Divisions
What is League-Age?
Not sure which division is right for your player?
Use this flow chart to help (Click to enlarge). This chart serves only as a general guideline, if you have questions, please contact a RHLL Player Agent. For the spring season, players must attend a skill evaluation. RHLL player agents will examine evaluation data along with other factors to determine which draft pool and division the player will fall into. It's important to understand that requesting a division in your registration does not guarantee your player will play in that division.
BlastBall (League-Age 4)
Practice: 1 day per week (Monday-Friday)
Games: 1 per week on Saturday
Blastball! is an excellent introductory game to T-Ball and baseball for boys and girls. It is packed with action so it is perfect for youngsters’ short attention spans. Small teams mean more kids get to be involved in every play which helps them retain interest in the T-Ball / Baseball concept. BLASTBALL! teaches the basic T-Ball and baseball fundamentals of hitting, throwing, and fielding while emphasizing the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and having FUN.
Blastball teams have 1 practice during the week and 1 game on Saturday mornings
For any Blastball related questions please contact Commissioner: Katherine Klegin at kklegin@rhbaseball.org
T-Ball (League-Age 5-6)
Practice: 1 day per week (Monday-Friday)
Games: 1 per week on Saturday
This is a basic introduction to baseball. The players learn the fundamentals through practice and games. Players hit the ball off of a stationary tee and play in the field with coaches nearby to help with instruction. The Tee Ball division is suggested for all league age 5 year old players as well as for any first-time 6 year old players or other 6 year olds who would like another season of fun, basic instruction. Placement in this division is done by league age and teams are organized by the RLL’s Player Agent and the Tee Ball Commissioner. It is an instructional division where players hit off a tee rather than hit a pitched ball using Reduced Impact Force (RIF) or “safety” balls. No scores are kept, every offensive player bats each inning regardless of outs, and no player sits on defense. Players are taught the fundamentals of baseball such that they are exposed to playing positions and are taught throwing, catching, batting, defensive ready position and running the bases. T-Ball teams play games on Saturday and practice once during the week.
For any T-Ball related questions, contact Commissioner Brian Hansen @ bhansen@rhbaseball.org
Rookie Ball (League-Age 6-7)
Practice: 1 day per week (Monday-Friday)
Games: 1 per week on Saturday
Rookie Ball is a T-ball to A-Ball transition league mainly for league-age 6’s with prior spring T-ball experience or league-age 7’s with no prior baseball experience. Rookie Ball is a "coach pitch" league, where batters get their first chance to bat at a pitched ball from a shortened distance. The emphasis is much like t-ball where coaches are in the field with players offering instruction and encouragement. No score is kept, however offensive players bat until either 4 runs are scored or 3 outs are recorded by the defense. Players continue to be taught the fundamentals of baseball such as throwing, catching, batting, running the bases and defensive play for all positions on the field and as catcher behind home plate. Rookie Ball teams play games on Saturday and practice once during the week.
For any Rookie Ball related questions, contact Commissioner Chris Carkhoff @ CCarkhoff@rhbaseball.org
A-Ball (League Age 7-8)
Practice: 1 day per week (Monday-Friday)
Games: 1 per week on Saturday
A-Ball is the last coach pitch division. This league is made up primarily of league-age 7's with a prior Spring season of Rookie-Ball. There will also be a smaller percentage of league-aged 8's that often do not have a Spring season of A-Ball experience. At this level, players improve their fundamental skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork. A Ball is a coach pitch division. Teams are organized by the Player Agent. It is an instructional division where players hit balls pitched by a coach. Players are taught the fundamentals of baseball such that they are exposed to playing positions and are taught throwing, catching, batting, defensive ready position and running the bases. The A division is intended to be a logical transition from Rookie Ball to AA. Score is kept to determine when to end an inning (4 runs or 3 outs, whichever comes first), but standings are not kept. A-Ball teams play games on Saturday and practice once during the week.
For any A-Ball related questions, contact Commissioner Paul Kashchy at PKashchy@rhbaseball.org
AA Minors (League-Age 8-10)
Practice: 1 day per week (Monday-Friday)
Games: 2 per week. One game on Monday or Tuesday & one game Saturday
The skills that the players have been accumulating finally come together as they now work as a team pitching, hitting and fielding the ball. Fundamentals and sportsmanship are still stressed along with the strategies required for competitive play. The AA Division is the first “draft” level division (in the Spring season) and is primarily for league-age 8 to 10 year old players. For the Spring season all players are required to try-out and teams are formed through a formal manager draft process supervised by the Player Agents. Player agents are responsible for setting the draft pools based on a combination of factors. In the Fall, players league-age 8's with a Spring season of A-Ball can choose to play AA, but this does not guarantee they will play there the following Spring. Players pitch, protective cups are required, all players bat in the line-up, nine defensive positions are used, and scores and standings are kept. Given that teams are competitive and formed through a manager draft, the AA Division is the first level where the majority of requests for players to be placed with specific players or coaches is not logistically feasible. Trained volunteer umpires enforce Little League Baseball and Local Board Adopted Rules. Players are taught advanced fundamentals of baseball such that they are exposed to pitching techniques, playing positions, defensive pre-pitch preparedness, live batting, and aggressive base running. A post-season tournament will determine a World Series champion for the league.
For any AA related questions please contact Commissioner: Chris Green at cgreen@rhbaseball.org
AAA Minors (League-Age 9-11)
Practice: 2 days per week (Monday-Friday)
Games: 2 per week. One game on Tuesday or Wednesday & one game Saturday
The skills that the players have been accumulating come together as they now work as a team pitching, hitting and fielding the ball. Fundamentals and sportsmanship are still stressed along with the strategies required for competitive play. In the Spring the AAA division is primarily for league-age 10 through 11 year old players with some nine year old players traditionally drafted onto AAA Division teams as well. For the Spring season all players are required to try-out and teams are formed through a formal manager draft process supervised by the Player Agents. Player agents are responsible for setting the draft pools based on a combination of factors. In the Fall, players league-age 9 with a Spring and Fall season of AA can choose to play AAA, but this does not guarantee they will play there the following Spring. Players pitch, protective cups are required, all players bat in the line-up, the standard nine baseball defensive positions are used, players are now allowed to steal all bases and bunt, and scores and standings are kept. A post-season tournament will determine a World Series champion for the league.
For any AAA related questions please contact Commissioner Jeff Olson @ jolson@rhbaseball.org
Majors (League-Age 11-12)
Practice: 2 days per week (Monday-Friday)
Games: 2 per week. One game on Wednesday or Thursday & one game Saturday
Players continue to refine their skills and compete at a higher level. Little League Baseball, known as the Majors division, is generally oriented for experienced players who are league age 11 and 12 years old. Occasionally league-age 10's are drafted into the Major Division. In the Spring, all players are required to try-out and teams are formed through a formal manager draft process supervised by the Player Agent. In the Fall, league-age 10's must receive player agent approval to play Majors. Players who make it to the Little League World Series on TV come from the Majors division of Little League Baseball. A post-season tournament will determine a World Series champion for the league.
For any Majors related questions please contact Commissioner Jason Walker at javofour@gmail.com.