Divisions of Play

Baseball and Softball at MCLL

MCLL currently offers the following programs all of which are open to boys and girls. Note that ages are based on League Age.
To determine your League Age use the calculator.

What Is League-Age?

Little League age is how MCLL determines a players playing age for the Fall and Spring season. You can calculate your player's Little League Age by clicking here.

Not Sure Which Division Is Right For Your Player?

Use the flow chart below to help. This chart serves only as a general guideline, if you have questions, please contact an MCLL Player Agent.

Tee-Ball Programs

Tee-Ball Division (League Ages 4-6) – Tee-Ball

This program is for young players just learning the game. Tee-Ball utilizes an adjustable batting tee for hitting. The program is based on Little League International's core curriculum that features structured learning, highlighted by one practice and one Saturday game per week. Over the course of the season, coaches and parents will engage in a series of lessons utilizing up to 40 activities that include skills, drills, and plenty of physical activity.

Baseball Programs (please see below for helpful charts for which division to sign up for)

Coach Pitch Division (League Ages 6-8) - Baseball

Rookie Ball & Coach Pitch Minors A

This division focuses on skills essential for building a solid foundation for the game of baseball while having fun. It is intended for players ages 6 to 8 years old who are ready to hit a moving ball. Little League rules are modified for the youngsters to promote skill development. Coaches are allowed in the field and pitch to their own teams. We do not keep a strike count at this level and kids are given as many as 6 pitches to hit. The Coach Pitch season generally consists of 1 practice per week with typically 1-2 games per week (depending on the season), weather permitting. Play throughout the season culminates with a division tournament to end the season.

We have divided the coach pitch division into separate sub-levels (Rookie Ball and Minors A). Parents self-select the appropriate level for their child. Factors that should be considered when choosing a Coach-Pitch level include player's age, player's past baseball experience, and individual player abilities. If you have played before we would encourage you to reach out to your past coach if you are unsure of the correct level. See a comparison of Tee Ball and the two Coach Pitch sub-levels via spreadsheet tables shown below. Factors we will consider in assigning a player to a Coach Pitch level will include player age, player's past baseball experience, and parent placement preference based on individual player abilities.

- - Coach Pitch Rookie Ball- Will use a tee rescue (players cannot strikeout), score will not be kept except for purposes of ending a half inning, games will be 90 minutes (up to 5 innings) and other rules will be used to aide with player development for younger and new or less experienced coach pitch players. This level is recommended for advanced league age 5 players (playing up from Tee-Ball), new/developing league age 6 players, and new league age 7 players.
  - Coach Pitch Minors A - Will use traditional coach pitch rules, including keeping score, no tee will be used during games even if a batter is unable to get a hit after a set number of pitches, have two-hour games (up to six innings), and other rules to aid in player development for older and more advanced coach pitch players. This level is recommended for advanced league-age 6 players, developing league-age 7 players, and new league age 8 players.

All Coach Pitch Levels - Develop skills in a positive supportive environment while having fun!

Rules for all levels can be found here.

Minors "AA" Division (League Ages 8-10) - Baseball

This division is designed for players age 8 to 10 years old that are just learning kid-pitch baseball. The focus is on the development of pitching and catching skills while expanding on base running skills as well as the continued teaching of situational awareness and game strategies.

This division plays on a field that uses up to 43’ pitching distance and 60’ base paths. Little League rules are followed including pitch counts and playing time requirements. The AA Minor season consists of 1 practice per week and 1-2 games per week (depending on the season), weather permitting. Play throughout the season culminates with a division tournament to end the season. Minors AA is a "developmental" division and players from this division are not eligible for Little League International tournament teams.

Minors "AAA" Division (League Ages 9-11) - Baseball

This division is designed for players aged 9 to 11 years old that have shown the ability to perform the essential skills with progression towards advanced skills in hitting, fielding and/or pitching. The focus is on the continued development of pitching and catching skills while expanding on base running skills as well as the continued teaching of situational awareness and game strategies.

This division plays on a field that uses a 46’ pitching distance and 60’ base paths. Little League rules are followed including pitch counts and playing time requirements. The AAA Minor season teams consist of 1-2 practices per week and 1-2 games per week (depending on the season), weather permitting. Play throughout the season culminates with a division tournament to end the season. Minors AAA is a "competitive" division and players from this division are eligible to play in the Little League International tournament that begins in early July within Maryland District 2.

Majors Division (League Ages 10-12) - Baseball

Play at this level consists of 10 to 12 year old players that have shown a mastery of the essential skills with the ability to perform many of the advanced skills in hitting, fielding and/or pitching. The focus is on the continued development of hitting, pitching, base running, and defensive techniques while expanding on situational awareness and game strategies.

This division plays on a field that uses a 46’ pitching distance and 60’ base paths. Little League rules are followed including pitch counts and playing time requirements. Major League teams consist of up to 2 practices per week (at coaches' discretion) and 2 games per week, weather permitting. Play throughout the season culminates with a division tournament to end the season. Majors is a "competitive" division and players from this division are eligible to play in the Little League International tournament that begins in early July within Maryland District 2.

Intermediate Division (League Ages 11-13) - Baseball

Play at this level consists of 11 to 13 year old players that have shown a mastery of the essential skills with the ability to perform many of the advanced skills in hitting, fielding and/or pitching. The focus is on the continued development of items covered in the Majors division while introducing players to leading, regular stealing, pick off moves and additional defensive techniques.

This division plays on a field that uses a 50’ foot pitching distance and 70’ foot base paths. Little League created this division within the past few years to transition players from the smaller 60’ field to the 90’ field used in the Juniors division and for play at the high-school level. Little League rules are followed including pitch counts and playing time requirements. Intermediate teams play between 12 and 16 games and may travel to other District 2 Leagues for inter-league play. Play throughout the season culminates with a division tournament to end the season. Players from this division are eligible to play in the Little League International tournament for that division that begins in July within Maryland District 2.

