DIVISIONS OF PLAY
How do I know what division to sign my son up in?
Available baseball divisions of play can be found here. Divisions are generally determined by your League Age; refer to the Little League International League Age Chart to determine League Age. Upon registering, the system will recognize your League Age based on player's birthdate and recommend a Division of play. In some cases, two divisions of play may be available to choose from, in which case parent/guardian is encouraged to determine based on player skill and experience.
REGISTRATION
How and when do I register?
Registration is held from early October to early January. Both new and returning players must register. Please be aware that if you are new to the league, or have moved within the last year, you will need to show proof of age and residency as this is a local league that follows state and national Little League age and residency rules. You may register online via this website. Please verify you are within league boundaries via the Little League Age Finder.
To register, please sign up here. Also, Gilroy Little League will host a minimum of two walk-up registration events, for those that have registration questions or prefer to register in person. Check the local league calendar for walk-up registration dates and locations.
Why do we register players so early?
Our league registration numbers determine the number of managers we choose, uniforms we order, new equipment we must purchase, and the number of practice and playing fields we must reserve. This all takes time and is coordinated by volunteers who, most likely, have day-jobs. We must register children by early January in order to get them on the playing field that Spring. Teams are formed in late January to early February, practice starts in February, and games start in March.
How do I determine my player’s “League Age”?
Player placement within divisions are based on League Age, not on the chronological (birth) year. This is intended to ensure fair and equitable placement. To determine a player’s League Age please refer to Little League International League Age Chart found here. Any division placement exceptions must be approved by the local league Player Agent. Upon registration, your player will automatically be placed in the default division based on League Age (determined by birthdate in the system).
Can I get a refund?
The League recognizes that it may be necessary to refund the player registration fees in some cases following registration. Refunds will be granted as follows: (a) 100% if written notice is provided before December 31, 2025, (b) 50% if written notice is provided before January 15, 2026. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing directly to league administration via [email protected].
TEAM FORMATION
Does my child have to attend the Skills Evaluations (Tryouts)?
Double A (AA), Minors, Majors, and Juniors baseball players must attend Skill Evaluations as those teams are formed via an official draft. Single A and Teeball baseball players do not need to attend Skill Evaluations, unless the player is “challenging up” to be considered for Double A (AA) division play (must be minimum League Age 7).
When are Skills Evaluations?
Baseball Skills Evaluations are generally held in mid-January. Each player in draft eligible divisions (Double A (AA), Minors, Majors, and Juniors) is strongly encouraged to attend. An alternate day will be chosen if there is rain-out. Refer to the league calendar on the home page for the official date. If a player is unable to attend the scheduled Skills Evaluations, they will be placed on a team via draft protocols.
How are Baseball teams formed?
1. Non-drafted divisions (Teeball and Single A) are formed by the league Player Agent and League Director, based on based on talent, locality, and age in an attempt to equalize the teams. Player Agent will try to accommodate special requests where possible, but they are not guaranteed.
2. Double A (AA), Minors, Majors, and Juniors division teams are formed via an official draft; team managers meet first and draft players one by one, until each has a full team, ideally with 12 players. Thereafter, participating managers have a finite time to trade. Once teams are drafted, managers will receive an official roster from the league Player Agent and will notify players and parents within one week of the draft date. Drafts are closed to the public.
What if I want my child to player in a higher division?
Players can “challenge up” into a higher division of play, however player division placement is at the sole discretion of the league Player Agent. To “challenge up”, a player must attend Skills Evaluations in mid-January, for both their default division (based on league age) and the division they wish to challenge into. The Player Agent will inform the Parent/Guardian of decision regarding division placement. Decisions to promote players to higher divisions are based on individual talent and age, as well as factors associated with enrollment and number of teams and players per team in related divisions.
Can my child be placed on a team with a friend or particular coach?
For non-drafted divisions, specifically Teeball and Single A Baseball, teams are formed by the Player Agent and Division Director, based on talent, locality, and age in an attempt to equalize the teams. Any special requests should be noted on your registration and the Player Agent will make every attempt to honor your request, but we cannot guarantee your request. Double A (AA), Minors, Majors, and Juniors are drafted teams, therefore any special requests cannot be honored.
Who attends the drafts?
All drafts are closed meetings and attendance is strictly limited to control the confidentiality of the selection process. Attendance is limited to approved managers, and the league's President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Baseball Player Agent. Draft order will not be revealed.
