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Stratford Little League- 76 Years of Community

Stratford Little League- 76 Years of Community

WHICH DIVISION IS RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?

WHICH DIVISION IS RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?

Children from 4 to 14 years old can be Little Leaguers®. With several age-specific divisions, there are fun, competitive baseball and softball opportunities for both boys and girls who join Stratford Little League. 

But, before players can put on their Little League uniform, they need to determine their league age. To learn a player’s league age, Little League uses an Age Determination Date, with both Little League Baseball® and Little League Softball® having distinct, different dates.

To find a child’s League Age for the upcoming season, use the League-Age Calculator.

Little League’s Baseball and Softball divisions do have slight differences regarding the age classification of players. Based on the number of players registering to play in a given season, each local league has the option to adjust the age groupings of the players in their league, in accordance with Little League rules and regulations. This allows all participants, from Tee Ball and Coach Pitch to Juniors, to have a fun, meaningful experience.

We strongly recommend that you register your child for the appropriate division based on the player's current skill level. 

Please see below for further descriptions of our different divisions. 

▪ If you have any questions about the appropriate Baseball division for your athlete or questions regarding the league please contact our VP of Baseball at VP@StratfordLittleLeague.com

▪ If you have any questions about the appropriate Softball division for your athlete or questions regarding the league please contact our VP of Softball at [email protected]

BASEBALL DIVISIONS - AGES 4-13

TEE BALL (AGE 5) (We accept 4 Year Olds ONLY IF a Parent or Guardian Volunteers) 

The SLL Tee Ball Division offers a fun, instructional league for players who are either new to the sport or still refining the basic skills. Tee Ball is a non-competitive program focused on fun, fitness, and fundamentals where players ages 5 or 4 (ONLY If a Parent or Guardian Volunteers) are first introduced to the basics of baseball. SLL strives to provide a Tee Ball experience focused on teaching the fundamentals of the game in a fun environment while incorporating a high level of physical activity.

"A" - Coach Pitch - (Age 6)

This level of play fosters continued skills development and a better understanding of the rules and nuances of the game. Players are pitched to by their coach in an effort to get better hand eye coordination. The focus remains on the fun of playing the sport while more coaching attention is given to fielding, making plays, accurate throwing, proper hitting technique and preparing the player for the "AA" level.

*Little League 5 year olds are welcome to play A Baseball if they have played one year of Tee Ball.

"AA" - Machine Pitch Baseball (Ages 7-8)

The "AA" Division is a level of baseball where a higher level of game understanding and ability is taught. Competition as it relates to winning and losing is introduced at this level. Players are pitched to by a coach using a pitching machine, which will help players get better strike zone  recognition because the machine is consistent in throwing in the strike zone. Winning and losing remain secondary to the essential goal of teaching each player to embrace success or failure with grace and to learn from both. Primary goals are to give players as much experience and playing time as possible and encouragement of ongoing development for all players in all phases of the game. This important developmental division provides a relatively even but not necessarily equal distribution of playing time among players. By the end of the season players are expected to have refined their skills so they may successfully participate at the "AAA" level the following year. 

"AAA" - Kid Pitch Baseball (Ages 9-10) 

This division of Little League promotes a higher level of competition than "AA" and emphasizes more of the standard rules of Little League baseball. This division is player pitch. The focus in "AAA" remains on education, development and teamwork while encouraging a deeper understanding of the game and advancing skill development in order to prepare players for successful participation at the Intermediate level.

INTERMEDIATE BASEBALL (AGES 11-13)

The Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division for players league-age 11-13 offers a transition for players between the standard Little League field size (46-foot pitching distance and 60-foot base paths) and the High School/College field size (60-foot, 6-inch pitching distance and 90-foot base paths). Many of the High School League rules will be used such as runners being permitted to lead off bases, runners may attempt to steal at any time, and allowing an on-deck batter. The division is designed to be both the satisfying culmination of some players' Little League careers and to prepare other players for higher levels of play including advancement in Little League Tournament play and readiness to move up to play on the full 90 foot diamond.

*This division is intended to be for our oldest and strongest players. We recommend that 11 year old players who either just started playing baseball or are not fully comfortable and efficient should stay in the "AAA" division to gain confidence in their abilities before moving up into our toughest most competitive division.

SOFTBALL DIVISIONS - AGES 5-14

"A" - SOFTBALL - (Ages 5-6)

A- Softball - This is our youngest division. Coaches pitch in this division with a “rubberized softball” that provides a safer environment for younger players. We emphasize the development of basic playing skills (throwing, catching, fielding, and batting) and introduces playing rules. This division uses a combination of player pitch and coach pitch. The goal is to teach players about the sport in a non-competitive environment that emphasizes having fun. Coaches will introduce players to the elements of team work and sportsmanship. Players should be given equal playing and the opportunity to play all defensive positions. 

"AA" - SOFTBALL - (Ages 7-8)

AA Softball - This division emphasizes the development of basic playing skills (throwing, catching, fielding, and batting) and introduces playing rules. This division uses a combination of player pitch and coach pitch. This level of softball is the first introduction to player
pitch with ability of “Coach Relief”. The goal is to teach players about the sport in a non-competitive environment that emphasizes having fun. Coaches will introduce players to the elements of team work and sportsmanship. Players should be given equal playing and the opportunity to play all defensive positions. 

"AAA" - SOFTBALL - (ages 9-10)

AAA Softball - The AAA Division emphasizes development of players and their skills and also introduces more rules and situations of the game. This division is a Player Pitch division, and bunting, stealing, and sliding are allowed. Even playing time among players is encouraged, but playing time is determined by the manager subject to minimum requirements and may not be equal. This division is intended to offer a moderate level of competition, where the concept of winning and losing is introduced, but is always secondary to player development, learning sportsmanship, and having fun. Players are using an 11” ball and pitch from 35ft mound with no “Coach Relief”. This division begins with the introduction of Official umpires managing the game.

*League age 10 year olds who attend Evaluations are eligible to play in the Majors division and may be drafted to a Majors team . If you would like your 10 year old to be considered eligible for a Majors team, please contact our VP of Softball.

MAJORS - SOFTBALL - (Ages 11-12)

The Majors Division offers a higher level of competition where players learn and put into play the tactics and strategy of the game of softball. Playing time is determined by the manager subject to minimum requirements. Although winning games is a goal, the primary emphasis is for players to develop skills, physical fitness, and self confidence, to understand the rules of the game, and to learn the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. SLL may choose to open its Major Division to 10-,11- and 12-year-olds, or limit it to 11-12-year-olds. Players are using a 12” ball and pitch from a 40 ft. pitching plate. In Majors Softball players are continuing to learn the game however all normal softball
rules are in play in this division.

JUNIORS - SOFTBALL - (Ages 13-14)
The Junior League Softball division is a program for players ages 13-14, and uses a conventional 60-foot diamond with a 43 foot pitching distance. A local league may dual-roster 12-year-olds, assessed capable, to a Major and a Junior division softball teams. The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or "All Stars") of 12-14-year-olds from within this division (and/or from within the Girls Senior League Softball Division), and the team may enter the International Tournament. This is the highest level of Little League Softball that is offered in Stratford. Players are pitching from 43 Ft and play “High School Rules”.

Baseball Registration Listing

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There are no programs or divisions available at the moment. Please contact your club administrator with any questions.

Softball Registration Listing

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There are no programs or divisions available at the moment. Please contact your club administrator with any questions.
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