WHICH DIVISION IS RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?

Children from 4 to 16 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 Gig Harbor 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 Senior League, 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 [email protected]

▪ 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]

CO-ED TEE BALL (AGES 4-6)

The GHLL T-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 4–6 are first introduced to the basics baseball and softball. GHLL strives to provide a T-Ball experience focused on teaching the fundamentals of the game in a fun environment while incorporating a high level of physical activity.

General Information

▪ All games are on Saturdays at Hales Pass Park

▪ One team practice per week on a weekday evening

▪ Team T-shirt and a hat is provided. Parents provide glove, baseball pants, and cleats. Some parents may also choose to purchase a bat for their child to use.

BASEBALL DIVISIONS

"A"  - BASEBALL - (Ages 6-7)

This level of play fosters continued skills development and a better understanding of the rules and nuances of the game. 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 player-pitch at the "AA" level.

*Little League 6 year olds are welcome to play A Baseball if they have played one year of T-Ball and pass a safety evaluation.

"AA" - BASEBALL (Ages 8-9)

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. 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. "AA" includes player pitch, scoring and umpiring. 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. 

*League Age 9 year olds who attend Evaluations are eligible to play in the AAA division and may be drafted to a AAA team . If you would like your 9 year old to be considered eligible for a AAA team, please contact our Players Agent. 

"AAA" - BASEBALL (Ages 10-11) 

This division of Little League promotes a higher level of competition than "AA" and emphasizes more of the standard rules of Little League baseball. 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 Majors level.

*League Age 10 and 11 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 or 11 year old to be considered eligible for a Majors team, please contact our Players Agent. 

MAJORS - BASEBALL(Ages 11-12)

This division promotes competition to a higher degree as compared to the Minor League. Within this more competitive environment, the emphasis remains on improving baseball skills, building individual self-esteem, promoting team camaraderie and emphasizing fair play. 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.

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 Junior/Senior/ field size (60-foot, 6-inch pitching distance and 90-foot base paths).Many of the Junior 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.

JUNIORS DIVISION (Ages 13-14)

The Junior League Baseball Division is a program for ages 12-14, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. Modified diamond dimensions may be used during the regular season.

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 Senior League Division), and the team may enter the International Tournament.

SENIORS DIVISION (Ages 14-16)

The Senior League Baseball Division is for boys and girls 13-16 years old, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches.

The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or "All Stars") of 13-16-year-olds from within this division (and/or from within the Junior League division), and the team may enter the International Tournament.

SOFTBALL DIVISIONS

Our GHLL Fastpitch Softball teams play games against fellow GHLL Softball teams and against other teams in our Little League District. 

AA - SOFTBALL - (ages 6-8*)

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. 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. 

*Little League 6 year olds are welcome to play AA softball if they have played one year of T-Ball and pass a safety evaluation.

AAA - SOFTBALL - (ages 9-11)

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.

*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. GHLL may choose to open its Major Division to 10-,11- and 12-year-olds, or limit it to 11-12-year-olds.

SOFTBALL - JUNIORS DIVISION (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.