ANNANDALE NORTH SPRINGFIELD LITTLE LEAGUE
LEVELS OF PLAY

ALL PLAYERS 9 YEARS OR OLDER ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND EVALUATIONS

The final decision on the league placements rests with the Player Agent and the ANSLL Board of Directors.

	League Age (as of April 30)	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Try Outs	Majors Division					--	o	X	X
	AAA Division					o	X	X
	AA Division (begin Player-pitch)				o	X	o
A (Machine Pitch)		--	o	X	X	o
Developmental (Tee/Coach Pitch)			X	X	o
Tee Ball (tee)		X	X
X = most players of this age play in this league o = a small percentage of players of this age are expected to play at this level -- = LL rules do not allow for a player this age to be in this league

Major league (ages 9-12)
All players must attend a tryout for evaluation. They will be evaluated on their ability in batting, throwing, catching and running and placed on a team through a draft process. All 12 year olds will be drafted onto a Majors team. 12-11, 11-10 and 10-9 year old Tournament team(s) will be selected at the end of the season to play in District 10 post-season tournaments in July, in which the winners progress to the state championships, and the 11-12's could continue to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Minors - AAA League (ages 8-11)
All players must tryout to be guaranteed team placement. Players for each team will be drafted. If your nine year-old can hit a pitched ball well, can throw 60 feet, can catch consistently, and has a good knowledge of the game, he or she may be ready for AAA. Keep in mind that real hardball baseballs are used at this level and that your child must be comfortable facing a pitcher and able to catch a ball. If your child is 9 or 10 years old, but has limited baseball experience or still has trouble hitting, catching or throwing, the Minors AA may be the appropriate league. An 8 year-old player could be drafted to AAA in exceptional situations. Players may be selected to play in a post season with 9-10 and 9-12 year old tournament team(s) in July.

Minors - AA (ages 7-11)
All players must tryout. Player pitching is introduced at this level and unlike AAA a slightly softer RIF (reduced injury factor) baseball is used. Most 9 year-olds are anticipated to play at this level. If your child is 10 but has little experience or still has trouble hitting, catching or throwing, AA may be the correct level at which to play. If your 8 year-old child can hit a pitched ball, can throw accurately 40 feet, can catch consistently, and has a good knowledge of the game, he or she may be ready for AA. A 7 year-old player could be drafted to AA in exceptional situations if they tried out and showed the skills needed. Players may be selected to play in a post season with 9-12 year old tournament team(s) in July, but most are selected from AAA.

Minors - A - machine (ages 6-9) (requests considered)
The A league is commonly known as A-machine pitch. Teams are re-formed each year by requests and on a neighborhood basis as much as possible. A pitching machine delivers the ball to the batter. Mostly 8 year-olds are anticipated to play at this level. A 6 year old may be considered to play in this level if he/she has played one year of tee ball and has his/her tee-ball manager's recommendation. Unless a 9 year-old player significantly lags his/her peers in hitting, catching or throwing, it is probable that your child will be drafted at the AA level. All players 9 years or older are required to attend tryouts but some might be playing at the A level to gain experience before moving to AA.

Developmental (Rookie) (ages 6-8) (requests considered)
Teams will be formed by requests and on a neighborhood basis as much as possible. Developmental league is the first exposure to the rules of baseball. Players will have the opportunity to learn the basics of fielding, base running and proper batting mechanics and playing a "real game", even though score is not kept. This is where they learn the goal of getting "outs" in the field, and trying to avoid getting out while batting. Players will still hit the ball off the batting tee but will transition into coach pitch as the season progresses. Mostly 6-7 year-olds are anticipated to play at this level.

Tee Ball (ages 5-7) (requests considered)
Teams will be formed by requests and on a neighborhood basis as much as possible. This level is an introduction to baseball where your child learns the basics. All players bat in each inning outs are made but not recorded in a 3 inning game. A soft safety ball is hit from a tee. This level will be composed of mostly 5 and first time 6 year-olds. Unless a 7 year-old player significantly lags his/her peers, it is recommended that the 7 year olds play at the Developmental level.

A League (Machine Pitch)

PHILOSOPHY: To teach the players the fundamentals of baseball in a positive and safe environment; but foremost, to allow the children to have fun and enjoy the game of baseball.

New aspects to consider:

First time striking out, they'll be upset but they have to learn how to deal with it
Probably first time extra bases will be taken
Playing with a harder ball, Reduced Injury Factor 10 (RIF-10), instead of an Incrda-ball
First time a catcher will face a live ball
Pitcher and fielders will have to be aware of the machine when fielding
The ball can sting your hands if you don't hold the bat properly

Mental Goals (A league)

Know what to do with the ball once fielded. (No help from the machine coach!)
Names of positions and the role of each
What is an out and how are they made force out, catch ball in the air, tagged out and strike out
How to get on base (Hit - Error - Fielder's choice)
Basic rules of play including the ball can be hit down the line in foul come back in fair, back to foul, back fair and it matters where the ball is touched not the path it takes
Know how, when and where to back-up a play

