National Little League Age Change for 2006 Season

The information in this document will answer many of your questions. Please read carefully before asking the registrar or player agent.

2006 Season Change in Little League Age Determination Date 

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (May 9, 2005) - The Little League International Board of Directors, governing body for the world's largest organized youth sports program, has accepted a recommendation from USA Baseball to change the league age determination date for its players starting in the 2006 season.

The league age determination date is the age a player has attained as of a specific date, for the purpose of placing the player in a particular division.  For more than 55 years in Little League, that date was July 31st.

"The changes in the league age determination dates for Little League Baseball and Softball were approved unanimously by the Little League International Board of Directors," said Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, and a Director of USA Baseball.  "More than four years of study went into this decision, along with years of discussion with our senior volunteers at the local level.  I congratulate the board on taking this progressive step."

Little League has prepared a list of questions and answers regarding all changes made in conjunction with the new league age determination date. 

Question:  What exactly does "league age determination date" mean?
Answer:  The league age determination date is the age a player has attained as of a specific date, for the purpose of placing the player in a particular division.  For nore than 55 years in Little League, that date was July 31st.

Question:  What is the new league age determination date for baseball?
Answer:  Starting in 2006, the age of a baseball player as of April 30 of the current year will be that player's league age for the current season.

Question:  What is the reason for the change in baseball?
Answer:  The chief reason is so that most players on a team will spend the majority of the regular season at the same chronological age as their league age.

Question:  Could this help our league retain more 13-year-old players in the transition to the Junior League Baseball Division where the diamond is the standard size?
Answer:  Absolutely.  One-fourth of those players who would have been moved up to the Junior Division would have another year of eligibility in the major division, and thus may be better prepared for the larger diamond.

Important note: What about PONY? As many of you know due to regional competition, the size of our program and the desire of coaches/parents to offer a stage between Little League fields and High school (which is what Jr. Division plays), Saratoga offers Pony league baseball - Pony division (13-14 year old) at Congress Springs Park.

Pony's Executive Committee voted at their recent meeting 4-0-1 to not change the age cutoff date to April 30th for all baseball programs. This change was approved by USA Baseballís Board in January and was to be adopted by all its youth league members for implementation in 2006 or 2007.

Pony Headquarters is soliciting feedback from its members on this proposed change. A final decision will be made by Pony's Board of Directors at their annual meeting October 2005. SLL will notify players of their options around the time of registration.

Question:  What about those players born in May, June or July who would have been league-age five in 2006 (eligible for T-Ball), but now will be considered league-age four (not eligible)?
Answer:  For one year only, those players will be permitted to register and play in the 2006 T-Ball division.  They also will be eligible to be placed on a machine-pitch or coach pitch division in the minor league in 2007 if they have completed a year of T-Ball.

Note from the Player Agent about special acceptions for 2006 season:
 
Due to the new age cutoff dates the Commissioners and Player Agent will review the players who have birth dates in April, May or June and who desire to move to the next division, but may not meet all of the "Move-up" policy rules (per # 4).
 
For example:  A 7 year old player who turns 8 on May 3rd may be allowed to move to AA this year.  Criteria to be reviewed:  Previous year player evaluation, this year's tryout data and player's strong desire to play with peers.
 
Thank you,
Player Agent

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REFUND POLICY:

In the event a player elects to withdraw from the program, refunds will be provided as follows:

Player withdrawal prior to verification night - 100% minus $15.00 (registration fee)

Player withdrawal prior to try outs - 75% of Registration Fee.

Player withdrawal after try outs - 50% of Registration Fee.

Player withdrawal after team formation NO REFUND.

Refund(s) for player withdrawal due to unforeseen circumstances (injury, moving, etc.) will be considered by the Board of Directors on an individual basis.
All refunds will occur by the end of the 2005 season. Please request a refund in writing.