SPRING 2025 DIVISION DESCRIPTIONS
Pee Wee Division
Must be age 4-5. Generally Pre-kindergarteners
This is an introduction to baseball. The focus is on the basics of hitting, catching, and throwing. Coaches will teach early concepts of the game including: base running and positions. Kids will hit off of a tee, use Wiffle balls/bats and ultra soft baseballs to ensure safety and help them to be comfortable throwing and catching.
Pee Wee meets only on Saturdays. The first half of each session is practice and the second half is a 3 inning "game". It's important that the children joining this division should be able to accept, process and implement at least some of the instruction. For this reason, children playing must be 4 years old at the start of the season.
** Ridgefield Little League will do our best to coordinate the Pee Wee schedule with SCOR
Tee Ball Division
Little League age of 5-6 years old. Generally kindergarteners.
A soft baseball is used for play, and players hit off a stationary batting tee. Basic fundamentals are taught with an emphasis on instruction over competition. Tee Ball meets only on Saturdays. The first half of each session is practice and the second half is a 3 inning “game.” As the season progresses, coach pitch will be incorporated into practices and games as an introduction to the Rookie division. Teams are primarily determined by school attended to allow the players to see familiar faces, or to meet future classmates. RLL views Tee Ball as fun and instructional. Importantly, we think the children joining this division should be able to accept, process and implement at least some of the instruction.
** Ridgefield Little League will do our best to coordinate the Tee Ball schedule with SCOR
Rookie Division
Previously the Coach Pitch Division. Little league age 6-7. Generally, 1st graders.
A soft baseball is used for play, and players hit off a coach pitching. Basic fundamentals are taught with an emphasis on instruction over competition. Rookie games are on Saturdays, with a practice session before each game. Teams also have a practice on a set weeknight. As the season progresses, players who have demonstrated the ability to catch a baseball consistently will be given the opportunity to play catcher. Teams are primarily determined by school attended to allow the players to see familiar faces, or to meet future classmates.
** Ridgefield Little League will do our best to coordinate the Coach-Pitch schedule with SCOR
Single-A Division
Previously the Minors 8u Division. Little League ages 7 or 8. Generally, 2nd graders.
This division is a transition to a more advanced game of baseball. A reduced compression baseball is used and players hit off of coach pitching at the start of the season. As the season progresses, players who demonstrate the ability to throw a ball with proper mechanics will be given the opportunity to pitch. Games are three to four innings long, with the rules structured to generate as many at-bats as possible. Defensively, every player rotates into both infield and outfield positions. Emphasis remains on instruction. Teams meet once during the week for practice, and once or twice on the weekend for games. There are no standings or post-season playoffs. Teams are formed primarily based on school attended. Many players choose to spend two years at this level.
Double-A Division
Previously the Minors 9u Division. Little league ages 8-9. Generally, 3rd graders and advanced 2nd graders.
*Any 8s that play in Double-A are generally the most advanced players of that age group.
**Players are selected on a team through an evaluation process instead of by school or friend requests. This will take place on March 2nd. Anyone registered for Double A will receive an evaluation time shortly after registration closes on February 26th**
Double-A uses a reduced compression hard baseball and players will face initially a combination of coach pitch and player pitching. As the season progresses, some games may be played entirely with players pitching. All players remain in the batting order for the entire game. Games are six innings long with each player is required to play at least 4 innings in the field. Although score is kept and standings maintained for a year end playoff, instruction is emphasized over competition.
All players eligible for Double-A will be evaluated by managers in a tryout prior to the draft. Players who are little league age 8 who are not drafted for Double-A will be placed in Single-A. Historically, a limited number of 8s will make it onto a Double-A team. Many players choose to remain in this division for 2 years.
Triple-A Division
Previously the Minors 11u Division. Little League age 9-11. Any 9s that play in Triple-A are generally the most advanced players of that age group. Generally, 4th and 5th graders and advanced 3rd graders. Players are selected on a team through an evaluation process.
Players eligible for the Triple-A division are expected to have achieved a minimum skill level in throwing, catching, fielding, and hitting. These players should be able to: a) Throw a baseball a reasonable distance with accuracy so as to compete in a game; b) Be able to catch a baseball so as to not endanger themselves during participation in games and practice; c) Be capable of having a competitive at bat with a reasonable expectation of putting the ball in play. All players eligible for Triple-A will be evaluated by managers in a tryout prior to the draft. Players who are a Little League age of 9 who are not drafted for Triple-A will be placed in Double-A. Historically, a limited percentage of 9s will make it onto a Triple-A team.
In the Triple-A division, players do all the pitching. Each player must play at least three innings in the field, and will be given a chance to pitch. Games are six innings with modified playing rules that limit bunting & stealing. Continuous batting order is used and balls and strikes are counted. Fields have fixed fences, and players receive full uniforms. Although score is kept and there is a year-end playoff, instruction is emphasized over competition. Most players will stay at this level for two years (some may stay for three).
***Players new to Triple A will be evaluated on March 2nd. Players will receive an evaluation time shortly after Triple A registration closes on February 26th.***
Majors Division
Little League ages 10-12. Any 10s that play in Majors are generally the most advanced players of that age group. Generally, 4th-6th graders (with a few young 7th graders). Players are selected on a team through a draft process.
* See Little League Age Chart included above to determine Little League age
The Majors Division is our highest level and most competitive division. Fields have fixed fences, dugouts and scoreboards. Each player must play three full innings of a six-inning game, and bat at least once per game. Players new to Majors are evaluated in a tryout and would be included in the annual Majors draft. Returning Majors players do not need to try out and will return to their team from the previous year. Only LL age 12-year-olds are guaranteed to play in Majors. The more skilled 10-year-olds may elect to try out for Majors but, there is no guarantee of making a Majors team. Historically, a limited number of 10s will make it onto a Majors team. Players who are a Little League age of 10 or 11 and not selected in the Majors draft will be placed in Triple-A.
The league’s 11 and 12-year-olds are eligible for selection to Ridgefield’s District tournament team, which competes in the official Little League International Tournament beginning in late June. 10 and 11-year-olds in both Majors and Triple-A are also eligible for selection to RLL’s 10 and 11-year-old District All-Star teams.
Playing Up Policy
RLL had previously instituted a "play up" policy wherein a player with very high level skills may apply to play up to the next division. For 2023, this applies primarily to players who may be Little League age 8 and may be skilled enough to play in the Triple-A division. The opportunity for select 8-years-olds play in the Triple-A division will be determined in the Double-A evaluation and the Triple-A draft. It is highly unlikely that an 8-year-old would play Triple-A ball, but we recognize it is possible. Parents should understand that the decision to allow any participant to play up is subject to the approval of RLL.
PLEASE NOTE: The RLL Board of Directors does NOT encourage players to apply to play up, and believes that in nearly all cases, players are best suited to play at their appropriate age level. Nonetheless, if your child would like to take advantage of this option, please send an email to info@ridgefieldlittleleague.org with "Play Up Consideration" in the subject line to submit your request.
Those who apply will be contacted by the Player Agent to discuss the specific circumstances and appropriateness of the request.