spring baseball leagues

Tee Ball

Farm

Rookies

Minors

Majors

Juniors

The Spring baseball season is the core of the Little League experience. Ross Valley Little League offers six levels of play, based on both age and ability, from Tee Ball to Juniors.

The appropriate level for your child is pre-determined by our bylaws based upon age, grade, and prior experience.

Regular Registration opens November 13, 2012 and closes December 21st. After December 21st, there is late registration available for a limited time based on availability and most levels are assessed a late fee. There are no refunds after January 28th. No exceptions.

Tee Ball

Tee Ball is a child's first introduction to organized baseball. It is intended for children in Pre-K or Kindergarten aged 5 and 6. A child must be 5 years old on or by February 1st, 2012 to qualify for 2012 Spring RVLL Tee Ball.

The emphasis is on familiarizing children with the most fundamental elements of the game -- how to swing a bat, field an easy grounder, run on the basepaths, and throw a ball. We want it be a fun experience, and help them learn about teamwork and basic sportsmanship. No score is kept, no outs are recorded, and everyone bats every inning.. We also use a super-cushioned "safety" baseball in all practices and games

There is 1 game each weekend and 1 practice during the week after school. Practices begin in March.

Team assignments are finalized at the end of February and parents are notified via email of their child's assignment -- We'd love to let your children play with their buddies and make every effort to satisfy parents' requests for specific team assignments. Requests MUST be received before January 31st to be considered.

Pre-K & K: Introduction to baseball.
Questions? Contact League Commissioner at tball@rossvalleylittleleague.org

Farm League

Farm League is for 6 and 7 year olds that have either previously played Tee Ball or are in 1st grade. It provides players the first opportunity to hit a pitched ball, thrown gently by coaches. As with Tee Ball, the emphasis is strictly in instruction, skill development and fun. Scores are not kept and the entire team bats every inning, regardless of "outs" made. We also use a super-cushioned "safety" baseball in all practices and games.

There is 1 game each weekend and 1 practice during the week after school. Practices begin in March.

Team assignments are finalized at the end of February and parents are notified via email of their child's assignment ---- We'd love to let your children play with their buddies and make every effort to satisfy parents' requests for specific team assignments. Requests MUST be received before January 31st to be considered.

K & 1st Grade: Coach pitch
Questions? Contact League Commissioner at farm@rossvalleylittleleague.org

Rookies League

Rookie Ball is for 1st graders that have previously played Farm League baseball or 2nd graders. Players at this level graduate to a machine-pitched baseball, though with the same, cushioned "safety ball" used in the prior levels.

Rookie league continues the prior emphasis on instruction over competition. During the regular season, no scores are kept and outs may be recorded. There is an end-of-season playoff tournament at which scores are kept and a standard 3-out inning is introduced for the first time.

Team assignments are finalized at the end of February and parents are notified via email of their child's assignment. Rookie team assignments are made with an eye towards balancing team competitiveness, which is a change from the Farm and Tee-Ball philosophy. No special team or "Buddy" reguests are considered at this level or above.

The time commitment typically includes one game during the week and 1 game on the weekend along with one or two practices during the week and weekend. Practices begin at the end of February.

1st (if played Farm) & 2nd Grade: Machine pitch; score kept only in playoffs
· Questions? Contact League Commissioner at rookies@rossvalleylittleleague.org

Minors League

Minors is for players in 3rd through 5th grade. Most children play for a total of 2 or 3 years before graduating to Majors. Second-graders are not allowed to play in the Minors Leage, no exceptions.

Minors represents a significant step forward in the level of play. First, it marks the first time the children pitch to one another. The players also graduate to a real hardball, from the safety ball of the prior years. Players also begin to steal bases at the Minors level.

Competition is also introduced as part of the game. The kids play a standard 6-inning game, with three outs per side. Scores and standings are both kept throughout the regular season, and a seeded playoff tournament is used to determine a champion, who goes on to represent the RVLL in a "Tournament of Champions" against other local leagues.

Instruction and participation, however, remain paramount in Minors play. Every player is in the batting order at all times. No child may sit out more than 2 innings in a game. The goal is to continue to hone their abilities, learn new skills, and have fun.

