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Chenango Valley Little League
Player Placement Guide for ages 4-12
Many parents wonder “When is the right time to get my child started with baseball or softball?” or “I want to sign my child up, but what division should they play in?”. Here are some guidelines to help you navigate the Little League journey!
The Chenango Valley Little League follows the division structure set up by Little League International. There may be minor modifications based on the number of players in the local league. The general structure in the CVLL is as follows:
Tee Ball -
This division is primarily for players 4 years of age as well as players 5 years of age who have not played Tee Ball before. There is also an option for players 6 years of age who have not played before but will require board approval. Because of a player's “Little League Age” which is the player’s age on August 31st, there will also be actual 3 year old players. (Example, if a player does not turn 4 until August 31st, the player will play the current season at 3 years old but is considered to be “Little League” 4). The Tee Ball division is co-ed and is where the kids learn the “basics”. Throwing, catching and batting are the focus. The primary objective by the end of the season is to ensure that each player has a positive experience, desires to play again the following year, and has successfully demonstrated the skills listed below;
Warm up techniques
Names of defensive positions
How to execute a throw (proper grip)
Proper fielding position (down and ready)
How to hold a bat properly
What to do after the ball is hit (as a batter and a runner)
Knows how, why and when to run to the next base
Coach Pitch -
This division is primarily for 5 and 6 year old players that have played 1 year of Tee Ball and introduces players to hitting off a pitched ball from a coach vs. just hitting from the tee although if or when players struggle hitting a pitched ball, a tee will be used to keep the ball live and the players active. All games will be coach pitch for all innings. A safety ball will be used since this will be the first time these players will be pitched to, versus hitting off a tee. Teams will consist of 6 to 7 players per team. The kids will continue to develop their throwing and catching skills while also starting to learn more about game play. Fielding and what to do once a player fields the ball will be developed through practice and games. They will also learn more about baserunning and other aspects of the offensive side of the game. As with Tee Ball, the primary objective at this level is to ensure that each player has a positive experience, desires to play again the following year, and has learned the skills listed below;
TEAM concept
Warm up techniques
Number of outs per inning
Fielding techniques (proper down and ready position)
Uses both hands to catch the ball vs. one handed or trapped catches
Understands where to make the defensive play
Proper batting position
Proper base running (on the ground vs. in the air)
Good sportsmanship (End each game w/ a high five)
Minors (8U) Coach Pitch Softball -
This division is primarily for 7 & 8 year old girls who have successfully demonstrated all the Coach Pitch skills. 9 year old players who were not drafted to the Minors Softball (10U) division and 6 year olds that have played at least 1 year of Coach Pitch can also play Minors (8U) with Player Agent recommendation and board approval. All games will be coach pitch and teams should consist of 8-10 players.
Softball begins at this age due to the size difference between baseballs and softballs. It is encouraged to start with the baseball programs so players can learn to throw with a ball they can grip. The other skills that they will develop apply to both sports so they will have a solid foundation as they transition into softball. Similar to Coach Pitch baseball, they will start to learn more about the game. They will also start playing games against other LL affiliated
teams.
Players in this division should recognize situations and understand “How Best” to make certain plays. As in the Coach Pitch division, the primary objective is to ensure that each player has a positive experience with softball, desires to play again the following year and has learned the skills listed below the emphasis on “how best to to”;
Advanced warm up techniques
The ball is always “Live”
Ground ball fielding techniques
Where to make the play
Relaying the ball from the outfield to the infield
Batting stance
Communication
Backing up plays
Pitcher position
Good sportsmanship
Minors (8U) Kid Pitch /Coach Pitch Baseball -
This division is primarily for 7 & 8 year olds who have successfully demonstrated all the Coach Pitch skills. 9 year old players who were not drafted to the Minors (10U) division and 6 year olds that have played at least 1 year of Coach Pitch can also play Minors (8U) with Player Agent recommendation after player evaluation, and board approval. All games will be player pitch and coach pitch and teams should consist of 8-10 players.
This division will continue with what was learned in the Coach Pitch division but players will start pitching to live batters for a portion of each game. Since this will be a new experience, there will likely be some struggles as they learn the position. In order to keep games moving and have competitive game play, the coaches will pitch the latter half of the games. As the season progresses players will develop their pitching skills, the amount the coaches pitches should be reduced.
