Which level of play is right for my child?
Getting your young Little League baseball or softball player into the right division is the most important first step in helping us create a memorable experience for your player, and your family. The appropriate divisional placement will increase confidence, skill development and most importantly, FUN!!Review the criteria below. If you feel your child has mastered most (if not all) of the criteria listed, they are most likely ready for the next level of Little League Baseball or Softball. As always, feel free to contact the Eugene Little League Board of Directors with any questions. Age requirements: Player MUST reach the assigned age according to Little League Age Chart play the upcoming season in each of the divisions below.
Basic criteria & expectations for each level of play in Eugene Little League:
T-Ball (boys & girls / ages 4-7) - Typically Pre-k to 1st Grade
Eugene Little League offers a T-Ball program for players ages 4-7; and their parents or guardians, that is specifically designed to provide a foundation and introduction to baseball and softball that is grounded in fundamentals, fitness, teamwork, and having fun. Your T-Ball player will learn the following basics during their season:
- How to properly grip the ball.
- How to rotate your body and take a rhythm step toward the target.
- How to catch the ball when thrown.
- How to set-up for a ground ball.
- Understand the general idea of getting the out at first base.
- How to properly swing the bat and hit off a tee.
- How to run through first base, and stop at the others.
- Understand the idea of a force out and a tag out.
- How to be a supportive teammate.
- How to treat coaches and opponents with respect.
Single A Farm (boys & girls / ages 6-8) - Typically 1st - 2nd Grade
Eugene Little League offers a Single A Farmball program for players ages 6-8 that have a good grasp of most, if not all, T-Ball criteria (above), and ready to learn the following basics during their Single A Farmball season:
- How to see the ball out of the pitchers (coaches) hand, and hit the ball on a regular basis.
- Understand how outs are made; including groundouts, force outs, tag outs and fly outs.
- Understand that when you are put out you must go sit on the bench with your teammates.
- Catchers should have a general idea of where to squat and be able to catch the ball and throw it back to the pitcher in a timely manner.
Double A Farm (boys & girls / ages 7-9) - Typically 2nd - 4th Grade
Eugene Little League offers a Double A Farmball program for players ages 7-9 (with some exceptions made for tested 6 year olds) that have a good grasp of most, if not all, T-Ball and Single A criteria (above), and ready to learn the following basics during their Double A Farmball season:
- Hitter will know how to confidently face a player pitcher.
- Hitter will know the proper way to move out of the way of a pitch, and time their swing to the pitch speed.
- Catcher will know how to provide a proper target for the pitcher, and throw the ball back to the pitcher accurately and timely.
- Pitcher will know the basics of pitching (including balance and squaring the shoulders to the target).
- Runners must know how/when to run through first base and/or take a turn towards second base.
- Fielders will have a fairly good grasp of where to go for the easiest out.
- Fielders should know how to run a relay on balls hit to the outfield.
- First baseman should have a good grasp on how to move around the first base bag.
Minors Baseball (ages 9-11) - Typically 3rd to 5th Grade
Eugene Little League offers a Minors Baseball and Softball program for players ages 9-11 (with some exceptions for tested 8 year olds) that are ready for a faster paced, team game, and able to grasp the team concept at-bat, and in the field during their Minors Baseball or Softball season. Skills and attributes necessary for Minors play include the following:
- Hitters will have an understanding of the game situation, receive signs from the third base coach, and be able to bunt correctly.\
- Fielders should be able to catch a flyball, and have a good grasp on the angles needed to back-up a teammate.
- Catchers should have an idea of how to block a pitch in the dirt, and have proper mechanics of throwing a base stealer out.
- Teams should know how to handle a run-down (pickle or hotbox).
- Players should be able to make a proper slide into a base.
- Pitchers will be able to show proper mechanics on their wind-up, and throw properly out of the stretch.
- Pitchers will begin to learn the importance of changing speeds on their pitches.
- All players will always treat umpires, opposing players and coaches with the up most respect.
Majors Baseball (ages 10-12) - Typically 4th to 7th Grade
Eugene Little League offers a Major Baseball and Softball program for players ages 10-12 that have spent at least one productive season at the Minors level. Skills and attributes are evaluated by ELL coaches at a league-wide evaluation session, and players are then drafted accordingly. Ten and eleven year old players that try-out for Majors, but are not drafted, are offered spots in the Minors Division. 50/70 Baseball (ages 11-13) - Typically 6th - 8th Grade. Eugene Little League will offer a 50/70 Baseball program for players (ages 11-13) that have spent at least one productive season at the Majors level, and are prepared for a transition to a much faster paced game on a larger field of play (50' pitcher??s mound & 70' bases). Skills and attributes are evaluated by ELL coaches at a league-wide evaluation session, and players are then drafted accordingly. -- The 50/70 program should act as a supplement to players already enrolled in ELL at the Majors level. Opportunities may be limited to one or two 50/70 ELL teams.