TEE BALL DIVISION (Ages 4-6)
Tee Ball is for participants who want to learn the fundamentals of throwing, hitting, fielding, sportsmanship and teamwork. A softer baseball is used during practices and games. In Tee Ball, players learn how to hit a ball off a batting tee, running the bases and learning what the positions on the field are called. In our league's tee-ball program, players hit a ball off a batting tee to learn proper hitting mechanics for the first few games of the season. They are then introduced to coach pitch in the latter half. Players will receive "live" pitches to attempt to hit, but if unsuccessful, the Tee is brought back for reinforcement. Rules of the game may be varied to accommodate the need for teaching. 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, therefore no scores or standings are kept. Rosters may be composed of between 8 to 12 players, but our league typically has rosters of 12. Practices are determined by the coach. The season is generally comprised of approximately 20 games and no standings or scores are kept. The playing diamond used is a 60-foot diamond.
Players who become proficient at basic swing control using the tee will be advanced to coach pitch on an individual basis at the discretion of the coach. The use of the tee will be used as much as possible to teach and reinforce good swing control.
Participants league age 5 and 6 are permitted to advance to minor league a after participation in tee ball for one year.
MINOR LEAGUE DIVISION (A/AA/AAA) (Ages 6-11)
Minor Baseball is participants with experience playing baseball. It continues to be an instructional league and further expands on pitching/catching and advanced playing techniques. Players face player pitching. Players Age 7 and older in this division must try-out. Rosters are generally comprised of 10 players that is brought about from a player draft. Divisions (A/AA/AAA) will be divided equally based upon the number of registered players for the Minor division. Although this division operates with increased competitiveness, there is still a focus on personal development and encouragement. The season generally comprises of approximately 20 games and standings and scores are kept. A post-season single or double-elimination playoff format is offered to all teams. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet. The purpose of the minor league program is to provide training and instruction for those candidates who by reason of age and other factors do not qualify for selection in the major division (p.47). These players will be automatically eligible to be drafted onto a minor league team in the AAA or AA division.
A (fka Farm): Average age 6-7
Single-A is for younger participants with less experience. Players 6 and under will automatically be placed in Single-A when registering for Minor Division. This division serves as our training ground. In this program, coaches focus on throwing, fielding & hitting fundamentals and mechanics. During games, a pitching machine or coach pitches up to 5-balls to every batter until a hit, 5-pitches or an out is recorded. All players ages 6 and under who register for Minor must play one season of Single-A. Introduction to minor league baseball. It is required that players have completed at least one year in tee ball. Utilizes coach pitch or machine pitch.
AA Minor: Average Age 8-10
Double-AA is for participants with experience playing baseball. All players for AA will be drafted. It continues to be an instructional league and further expands on pitching/catching and advanced playing techniques. Utilizes a hybrid of player pitch, coach pitch, and machine pitch with a focus on pace of play and player development. All players in this division must try-out.
AAA Minor: Average Age 9-11
Triple-AAA is for participants with multiple seasons of experience playing baseball and have participated in one season of AA. All players for AAA will be drafted. It continues to be an instructional league and further expands on pitching/catching and advanced playing techniques. Utilizes player pitch. All players in this division must try-out.
MAJOR DIVISION (Ages 9-12)
The Little League Baseball Division (also known as the Major Division) is for participants ages 9 - 12. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet. While this division allows for more advanced levels of play and adoption of rules such as the "Dropped 3rd Strike," there are no lead offs in this division. Rosters are usually comprised of 12 players that is brought about from a player draft. Although this division operates with increased competitiveness, there is still a focus on personal development and encouragement. The season generally comprises of approximately 20 games and standings and scores are kept. A post-season single or double-elimination playoff format is offered to all teams. The winning team goes on to represent Upland Foothill Little League in the District 23 Tournament of Champions (TOC).
ROSTER SIZES:
The league shall, at least 10 days prior to the first regular season game, establish the number of players on each team. No team may have more than 15 nor less than 12. Tee ball and minor league: there will be no minimum or maximum established at the tee ball and minor league levels. Roster size of 8-10 players is recommended (p.34, paragraph 1).The minor league may be sub-divided . . . With the method for division determined by the local little league board of directors (p34, paragraph 4)