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Divisions of Play

Divisions of Play within Newport Little League

Tee-Ball Ages 4-7
Designed for first timers and those players not ready to make the step to coach/machine pitch. Tee-Ball welcomes boys and girls league ages 4-7 to the fun and enjoyment of playing ball. In Tee-Ball first-time young players learn, develop and practice fundamental skills. Teams generally practice once each week and play one game a week.      

For the entire season, players hit a soft baseball from a tee located on the front edge of home plate. Players will bat in rotation until all players have batted once in each inning, regardless of the number of outs made. The last batter circles the bases.

Defensively, six players will play the field with players positioned at pitcher’s mound, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS and between 1st & 2nd or a split-pitcher. The remaining players, from each team, will lineup along the outfield grass. Players should be rotated so they all have a turn in the field.  

The players are given the opportunity to develop hand-eye coordination and swing techniques without the concern of being hit by a pitched ball. In addition, the defensive team is allowed more opportunities to develop fundamental fielding skills. Team rosters are limited to a maximum of 9 players.

Junior Rookies Ages 5-7
Newly introduced to our lineup of divisions is the junior rookie division which is meant to be a bridge between tee ball and rookies. Junior Rookies is instructional, with emphasis on player development, teaching basic skills and introducing baseball rules. Teams generally practice once a week and play one game a week. The coaching is intended to be instruction focusing on the fundamentals of throwing, catching and batting of a hard baseball. Play at this level includes the use of pitching machines and/or coach pitch, batting in roster rotation, umpiring by coaches, maximum of 6 pitches and an introduction to striking out.

In Junior Rookies ball, the players continue to have the opportunity to develop hand-eye coordination and swing techniques while gaining confidence in seeing a pitched ball.  In addition, the defensive team is allowed more opportunities to develop fundamental fielding skills.  Team rosters are limited to a maximum of 9 players.

Rookies Ages 7-8
At the Rookies level kids are introduced to a more competitive game of baseball utilizing umpires. All kids at this level need to have the ability to catch, throw and bat a pitched ball.  Kids will be introduced to the machine pitching balls from 40' and having to stop the lead runner. Each half inning will end when three outs are made or when five runs have scored. The defensive team fields all players, with only six in the infield and four in the outfield grass. Players are assigned to teams by league officials with a maximum of 13 players per team. Game scores are kept but competitive standings are not.

Minors Ages 9-11
Minors division is for players ages 9-11 and emphasizes skill development in a climate of increased competition. Players at this level need to be competent in catching, throwing and hitting. This level will include the use of umpires and base stealing. Team rosters are usually limited to 12 players, and managers select their teams through a draft made up of players not selected into the Majors. Teams usually practice twice a week and also play one to two games a week.

Each half inning will end when three outs are made or when five runs have scored. A team can score more than five runs only if they are the result of a home run hit over the fence. The defensive team fields nine players, with six in the infield and the remainder positioned on the edge of the outfield grass.

Majors
Ages 9-12
Majors division is the highest level of competition in Little League and players at this level are the most proficient in our league. All players of league age 9 through 12 are eligible to play.  Managers draft players onto a team after players attend assessments. Typically the draft will be held during February after assessments are completed. Once selected for a Major League team, a player remains with team throughout the remainder of his LL career, unless Majors expands or contracts the number of teams. Players not drafted for a Majors division team will be available to be drafted by a Minors division team.

The roster size generally does not exceed 12 players. Major League play in Majors division is governed by those rules published by Little League, Inc. Teams usually practice twice a week and also play one to two games a week.

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