McLean Little League Baseball Program
McLean Little League offers three levels of play in its baseball program—Major League, Minor League and Tee-Ball/Transition/A-Ball.
In the Majors and Minors, players are designated as either American or National League by their date of birth. An odd date player (i.e. November 23) is in the National League and an even date player (i.e. November 24) is in the American League.
Michael Govan is the Vice-President, American League and Kevin Camphausen is the Vice-President, National League.
Players in Majors, AAA and AA are drafted or placed on teams based on skill level, rather than age.
A-Ball, Transition and Tee-ball teams are formed by league coordinators.
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For baseball players Age 9-12
Major League Baseball is the highest level of competition in Little League. All players of league age 10 through 12 are eligible to play.
Managers, through a draft, individually select players to teams. We expect the draft will be held during the last week of February. Once selected for a Major League team, a player remains with the team throughout the remainder of his LL career.
The roster size generally does not exceed 12 players. Major League play in MLL is governed by those rules published by Little League, Inc. Teams usually practice twice a week and also play two games a week. Last year, McLean Little League had five Major League teams in each the American and National League.
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Minor League Baseball offers two levels of play—AAA and AA.
AAA level is for players ages 9-12 and emphasizes skill development in a climate of increased competition in comparison to AA. League standings are kept. This level introduces players to umpires. Team rosters are limited to 12 players and mangers select their teams through a draft made up of players not selected into the Majors. Teams usually practice twice a week and also play two games a week. Last year, we had six AAA teams in each the American and National League.
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AA Level is geared for players ages 9-11 who have basic skills in hitting, catching, and throwing, as well as a basic understanding of the rules. The program has player pitching and emphasizes the refinement of basic skills. The AA level bridges the gap between non-competitive and competitive levels of play. Team rosters are limited to 12 or 13 players and all players who were not drafted to a team after the AAA draft, are drafted to a AA team. Teams generally practice once a week and play one or two games a week. Last year, MLL had five AA teams in both the American and National Leagues.
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For Beginning Players Ages 5-8
Ken Schram is Vice President, "A", Transition and T-Ball (E-mail)
A Level Baseball is geared towards 8 year old players preparing for AA level of play. In the beginning weeks of “ A” Level Baseball, players will hit using a pitching machine. As the season progresses, player pitching will be introduced. No player can pitch more than two innings per game. It is suggested that the umpire behind the plate be from the team that is batting, and it is encouraged to have large strike zones to keep the game moving
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 all players, with only six in the infield and the remainder positioned on the edge of the outfield grass. Players are assigned to teams by league officials with a maximum roster of 12 players. Game scores and competitive standings are not kept. Teams generally practice once a week and play one game a week.
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Transition Baseball (BT) is instructional, with emphasis on player development, teaching basic skills and introducing baseball rules. Transition baseball is designed for 7 year olds advancing from T-Ball. The coaching is intended to be low key. Game scores and competitive standings are not kept. Play at this level includes the use of pitching machines, batting in roster rotation, umpiring by coaches, a maximum of seven pitches at bat, and no called strikes or balls.
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 all players, with only six in the infield and the remainder positioned on the edge of the outfield grass. Players are assigned to teams by league officials with a maximum roster of 12 players. Teams generally practice once a week and play one game a week.
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Tee-Ball 2 (TB2) welcomes 6 year old boys and girls generally as a progression from TB1. It is where young players continue to learn, develop and practice fundamental skills at an early age. In TB2, players hit a baseball from a tee located on the front edge of home plate for the first half of the season.
The games during the second half of the season are played with a coach throwing soft toss to the batters. During the soft toss phase, a Tee is available and will be used after 5 pitches to keep the game active and give developing hitters confidence in making good contact at bat. Offensively, there will be six batters.
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 pitchers mound, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS and between 1st & 2nd or a split-pitcher. The remaining players, from each team, will play a game with throw-down bases in the outfield, with adult supervision. After 25 minutes, the teams will switch, so every child has the opportunity to play on the striped infield.
In TB2, the players continue to have 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 12 players. Teams generally practice once each week and play one game a week.
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Tee-Ball 1 (TB1) welcomes boys and girls ages 5 and 6 to the fun and enjoyment of playing ball. In Tee-Ball first-time young players learn, develop and practice fundamental skills.
For the entire season, players hit a baseball from a tee located on the front edge of home plate. Offensively, there will be six batters. 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 pitchers mound, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS and between 1st & 2nd or a split-pitcher. The remaining players, from each team, will play a Tee-Ball game with throw-down bases in the outfield, with adult supervision. After 25 minutes, the teams will switch, so every child has the opportunity to play on the striped infield.
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 12 players. Teams generally practice once each week and play one game a week.
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