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| Southbridge Little League: Frequently Asked Questions |
What does "Little League age" mean?
All divisions are broken down by ages. Your child's league age is determined by their age as of April 30 of the current
season. This cut-off date is determined by Little League Baseball, Inc., and we have no control over this date or rule.
Are Board of Directors meetings open to the public?
Yes, absolutely! All are welcome - and encouraged - to attend our monthly meetings. Regular Board of Director meetings are
scheduled for the second Friday of every month at 6 p.m. in the community room of the Southbridge Police Department (or at
the press box during the season).
When does the season run?
Southbridge Little League offers the regular spring season as well as fall baseball. The spring season begins in April and
runs through mid-June, and is followed by All Star tournaments for numerous age groups. The fall baseball season usually
starts after Labor Day and runs into October.
Why do we register several months before the season begins? Why not register in March or April?
There are a number of reasons for early registrations, all coming back to logistics and planning. The league needs time to
conduct background checks, recruit and appoint managers, coaches, umpires, and other volunteers, schedule and hold
player registration dates and try-outs, draft teams, order uniforms and equipment, and much more.
When are games and practices held?
Game and practice times and locations vary by league. Once teams have been selected, players will be notified by their
coach as to when and where they will have practices and games. Parents should be contacted by mid-to-late March, if not
sooner, as to what team their child is on.
What are the differences between the divisions?
There are several divisions of play set up by Little League International and the Southbridge Little League. Players league
age 4 & 5 start off playing Tee Ball, where they play one game each weekend and learn the very basics of hitting and
throwing a baseball. The Minor division is primarily for players league age 6 & 7, and coaches throw to the players in order to
get them used to hitting off a pitcher rather than a tee; this division is often referred to as the "coach pitch" division. The AAA
division is primarily for players league age 8 & 9, with about half of the league's 10-year-olds enrolled here as well. This
division is the first in which players pitch or play the catcher position, and is where the players begin to learn more advanced
skills. The Major division is primarily made up of players league age 10, 11, and 12, though some 9-year-olds play in this
division as well. The Major division is Little League's traditional marquee division, the one you see each year on ABC and
ESPN fighting for the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Little League also allows for teenagers to play
in the Junior (ages 13-14), Senior (ages 15-16), and Big (ages 17-18) League divisions.
What are tryouts/evaluations?
In order to make teams as competitively balanced and fair as possible, the league holds player tryouts/evaluations each year.
NO players are cut or refused a spot in the league, but rather go through a set of drills in order for coaches and league
officials to gauge their talents and abilities prior to forming teams. Typically, only the AAA and Major divisions hold player
tryouts/evaluations due to the very basic nature of the Tee Ball and Minor divisions.
What equipment do I need to buy for my child?
The only equipment necessary is a glove. Cleats/spikes (non-metal) are not required, but they are recommended. All players
will receive uniforms, and each team will receive batting helmets, catcher's gear, and bats. A number of parents purchase
bats for their children, and some have purchased their own batting helmet, but this is not required by any means.
Can I request a certain coach?
You can indicate a desired coach or team, but we cannot guarantee that your request will be fulfilled due to draft rules.
Can I request that my child be on the same team as his friends?
You can request this, but we cannot guarantee that your request will be fulfilled due to draft rules.
All divisions are broken down by ages. Your child's league age is determined by their age as of April 30 of the current
season. This cut-off date is determined by Little League Baseball, Inc., and we have no control over this date or rule.
Are Board of Directors meetings open to the public?
Yes, absolutely! All are welcome - and encouraged - to attend our monthly meetings. Regular Board of Director meetings are
scheduled for the second Friday of every month at 6 p.m. in the community room of the Southbridge Police Department (or at
the press box during the season).
When does the season run?
Southbridge Little League offers the regular spring season as well as fall baseball. The spring season begins in April and
runs through mid-June, and is followed by All Star tournaments for numerous age groups. The fall baseball season usually
starts after Labor Day and runs into October.
Why do we register several months before the season begins? Why not register in March or April?
There are a number of reasons for early registrations, all coming back to logistics and planning. The league needs time to
conduct background checks, recruit and appoint managers, coaches, umpires, and other volunteers, schedule and hold
player registration dates and try-outs, draft teams, order uniforms and equipment, and much more.
When are games and practices held?
Game and practice times and locations vary by league. Once teams have been selected, players will be notified by their
coach as to when and where they will have practices and games. Parents should be contacted by mid-to-late March, if not
sooner, as to what team their child is on.
What are the differences between the divisions?
There are several divisions of play set up by Little League International and the Southbridge Little League. Players league
age 4 & 5 start off playing Tee Ball, where they play one game each weekend and learn the very basics of hitting and
throwing a baseball. The Minor division is primarily for players league age 6 & 7, and coaches throw to the players in order to
get them used to hitting off a pitcher rather than a tee; this division is often referred to as the "coach pitch" division. The AAA
division is primarily for players league age 8 & 9, with about half of the league's 10-year-olds enrolled here as well. This
division is the first in which players pitch or play the catcher position, and is where the players begin to learn more advanced
skills. The Major division is primarily made up of players league age 10, 11, and 12, though some 9-year-olds play in this
division as well. The Major division is Little League's traditional marquee division, the one you see each year on ABC and
ESPN fighting for the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Little League also allows for teenagers to play
in the Junior (ages 13-14), Senior (ages 15-16), and Big (ages 17-18) League divisions.
What are tryouts/evaluations?
In order to make teams as competitively balanced and fair as possible, the league holds player tryouts/evaluations each year.
NO players are cut or refused a spot in the league, but rather go through a set of drills in order for coaches and league
officials to gauge their talents and abilities prior to forming teams. Typically, only the AAA and Major divisions hold player
tryouts/evaluations due to the very basic nature of the Tee Ball and Minor divisions.
What equipment do I need to buy for my child?
The only equipment necessary is a glove. Cleats/spikes (non-metal) are not required, but they are recommended. All players
will receive uniforms, and each team will receive batting helmets, catcher's gear, and bats. A number of parents purchase
bats for their children, and some have purchased their own batting helmet, but this is not required by any means.
Can I request a certain coach?
You can indicate a desired coach or team, but we cannot guarantee that your request will be fulfilled due to draft rules.
Can I request that my child be on the same team as his friends?
You can request this, but we cannot guarantee that your request will be fulfilled due to draft rules.