BASEBALL

Here you'll find a brief explanation of the appropriate ages for each division and a bit about the way they play. Baseball is open to all genders. If you believe your player can compete at a level higher than he or she has been offered, please indicate so in the registration process in the space provided. Assessments will be held in late January/early February to determine placement. Our primary concern is whether the player can compete safely in the higher division. 

See League Age/Divisions for more info.

Tee-ball Division

Tee-ball is designed for boys and girls league age 5 or 6, typically in Kindergarten or their last year of pre-school. Here are the key details about this introductory division:

1. Introduction to Hitting and Fielding:

• Tee-ball provides young players with their first exposure to hitting and fielding.
• A safety ball is used, and players bat off a tee.Everyone gets a chance to play in the field and bat each inning.

2. Team Selection Criteria:

•  Coach/teammate requests
•  Siblings
•  School affiliations
•  Girls may choose to play on an all-girl team if they prefer.

3. Practice and Game Schedule:

• During the pre-season, teams typically have two practices per week.
• Once the season begins, there is one practice (usually on a weeknight) and one game (typically on Saturdays) per week.

4. Practice Location:

• Tee Ball teams typically practice at Upper Ross Park.

A - Machine Pitch Division

The A Division, also known as Machine Pitch, is designed primarily for 7 and 8-year-olds (league age). It serves as the next step in competition after Tee Ball. Here are some key points about this division:

1. Safety Ball and Machine Pitch:

• Players in the A Division use a safety ball.
• The balls are machine-pitched to ensure consistent delivery.
• Minimum play requirements apply to ensure fair participation.

2. Team Selection Criteria:

• Coach/teammate requests
• Siblings
• School affiliations
• Some degree of parity within the division
• Players who are league age 6 may be considered for this division if they have played at least one year of Tee Ball.
• Approval by the Player Agent and their previous coach is necessary for younger players.

3. Practice and Game Schedule:

• During the pre-season, teams typically have two practices per week.
• Once the season begins, there is one practice (usually on a weeknight) and one game (typically on Saturdays) per week.

A - Kid Pitch Division

The A Division, also known as Machine Pitch, is designed primarily for 7 and 8-year-olds (league age). It serves as the next step in competition after Tee Ball. Here are some key points about this division:

1. Safety Ball and Machine Pitch:

• Players in the A Division use a safety ball.
• The balls are machine-pitched to ensure consistent delivery.
• Minimum play requirements apply to ensure fair participation.

2. Team Selection Criteria:

• Coach/teammate requests
• Siblings
• School affiliations
• Some degree of parity within the division
• Players who are league age 6 may be considered for this division if they have played at least one year of Tee Ball.
• Approval by the Player Agent and their previous coach is necessary for younger players.

3. Practice and Game Schedule:

• During the pre-season, teams typically have two practices per week.
• Once the season begins, there is one practice (usually on a weeknight) and one game (typically on Saturdays) per week.
  

4. Practice Locations:

• A - Machine Pitch teams typically practice at either Upper Ross Field, BF Day Field, or Lower Woodland Fields.

AA - Coach/Player Pitch Division

The AA Division is primarily composed of 8 and 9-year-olds (league age) and serves as the next step for players graduating from A baseball. It’s the last division where players are not divided by skill level through assessments. Here are the key points about this division:

1. Player Age:

• The AA Division includes players who are primarily 8 and 9 years old.
• Occasionally, some of the best 7-year-olds also play AA baseball.

2. Game Format:

• Games in AA are a combination of coach-pitch and player-pitch.
• Players continue learning baseball rules and begin to understand the reasoning behind specific plays.
• Minimum play requirements ensure fair participation.

3. Team Selection Criteria:

• Coach/teammate requests
• Siblings
• School affiliations
• Creating parity within the division

4. Practice and Game Schedule:

• During the pre-season, teams typically have two practices per week.
• Once the season begins, there is one practice (usually on a weeknight) and one game (typically on Saturdays) per week.

5. Practice Locations:

• AA teams typically practice at either BF Day Field or Lower Woodland Fields.

