As of 2007, there are more than 2.6 million children participating in Little League Baseball. There are leagues and divisions in all 50 states, as well as several nations across the world including Israel, Japan, South Africa and China. The Little League organization has many age limitations set for every level of competition. This ensures that all players will have the opportunity to compete against opponents of the same skill level.
Tee Ball
Players ages 5 to 6 are eligible to play on a tee ball team. These leagues are completely void of pitching, focusing primarily on the basic fundamentals of the game. Balls are set on top of a height-adjustable tee for each batter, and the pitchers' only role is to field batted balls. If players have participated in one year of tee ball, they are then eligible for advancement to a Minor League team.
Minor League
Players ages 7 to 12 are eligible to play on a Minor League team. This is the first league in which players will have the opportunity to face live pitching. Some leagues use coaches to pitch, some will use a pitching machine and others will allow players to pitch. The competition gap between tee ball and minor leagues is considerable, especially if the age gap is a full five years.
Major League
Players ages 9 to 12 are eligible to play for a Major League team. These leagues are strictly player pitch leagues. Some league officials may limit the age grouping to 10 to 12, or even 11 to 12, to promote the honing of fundamental skills in lower leagues before advancing to the majors.
Junior League
Players ages 12 to 14 are eligible to play on a Junior League team. This is another major jump in competition level, as the focusing on fundamentals takes a back seat to game strategy and specialty skill development. Pitchers will be much more likely to throw a variety of pitches, whereas in lower leagues pitchers typically concentrate on throwing fastballs only.
Senior and Big Leagues
Players ages 14 to 16 are eligible to play on a Senior League team, and players 16 to 18 are eligible to play on a Big League team. These two leagues are typically reserved for high school athletes who wish to further hone their skills outside of high school games. The competition for these leagues can be intense, and some of these players will have scouts from professional teams in the stands watching them.
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