What division will my child play?
Wilmington Little League offers a wealth of baseball divisions designed to allow area boys and girls to develop their skills against other children who are at a similar stage of development. As a skills-based league, baseball capabilities are the primary determinants of division placement (as opposed to age). Here's what you can expect at each division:
All players league age 6 thru 16 (including children of coaches) MUST attend skills evaluation EACH SEASON in order to determine proper placement within league divisions.
The Wilmington Little League Player Agent, in coordination with the Wilmington Little League President and Coaching Coordinator(s), determines which division is most suitable for a player.
TEE BALL
Wilmington Little Leagues beginner division is modified coach pitch/ Tee Ball, with players getting four opportunities to pitches thrown by a coach who is throwing pitches from a knee roughly 25 feet in front of the plate. If necessary, the player then gets three chances to hit off a tee and put the ball in play. Base-running rules are designed to introduce important baseball skills without having the game turn into a track meet as a result of overthrows. Each player gets at least one chance to play one inning in the infield and the outfield.
- General Age Range: Most often league age 4-6
- Important Note: While Wilmington Little League determines division-placement based on skills evaluations, the general expectation is that only league age 4-6 will participate in rookie ball. By the time each child is league age 7, the hope is that they will be ready for our entry-level machine pitch division. However, we realize there is variance in the capabilities of players who are in their league age 7 season.
COACH PITCH / MACHINE PITCH
There are a number of new features of the game compared to rookie ball: pitches are thrown from a pitching machine that is 40 feet away and reliably pitches strikes at about 40 mph. Base-running also becomes more advanced, with players having the ability to advance to their and their coach's discretion once the ball has been put in play players allowed to take extra bases on overthrows, although there are restrictions once the ball is in possession in the infield. The hope is that routine defensive plays are made and that players have the ability to do something each game that might surprise parents.
- General Age Range: Most often league age 6-8
- Important Note: While skills in the Coach Pitch/ Machine Pitch division are more advanced than Tee ball, Wilmington Little League encourages all participants at this level to embrace skills development and not employ aggressive strategies on the bases and other places that might prioritize short-term gains over long-term development
- If your child is league age 6 and you feel that they would be best placed in Tee ball, please indicate your preference in the "Special Requests/Comments" section during registration. Additionally, you must attend skills evaluation in order for Wilmington Little League to honor the request.
MINORS DIVISION (Ages 8, 9, and 10)
Wilmington Little Leagues Minor Division allow kids the opportunity to experience kid pitch. For many kids, it is their first or second experience with kid pitch -- learning how to throw strikes and prevent passed balls or wild pitches is a critical skill at this stage of development. Much of the action at this level is determined at the plate, with walks and strikeouts being prominent features of each game. On the bases, players can advance once the ball is hit, hits the catcher's glove or gets by the catcher, which means secondary leads and anticipation are a point of emphasis. By seasons end, it is our hope that pitchers have refined their ability to throw strikes, and hitters have learned how to stand in the box and put the ball in play.
- General Age Range: Most often league age 8-10
- Important note: Patience is an especially important attribute for players and parents at this level. While there are exceptions, the best pitchers at this level can be expected to throw 50% of their pitches for strikes. For hitters, a critical skill is learning how to stand in the box when there is less confidence in where the pitch is going.
MAJORS / INTERMEDIATE DIVISIONS (Ages 10, 11, and 12)
Wilmington Little Leagues Majors / Intermediate Divisions offer a transition for players between the standard Little League field size (46-foot pitching distance and 60-foot base paths) and the Junior/Senior/Big League field size (60-foot, 6-inch pitching distance and 90-foot base paths).
Regular season players in the Little League Intermediate 50/70 Baseball Division have the opportunity to dual roster, meaning he/she can play in the Little League Major Baseball Division during the same season.
All league age 11 and 12 kids and its most advanced league age 10 players are eligible.
- General Age Range: League age 10-12
JUNIOR / SENIOR BASEBALL (6th, 7th, and 8th Grade)
The Junior League Baseball Division is a program for boys and girls Grades 6-8,using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. We offer an avenue for middle school age players to continue playing the game they love whether they have aged out of other leagues, wish to prepare for Middle School Baseball, or are just wishing to get extra reps. Modified diamond dimensions may be used during the regular season.
Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this teenage division of Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members and other volunteer positions within the league.
JUNIOR / SENIOR BASEBALL (9th Grade and up)
The Senior League Baseball Division is for boys and girls Grades 9 and up, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. We offer an avenue for high school players to continue playing the game they love whether they have aged out of other leagues, wish to prepare for Middle School Baseball, or are just wishing to get extra reps.
The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or “All Stars”) of 13-16-year-olds from within this division (and/or from within the Junior League division), and the team may enter the International Tournament.