WHAT IS BASEBALL LEAGUE AGE?
When registering for the spring season, a player will request a level of play at a particular level. But what level? The following provides an overview of Pacific Little League Divisions.
While Little League International uses the "League Age" requirements to define eligibility for upper divisions, each little league is able to define their own age criteria to separate players for safe play in younger divisions.
"League Age" is determined by Little League International. Pacific Little League is open to all children between the ages of 4 and 18 who reside in the boundaries, as defined by their residence or school address.
To determine your player's League Age click here: https://www.littleleague.org/play-little-league/determine-league-age/
WHICH BASEBALL DIVISION SHOULD I CHOOSE?
In an effort to address the most common question among parents and players, we have outlined the appropriate division choices for your player below.
The intention of this outline is to help ensure players have a GREAT Little League season full of fun, personal/player development, and success (measured by fun and development).
Contact the VP of Baseball for questions or recommendations regarding the appropriate division.
*To request an exception to the outlined division eligibility below, please see important instructions below, then contact the Player Agent.
BASEBALL DIVISIONS AT PACIFIC LITTLE LEAGUE
Division | Age Range | General Grade Level |
T Ball | 4-5-6 | Pre-K - K |
Farm | 6-7-8 | K - 2nd Grade |
89ers | 8-9 | 2nd - 3rd Grade |
Minors | 9-11 | 3rd -5th Grade |
Majors | 10-12 | 4th - 7th Grade |
Intermediate | 11-13 | 6th - 8th Grade |
Juniors | 12-14 | 7th - 9th Grade |
Seniors | 13-16 | 8th - 10th Grade |
YOUNGER LEVEL DIVISIONS (T-BALL, FARM, & 89’ers)
Our primary goal for our younger divisions is that we are providing an environment that provides a fun environment where players learn their fundamental skills and fall in love with the game.
T-Ball (League Age 4-5-6|Pre-K - K)
T-Ball is an entry level league where our goal is to teach players the fundamentals of hitting, fielding and throwing along with learning the basic rules of baseball. While defense is taught and encouraged, there are no official "outs" and the offense hits through the entire rotation each half inning (last player rounds the bases).
Hitting: Players will hit the ball off a batting tee and may have opportunities at the end of the season for coach pitch, or soft-toss
Field Size: Games are played on a small 60-foot base path and teams will play a maximum of 10 players (four outfielders).
Ball Type: soft tee ball
Team Formation: Teams are formed randomly by a player agent though, at this level, they do try to accommodate "buddy requests", allowing kids to play with friends.
T-Ball will play 2 games a week with an optional practice once a week.
FARM (League Age 7-8, some 6|K-2nd grade)
Farm Ball is the second tier at PLL where we continue to build on the fundamentals of hitting, fielding, and throwing along with learning some of the rules and strategies of baseball.
Hitting: Players will be hitting off a mechanical pitching machine
Field Size: Games are played on a small 60-foot base path and teams will play 10 players (four outfielders).
Ball Type: Hard ball
Team Formation: Teams are formed randomly by a player agent though, at this level, they do try to accommodate "buddy requests", allowing kids to play with friends.
Post Season: after the close of regular season games, each team will enter a double elimination tournament to close out the season. The seeding of the tournament is a blind draft. Games during the season do not affect tournament placement.
Games: Games are approximately 1 hour, 50 minutes in length. Score is not kept during games in the regular season.
89ers (League Age 8-9|2nd-3rd grade)
At this level, players will continue to have fun while embracing more complexities of the game of baseball. The biggest leap in 89ers is the introduction of hitting live pitching from other youth. The first 3 games are coach pitch to allow for player pitching mechanics to develop in practice. Once player pitch begins, there are NO walks (this speeds up action).
Players pitching and batting will have a standard 3 strikes/4 balls at-bat. If 4 balls are registered, the pitcher moves to a defensive position and a coach of the at-bat team provides 3 pitches to the batter. Eliminating walks addressed a couple issues; most importantly it allows players to experience and develop pitching without fear of a walk-after-walk outing. Additionally it speeds up the game and provides a higher likelihood of action for the defense.
Age: 8 - 9 year olds
Hitting: For the first three games of the season players will hit off a coach pitch, before moving to player pitch.
New Format: No more walks! This division has been greatly improved to speed up the action and put more balls in play for the defense. The feedback has been very good. Please see rules for more info.
Field Size: The field size is 60-foot base path and pitching is at 42 feet
Ball Type: Hard ball
Team Formation: Players are placed by a player agent in a blind draft. Players cannot request a specific coach, and coaches cannot build their own teams (beyond their own child playing on their team).
Post Season: after the close of regular season games, each team will enter a double elimination tournament to close out the season. The seeding of the tournament is a blind draft. Games during the season do not affect tournament placement.
89ers Rules *Updated 2024
UPPER LEVEL DIVISIONS
Players between the League ages 10-12 are invited to participate in our annual player evaluations for Majors. This is done so that we are able to place players in the appropriate level based on safety and development considerations. We want to ensure that all players are having fun while continuing to build their skills with confidence.
MINORS (League Age 10-11|3rd - 5th grade)
Minors is an introduction to full baseball with all of the complexities of the game. Minors introduces a traditional 3 strike/4 ball count with 4 balls resulting in a walk. Base runners can advance bases at their own peril once the ball passes home plate, or is hit into play and until the pitcher has the ball on the mound and ready to deliver the next pitch.
