Rowayton Little League Division Information
SPRING BASEBALL DIVISION DESCRIPTIONS
When registering your child for the Spring season, please be aware of your child's "League age." Click here for the current Little League age chart. Match month (top line) and box with year of birth. League age indicated at right.
Pee Wee Division * NEW for 2024
Must be age 4-5 (generally pre-kindergarteners)
This is an introduction to baseball. The focus is on the fundamentals of hitting, catching, and throwing. Coaches will teach early concepts of the game including: base running and positions. Kids will hit off of a tee, use whiffle balls/bats and ultra soft baseballs to ensure safety and help them to be comfortable throwing and catching.
Pee Wee meets only on Saturdays. The majority of this session will be fun games and drills, but we may advance to some 3-inning games later in the season. It's important that the children joining this division should be able to accept, process and implement at least some of the instruction. For this reason, children playing must be 4 years old at the start of the season.
Tee-Ball Division
Little League age of 5-6 years old (generally kindergarteners)
A soft baseball is used for play, and players hit off a stationary batting tee. Basic fundamentals are taught with an emphasis on instructional play over competition. Tee Ball meets only on Saturdays. The first half of each session is practice and the second half is a 3 inning “game.” As the season progresses, coach pitch will be incorporated into practices and games as an introduction to the next division. RLL views Tee Ball as fun and instructional. Importantly, we think the children joining this division should be able to accept, process and implement at least some of the instruction.
A-Ball Division
Little League ages 6 or 7 (generally, 1st graders)
This division is a transition to a more advanced game of baseball. A reduced compression baseball is used and players hit off of coach pitching at the start of the season. As the season progresses, players who demonstrate the ability to throw a ball with proper mechanics will be given the opportunity to pitch as an introduction to the next level. Games are three to four innings long, with the rules structured to generate as many at-bats as possible. Defensively, every player rotates into both infield and outfield positions. Emphasis remains on instruction. Teams meet once during the week for practice, and once or twice on the weekend for games. There are no standings or post-season playoffs.
AA Division
Little league ages 7 or 8 (generally, 2nd graders)
AA Division uses a reduced compression baseball and players will face initially a combination of coach pitch and player pitching. As the season progresses, some games may be played entirely with players pitching. All players remain in the batting order for the entire game. Games are six innings long with each player is required to play at least 4 innings in the field. Although score is kept and standings maintained for a year end playoff, instruction is emphasized over competition. Many players choose to remain in this division for 2 years.
AAA Division
Little League age 8-10 (generally, 3rd and 4th graders). Any 8s that play in AAA are generally the most advanced players of that age group. Players are selected on a combined Rowayton / Norwalk team through a draft process.
Players eligible for the AAA division are expected to have achieved a minimum skill level in throwing, catching, fielding and hitting. These players should be able to: a) throw a baseball a reasonable distance with accuracy so as to compete in a game; b) be able to catch a baseball so as to not endanger themselves during participation in games and practice; c) be capable of having a competitive at bat with a reasonable expectation of putting the ball in play. All players eligible for AAA will be evaluated by coaches and team managers prior to the draft. Players who are League age 8 who are not drafted for AAA will be placed on a AA team. Historically, a limited percentage of 8s will make it onto a AAA team.
In the AAA division, players do all the pitching. Each player must play at least three innings in the field, and if interested will be given a chance to pitch. Games are six innings with modified playing rules that limit bunting, stealing and advancing on overthrows. Continuous batting order is used and balls and strikes are counted. Fields have fixed fences, and players receive full uniforms. Although score is kept and there is a year-end playoff, instruction is emphasized over competition. Most players will stay at this level for two years (some may stay for three).
Majors Division
Little League ages 10-12 (generally, 5th and 6th graders). Any 10s that play in Majors are generally the most advanced players of that age group. Players are selected on a combined Rowayton / Norwalk team through a draft process.
The Majors Division is our highest level and most competitive division. Each player must play three full innings of a six-inning game, and bat at least once per game. Anyone wishing to play in Majors are evaluated in a tryout and will be included in the annual Majors draft. Only league age 12-year-olds are guaranteed to play in Majors. The more skilled 10-year-olds may elect to try out for Majors but, there is no guarantee of making a Majors team. Historically, a limited number of 10s will make it onto a Majors team. Players who are a Little League age of 10 or 11 and not selected in the Majors draft will be placed on a AAA team.
The league’s 11 and 12-year-olds are eligible for selection to Rowayton / Norwalk Little League's District tournament team, which competes in the official Little League International Tournament beginning in late June. 10 and 11-year-olds in both Majors and AAA are also eligible for selection to a 10 and 11-year-old District All-Star teams.
Intermediate Division
League ages 12-13 (generally, 7th and 8th graders). The Intermediate 50/70 Division is a highly competitive division which plays live ball rules - this includes leading, pickoffs and unlimited stealing and advancing on overthrows. This division's postseason tournament play culminates with the Little League Intermediate World Series featuring teams from all around the world.
Playing Up Policy
RLL's "play up" policy governs the situation wherein a player with very high level skills may request to play up to the next division. This applies primarily to players who are league age 8 and may be skilled enough to play in the AAA division, or league age 10 may be skilled enough to play in the Majors division. The opportunity for select 8 / 10-years-olds to play up in the next division will be determined by a pre-season evaluation. While these "play up" situations are unlikely, we recognize it is possible. Parents should understand that the decision to allow any participant to play up is subject to the approval of RLL.
PLEASE NOTE: The RLL Board of Directors does NOT encourage players to apply to play up, and believes that in nearly all cases, players are best suited to play at their appropriate age level. Nonetheless, if your child would like to take advantage of this option, please send an email to [email protected] with "Play Up Consideration" in the subject line to submit your request.
Those who request to play up will be contacted by the League's Player Agent to discuss the specific circumstances and appropriateness of the request.
Spring Travel Options
For ages 8-12 Spring Travel Teams are designed for players who want a competitive environment in addition to the regular season. Typically teams are fielded in the 8U, 10U and 12U age groups with 12U playing on 50/70 intermediate fields. 9U and 11U teams will be formed based on interest and availability. Roster spots are limited and are based on selection.
Summer Play Options
Rowayton Little League is proud to offer three options to continue playing baseball through the summer:
- District Tournament - four teams at the 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U levels. Open to 8-13 year olds, each of these teams are entered into the Little League Tournament. Roster spots are limited and are based on selection.
- Summer Travel - based on participation, we look to have 3 or 4 Summer Travel Teams at the age groups of 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, & 13U with the 11U, 12U, & 13U teams playing mostly in the 50/70 Intermediate Division. These teams are designed for players who were not chosen for District teams but still want a competitive level of play. Roster spots are limited and are based on selection.
- Friendship Teams - the goal of Friendship League Teams is to provide all players interested in playing through the summer the opportunity to do so. In previous seasons, we’ve had teams for 7/8 year olds, 9/10 year olds and 11/12 year olds. The teams for this season will be dependent on the level of interest in each age group. Roster spots are open and all interested players will be placed on a team.