Baseball Divisions

2024 Baseball Divisions

LOWER LEVEL DIVISIONS:

 

The goal for our lower level divisions is an environment where young athletes can create their first incredible baseball memories while falling in love with the game. Players are placed at the appropriate level based primarily on their league age, which Little League uses to help create a safe a developmental experience. The focus is on fundamentals and fun, without the pressures that come with winning and losing. Parents are encouraged to share the names of their player’s friends and classmates, and with no guarantees, we do our best to honor as many of those requests as possible during placement.

 

QuickBall (League Age 5-6)

Quickball is a program for young kids new to Woodinville Little League. Quickball is a fast-paced game using special equipment that teaches the fundamentals and active teamwork.

Quickball in the news

  • Teams formed/announced in late March
  • One practice per week at roughly 1 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager)
  • One game per week – typically will play for 1:15
  • The score is not kept
  • The team will play around 8 games – season (practices) starts in the middle of April and goes into early June
  • If an athlete is league age 6 and has completed at least one full season of QuickBall, their family can opt to register them in AA. Otherwise, they are welcome to repeat QuickBall.

 

AA (League Age 6-8)

  • Teams formed/announced in early March
  • One to two practices per week at roughly 1.5 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager)
  • One to two games per week
  • Play to 3 outs (not everyone necessarily bats every inning) or 5 runs scored every half-inning
  • Coach pitch by the batter’s coach
  • Goal is for kids to improve upon the basics of baseball – showing a coordinated swing every at bat, throwing with proper technique, starting to catch a baseball with regularity, understanding when to run the bases without being told what to do
  • Teams should be making defensive outs occasionally
  • Score is not kept except for the 5 runs per inning
  • Play around 12 games – season (practices) starts in early to mid-April and goes into early June

 

AAA (League Age 8-10)

  • Teams formed/announced in early March
  • Two practices per week at roughly 1.5-2 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager)
  • 2 games per week
  • Play to 3 outs (not everyone necessarily bats every inning) or 5 runs scored every half-inning
  • Kids pitch
  • No walks – coaches step in to pitch after kid pitch goes to ball 4
  • Advancement of 1 base on a wild pitch/passed ball (kid pitch only)
  • Play around 12 games – season (practices) starts in mid to late March and goes into early June
  • Score is not kept except for the 5 runs per inning
  • Goal is for kids to start to really fine tune their baseball mechanics throughout the season – make contact with the ball consistently with the bat, able to throw a ball from SS to 1B in the air, fully independent running the bases, some kids having the ability to pitch and throw strikes 40-50% of the time
  • Games are umpired by volunteers, usually by a relative of a player, each team is expected to provide one umpire per game

 

UPPER LEVEL DIVISIONS:

All players between league ages 9-12 are invited to participate in our annual Player Evaluations event. We do this to ensure players are placed at the appropriate level based on safety and developmental considerations. From this point forward, players are drafted and we can no longer honor friend and placement requests like we do at lower levels.

Occasionally parents request a specific level of play for their son or daughter.  Although we understand the many different reasons for the request, we encourage parents to trust this process and the value of skill evaluation.  When we use evaluative data for placement, players ultimately benefit with more confidence and a better overall experience. Games are often safer, and more competitive because of a better balancing of talent.

 

Minors (Mostly League Age 10-11)

  • Teams drafted/announced in mid-February
  • Two practices per week at 2 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager)
  • 2-3 games per week
  • Commitment is typically 3-4 days per week between practices and games
  • 11-12 players per team
  • Play to 3 outs or 5 runs scored or batting once through line up per half-inning
  • All kid pitch
  • Walks are allowed
  • Can steal bases, including home
  • Competitive baseball where score is kept, pitch counts are tracked/reported, and standings are kept
  • Post-season tournament within the league which is followed up by Tournament of Champions featuring other leagues in the District
  • Players are eligible to try out for for postseason All-Star team which plays in District 8 tournament in June/July
  • Play around 12 regular season games + WLL Tourney
  • Games are umpired by volunteers - each team is expected to provide one umpire per game

 

Majors Baseball Expectations (mostly league age 11-12 year olds)

  • Teams drafted/announced in mid-February
  • Two practices per week at 2 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager)
  • 2-3 games per week
  • Commitment is typically 3-4 days per week between practices and games
  • Play to 3 outs per inning
  • Dropped third strike in effect
  • Very competitive baseball where score is kept, pitch counts are tracked and reported, standings are kept for a portion of the season
  • Post-season tournament within the league
  • Players are eligible to try out for for postseason All-Star team which plays in District 8 tournament in June/July
  • Play around 12 regular season games + WLL Tourney
  • Games are umpired by volunteers - each team is expected to provide one umpire per game

 

TEENAGE DIVISIONS:

There’s been a misconception for years now that Little League ends after the league age 12 season- FAR FROM IT!

Because area middle schools do not provide baseball programs, players seeking a bridge to High School baseball were forced for years to join expensive select programs, or simply sit out. That’s where our Teenage Divisions make a huge difference for area youth. For the same family friendly registration fees, a child in our community can continue to play baseball with their Little League friends. They wear Woodinville uniforms and represent their city and their league as they take on other programs in the greater Seattle area. The competition is solid, but new players are still welcome to join and learn the sport as well.

 

Intermediate (League Age 13)

  • Teams formed/announced in early March
  • Two practices per week at 2 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager)
  • 2-3 games per week
  • Commitment is typically 3-4 days per week between practices and games
  • Pitching distance is moved back to 50 feet with 70 foot base paths
  • Runners are allowed to leadoff as well
  • Players represent Woodinville Little League
  • Post-season Tournament of Champions featuring other leagues in the District
  • Play around 14 regular season games + Tournament of Champions
  • Games are umpired by volunteers - each team is expected to provide one umpire per game

 

Juniors (League Age 14)

  • Teams formed/announced in early March
  • Two practices per week at 2 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager)
  • 2-3 games per week
  • Commitment is typically 3-4 days per week between practices and games
  • Pitching distance is moved back to 60 feet, 6 inches with 90 foot base paths
  • Players represent Woodinville Little League
  • Post-season Tournament of Champions featuring other leagues in the District
  • Play around 14 regular season games + Tournament of Champions
  • Games are umpired by volunteers - each team is expected to provide one umpire per game