-10
This division will provide more instruction on throwing, fielding, hitting and pitching. This is the first division that the players will be live pitching and hitting off of live pitching. This division will really focus on the fundamentals of pitchers and catchers. Other skills like base running (sliding), position instruction, and strategy are worked on at this level. Minors Baseball team’s average 10-14 players and will play 16 games over a 11-week season playing all games Monday through Friday night. Teams will have practices 1-2 days a week depending on their team’s game schedule. Once your child is 10 years of age, they are eligible to stay playing at Minors Baseball or move up into one of the Majors divisions which are Majors Baseball (coed ages 10-12) or Majors Softball (girls ages 10-12). Each child’s parents along with the division head and LL board will determine at what division the child shall be placed. Parents will be able to state their preference when they sign their child up.
Majors Baseball – Boys & girls League ages 10-12
This division will start to sharpen the skills that were previously learned in the lower levels. The kids will get additional focus on the skills for pitchers and catchers. Other elements such as base stealing, learning signs, and outfield jobs are worked on more at this level. Kids will learn situational play at this level. The dropped third strike rule does apply at this level. Majors Baseball team’s average 10-14 players and will play 16 games over a 11-week season playing all games Monday through Friday night. Teams will have practices 1-2 days a week depending on their team’s game schedule.
2022 Softball Divisions:
Minors Softball – Girls League ages 7-10
This division will provide more instruction on throwing, fielding, hitting and pitching. This is the first division that the girls will be live pitching and hitting off of live pitching. This division will really focus on the fundamentals of pitchers and catchers. Other skills like base running (sliding), position instruction, and strategy (bunting) are worked on at this level. A coach may pitch after the 4TH ball and the batter has not struck out. Minors Softball team’s average 10-14 players and will play 14 games over a 10-week season playing all games Monday through Friday night. Teams will have practices 1-2 days a week depending on their team’s game schedule. Once your child is 10 years of age, they are eligible to stay playing at Minors Softball or move up into one of the Majors divisions which are Majors Softball (girls ages 10-12) or Majors Baseball (coed ages 10-12). Each child’s parents along with the division head and LL board will determine at what division the child shall be placed. Parents will be able to state their preference when they sign their child up.
Majors Softball – Girls League ages 10-12
This division will start to sharpen the skills that were previously learned in the lower levels. The kids will get additional focus on the skills for pitchers and catchers. Other elements such as base stealing, learning signs, and outfield jobs are worked on more at this level. Kids will learn situational play at this level. No coach pitch at this level. A walk will occur if the batter receives a 4TH ball and does not get struck out. The dropped third strike rule does apply at this level. Majors Softball team’s average 10-14 players and will play 14 games over a 10-week season playing all games Monday through Friday night. Teams will have practices 1-2 days a week depending on their team’s game schedule.
2022 Challenger Division:
Challenger – Boys & girls League ages 4-18: or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school
This division is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate. Typically, games are 1-2 innings long and last about an hour. All players play defensively and bat every inning. Buddies will help assist the Challenger athletes. Buddies are individuals who assist Challenger athletes in the areas of batting, base running and defense, but only as needed. Often buddies are peer athletes who are participating in the Little League Baseball or Softball program. Challenger teams average 6-10 players and will play 5-6 games over a 7-week season. Typically, the practice/games will be on the same weeknight every week from the beginning of the season to the end of the season (specific night to be determined).