The Minors (8U) division should recognize situations and understand “How Best” to make certain plays. As with Coach Pitch, the primary objective is to ensure that each player has a positive experience, desires to play again the following year, and has learned the skills listed below with the emphasis on “how best to”:
Advanced warm up techniques
The ball is always “Live”
Ground ball fielding techniques
Where to make the play
Relaying the ball from the outfield to the infield
Batting stance
Communication
Backing up plays
Pitcher position
Good sportsmanship
Minors (10U) Baseball & Softball
The Minors (10U) division will consist of mostly 9 & 10 year olds. Players 8 years of age may play in the Minors (10U) division upon recommendation of the Player Agent, results of player evaluation and board approval. The Minors (10U) level is the first level where players will be handling all of the pitching. The game play will become more competitive and the players will experience situations similar to what they will experience at Majors (12U) division. Base stealing will be introduced at this level as well. Games will be played against other LL affiliated Minors (10U) teams from the area.The primary objective at the Minors level is the same as the previous levels with emphasis on preparing players for advancement to the Majors. The Minors (10U) level is both competitive and instructional with more emphasis on instructional than competitive during the regular season. It is critical that the managers and coaches of this division provide sound training and good balance of playing time and position rotations for all players. Besides building upon the skills taught to them at the preceding levels, players should successfully demonstrate the following skills;
Arriving on time to practices and games, prepared to play baseball
Competence in the batter’s box with position and stance
Proper grip of the bat
Acceptable level of determining ball vs strike
Infield fly
Bunting
Difference between force play and a must tag situation
Proper pitching mechanics
Passing the bat through the strike zone
Proper base running techniques including;
Proper footwork to field and throw quickly
How to go back on a fly ball
Sacrifice situations
How to run down a base runner (pickle)
Covering bases and backing up positions after a hit
Good sportsmanship on and off the field
Catching skills and holding runners
Majors (12U )Baseball & Softball
The Majors (12U) division will consist of mostly 11 & 12 year olds. Players 10 years of age may play in the Majors (12U) division upon recommendation of the Player Agent, result of player evaluation and board approval. The rules will closely mirror what they will see when they move to the modified and high school levels. Additional rules\situations may be introduced at this level. Games will be played against other LL affiliated teams from the area.
A player must be selected by a coach through the player evaluation and draft process in order to play at the Majors (12U) division. The Majors (12U) division is both competitive and instructional with admittedly more emphasis on the competitive aspects of the game than at the Minors (10U) division. Coaches focus on fielding a competitive team while also providing the players with a fun and positive learning experience. Players should focus on refining their baseball skills with a strong emphasis on consistency. Often the difference between an average player and a good player is the ability to consistently execute the required skills:
Players at the Little League Majors level should:
Arrive to practice and games on time and prepared.
Show proper batting stance, bat position, and swing execution
Show reasonable competence in making contact with the baseball
Understand the difference between bunting for a base hit and a sacrifice bunt
Demonstrate proper base running techniques including:
Running off the base after ball crosses the plate
The proper time to tag up vs. going half way
Be able to slide properly into a base
Execute proper pitching motion (can throw 50-70 pitches w/out arm discomfort)
Use catching skills (blocking the plate w/ the ball, blocking wild pitches, throwing out runners)
Cover bases correctly when receiving a throw or fielding a ball
Understand how to go back on a fly ball
Properly execute a double play, and execute a run down as a runner and fielder
Know what can happen after a ball is caught in foul territory
Use the relay from the outfield or throw home if needed
Cover all bases and backs up other players after hit
Exercise good sportsmanship
As mentioned above, these are general guidelines that CVLL follows based on the guidance provided by Little League International. It is encouraged that all players of all skill levels sign up, as players will be drafted to a team and will get playing time. It is recognized that the division that matches a player’s age may not be the appropriate level for a player to play at for a number of reasons. Each season, evaluations are performed for the Minors(8U) division through the Majors(12U) divisions. If it is determined after player evaluations that a player is not a fit for a division, there will be a discussion among the board and the parents as to where the player will be assigned and how that will affect the individual and the team. It is ultimately a board decision however. Consciousness of player safety and player development is paramount to ensure a player is put in the proper situation to grow and reduce injury risk to him / herself or another player. In addition to safety, the social element (grade a player is in, age of the player) and player maturity is considered to ensure that a player is placed on a team in which he or she will grow. There may be a case where a younger player has the skill to play in a higher division but placement in the higher division might not be the best option due to that maturity and/or social aspect. The CVLL board reviews any and all of these situations and decisions are made based on player evaluation, discussion with parents as well as the guidance provided by LL International. If there is a concern about where your child is placed, please reach out to the CVLL board.