What is Little League?

Better than any other youth sport activity, baseball and softball have become the thread that has sewn together a patchwork of nations and cultures around the world. Children in diverse nations such as Israel, Jordan, Russia, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, Poland, Mexico, China, Venezuela, South Africa and the U.S. have discovered baseball and softball -- Little League Baseball and Softball - are ways to bring their people a sport that mirrors life itself.

Baseball and softball embody the discipline of teamwork. They challenge players toward perfection of physical skills and bring into play the excitement of tactics and strategy. The very nature of baseball and softball also teach that while every player eventually strikes out or is on the losing team, there is always another chance for success in the next at-bat or game.

Millions of children on six continents and more than 100 countries can attest that baseball, softball and Little League are synonymous. Little League is a heritage to be carried forward proudly in the future by ever increasing waves of those devoted to teaching children how to play and enjoy these great games.

Basically, Little League has three structural components, each dependent upon the other and each vital to the success of the program.

The administrative and service core of the movement is Little League Baseball, Incorporated, a non-profit membership organization that maintains the international program, with Little League Baseball International in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Part of the Little League Baseball International structure includes various Regional Centers in the U.S. and throughout the world.

The next component is the District. All the leagues within a District (a geographical area usually encompassing 10-20 leagues) elect a District Administrator (DA). The DA and his/her staff of Assistant District Administrators serve as liaisons between the various Regional Headquarters and the local Little Leagues. They are usually the most experienced Little League volunteers in the area and are charged with helping to ensure that all the volunteers in their districts are well trained, and all the leagues are operating within the guidelines set by Little League. The District Administrator does not have the authority to suspend, limit or revoke any rules, regulations or privileges of charter by a local Little League, but may recommend such action to the Charter Committee in Williamsport.

The final, most important component is the local Little League. The league provides its services in the community. It furnishes physical facilities, volunteer services and resources to provide a program for children. Through effective leadership and strong administrative policy at the top level, together with training extensions and adherence to rule and policy at District and local league level, Little League is able to provide liberal benefits to children who participate.

Baseball Divisions

Little League includes divisions for boys and girls ages 5-18 in baseball and softball. The Catacus Foothills North Little League Board of Directors has excercised the option to determine the "cutoff" age between divisions. Information on each division is outlined below.

Tee Ball

Tee Ball Baseball is for both boys and girls 5-6 years old who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. In Tee Ball, players hit a ball off a batting tee. Rules of the game are outlined in our local rules section. The primary goals of Tee Ball are to instruct children in the fundamentals of baseball and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 20 players, but most teams have rosters in the 12-15 range. No live pitching is permitted in this division. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond.

Farm Ball

Farm League Baseball program is for boys and girls Little League Age 7 and 8. This division is "machine pitch", meaning that there is no live pitcher, either player or coach. Cactus Foothills North Little League has implemented a local option, allowing a player who is league age 6 for the current season and has played a year in Tee Ball to be "moved up" to the Farm Division. A player wishing to "move up" must go through a skills evaluation. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond with a pitching machine placed at a distance of 46 feet.

AA Minors

AA Minor League Baseball program is for boys and girls Little League Age 9 - 11. AA Minors is "player pitch", meaning that a team player will be the pitcher. Cactus Foothills North Little League has implemented a local option allowing an 8 year old to be "drafted up" to the AA Division. A player wishing to be "drafted up" must attend a skills evaluation for AA Minors and then be selected through our normal draft process. Rosters may be composed of between 11 and 15 players. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet.

AAA Minors

AAA Minor League Baseball program is for boys and girls Little League Age 9 - 12. AAA Minors is "player pitch", meaning that a team player will be the pitcher. Rosters may be composed of between 11 and 15 players. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet.

Majors

The Majors Baseball Division (sometimes known as the Little League Division) is for boys and girls ages 10-12. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet.

Juniors

The Juniors Baseball Division is a program for boys and girls ages 13-14, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches.

Softball Divisions

Farm Softball

Girls Farm League Softball program is for girls Little League Age 7 and 8. This division is "player pitch", meaning that there is a live pitcher. Cactus Foothills North Little League has implemented a local option, allowing a player who is league age 6 for the current season and has played a year in Tee Ball to be "moved up" to the Farm Division. A player wishing to "move up" must go through a skills evaluation. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond with a pitcher at a distance of 35 feet.

Minors Softball

Girls Minor League Softball program is for girls Little League Age 9 - 11. Girls Minor Softball is "player pitch", meaning that a team player will be the pitcher. Cactus Foothills North Little League has implemented a local option allowing an 8 year old to be "drafted up" to the Minors Softball Division. A player wishing to be "drafted up" must attend a skills evaluation for Softball Minors and then be selected through our normal draft process. Rosters may be composed of between 11 and 15 players. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 35 feet.

Majors Softball

The Girls Majors Softball Division (sometimes known as the Little League Softball Division) is for girls ages 10-12. Cactus Foothills North Little League has implemented a local option of allowing a player who is League Age 9 to be "drafted up" to the Softball Majors Division. A player wishing to move up must attend a skills evaluation for Softball Majors and then be selected through the normal draft process. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 40 feet.

What is "League Age"

League Age is the age that a player is as of August 1 of the current Spring Season. For Fall Ball, it is the age of the player as of August 1 of the following year.

For example:

• For Spring Season 2005, League Age is the age of the player on August 1, 2005.
• For Fall Season 2005, League Age is the age of the player on August 1, 2006.