Spring Season Divisions
1. Tee Ball (League Ages 4-6)
The Tee Ball Division is designed for players 4-6 years old, who are being introduced to the game of baseball. Tee Ball players will be taught the objectives of the game, to include throwing, catching, hitting the baseball, fielding techniques, base running, and defensive assignments when balls are put in play. Batters will have three attempts to bat a pitched ball from their coach. If they are unsuccessful, they will be permitted to strike at the ball from a tee until they have put the ball in play. Competitive aspects of the game are somewhat minimized at this level, in favor of teaching basic baseball skills, and ensuring players have a fun experience.
2. Baseball (Rookie) Lower Machine Pitch (League Ages 6-8)
The Rookie Division is designed for players 6-8 years old, who will build on skills learned at the Tee Ball level. Coaches in this division will place slightly more emphasis on competitive aspects of the game, including stopping runners from advancing, and putting offensive players out. Batters will attempt to bat a ball pitched by their coach from a mechanical pitching machine. Players are permitted to have up to five pitches delivered, unless three strikes are recorded prior to the fifth pitch.
3. Baseball (A) Upper Machine Pitch (League Ages (7-9)
The Single-A (A) Division is designed for players 7-9 years old, who will build on skills learned at the Rookie level. Coaches in this division will place more emphasis on competitive aspects of the game and building advanced skillsets. Batters will continue to receive up to five pitches from a mechanical pitching machine, albeit at a somewhat faster speed than in the Rookie Division.
4. Baseball (AA) Player Pitch (League Ages 8-10)
The Double-A (AA) Division is designed for players 8-10 years old, who will be introduced to kid-pitch baseball. Coaches in this division will place a heavier emphasis on player skills, particularly pitching (throwing), fielding, and batting. Base runners in this division will be permitted to steal bases when the pitched ball reaches the batter, and defensive players must stop base runners from advancing.
5. Baseball (AAA) Player Pitch (League Ages 9-11)
The Triple-A (AAA) Division is designed for players 9-11 years old, who will display advanced understanding of baseball strategies and more advanced skills. Coaches will emphasize a balance between player effectiveness, development, and continued enjoyment of playing the game.
6. Baseball (Majors/Little League) Player Pitch (League Ages 10-12)
The Majors (“Little League”) Division is designed for players 10-12 years old, who have attained a substantial understanding of the game of baseball and are prepared to compete with the top players in the league. All 12-year-old players must play in the Majors Division (or higher) unless a waiver is obtained. Players in this division are permitted to vote for players from within the division to represent SDLL’s “Little League” all-star team, which will attempt to advance to the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
7. Baseball Intermediate Division Player Pitch (League Ages 11-13)
Please click here to watch our virtual meeting that reviewed how the Intermediate Division will be be introduced in spring 2024.
Please click here to read the questions and answers from the virtual meeting.
The Intermediate Division is designed for players 11-13 years old, who are prepared to play under all baseball rules, to include leads, steals, head-first sliding, and on-deck batters. Pitchers are required to hold runners on base, and balks may be called. The Intermediate Division is played on a 70’ diamond (60’ is the traditional Little League standard), and pitchers deliver the ball from a rubber set at 50’ (46’ is the traditional Little League standard). The Intermediate Division is designed to be a transitional-sized field for players preparing for baseball under all traditional baseball rules (i.e., Middle School baseball). Players in this division are permitted to participate in any age-appropriate tournament (all-star) teams, regardless of the division in which they competed during the regular season. Players 11 or 12 years old may be dually rostered between Majors and Intermediate teams.
8. Baseball Seniors Division Player Pitch (League Ages 13-16)
The Seniors Division is designed for players 13-16 years old, under full, traditional baseball rules and on a 90’ diamond. Under certain circumstances, 12-year-old players may be included in this division. All players must use wooden bats or bats which bear a BBCOR certification stamp.
Fall Season Divisions
1. Tee Ball (League Ages 4-6)
The Tee Ball Division is designed for players 4-6 years old, who are being introduced to the game of baseball. Tee Ball players will be taught the objectives of the game, to include throwing, catching, hitting the baseball, fielding techniques, base running, and defensive assignments when balls are put in play. Batters will have three attempts to bat a pitched ball from their coach. If they are unsuccessful, they will be permitted to strike at the ball from a tee until they have put the ball in play. Competitive aspects of the game are somewhat minimized at this level, in favor of teaching basic baseball skills, and ensuring players have a fun experience.
2. Baseball Lower Machine Pitch (League Ages 6-8)
The Lower Machine Pitch Division is designed for players 6-8 years old, who will build on skills learned at the Tee Ball level. Coaches in this division will place more emphasis on competitive aspects of the game, including stopping runners from advancing, and putting offensive players out. Batters will attempt to bat a ball pitched by their coach from a mechanical pitching machine. Players are permitted to have up to five pitches delivered, unless three strikes are recorded prior to the fifth pitch.
3. Baseball Upper Machine Pitch (League Ages (7-9)
The Upper Machine Pitch Division is designed for players 7-9 years old, who will build on skills learned at the Rookie level. Coaches in this division will place more emphasis on competitive aspects of the game and building advanced skillsets. Batters will continue to receive pitches from a mechanical pitching machine, albeit at a somewhat faster speed than in the Rookie Division.
4. Baseball Cactus Division Player Pitch (League Ages 9-10)
The Cactus Division is designed for players 9-10 years old, who will be introduced to kid-pitch baseball. Coaches in this division will place a heavier emphasis on player skills, particularly pitching (throwing), fielding, and batting. Base runners in this division will be permitted to steal bases when the pitched ball reaches the batter, and defensive players must stop base runners from advancing.
5. Baseball Grapefruit Division Player Pitch (League Ages 11-12)
The Grapefruit Division is designed for players 11-12 years old who are experienced in kid-pitch baseball. Players in this division have typically participated in the AAA or Majors Divisions in prior seasons. Players in this division will build on a fundamental understanding of the objectives of the game and prepare for the competitive spring season.
6. Baseball Intermediate Division Player Pitch (League Ages 11-13)
The Intermediate Division is designed for players 11-13 years old, who are prepared to play under all baseball rules, to include leads, steals, head-first sliding, and on-deck batters. Pitchers are required to hold runners on base, and balks may be called. The Intermediate Division is played on a 70’ diamond (60’ is the traditional Little League standard), and pitchers deliver the ball from a rubber set at 50’ (46’ is the traditional Little League standard). The Intermediate Division is designed to be a transitional-sized field for players preparing for baseball under all traditional baseball rules (i.e., Middle School baseball).
7. Baseball Seniors Division Player Pitch (League Ages 13-16)
The Seniors Division is designed for players 13-16 years old, under full, traditional baseball rules and on a 90’ diamond. Under certain circumstances, 12-year-old players may be included in this division. All players must use wooden bats or bats which bear a BBCOR certification stamp.