MLL INFO
Below are league descriptions/explanations, volunteer information, and Parent Suggestions for a successful, safe, and fun season.
MLL LEAGUE BASICS
MLL SEASON TIMELINE- begins in January with Online registration and February for a ONE DAY walk-in Player Registration (check for dates on the main page). Online registration is the easiest and fastest way to register your player. Spring League play begins the last week of April for Majors and above divisions. Minors and Tee Ball divisions start later (mid May) to give the weather time to warm up. Little League All Stars teams are picked after the regular season finishes in June and play into July. Fall Ball sign-ups start in June and the Fall Ball League runs September to late October. MLL Fall Ball is a recreational season where players can try new positions, work on skills, and possibly try out a new division.
PLAYER TRYOUTS & EVALUATIONS- evaluations and tryouts occur the first week of March with teams being formed starting with the MAJORS division draft (earliest to be contacted - usually middle of March) and working down to MINORS and TEE BALL (latest - mid April). See our main page for dates as the season approaches.
Tryouts are for age eligible players who want to be drafted into and play in the Majors (10-12yrs) competitive divisions.
Evaluations are for minors instructional and developmental divisions and function to aid in division placement and team balancing.
MAJOR DIV TRY-OUTS: If your child will be age 10 through 12 by April 30th (December 31st for Softball) and they wish to be eligible to be drafted into the Major Division, they MUST attend the tryout session for their league; See our website as the date approaches for more info.
MINORS EVALUATIONS: If your child will be playing in the Softball Minors Divisions they MUST attend the evaluation day for their league. If your child is playing in the Baseball Minors division and is age 6 or greater as of April 30th they must attend the evaluation day for their league. Evaulations are for division placement and team balancing. See our website as the date approaches for more info.
- TEE BALL- No Evaluations
- MINORS BASEBALL- Ages 7 + Evaluations for division assignment and team balancing
- MINORS SOFTBALL - Evaluations for division assignment and team balancing
- MAJORS- Candidates tryout and are drafted by managers; returning majors do not tryout
OPENING DAY- is usually the first Saturday in May which includes the Opening Day ceremonies and team pictures.
IF YOU HAVE REGISTERED A PLAYER AND HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY A LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE BY THE THIRD WEEK OF APRIL PLEASE CONTACT US AT MIDDLL@MIDDLL.ORG
MLL DIVISIONS
The following are brief explanations of the divisions that make up Middletown Little League.
The age brackets for each division are guidelines, division placement is performed by the league and based on age and evaluated skill level. Exceptions will be handled on a case by case basis and will be determined by the league.
LEAGUE AGE- is based on player age as of April 30 for Baseball and Tee Ball divisions and December 31st for Softball.
TEE BALL-
4-6 yrs *First time 6 year olds must play Tee Ball
( must turn 4 years old by April 30th to play Tee Ball)
Tee Ball Baseball is for boys and girls who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding.
In Tee Ball, players hit a ball off a batting tee. The primary goals of Tee Ball are to instruct children in the fundamentals of baseball and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork. No live pitching is permitted in this division.
Tee Ball starts later than the other leagues to allow the weather to warm a bit further, expect contact from coaches in late April prior to Opening Day.
NO TRYOUTS ARE REQUIRED FOR TEE BALL AGE PLAYERS.
MINOR M (MACHINE PITCH) BASEBALL/INSTRUCTIONAL-
6-7 yr olds
Minor M Machine Pitch is for boys and girls interested in playing baseball but having less experience. Focuses of this division are proper throwing mechanics, successfully hitting a machine pitched ball, and safely catching and attempting plays. Teams adhere to three outs per inning (a consecutive batting order is kept-regardless of substitutions), games are 5 innings, NOT ALL PLAYERS BAT EACH INNING, and no sliding or stealing is permitted.
MINORS DIVISION PLAYERS SHOULD ATTEND TRYOUTS TO BE EVALUATED FOR DIVISION PLACEMENT AND TEAM BALANCING.
MINOR MM (MACHINE/PLAYER PITCH) BASEBALL/DEVELOPMENTAL-
8-9 yr olds
Minor MM Machine transitioning to Player Pitch is for boys and girls interested in continuing playing baseball with the introduction of Player Pitching. At this level the fundamentals of fielding and batting are stressed within the framework of preparing for player pitching as the season progresses. Teams bat through their order adhering to three outs per inning with sliding and stealing skills being introduced into game play later in the season.
