Solana Beach Little League 2023 Divisions
T-Ball— First-year and some second-year players should be assigned to T-ball (usually league ages 4-6 depending on ability and experience). Here players have fun learning the fundamentals of the game. All players play all innings and bat around. No scores are kept, so each team wins every game. T-ball teams practice one afternoon per week. One game is played on Saturday each week. In the first half of the season, the kids hit from the Tee. In the second half of the season, some kids will be ready for Coach pitch. If after three pitches, the batter has still not hit the ball, a Tee should be used.
Single A Silver — Children continue learning fundamentals, improving skills and gaining a better understanding of baseball (usually league ages 5-7, depending on ability and experience). Kids should have basic knowledge of how to run the bases, how to hold/swing a bat, how to catch and throw from short distances, and at least one year of prior league experience. Equal participation for all players is an emphasis this division. Single A rules allow 10 players on the defense field at a time. All players play infield and outfield positions and all players bat. Each team bats all the way through the lineup each inning; teams in the field can recognize outs but the inning will not end at 3 outs.
Single A Gold - For kids league ages 7-9 who are still deepening their grasp of hitting, throwing and fielding fundamentals. This division is designed to prepare kids for kid pitch (Double AA). An inning ends when the defense gets 3 outs or the hitting team gets 5 runs, whichever comes first. Pitching is by machine, which can be adjusted for each player’s strike zone. The batter stays at the plate until he/she hits the ball into play; if the player hasn't hit off the machine after 10 pitches a Tee will be brought out or the coach will pitch to the player. Standings are not kept nor are wins and losses recorded. Score is only tracked to determine when 5 runs have been scored in a half inning. Single A teams practice once per week. In the first half of the season, games are on Saturdays only. In the second half of the season, Teams will play two games per week, one mid-week and one on Saturdays.
AA — Children who demonstrate more advanced skills, coordination and understanding of the game are drafted into the AA Division (usually league ages 8-10, depending on ability and experience.) AA is the first full year of “live kid pitch,” and teams are drafted by coaches based on try-out score and knowledge of players’ ability. Players league age 7 and up must attend tryouts for this division. In this division, players improve fundamental skills and develop the teamwork needed to win games. All players play infield and outfield positions, and all players bat. There are two games per week and one or two practices per week. In this division, score is kept each game and standings are published on the website. Because this is a draft division, friend requests are not allowed. This is the first year the kids will have umpires officiating the games. Umpires are SBLL Players from the upper divisions (League age 11 and up).
AAA — Children who demonstrate more advanced skills, coordination and understanding of the game (usually league ages 9-11, depending on ability and experience) are drafted into the AAA Division. Teams are drafted by coaches based on try-out score and knowledge of players’ ability. Players 9 must attend tryouts for this division. In this division, players continue to improve fundamental skills in preparation for the Majors division. There are two games per week and one or two practices per week.
Majors— Children who demonstrate the highest level of skill, coordination and understanding of the game during try-outs (mandatory) are placed on a draft list as possible Majors Division players (usually league ages 10-12, depending on ability and experience). Teams are created through a player draft. Managers of the Majors teams meet with league officials and draft players from the tryout list of registered players. Majors players “fine tune” fielding, throwing, hitting, running and pitching skills in competitive play. There are two games a week and one to two practices per week.
Juniors —For players who have finished their 12-year old seasons in little league, this is an opportunity to continue playing baseball as a part of SBLL. Interleague games are scheduled between Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas and other coastal cities. Registration is through SBLL and players play on a 60-90 full size field. Typically Juniors have one practice and one or two games weekly. This is a perfect opportunity to extend the great experience with Solana Beach Little League for two more years.
