T-ball

The T-Ball division is designed for 4 to 5 year old’s (league age) who are playing baseball for the first time and/or who would benefit from a further year playing T-Ball. This is a fast and fun game that introduces some basic concepts of baseball.   The primary goal of T-Ball is to get children interested in the game of baseball while teaching them the fundamentals of baseball - hitting, throwing, catching, running and fielding. There is also a focus on experiencing the value of teamwork. The Rally Cap Program is followed for this age group.   There are approximately 6 players per team and there are approximately 12 games/practices per season running from the beginning of May to the end of June.   3 teams play at a time, each rotation will be 30 minutes. (eg: team 1 vs team 2, while team 3 practices, team 2 vs team 3 while team 1 practices, team 1 vs team 3 while team 2 practices). There is also a Fun Day wrap up tournament in the middle of June.

Parent involvement is key at this age. In order to effectively and efficiently run a Rally Cap practice, coaches need parent help.  Areas that help is needed may include: running a drill at practice, keeping players in line for batting during a game, outfield assistance during a game (keeping kids in the right positions), or even running a player to the bathroom.  Various coaches will approach this differently, however you should expect to be asked to help out at some point.  

Coach Pitch

The Coach Pitch Division is designed for 6 to 7 year olds (league age).  Coach Pitch builds on the skills learned in the T-Ball division and is designed to help players get ready for Rookie league. At this level of play the coaches will be encouraged to begin overhand pitching to players from approximately 25’. There are approximately 6 players per team and there are approximately 12 games/practices per season running from the beginning of May to the end of June.   3 teams play at a time, each rotation will be 30 minutes. (eg: team 1 vs team 2, while team 3 practices, team 2 vs team 3 while team 1 practices, team 1 vs team 3 while team 2 practices). There is also a Fun Day wrap up tournament mid June. 

Parent involvement is key at this age. In order to effectively and efficiently run a developmental practice, coaches need parent help.  Areas that help is needed may include: running a drill at practice, keeping players in line for batting during a game, outfield assistance during a game (keeping kids in the right positions), or even running a player to the bathroom.  Various coaches will approach this differently, however you should expect to be asked to help out at some point.   

Rookie  

The Rookie Ball Division is for 7 to 8 year olds (league age).  The Rookie Ball Division is an instructional division developed as a transition league between Coach Pitch and Minor League. Players are taught the fundamentals of baseball including playing positions, throwing, catching, fielding, batting, defensive ready position and running the bases. Most importantly, players will be introduced to the concept of pitching. As the season progresses, players will take a more and more active role in the position of pitcher.   There are 10 – 12 players per team that are selected onto teams after an evaluation process before the start of the season.  There are approximately 12 games per season running from the end of April to the end of June. There is also a Fun Day wrap up tournament at the end of June.  

Parent involvement is key at this age. Coaches still may require help in the dugout during games, help running drills during practice, or otherwise as requested. As this is the real beginning of "real baseball", parents also play an important role in setting the stage for positive fan involvement.  Be ready to cheer your young players on!  At the Fun Day wrap up tournament, each Rookie team is assigned a concession shift. The coach will allocate this time out among the team to work.  

Minor

The Minor division is for 9 to 10 year old’s. Minor division is the transition of Baseball from Rookie Ball to real baseball where pitching becomes a large part of the game for your child. The focus in this Division is on teaching the players the fundamentals of baseball in a true little league baseball environment. Your child's coaches will be teaching and working with your child to learn the basic pitching fundamentals for them to achieve a level of success when they are on the pitching mound.   The game follows most of the rules in the Little League Rulebook; however we also employ "House Rules" which we have found appropriate for better play at this level.  A maximum of nine players are on the field defensively for each inning. Players are rotated through the infield and outfield positions and may sit for one or two innings at the discretion of the coaches. All players bat through the order. Minor is the first Division where an All Star team will continue with Little League Tournament play after the regular season.  Minor is still a development division for our young players, and the focus remains on teaching the fundamentals of batting, throwing, fielding and pitching. The goal is for players to learn how to pitch in game situations and for them to continue to develop their hitting, throwing and fielding skills in a fun and safe environment. Coaches will follow the league guidelines to ensure players get equal opportunity at each position. Be advised that if safety becomes an issue some players will not play certain positions. 
There are 10-12 players per team and they are selected onto teams after an evaluation process before the start of the season. The season runs from the middle of April to the middle of June. There is at least one tournament.   

Parent involvement is key at this age. Coaches still may require help in the dugout during games, help running drills during practice, or otherwise as requested. Some coaches like having a team manager to be the main communication link for the team.  Parents also become great fans at this age. Be ready to cheer your young players on!  LLL hosts a Minor tournament that includes all LLL Minor teams and may include some from outside of Lethbridge.  This tournament is run by the LLL board Tournament Director.   

Major

The Major Division is for 11 to 12-year olds. The game is essentially the same as is played in Minor Division but is played with strict adherence to the Little League Rulebook.   There is a maximum of nine players in the field defensively for each inning. Players are rotated through the infield and outfield positions and may sit for one or two innings at the discretion of the coaches. This Division has All Star team play available after the regular season. Coaches will follow the league guidelines to ensure players get equal opportunity at each position. Be advised that if safety becomes an issue some players will not play certain positions. 
In the Major Division, there are usually 10 to 12 players per team and they are selected onto teams after an evaluation process before the start of the season. The season runs from the middle of April to the middle of June. There is at least one tournament.   Expect out of town travel in this league (see Diamonds section for more details).  

Parent involvement is key at this age. Coaches still may require help in the dugout during games, help running drills during practice, or otherwise as requested. Some coaches like having a team manager to be the main communication link for the team.  Parents also become great fans at this age. Be ready to cheer your young players on!  LLL hosts a Major tournament that includes all LLL Major teams plus teams from outside of Lethbridge.  This tournament is run by the LLL board Tournament Director.   

Intermediate / Junior / Teenage

 LLL is partnered with the Jr. Academy enhance the level of play for players of this age group. 1) Players selected to the Bantam AAA team will not participate in Little League and will play through the Academy program in Alberta Baseball. 2) Players selected to the Bantam AA team will be required to roster and play Little League games. Players will play both House League and Academy so that they qualify for the Jr. Canadian Little League summer ball team 3) All remaining players will roster with Little League and will play based on age in either the Intermediate or Teenage Division. These players will be also be eligible to tryout for summer ball teams.

Why is this happening? 

The Intermediate/Junior/Senior divisions have always had some unique challenges at the house league level; most notably, non-competitive play and a lack of development of players due to the disparity in abilities.  As we continue to deal with lower registration numbers for Little League we are working on the best model to help support the players in which would like to continue their baseball careers. In partnership with Little League District 1, Lethbridge District International Baseball Foundation and Little League Alberta slight modifications are made each year to help enhance baseball at these levels.  
The new structure will allow all players to develop within one of the divisions that offers good competition for their teams ability. Games will be more competitive, plus players who were affected by the age change will still get an opportunity to play highly competitive ball, if they choose to.  Costs for each team will be dependent on each teams budget, including where they travel for tournaments, and their fundraising completed as a team.  All Little League players will have the option of continuing to play into the summer with Little League’s Summer Ball program.   
Lethbridge will once again host the Junior Canadian Tournament in August.  There will be a separate tryout for the host team.  Players who qualify through ANY of the divisions are eligible to try out for this team provided they meet the Junior Little League age eligibility.  It is expected that “AAA” players not eligible for the Junior Canadian Tournament will compete in Provincials for an Alberta Championship.  

The document below is outlines the pathways possible during the ages of 4 through 16 years of age (Little League Ages)