Little League Baseball started officially in 1939, and has since that time grown into an international organization for children to learn about baseball, team play and sportsmanship. To many, participation in Little League is a rite of passage for children. However, today's Little League may not be the baseball you remember.
Time Commitment
The amount of time you commit to a Little League team will vary depending on how serious the competition is in your area. Local teams practice an average of twice per week, plus a game on each weekend during the season. Teams aiming for a shot in the national and international tournaments may practice more frequently, or require their athletes to practice at home in addition to team practices. Parents willing to go the extra mile also have opportunities to coach and manage, or perform other support tasks for their teams.
Financial Commitment
When you sign up your child for a Little League season, expect to pay an up-front registration fee. Although the specific amount will vary from region to region, a fee of $100 to $150 was common in the United States for 2010. In addition to the registration fee, parents will also pay for uniforms, photos and team events. Your budget for these ancillary costs should more or less equal the registration fee. Your expenses may be higher if you opt for training camps, personal coaching or specialized equipment for your young athlete.
Divisions
Little League teams are separated according to age. Children ages 5 and 6 are eligible to play T-ball, a variant of baseball that eliminates pitching. Students ages 7 to 12 play "Minor League" ball, with younger teams having a coach pitch while older teams play with the players pitching. Players age 12 and 13 can participate in "Pilot League" ball, which transitions athletes to a regulation size field. Teens play in "Junior," "Senior" or "Big League" divisions, at the 13 to 14, 15 to 16 and 17 to 18 age brackets, respectively.
Minor and Major Division
Starting with the "Minor League" age brackets, different charter programs may participate in the Minor or Major divisions of Little League competition. Minor division competition is the Little League most adults remember -- local competition against other teams. Major division play is nationally competitive, and includes opportunity to play in regional, national and international tournaments. Major division play is generally more expensive and time-consuming than Minor play.
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