Hitting: Players will be hitting off of live player pitching
Field Size: The field size is 60-foot base path and pitching is at 46 feet
Ball Type: Hard ball
Team Formation: Players are placed by a player agent in a blind draft. Players cannot request a specific coach, and coaches cannot build their own teams (beyond their own child playing on their team). Players who tried out for Majors Baseball and were not ready for play at the Majors level will be placed on a Minors Baseball team by a player agent.
Minors Managers are required to report pitch count for each pitcher used during games.
Click here to email Dick with pitch counts.
To see the current division pitch count report, consult this Pitch Count Google doc.
*View only, managers can not change document. If you see an error please consult with Dick Harsin.
Post Season: after the close of regular season games, each team will enter a double elimination tournament to close out the season. The seeding of the tournament is based on blind draw.
MAJORS (League Age 11-12, some 10|4th - 7th grade)
Majors is fast-paced baseball following traditional rules. All players wishing to enter Majors for the first time are required to attend Majors tryouts. Players who are not drafted will be placed on a Minor's team. Returning majors players do not need to attend tryouts.
The Majors Division is a competitive level that continues to stress fundamental baseball and introduce more advanced baseball techniques and strategies.
Hitting: Players will be hitting off of a player for all 6 innings
Field Size: The field size is 60-foot base path and pitching is at 46 feet
Team Formation: Players will participate in an evaluation (tryout) and be drafted onto a team. Players not drafted will be placed on a Minors Baseball team.
Once a player is drafted to a Majors team, he or she is deemed a "property player". The player remains with that team for the remainder of Majors-eligible years with PLL; except in the case of an expansion or contraction year, in which case players may be moved or re-drafted per applicable rules. Returning PLL Majors players do not attend tryouts.
*Note League age 12 players are generally assumed as Majors division and will be drafted following a tryout. Some league age 12 players may best fit in minors due to safety and comfort. If you have safety concerns for your league age 12 player don't hesitate to contact the VP of Baseball, Player Agent, or Safety Officer.
Post Season: after the close of regular season games, each team will enter a double elimination tournament to close out the season. The seeding of the tournament is based on win/records of the regular season games.
Majors Frequently Asked Questions
<Majors Pitch Count Link>
TEEN BASEBALL DIVISIONS
Little League does not end at age 12 - in fact very far from it!
With Middle School not having baseball available today, our teen divisions provide a family friendly registration fee that allows their players to continue in their baseball career and bridge the gap between Majors and High School.
INTERMEDIATE (League age 11-13|6th - 8th grade)
The Intermediate league level is a competitive level that continues to stress fundamental baseball with larger "intermediate" fields, and full baseball rules.
Field Size: The field size is 70-foot base path and pitching is at 50 feet
Team Formation: Players will participate in an evaluation (tryout) and be drafted onto a team.
Rule Variance: leadoffs, pickoffs... bigger "intermediate field" dimensions.
Season Specifics: Play interleague with other intermediate teams in Little League Division 1.
Games are played at Scriber Field in Lynnwood, some Edmonds School District Field locations, and other District 1 fields.
District wide interleague play is expected during regular season.
Post Season: after the close of regular season games, each team will enter a double elimination tournament to close out the season. The seeding of the tournament is based on win/loss records of the regular season games.
JUNIORS (League age 12-14|7th - 9th grade)
The Juniors division is the first division where the game is played on 90' bases. Players can take leads and the game mimics the rules of higher levels of baseball. Players who are League Age 12 to 14 are eligible for selection to a Juniors team. This division is by draft after a tryout.
Standard Baseball: 60'6" and 90 ft bases.
Home games are played at some Edmonds School District Field Locations and alternative fields within the district. District wide interleague play is expected during the regular season. Standings are kept and there is a District wide post-season tournament.
This division allows for additional play opportunities for skilled players as a dual-rostered, age-eligible player. For more information, contact VP Juniors Baseball.
SENIORS (League age 13-16|8th - 10th grade)
The Seniors division continues the natural progression of baseball, with the game played on 90' bases. Players who are league age 13 to 16 are eligible for selection to a Seniors team. This division is by draft after a tryout.
Standard Baseball: 60'6" and 90 ft bases.
Home games are played at some Edmonds School District Field Locations and alternative fields within the district. District wide interleague play is expected during the regular season. Standings are kept and there is a District wide post-season tournament.
This division allows for additional play opportunities for skilled players as a dual-rostered, age-eligible player. For more information, contact VP Juniors Baseball and/or Player Agent Juniors.
PLAYING UP A BASEBALL DIVISION
Players are occasionally able to play up in a higher division than their age dictates due to their skill level and/or past experience (as outlined above).
If you believe your child should "play up", follow the below steps.
DO NOT alter your child's age in the system to accommodate this desire. You will be required to show proof of age before the season begins.
Register in the division your age range dictates.
In the "Special Request" section of the registration process, note that your child would like to play up a division.
After finishing the registration process, email the player agent [email protected].
Please include:
-child's name
-division registered in
-league age for this season (See League Age Calculator)
-division you would like for them to play up to
-a brief explanation of past experience and/or why they should play up a division.
Once approved, players will be internally moved into a new division by our player agent.
Any change in registration cost (different levels of play may have different playing costs) will be reflected in your Pacific Little League online account as a balance due. The player agent will email you after the move and request that you pay the remaining balance in your account.
REGISTER FOR A DIVISION OF BASEBALL OR SOFTBALL