First-year and some second-year players should be assigned to T-ball (usually league ages 4-6, depending on ability and experience). Here, players have fun learning the fundamentals of the game. All players play all innings and bat around. No scores are kept, so each team wins every game. T-ball teams practice one afternoon per week. One game is played on Saturday each week. In the first half of the season, the kids hit from the Tee. In the second half of the season, some kids will be ready for Coach pitch. If, after three pitches, the batter has still not hit the ball, a Tee should be used. This division is the starting point for the young player. The T-Ball division is a great entry point for all coaches as well (moms too). This division consists of very young players with little to no knowledge of baseball. SBLL will host a coaching clinic and provide resources to support interested coaches with managing their teams. The goal with this division is fun over all other aspects.

Children continue learning fundamentals, improving skills, and gaining a better understanding of baseball (usually league ages 5-7, depending on ability and experience). Kids should have basic knowledge of how to run the bases, how to hold/swing a bat, how to catch and throw from short distances, and at least one year of prior league experience. However, league year 7’s will do well in this division if they are new to baseball. Equal participation for all players is an emphasis in this division. Single A rules allow 10 players on the defense field at a time. All players play infield and outfield positions, and all players bat. Each team bats through the lineup each inning; teams in the field can recognize outs, but the inning will not end at 3 outs.

For kids league ages 7-9 who are still deepening their grasp of hitting, throwing, and fielding fundamentals. This division is designed to prepare kids for kid pitch (Double AA). An inning ends when the defense gets 3 outs, or the hitting team gets 5 runs, whichever comes first. Pitching is by machine, which can be adjusted for each player’s strike zone. The batter stays at the plate until he/she hits the ball into play; if the player hasn't hit off the machine after 10 pitches, a Tee will be brought out, or the coach will pitch to the player. Standings are not kept, nor are wins and losses recorded. The score is only tracked to determine when 5 runs have been scored in a half-inning. Single A teams practice once per week. In the first half of the season, games are on Saturdays only. In the second half of the season, Teams will play two games per week, one mid-week and one on Saturdays.

Children who demonstrate more advanced skills, coordination, and understanding of the game are drafted into the AA Division (usually league ages 8-10, depending on ability and experience.) All players who have played in the prior seasons’ lower divisions (T-ball, A Silver, and A Gold) will spend at least one season playing in the AA division unless they are league year 10. 

AA is the first full year of “live kid pitch,” and teams are drafted by coaches based on assessment scores and knowledge of players’ ability. Players must attend assessments for this division. Players will improve fundamental skills and develop the teamwork needed to win games. All players play infield and outfield positions, and all players bat. There are two games per week and one or two practices per week. This division will be a very important transition from the lower divisions to the upper divisions, and the first year the players will have a season-ending playoff. Because this is a draft division, friend requests are not allowed. This is the first year the kids will have umpires officiating the games. Umpires are SBLL Players from the upper divisions (League age 11 and up).

Children who demonstrate more advanced skills, coordination, and understanding of the game (usually league ages 9-11, depending on ability and experience) are drafted into the AAA Division. Teams are drafted by coaches based on try-out scores and knowledge of players’ abilities. Players 9 must attend tryouts for this division. In this division, players continue to improve fundamental skills in preparation for the Majors division. There are two games per week and one or two practices per week.

Children who demonstrate the highest level of skill, coordination, and understanding of the game during try-outs (mandatory) are placed on a draft list as possible Majors Division players (usually league ages 11-12, depending on ability and experience). Teams are created through a player draft. Managers of the Majors teams meet with league officials and draft players from the tryout list of registered players. Majors players “fine tune” fielding, throwing, hitting, running, and pitching skills in competitive play. There are two games a week and one to two practices per week.

For players who have finished their 12-year-old seasons in Little League, this is an opportunity to continue playing baseball as a part of SBLL. Interleague games are scheduled between Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, and other coastal cities. Registration is through SBLL, and players play on a 50-70 size field (Little League fields are 46-60, and Juniors are 60-90). Typically, Intermediates have one practice and one or two games weekly. This is a perfect opportunity to extend the great experience with Solana Beach Little League for two more years. 

For players who have finished their 12-year-old seasons in Little League, this is an opportunity to continue playing baseball as a part of SBLL. Interleague games are scheduled between Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, and other coastal cities. Registration is through SBLL, and players play on a 60-90 full-size field. Typically, Juniors have one practice and one or two games weekly. This is a perfect opportunity to extend the great experience with Solana Beach Little League for two more years.