Minors registrants participate in mandatory Evaluations (January 28th at Marin Catholic), but their participation is purely to allow the coaching staffs to evaluate players for purposes of balancing the teams. Following the evaluations, the Minors coaches hold a draft to determine rosters. All evaluation and draft-related information is strictly non-public. Every Minors age-eligible child will end up on a Minors roster. Nobody is turned away for lack of ability.

Roster assignments are completed in February, at which time parents will receive notification as to where their son or daughter has been placed.

Typically, Minors teams enjoy one game during the week and another on Saturday, with practices most Sundays and during the week. Practices start at the end of February, right after ski week.

Most games and practices are held at Bacich School.

3rd - 5th Grade: Kid pitch; introduction to competitive play
· Tryouts Mandatory: January 28th at Marin Catholic
· Questions? Contact League Commissioner at minors@rossvalleylittleleague.org

Majors League

Majors is for 5th, 6th graders, and 7th graders that were born after April 30, 1999. It is a competitive league in which tryouts are held to determine qualifications. Tryouts are January 28 at Marin Catholic. Non-qualifying 10 and 11 year olds are released to the minors where they are drafted as part of the Minors team assignment process. All 12 year olds are assured a place on a majors team, unless the player's parents agree their child would be better served with a season in the minors.

Players will be notified in the weeks after Tryouts as to their league assignment (Majors vs. Minors). Whether for Majors or Minors, roster assignments are completed in late February, at which time parents will receive notification as to the team on which their son or daughter has been placed.

Majors play is considered a competitive league, and is actually the age group that competes in the Little League World Series. The skill level of the Majors players is materially higher than the minors division. Majors team play inter-league games against other little league including Twin Cities and Tiburon. Standings and scores are kept throughout the season, which culminates in a playoff tournament. The Majors playoff champion competes in a "Tournament of Champions" against other area league champions at the end of the season.

Typically, Majors teams enjoy one game during the week and one on Saturday. There is a scheduled practice every Sunday as well as some practices during the week. Practices begin at the end of February, right after ski week.

Most practices are held at Bacich School on the "majors" diamond near the batting cages, with games at Bacich and the opposing out of league opponents fields such as Joe Wagner and Strawberry.

5th - 7th Grade: Tryouts; competitive play
· Tryouts Mandatory: January 28 at Marin Catholic
· Questions? Contact League Commissioner at majors@rossvalleylittleleague.org

Juniors League

Juniors baseball is a competitive program designed for 13 and 14 year old players. Players participating in juniors include those aiming to continue playing at the high school level as well as those looking merely to continue playing the sport they've enjoyed throughout their several years within the RVLL. In addition, high school freshmen that are still Little League age 14 (born after April 30, 1997) can also participate in the Juniors program, even starting late, after their high school schedule is completed.

There is a mandatory tryout, and a player draft. The teams play against other local little league programs throughout Marin, including Mill Valley, Tiburon, and Twin Cities. Practices begin early March.

The Juniors program represents a significant step forward as it is the first time these players will move to a regulation baseball diamond, with all the associated challenges of 90-feet bases, extended throws, and mounds 60 feet 6 inches from home plate.

Additionally, the rules of Juniors ball more closely mimic professional baseball. The introduction of leads, stealing, and the like increases the complexity (and enjoyment) of the game for Juniors players.

Coaches in Juniors possess extensive coaching experience and the ability to teach advanced fundamentals and strategy. Juniors coaches focus on ensuring fun for the team while markedly improving the players' fundamental skills as they learn to adjust to playing on the big diamond. Coaches use positive encouragement to develop the players into good teammates and confident teens.

There are usually two games per week along with additional weekly practices. Standings and scores are kept throughout the season, which culminates in a playoff tournament. The Junios playoff champion competes in a Tournament of Champions against other area league champions at the end of the season.

7th - 8th Grade: Advanced play- full sized baseball diamond
· Tryouts Mandatory: January 28 at Marin Catholic
· Questions? Contact League Commissioner at juniors@rossvalleylittleleague.org