Reading Little League is pleased to offer seven different levels of play for Spring baseball for children age 5 through 12. All leagues use the Little League age chart.

Players generally progress through each league one year at a time with each league introducing more competitiveness and more of the complete Little League ruleset. Most players should expect to spend a total of three years in Double A and Triple A, with some playing two years in Double A and others playing two years in Triple A. A limited number of players will spend two years in Majors.

Beginning at Single A, teams are formed with a draft in which coaches use player ratings and their knoledge of players to create balanced teams. Player ratings are a combination of fall evaluation scores and the prior year coach’s assessment, with consideration given to the league played in the prior year.

Majors

Majors is comprised of all 12 year old players and a portion of 11 year old players as determined by player ratings. While the intention is for all 12 year olds to play Majors, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for parents who would rather their 12 year old play Triple A.

This is the highest level of play Reading Little League offers in the Spring and uses the full Little League ruleset with minor exceptions. Kids will pitch and pitch counts are required to be kept by all coaches. Players can expect pitch speeds in the 50s with some pitchers topping 60MPH.

The league director will oversee a draft where coaches will select their teams. The coaches will be provided with player ratings at the draft from the prior year’s coach with the objective of creating a league of balanced teams. Coaches are free to select any eligible player based upon player rating, personal knowledge, and prior year performance.

Parents and coaches should expect 3-4 activities per week on both weekdays and weekends. There will be 1-2 games per week and 1-2 practices per week.

Triple A (AAA)

Triple A is comprised of all 11 year old players not playing in Majors and a portion of 10 year old players as determined by their player rating. Exceptions may be made to allow 12 year olds to play in this division.

Players will pitch and coaches are expected to keep and abide by pitch count rules to promote arm health. There is a limit on runs per inning, but most other Little League rules are in play.

The league director will oversee a draft where coaches will select their teams. The coaches will be provided with player ratings at the draft from the prior year’s coach with the objective of creating a league of balanced teams. Coaches are free to select any eligible player based upon player rating, personal knowledge, and prior year performance.

Parents and coaches should expect 3-4 activities per week on both weekdays and weekends. There will be 1-2 games per week and 1-2 practices per week.

Double A (AA)

Double A is comprised of all 10 year old players not playing in Triple A and all 9 year old players.

Kids will pitch full time with coaches expected to keep and abide by pitch count rules to promote arm health. Double A is a competitive division with team records being kept, along with standings and playoffs. There is a limit on runs and stolen bases per inning and players cannot steal home, but most other Little League rules are in play. All players who want to try pitching should be given an opportunity.

The league director will oversee a draft where coaches will select their teams. The coaches will be provided with player ratings at the draft from the prior year’s coach with the objective of creating a league of balanced teams. Coaches are free to select any eligible player based upon player rating, personal knowledge, and prior year performance.

Parents and coaches should expect 3-4 activities per week on both weekdays and weekends. There will be 1-2 games per week and 1-2 practices per week.

Single A (A)

Single A is comprised of all 8 year old players with exceptions made for some 9 year olds. The purpose is to continue skills development and compete in game situations. Kids will pitch initially with coaches coming in to pitch once the pitcher throws 4 balls to a batter. Coaches are expected to keep and abide by pitch count rules to promote arm health.

The league director will oversee a draft where coaches will select their teams. The coaches will be provided with player ratings at the draft from the prior year’s coach with the objective of creating a league of balanced teams. Coaches are free to select any eligible player based upon player rating, personal knowledge, and prior year performance.

Parents and coaches should expect 2-3 activities per week on both weekdays and weekends. There will be 1-2 games per week and 1-2 practices per week.

Rookie

Rookie is comprised of all 7 year old players with exceptions made for 8 year olds new to the game as well. The prupose of the league is to introduce the game of baseball with players hitting off coach pitching at every at bat. The score is kept during the game and teams are limited to 3 outs or 5 runs per inning.

The league director works to create balanced teams combining cohorts of kids from 2 or 3 schools. This allows players to build relationships made in the classroom while also making friends with kids from other schools.

Parents and coaches should expect 2-3 activities per week on both weekdays and weekends. There will be 1-2 games per week and 1-2 practices per week.

Tee Ball 6

Rocket Tee Ball is for returning players from Rookie Tee Ball and for new tee ballers in the 6 year old age group. The primary purpose is to have fun and continue to build on the basic skills of baseball.

There is no pitching, as all players will hit from the tee and continue to swing away until contact is made. Some aspects of competition are introduced. The score is kept, but all players will bat each inning. Teams are not limited to three outs per inning.

Teams are formed by the league director who attempt to balance the teams competitively while striving to keep players from the same school together so they can continue to build on relationships made in the classroom.

Tee Ball 5

Rookie Tee Ball is an introduction to the game of baseball for those in the 5 year old age group. The primary purpose is to have fun, promote team play, and instill a basic understanding of how to catch, throw, hit and run the bases.

There is no pitching, as all players will hit from the tee and continue to swing away until contact is made. Some aspects of competition are introduced. The score is kept, but all players will bat each inning. Teams are not limited to three outs per inning.

Teams are formed by the league director who attempt to balance the teams competitively while striving to keep players from the same school together so they can continue to build on relationships made in the classroom.