Levels of Play

Player Age

For baseball, the League Age is the child's age on 4/30. For example, a child born between 5/1/2000 and 4/30/2001 would be League Age 12 for the 2013 baseball season. For softball, League Age is the child's age on 12/31. For example, a child born between 1/1/2000 & 12/31/2000 would be League Age 12 for the 2013 softball season.

Please refer to the following charts to locate the player age for your child:

Baseball 2013

Softball 2013

Player Progression

Woodinville Little League (WLL) has divisions and levels organized around age and skill in order to help players from ages 4-16 develop baseball and fastpitch softball skills. The progression of a child will vary based on the age at which the child starts playing organized baseball or softball and the amount of time the child practices at home and at school. Parents spending the time to practice with their child and a child's own athletic ability play a large role in how a child will progress through the levels.

Each child is different, which is why there are age ranges that overlap between levels. For children starting later than age 4 or 5, or for those children who have not successfully demonstrated the required baseball or softball skills, it is best to let the child play down a level to gain confidence and have fun rather than place the child in a situation where he or she is playing below the skill level of their teammates.

Whatever the progression, it is important to make certain that a child is not pushed too fast where he or she is not given enough time to learn, practice and master the fundamentals of baseball or softball. Remember most children will not play professional baseball, but by learning how to play the game and having fun while doing it, we continue the tradition of this great American past-time for the next generation.

Placement Guidelines

By Player Age - Ages 4-18

• Age 4-5 - All children will play TBall (TB).
• Age 6 - All children Age 6 who have yet to play a year of Little League must play TBall. All children age 6 who have already played TBall for one season will play A for Baseball or Farm for Softball.
  
• Age 7 - Most children Age 7 will play A or AA for Baseball or Farm for Softball. A player is ready to advance out of Single A to AA when the player is starting to catch the ball with the glove "up" (at face level) as opposed to basket catches with the glove "down". The player will be successful putting the ball in play in most machine-pitch at bats. A ball thrown or hit at a Single A player's head will usually result in the player making the effort to get out of the way.
• Age 8 - Most children Age 8 will play AA or AAA for Baseball or 89ers for Softball. A player is ready to advance out of AA when the player is comfortable fielding infield grounders and making a reasonable 60-foot throw. At bat, the AA player is learning to discern balls from strikes. A ball thrown or hit at an AA player's head will usually result in the AA player making the effort to catch the ball with periodic success. Children age 8 and under are NOT eligible for Minors (MN).
• Age 9 - Children Age 9 will play AAA for Baseball or 89ers for Softball, and also be eligible to participate in Player Review for draft selection to Minors. A player can participate in Player Review while intending to play AAA, or may choose to forgo Player Review and request specific placement at AAA. A ball thrown or hit at a AAA player's head will usually result in the AAA player making a catch.
• Age 10 - All children age 10 MUST participate in Player Review. Most children age 10 will play Minors. 10 yr old players should not be playing below Minors (at AAA) unless there is a safety risk or other known issue. Children age 10 are NOT eligible to play at Majors with specific Board level exception.
  
• Age 11 - All children age 11 MUST participate in Player Review. WLL local rules require all children age 11 to play Minors, but they may be selected for Majors.
• Age 12 - All children age 12 MUST participate in Player Review. All children age 12 will be required to play Majors according to Little League® Baseball Incorporated rules.
• Age 13/14 - Any child who will attain the age of 13 or 14 yrs old on or before 4/30 of the current season shall be eligible to play JR.
• Age 15/16 - Any child who will attain the age of 15 or 16 yrs old on or before 4/30 of the current season shall be eligible to play SR.
• Age 17/18 - Any child who will attain the age of 17 or 18 yrs old on or before 4/30 of the current season shall be eligible to play Big League.

Majors and Minors - Player Review:

In order for a player age 9-12 to be selected on a Minors or Majors team, the player must participate in a Player Review, even players returning to the same level of play. Player Review for Softball will be on Saturday, February 2nd. For Baseball, it will be on Saturday February 9, 2013. Information can be found on the Player Review page. Details and timeslot informaiton will be sent out via email to age/level qualified players in mid-January, with exact details about Player Review.

Other information

Only with the recommendation of the WLL President, with input from a previous manager and Player Agent, will individual one-time exceptions be granted regarding levels of play for levels below Minors. Exceptions for Minors and Majors play must approved by the WLL Board of Directors.

If you have any questions, please contact the Woodinville Little League President