SRVLL -

SAN RAMON VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE

DIVISION DESCRIPTIONS

Challenger Division (Ages 4-18): New to San Ramon Valley Little League for 2013! The Challenger Division offers boys and girls with physical and developmental challenges, ages 4 to 18 (or the completion of high school), the opportunity to participate in an organized game of baseball. The most fundamental goal of the Challenger Division is to give everyone a chance to play. For more information contact: Don Webber, vp.juniors@ srvll.org

TEE BALL (age 5): The Tee Ball Division is required for all league age five year old players first time. Teams are organized by league age, neighborhood and school attendance when possible but not guaranteed. This is an introductory division focused on instruction where players hit off a tee rather than a pitched ball. Soft, Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) balls are used for safety. No scores are kept, every offensive player bats each inning regardless of outs and no player sits on defense. Players are taught the basic fundamentals of baseball including throwing, catching, batting, defensive ready position and base running.

ROOKIE (age 6): The Rookie division is intended to transition the Tee Ball players to coach pitch play. It consists primarily of league age six year old players. Like Tee Ball, teams are organized by league age, neighborhood, and school attendance when possible but again, not guaranteed. This is an instructional division where players hit "live" Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) balls pitched by their own coach from a short distance. If after a number of coach pitches, the batter is still experiencing difficulty, a tee is used to assist players put the ball in play so they can also work on running the bases. No scores are kept and every offensive player bats each inning regardless of outs. On defense each team will have ten (10) defensive positions. In addition to the change in batting format the fundamentals of baseball are again reinforced and players are introduced to additional aspects of the game.

FARM (age 7): The Farm Division consists primarily of league age seven year old players. 8 year olds participating in their first season or looking to improve their fundamentals are placed in the division to prepare them for kid pitch. Teams are organized by league age, neighborhood and school attendance when possible. This is an instructional division where players hit "live" Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) balls pitched by their own coach from a short distance during the first half of the season and players during the second half. No scores are kept but at this level outs are recorded with three ending each half inning. On defense each team will have ten (10) defensive positions. In addition to the exposure in the second half of the season to pitching and hitting kid pitching the fundamentals of baseball are reinforced and players are introduced to additional aspects of the game.

SINGLE A (age 8-9): The Single A division is the first introduction to “Kid pitch” baseball where the players pitch to the opposing team. This is also the first introduction to a baseball (Level 10) that is harder than the traditional Tee ball although it is not as hard as that used in the AAA and Majors divisions.

DOUBLE A (age 9-10, and some 8s):

The Double A Division is the first “draft” level division consisting primarily of league age nine and ten year old players. League age 8 year old players are allowed to try‐out given they participated in the Single A division in the prior season with the League or a similar division in another Little League. All players are required to try‐out and teams are formed through a manager draft process supervised by the Division Coordinator, and Player Agent. A Level 10 baseball is also used at this level.

Players pitch and all players in the line‐up bat. The standard nine defensive positions are used and scores and standings are kept. Trained volunteer umpires enforce the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball. Players are taught advanced fundamentals of baseball such that they are exposed to pitching techniques, playing positions, defensive pre‐pitch preparedness, live batting and aggressive base running. A post‐season tournament in which all teams in the division participate will determine the champion for the division. The top 2 teams will receive trophies.

TRIPLE A (age 10-11 and some 9s):

The Minors A Division is a "draft" level division consisting primarily of league age nine, ten and eleven year old players. All players are required to try‐out and teams are formed through a manager draft process supervised by the Division Coordinator, Player Agent and League President.

Players pitch and all players in the line‐up bat. The average speed of a pitched baseball at this level ranges from 35 to 50 miles per hour. The standard nine baseball defensive positions are used and scores and standings are kept. Trained volunteer umpires enforce the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball. Players are taught advanced fundamentals of baseball such that they are exposed to pitching techniques, playing positions, defensive pre‐pitch preparedness, live batting and aggressive base running. A post‐season tournament (in which all Triple A teams will participate) will determine the champion for the division with the top 2 teams receiving trophies. The winning team represents the League in the District 57 Tournament of Champions (TOC) where they will play the winners of other Little Leagues within our District.

MAJORS (age 11-12 and some 10s):

The Majors Division is "draft" level and represents true competitive play. It is generally oriented for experienced player’s league age eleven and twelve years old however league age ten players are eligible to be drafted to a team. All players are required to try‐out and teams are formed through a manager draft process supervised by the Division Coordinator, and Player Agent.

Players pitch and all players in the line‐up bat. The standard nine baseball defensive positions are used and scores and standings are kept. This level focuses on more advanced skill development. Players are exposed to faster pitching speeds, harder hit balls and the overall pace of the game is much faster. The average speed of a pitched baseball at this level ranges from 45 to 60 miles per hour. Trained volunteer umpires enforce the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball.

A post‐season tournament (in which all Triple A teams will participate) will determine the champion for the division. The top 2 teams will receive trophies. The winning team represents the League in the District 57 Tournament of Champions (TOC) where they will play the winners of other Little Leagues within our District.

ACADEMY (10-12): This division is for those players wishing to play in their regular Little League teams while also learning how to play on a larger diamond (50 foot pitching mound, 70 foot base paths) at the same time. Players will try out and will be selected to play on this team at each age group. Games are played on Sundays and practices will be held once a week (typically on Fridays). Players who make the Academy team will also continue to play in their regular AAA or Majors division team at the same time.

JUNIOR/SENIOR DIVISIONS

INTERMEDIATE 70/80 GOLD: Advanced, highly committed, 13 yo players. Combination of both professional instruction (2x per week) and qualified volunteer coaching. Very competitive and tryouts are required. Heavy practice and game schedule (starts February 4th thru June 7th)

INTERMEDIATE 70/80 REGULAR (HOUSE): Developing, 13 yo players. Less competitive; recreational environment; tryouts are to help ensure a balance of talent between teams. Lighter practice schedule; excellent for multi sport players or players that have a heavy academic load but still desire to play baseball (season runs from late February thru early June) Player who are not selected for the Gold are automatically placed on one of the House teams.

JUNIOR GOLD 90: Advanced, very competitive and highly committed, 13 – 14 yo players. Combination of both professional instruction (2x per week) and qualified volunteer coaching. Heavy practice and game schedule (season runs from February 4th thru June 7th) .

JUNIOR REGULAR 90 (House): Developing, 13 – 14 yo players. Less competitive; recreational environment; tryouts are to help ensure a balance of talent between teams. Lighter practice schedule; excellent for multi sport players or players that have a heavy academic load but still desire to play baseball (season runs from late February thru early June)

SENIOR A: Advanced, highly committed, 13 – 16 yo players with ability to play competitively at the High School level. Combination of both professional instruction (2x per week) and qualified volunteer coaching. An excellent alternative to playing High School baseball; High School players have the option to join the team for the second half of season when their season ends in mid May. Very competitive; tryouts required. Heavy practice and game schedule (season begins at conclusion of High School team tryouts thru early June)

SENIOR B: 13 - 16 yo players with ability to play competitively at the High School level.

Very competitive; tryouts required. An excellent alternative to playing High School baseball; High School players have the option to join the team for the second half of season when their season ends in mid May. Lighter practice schedule (season begins at conclusion of High School team tryouts thru early June). Same game schedule as Senior A team.

BIG LEAGUE: 17 – 18 year old players; no tryouts; season runs from early April thru June; combination of High School players and non High School players alike; players can be selected to district all star team and compete for a spot in the Big League world series.

925.314-3484