Description of Divisions by Age

T-Ball (Age 5):

Introductory baseball…focused on teaching and fun. Game scores are not recorded.
Although there is a designated manager, EVERY parent is a “coach” and should be helping out.
Players will hit from a tee and we will introduce coach pitch throughout the season.
Team selection by school attended.
BNLL attempts to keep team roster sizes at 8-10 players but can only do this with sufficient parent volunteers.
Typical Skill Level: Players still learning simple baseball rules and how to catch throw and hit a ball. Short attention spans dominate.

Pee Wee (Age 6):

Instructional Baseball and game scores are not recorded.
Ball is pitched by a manual pitching machine.
Defensive positions more defined here.
Some defensive outs made, but not consistently.
Team selection by school attended.
Typical skill level: Can make contact with a pitched ball some of the time. Can throw and catch the ball, but only inconsistently. Simple baseball rules and positioning are understood.

Rookie Ball (Age 7):

Instructional Baseball and game scores are not recorded.
Ball is pitched by a combination of a manual pitching machine and the coach.
"Home Plate" Umpire/Coach will call balls/strikes from behind the mound.
Team selection by school attended.
Typical skill level: More consistent ability to catch thrown balls, field grounders and catch easy pop ups. Ability to throw ball accurately to designated target at reasonable distances. (2nd to 1st; and SS to 1st are good tests). Clear understanding of basic defensive situations and where to play the ball. Players should be able to bat off Coach Pitch pitches a majority of the time.

A Ball (Age 8):

Kid pitch is introduced at this level. This division may also use a manual pitching machine.
Parents of team players are required to volunteer as umpires; but will not be asked to attend umpire/rules training.
"Home Plate" Umpire/Coach will call balls/strikes from behind the mound.
Team selection by school attended.
Typical skill level: More consistent ability to catch thrown balls, field grounders and catch easy pop ups. Ability to throw ball accurately to designated target at reasonable distances. (2nd to 1st; and SS to 1st are good tests). Clear understanding of basic defensive situations and where to play the ball. Players should be able to bat off kid pitches in strike zone some of the time.

AA Ball (Age 9):

100% kid-pitch. Competitive. Standings are kept for the first time and there is a playoff.
Team selection by skills assessment and team draft.
Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids will play all positions.
Managers from other teams or division will umpire games.
Typical skill level: Consistent ability to throw and catch, can hit an easy pitch most of the time, hitting balls to the outfield more often. Pitching from the full 46’ distance. Steeling is permitted with some exceptions.. Players have an increased baseball awareness of more complex situations.

AAA Ball (Age 10):

100% kid-pitch. Competitive. Standings are kept and there is a playoff.
This division will have an All-Star team representing the division at the end of the season.
Team selection by skills assessment and team draft.
Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids will play all positions.
Managers from other teams or division will umpire most games with some games having uniformed umpires when available.
Typical skill level: Consistent ability to throw and catch, can hit a more difficult pitch most of the time, hitting balls to the outfield more often. Pitching from the full 46’ distance. Steals are allowed. Players have an increased baseball awareness of more complex situations.

Majors Division (Ages 11-12):

All 11-12 players must be in this division to qualify for All Star play
This division will have 2 All-Star teams representing the division at the end of the season.
Team selection by skills assessment and team draft.
Uniformed umpires will be provided for all games.
No players will be allowed to “play up” into this division.
Some players are approaching adult size
Typical skill level: Can make routine infield and outfield plays, pitchers can throw harder with increasing accuracy and some are throwing breaking balls. Some batters are able to hit balls with tremendous force and are able to hit home runs over the fence. Players usually understand baseball situations without adult guidance.

Juniors (Age 13-14):

Full field dimensions. 90’ base paths; 60’6” pitching distance. Advanced level of baseball knowledge and skill required.
Team selection by skills assessment and team draft.

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