AAA Division

The AAA Division primarily consists of 10 and 11-year-olds (league age) and serves as the next step for players graduating from AA baseball. Here are the key details about this division:

1. Player Age:

• The AAA Division includes players who are primarily 10 and 11 years old.
• Occasionally, some of the best 9-year-olds also play AAA ball.

2. Game Format:

• Games in AAA are player-pitch.
• This division balances instruction and competition, with a strong emphasis on player development.
• Minimum play requirements ensure fair participation.

3. Assessments and Team Formation:

• Team formation is based on results from pre-season assessments (and previous year coach reviews).
• The goal is to create parity among teams.
• Players must participate in assessments to be considered for AAA baseball.

4. Practice and Game Schedule:

• During the pre-season, teams typically have three practices per week.
• Once the season begins, there is one practice (usually on a weeknight) and two games (typically on weeknights and Saturdays) per week.

5. Practice Locations:

• AAA teams typically practice at either BF Day Field or Lower Woodland Fields.

Majors Division

The Majors Division is composed of all 12-year-olds, along with the better 11-year-old players, and occasionally a few 10-year-olds. It serves as the next step for players in this age group, especially those who excelled on previous AAA teams. Here are the key details about this division:

1. Player Evaluations:

• All 10 and 11-year-olds must attend player evaluations to be considered for Majors Baseball.
• Additionally, all 12-year-olds must participate in evaluations to form the teams.

2. Instructional and Competitive:

•  The Majors Division strikes a balance between instruction and competition.
•  While still emphasizing player development, there is slightly more focus on the competitive aspects of the game compared to AAA.
•  Minimum play requirements ensure fair participation.

3. Manager Focus:

• Managers aim to field a competitive team while providing a fun learning experience for players.
• Players should concentrate on refining their baseball skills, with consistency as a key goal.

4. Team Formation:

• Team formation relies on pre-season assessments (and previous year coach reviews).
• The intention is to create parity among teams.
• Players must participate in assessments to be considered for Majors Baseball.

5. Practice and Game Schedule:

• During the pre-season, teams typically have three practices per week.
• Once the season begins, there are three games per week.

6. Practice Locations:

• Majors teams typically practice at either BF Day Field or Lower Woodland Fields.

Juniors Division

The Junior Division is specifically designed for players league age 13 and 14. Here are the key details about this division:

1. Field Size:

• Juniors play on a 90-foot diamond, which provides a more challenging and authentic baseball experience.
  

2. Minimum Play Requirements:

• Just like in other divisions, there are minimum play requirements to ensure fair participation for all players.
  

3. Competition and District Play:

• North Central teams compete against other teams from our district.
•  District 8 includes teams from Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Richmond, Northwest Seattle, and Northeast Seattle.
  

4. Tryouts and Team Formation:

• Tryouts are held for player placement purposes.
•  All players make a team, and team selection occurs through a draft process.
•  The goal is to create parity among the teams.
  

5. Practice Locations:

• Juniors teams typically practice at either Greenlake or Lower Woodland Field #1.

Seniors Division

The Senior Division is designed for players league age 15 and 16. Here are the key details about this division:

1. Field Size:

• Seniors play on a 90-foot diamond, providing a more challenging and authentic baseball experience.

2. Minimum Play Requirements:

• As in other divisions, there are minimum play requirements to ensure fair participation for all players.
  

3. Competition and District Play:

• North Central teams compete against other teams from our district.
•  District 8 includes teams from Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Richmond, Northwest Seattle, and Northeast Seattle.
  

4. Tryouts and Team Formation:

• Tryouts are held for player placement purposes.
•  All players make a team, and team selection occurs through a draft process.
  

5. Practice Locations:

• Senior teams typically practice at either Greenlake or Lower Woodland Field #1.
  

6. High School Baseball Considerations:

• Players often have the opportunity to play both High School baseball and Seniors.
•  Registration for this division remains open longer to allow high school players to make decisions based on their high school season.
•  If you have questions about this, feel free to contact the league.