A League - Physical Goals
Base running	Hitting	Fielding	Throwing	Catching
Know to run through first base Be aware of other runners Ability to see, hear and react to base coaches	Proper stance Proper grip (it can sting if held wrong) Balance during swing Eagerness to hit Make consistent contact Pull inside pitch and opposite field with outside pitch	Know what base to cover when the ball it hit Ability to play catch from at least 40' Ability to field easy ground balls, hopefully they are past dropping to their knees and smothering the ball, if not make it a goal Consistently use proper glove position to catch ball above waist (fingers up) Often turn glove to backhand on balls hit to throwing arm side React to balls hit right and left of position	Consistently turn glove side to target Make accurate throws from at least 50' Understand the power position	Ability to react to short hit balls and know what to do with the ball when they get it Ability to receive the ball without turning head and body to the side Ability to throw the ball back to the pitcher Ability to block a low ball and prevent passed balls

Developmental Division

Mental Aspects (Developmental)

Understand how the game is played: basics
Names of positions and the role of each.
What is an out and how are they made: force out, catch ball in the air, and tag outs
What is a run and how are they scored.
Understand balls hit on the baselines before the base are foul if touched in foul and fair if touched in fair. The ball can roll foul then fair then foul then fair. It matters when it is touched, not the path of the ball.
How to get on base Hit - Error - Fielder's choice
Basic rules of play.

Developmental - Physical Aspects
Base running	Hitting	Fielding	Throwing	Catchers
Know to run through first base. Be aware of other runners. Ability to see and hear base coaches	Introduction to batting a live ball Proper stance Proper grip Balance during swing Eagerness to hit Make consistent contact	Ability to play catch from at least 30' Ability to field easy ground balls. Consistently use proper glove position to catch ball above waist (fingers up). Often turn glove to backhand on balls hit to throwing arm side. React to balls hit right and left of position.	Consistently turn glove side to target Make accurate throws from at least 40'	Ability to react to balls hit softly in front of home plate. Ability to receive the ball from the fielder to make a play at the plate.

Tee Ball

Highlights

Teeball managers/coaches/parents, here are answers to a few questions that have been asked in previous years.

Are there outs in this league? Meaning if someone is tagged or thrown out at a base, do they sit down?
Kind of, but the outs are not recorded since all players bat every inning. It is a good idea for the coaches to keep track of outs made in the field instead of runs scored. This will give the players incentive to get outs, make a game of it to get more outs than the last game instead of keeping track of runs and winning the game.
Can the batter/runner take more than one base per hit?
Yes, but the play is dead once the ball is thrown toward the pitcher. Technically, you can have them run on an overthrow but try to limit it since there will be quite a few of those on every play. You really want to teach them how to run station to station and you want the fielders to throw the ball instead of holding it for fear of a base runner taking an extra base. If they actually crack one past the outfielder, you can send them (which will add much confusion), but if it is just a passed ball at a base or something hold them up. You'll find going one base is best if you try and send them farther you'll wind up with 2 players on a base.
Three innings or until an hour and a half, whichever comes first or last?
3 innings max.

Note on this subject: Managers please have a lineup preset and written before the game. Better yet, before you get to the field. Each player will play each inning and the batting order will help in the transition of innings. Also keep in mind who the catcher will be (keep them near the top of the batting order) so they can be in full gear when the last batter is through. You will want help in the dugout to keep the next batter ready and have the catcher dressed and ready to go. If it takes 5 minutes to switch between innings that is 30 minutes of lost time!
Who can coach or help with the kids?
Only adults that have submitted the LL volunteer application. It is a good idea for all parents to fill this out, anyone interacting with the players inside the fences including dugouts, must have filled this out per LL regulations. It is mandatory to have one adult in the dugout so you'll need 4 coaches minimum. One to help batting, 2 base coaches and one in the dugout.
What if the ball dribbles off the tee?
If they hit the tee and not the ball it is a dead ball. If they hit the ball and the ball rolls fair, it is a fair ball.
If the ball rolls foul and comes back and is touched in fair territory it is a fair ball. Even though they are only 5 and 6 they need to be taught the rules properly and the fielders need to learn how to react in the field.

This is just a suggestion from experience: As far as the batting order, it is easier for everyone to keep the players batting behind the same person all year but rotate the leadoff batter each inning to the last batter. Then the second batter would now be the leadoff and so on. This allows for all players to have a chance at leadoff and last batter this season. If you don't do it every inning and do it by game, only 8 players get to be last batter and you can guess the outcome of that. Keep in mind all players bat every inning.

Mental Aspects (Tee Ball)

Ability to sit on bench during team at-bat, pay attention to the game, and know when it is their turn to hit.
Ability to pay attention in the field and consistently see ball off the bat.
Know each base.
Know each position by name.

Tee Ball - Physical Aspects
Hitting	Base running	Fielding	Throwing
Maintain a consistent stance in relationship to home plate. Ability to make consistent contact. Be able to hold on to the bat with both hands throughout the swing. Ability to keep balance during swing.	Know to run all the way to the base and through first and home. Learn not to run into outs. React to fly balls even though few will be caught.	Ability to play catch at a short distance. Ability to catch easy ground ball (roller). Able to react to the ball above the waist with the glove fingers up, not the palm up. Players will not develop catching skills before this occurs. Stay in a fielding position (similar to sitting on the edge of a chair), when fielding ground balls, not falling on their knees to smother the ball. Begin to react to balls on throwing arm side by turning glove to backhand.	Know the "power position" and use that position to throw the ball. Begin to turn to the glove side to the target before throwing. Step toward the target. Make accurate throws from at least 20'.

Note: Coaches make sure that the Tee is placed toward the front of the plate and no higher than the thigh. Most tees are designed with the stem in the middle of the plate, which is not the correct contact point. Do Not Allow the tee to be set too high. If placed too high it will promote flawed swings.