What if I don’t want my child to be drafted by a specific Manager?
Parents/Guardians are allowed one manager “block” per draft, preventing their child from being selected by said manager via the draft. Blocks are strictly confidential. To block a manager, a parent/guardian must send the request in writing to [email protected] prior to draft day. No explanation is required. If parent/guardian lists more than one manager to block, the first noted manager will be blocked but the other managers will be eligible to draft the player (only one manager can be blocked per player per draft).
How are Managers and coaches selected?
Gilroy Little League would not be possible without the time and dedication of the managers and coaches. Managers and coaches are 100% volunteers, meaning they are giving their time and energy to the kids of Gilroy Little League. All volunteers of Gilroy Little League are required to pass two background checks. Additionally, managers are required to complete extensive training and certification. To learn more about volunteer requirements, please visit our Volunteer Requirements page.
GAMES
What equipment will my child need?
Players will need to purchase a baseball glove, cleats (rubber for Teeball, Single A, Double A (AA), Minors, and Majors and/or metal for Juniors and Seniors), pants, belt, and socks. Your coach will recommend the color of pants, socks, and belt to purchase. All players receive team hats and jersey. Gilroy Little League provides each team with batting helmets, bats, and catcher's gear for those that prefer to use league assigned gear.
When do practices begin?
Pre-season practice begins in early February. Practice days, times and frequency differ by division and team, and are determined by the manager. Expect a minimum of one weekday practice and one weekend practice. Managers will do their best to accommodate specific scheduling requests, however please keep in mind that managers and coaches are 100% volunteers (likely with day-jobs), so special scheduling requests may not be honored.
When do games start?
Regular season games are played early-March through May, depending on division. Generally you can expect one weekday evening game and one weekend game per week, but there may be as many as 3 games per week.
Will I have to travel for games?
Most regular season games will be hosted in Gilroy, however there are times were limited travel will be required for games within district (San Jose and south county areas). This is important for player development, as they have the opportunity to face different opponents.
Where can I understand the rules of the game?
Gilroy Little League follows game rules established by Little League International. To review and reference game rules, please download the Little League International Rule Book.
Due to some local constraints, Gilroy Little League also publishes Bylaws. These rule amendments are allowed by Little League International, and approved by Gilroy Little League’s Board of Directors.
When does the regular season end?
Typically, the regular season ends in early May, depending upon reschedules due to rain-outs. After regular season games, play-off games commence using brackets to determine division champion. Play-off season games generally start in late May and can last through June depending on the number of teams playing.
What if I have a concern or complaint?
Any parent/guardian with a concern or complaint should first discuss the matter with the team manager. If the concern or complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, said parent/guardian should escalate via the following: Division Director to VP of Baseball to league Vice President & President. Written concerns or complaints can be submitted via [email protected] and will be handled using the noted channel.
What about Post-Season games?
There are a few different types of post-seasons games/tournaments as follows:
Playoffs
Playoffs occur in Minors, Majors, and Juniors divisions to determine the division champion. Division champions are recognized by the league. Instructional teams do not participate in playoffs.
Tournament of Champions
The division champion team from Minors, Majors, and/or Juniors can move on to the district-wide “Tournament of Champions” (TOCs). This tournament typically runs for a week in June. TOCs are hosted by the district and are therefore at the discretion of the district. TOCs may or may not be scheduled and are not guaranteed.
Tournament Teams (All-Stars)
Minors, Majors, and Juniors Divisions are eligible for All-Stars, where players are selected to form the division All-Star team that will represent Gilroy Little League. All-Star players are selected by regular-season managers via a secret vote, based on skill and availability, but a also based on sportsmanship and player attitude. All-Star games generally begin at the end of June and can run through August, depending upon how far the team advances (District 59 to Section 5 to Nor-Cal State to West Regionals to World Series Nationals). All-Star teams are announced in mid-May, with practices commencing following the regular season play-offs.
Tournament Teams are (by League Age):
· 8 YO & 9 YO Jamboree Team (District Jamboree only)
· 8/9/10 YO Tournament Team (District, Section & States only)
· 9/10/11 YO Tournament Team (District, Section & States only)
· 10/11/12 YO Little League Tournament Team (Little League World Series eligible)
· 12/13/14 YO Juniors Tournament Team (Juniors World Series eligible)
· 14/15/16 YO Seniors Tournament Team (Senior World Series eligible)