McLean Little League Softball Program

The Softball Program offers five levels of play: Major League, Minor League (AAA and AA), Transition, and Seniors Softball.

Major League Softball is the highest level of softball competition in the Little League. All players league age 10-12 are eligible to play at this level. Nine-year-olds may request eligibility, but will only be made eligible for the majors draft in exceptional circumstances.

Players are individually selected to teams by team managers through a player draft that is conducted prior to the spring season. Once selected to a Major League team, a player is expected to complete their LL eligibility (through 12 years of age) with that team.

Teams play an average of 2 games per week and typically practice twice a week.

Minor League Softball. MLL will have two (AAA and AA) minor league levels. All 9-12-year-old players not drafted onto a Majors Softball Team will be assigned to a AAA or AA team. Based upon skills shown at tryouts and the number of players available to form teams at various levels of play, some 8 year olds (and, in special circumstances, occasionally a 7 year old ) wishing to “play up” may be assigned to AA teams. Eight year olds may request eligibility for AAA. but will only be made eligible for AAA in exceptional circumstances. While the emphasis is on skill development, AAA is competitive: scores and standings are kept and players are selected to teams in the spring through a player draft. In AA, while scores may be kept, there are no standings. At each level, players pitch some innings while other innings are pitched by machine, with the goal being by the end of the spring season (if not sooner) to have all player pitching at AAA and as much as practical at AA.

Transition Softball is geared to 7 and 8 year old girls (6 year olds with one or two years of t-ball experience will be considered for this level on a case by case basis). The goal of Transition Softball is instructional, with an emphasis on player development, teaching basic skills and introducing softball rules. Pitching at this level is by machine and neither scores nor standings are kept.

Seniors Softball is for players 13 through 18 years of age. The league’s Seniors program was restarted successfully in the fall of 2011, but the overall program at this level is still in a developmental stage. It is anticipated that the seniors team(s) will play other area teams (e.g.,in Arlington and Great Falls) of similar age levels. It is also possible that the team would play a local travel tournament or two, but such determination would only be made in consultation with the participating families and could be subject to supplemental charges to cover travel tournament fees.

Fall Ball has all five of the above levels. The emphasis of fall ball at all levels is on development. All levels are low key. No standings are kept at any level nor is there a draft. The fall ball program is supplemented with several skills clinics for Majors and Minors players.

Questions regarding the Softball Program should be directed to the Vice President of Softball, Brad Prendergast at [email protected].

McLean Little League Baseball Program

McLean Little League offers three levels of play in its baseball program—Major League, Minor League and Developmental League.

Allen King is Vice-President, National League

David Fiske is Vice-President, American League

Erik Cecere is Vice President, "A" and Developmental League

In the Majors, AAA and AA, players are designated as either American or National League via a player draft. Players no longer will be placed by their dates of birth.   

Players in Majors, AAA and AA are drafted or placed on teams based on skill level, rather than age. A-Ball and Developmental League (Transition, Rookie and Tee-ball) teams are formed by league coordinators.

Because of changes to Little League’s age determination rules that went into effect in 2015, the Board has adopted some age restrictions for participation at certain levels.

For Baseball Players Ages 8-12

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 first week of March. Once selected for a Major League team, a player remains with

the team throughout the remainder of his LL career, unless Majors expands or contracts the number of teams.   

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 seven Major League teams in each the American and National League.

Minor League Baseball —AAA, AA and A      

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 includes 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 two games a week. Last year, we had eight AAA teams in each the American and National League.

Due to the age determination rule change that went into effect in 2015, 8 year olds are not eligible for AAA baseball except in rare circumstances.

AA Level is geared for players ages 8-10 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. Standings are kept for about half a season and teams compete in the City Series at the end of the season. In 2014, McLean Little League had seven AA teams in each the American and National League.

Due to the age determination rule change that went into effect in 2015, 7 year olds are not eligible for AA baseball except in rare circumstances. Additionally, all players must have played the previous Spring season at the Single A level prior to moving up to the AA or AAA level.

FOR ALL LEVELS AT A or below:

If you want to request a specific manager or teammate here's how:

1. Check with the manager or player you wish to play with, to confirm you are registering for the same level of play. This is the PRIORITY in determining teams.

2. At registration, request the manager or teammate by name, directly on the form. Unfortunately, the league cannot process requests that say, “same team as last year” or “the Yankees”.

A Level Baseball in the SPRING season is geared to 8- and 9-year-old players preparing for AA level of play.

Teams generally practice once a week and play one game a week.  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. Umpiring is done by a coach or assistant coach from each team, and umpires are encouraged to have a large strike zone to keep the game moving. All players will bat in a rotational order.

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 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.

Due to the age determination rule change that went into effect in 2015, 6-year-olds are not eligible for A baseball.  Additionally, all players must have played the previous Spring season at the Transition level prior to moving up to the A level.

For Baseball Players Ages 5-8

Developmental League - Transition, Rookie (T-Ball 2) and T-Ball

Transition Baseball in the SPRING season is designed for 7- and 8-year-old players who wish to improve basic baseball skills and prepare for Minor League baseball.

Transition Baseball (BT) 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 low key. 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. Game scores and competitive standings are not kept. All players must have played the previous Spring season at the Rookie (T-Ball2) level prior to moving up to the Transition level.

Rookie (RB) welcomes 6 and 7-year-old boys and girls generally as a progression from Tee-Ball. It is where young players continue to learn, develop and practice fundamental skills at an early age.

The games during the first half of the season are played with a coach throwing soft toss 15 feet from 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. Teams generally practice once each week and play one game a week.

During the second half of the season the pitching machine will be introduced on the big field. Soft toss will continue to be played in the field set up in the outfield. The pitching machine will be set up so the yellow foam ball can be used. A Tee will still be 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. Teams generally practice once each week and play one game a week.

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 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 Rookie 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 12 players.

Tee-Ball (TB) 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. Teams generally practice once each week and play one game a week.      

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 pitcher’s 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.