MINORS DIVISION PLAYERS SHOULD ATTEND TRYOUTS TO BE EVALUATED FOR DIVISION PLACEMENT AND TEAM BALANCING.
MINOR MMM (PLAYER PITCH) BASEBALL/ COMPETITIVE-
9 - 11 yr olds **12 yr olds with WAIVER
Minor MMM Player Pitch is for boys and girls interested in continuing playing baseball at a more advanced level to help prepare them for the competitive MAJORS division. Baseball fundamentals continue to be stressed while advanced pitching, fielding, and hitting concepts are introduced and employed during game play. Teams bat through their order adhering to three outs per inning with stealing, sliding, and advanced baseball strategy as part of game play. Players in this competitive division are guaranteed one at bat and six consecutive outs as per National Little League rules.
MINORS DIVISION PLAYERS SHOULD ATTEND TRYOUTS TO BE EVALUATED FOR DIVISION PLACEMENT AND TEAM BALANCING.
MINOR B (COACH PITCH) SOFTBALL/ INSTRUCTIONAL - DEVELOPMENTAL-
6-8 yr olds
Minor B Coach Pitch softball is for girls interested in playing softball but having less experience. Focuses of this division are proper throwing mechanics, successfully hitting a thrown ball, and safely catching and attempting plays. Teams adhere to three outs per inning, a consecutive batting order (NOT ALL PLAYERS BAT EACH INNING), and no sliding or stealing is permitted.
MINORS DIVISION PLAYERS SHOULD ATTEND TRYOUTS TO BE EVALUATED FOR DIVISION PLACEMENT AND TEAM BALANCING.
MINOR A (PLAYER PITCH) SOFTBALL/ DEVELOPMENTAL-COMPETITIVE-
9-11 yr olds
Minor A Player Pitch softball is for girls interested in continuing playing softball at a more advanced level with the introduction of Player Pitching. Softball fundamentals continue to be stressed while advanced pitching, fielding, and hitting concepts are introduced to prepare the players for the competitive MAJORS level. Teams bat through their order adhering to three outs per inning with advanced softball strategy as part of game play.
MINORS DIVISION PLAYERS SHOULD ATTEND TRYOUTS TO BE EVALUATED FOR DIVISION PLACEMENT AND TEAM BALANCING.
MAJORS BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
COMPETITIVE-
10-12 yr olds Primarily 11&12
The Little League Baseball Division (sometimes known as the Majors Division) is for boys and girls ages 10-12. TO PLAY IN THE MAJORS DIVISION PLAYERS MUST TRYOUT AND BE DRAFTED BY A MAJORS TEAM, PLAYERS NOT DRAFTED WILL PLAY IN A MINORS DIVISION. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet. Players in this competitive division are guaranteed one at bat and six consecutive outs as per National Little League rules.
The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or "All Stars") of 11-12-year-olds from within this division, and the team may enter the International Tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Little League Baseball World Series, featuring teams from around the globe. All expenses for the teams advancing to the World Series (travel, meals and housing) are paid by Little League Baseball.
NEW MAJORS CANDIDATES MUST TRYOUT TO BE DRAFTED TO A MAJORS LEVEL TEAM; PLAYERS TRYING OUT FOR MAJORS MUST BRING BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND PROOF OF RESIDENCY (TWO FORMS) TO PLAYER TRYOUTS. PLAYERS CANNOT TRYOUT AND BE DRAFTED WITHOUT VERIFICATION. (see Spring Event Schedule for dates).
JUNIORS SOFTBALL-
13-14 yr olds
The Girls Junior League Softball Division is a program for girls ages 13-14, using a conventional 60-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 40 feet. (A modified diamond is available during the regular season.) The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or "All Stars") of 13-14-year-olds from within this division (and/or from within the Girls Senior League Softball Division), and the team may enter the International Tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Junior League Softball World Series, featuring teams from around the globe. All expenses for the teams advancing to the World Series (travel, meals and housing) are paid by Little League Baseball.
JUNIORS DIVISION PLAYERS SHOULD ATTEND TRYOUTS TO BE EVALUATED FOR TEAM PLACEMENT.