Note: Games are scheduled for Wednesday and Sundays to avoid conflicts with games in the Majors and Juniors division. This enables players to play Intermediates as well as Majors or Juniors divisions while avoiding game conflicts.

Juniors Division (League Ages 12-15) - Baseball

Play at this level consists of 12 to 15-year old players that have shown a mastery of the essential skills with the ability to perform many of the advanced skills in hitting, fielding and/or pitching. The focus is on the continued development of items covered in the Intermediate division while introducing players to additional techniques utilized on the larger 90’ field.

This division plays on a field that uses a 60’- 6” itching distance and 90’ base paths. Little League rules are followed including pitch counts and playing time requirements. Junior teams play between 12 and 16 games and may travel to other District 2 Leagues for inter-league play. Play throughout the season culminates with a division tournament to end the season. Players from this division are eligible to play in the Little League International tournament for that division that begins in July within Maryland District 2.

Little League International All-Star Teams - Baseball

At the end of season, MCLL participates in the annual All-Star Tournaments administered by the National Little League Headquarters Tournament Committee out of Williamsport, PA. Tournament play starts in the Maryland District 2 tournaments and is available for the following age groups: 8-10, 9-11, 11-12, Intermediate, Juniors and Seniors. MCLL will assess and determine which age groups that will represent the League in the LL tournaments based on the talent at each age group. There will be a maximum of 15 players and only one team for each participating age group. In accordance with National Little League policy, teams are selected on June 1 and the District 2 tournaments begin in early July. District, State and Regional tournaments culminate with a World Series held mid-August in different locations depending on the age group. The most widely known is the Little League World Series Majors Division, 11-12 year olds, televised by ESPN and ABC held in Williamsport, PA. For more information, click here: All-Star selection process

Girls Softball

Girls Coach Pitch- Softball (League Ages 6-8)

This division focuses on skills essential for building a solid foundation for the game of softball while having fun! Coach Pitch is intended for players ages 6 to 8 years old (8U) who are ready to hit a moving ball.

Little League rules are modified for the youngsters to promote skill development. Coaches are allowed in the field and pitch to their own teams. We do not keep a strike count at this level and kids are given as many as 6 pitches to hit. The base paths are at 60 feet, while the coach may pitch from 35 feet (or closer). An 11” softball is used in this division.

Girls Kid Pitch - Minors AA (League Ages 8-10)

This division is designed for players age 8 to 10 years old (10U) that have shown the ability to perform the essential skills with progression toward advanced skills in hitting, fielding and/or pitching. Minors may also be appropriate for 11-year-olds who are new to softball.

The focus is on the continued development of pitching and catching skills, while expanding on base running skills. This is done while also teaching situational awareness, and game strategies while continuing to have fun.

The girls play on a field that uses a 35’ pitching distance and 60’ base paths. Little League rules are followed, these including pitch counts and playing time requirements. An 11” softball is used in this division.

Girls Kid Pitch - Majors (League Ages 10-12)

The Majors is designed for players age 10 to 12 years old (12U) that have shown the ability to perform the essential skills and progressed towards advanced skills in hitting, fielding and/or pitching.

The focus is on the continued development of pitching and catching skills, while expanding on-base running skills. This is done while also teaching situational awareness, and game strategies while continuing to have fun.

The girls play on a field that uses a 40’ pitching distance and 60’ base paths. Little League rules are followed, these including pitch counts and playing time requirements. A 12” softball is used in this division.

Girls Juniors Division (League Ages 13-14)

The Juniors is designed for players aged 13 to 14 years old that have shown the ability to perform the essential skills and progressing towards superior skills in hitting, fielding and/or pitching. An exceptional 12-year old may also play in the Juniors division.

Focus is on the continued higher development of pitching and catching skills, while expanding on-base running skills. This is done while also teaching situational awareness, and sophisticated game strategies while continuing to have fun.

The girls play on a field that uses a 43’ pitching distance and 60’ base paths. Little League rules are followed, including pitch counts and playing time requirements. A 12” softball is used in this division.

Girls Seniors Division (League Ages 14-16)

The Juniors is designed for players age 14 to 16 years old that have shown the ability to perform the essential skills and progressing towards superior skills in hitting, fielding and/or pitching.

Little League International All-Star Teams - Softball

Beginning in June with district tournaments around the world and culminating in August with the Softball World Series, the Little League International Tournament is the world’s largest organized youth sports tournament. Thousands of communities worldwide participate annually, entering teams in the five softball tournament trails (three of which culminate in a World Series Championship) for softball players ages 8–16. With each Softball World Series Championship televised on the ESPN family of networks, and additional semi-finals and play-in games, this is the most broadcast youth softball tournament. Click here for information on the tournament selection process.

Challenger and Miracle League Information

The Little League Challenger Division is a non-aged restricted adaptive special needs baseball program that provides mentally and physically challenged players the opportunity of participating in an outdoor team sport. Baseball skills are taught at appropriate levels depending upon the severity of disability which can include non-verbal players and mentally disabled players, including autism spectrum disorders. Families are invited to contact the Challenger program via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/frederickchallenger, or contact Carl Hobbs at 301-788-4545 for more information.

To register, please visit the direct Challenger program website for all registration information via http://montgomerychallenger.org.

MCLL also supports the Miracle League which provides a program for wheelchair bound players or those with other physical disabilities. The field is a rubberized material and located in Boyds, MD. Players are able to participate with support of on-field buddies that assist where necessary. Please contact Sean Ryan at MLMCBB@gmail.com or 301-509-9832 for additional info on the Miracle League.