Division

Saratoga Little League Divisions

Majors AAA AA Farm Mini-Ball T-Ball

References

PCA

Saratoga Little League Youth Umpire Program Information click here

Saratoga Little League is divided into 6 separate Divisions. A Divisional Competitive charter defines each Division to ensure players are appropriately placed depending upon their age and skill level. This is designed to increase playtime in our Minor's division, increase player rotation defensively and offensively throughout the league, and increase the development of pitching and establish competitive levels of play appropriate for the Divisional age groups.

The Board believes that these measures will improve the opportunity for skills development of the majority of our participating players by providing more of why we are here: Game Play Time.

Specifically, we have implemented the following rules that far exceed the National Little League Policy of 6 defensive outs and 1 at-bat:

Minimum play in the Minors divisions is increased from 3 defensive innings of a 6 inning game to 4 innings of a 6 inning game. Recognizing that there are games shortened due to rain or darkness, minimum required play is 2 innings of 4, 3 innings of 5, and 4 innings of a complete 6 inning game. A player not meeting his minimum play requirement will start the next game.
Require defensive player rotation in Farm and AA to ensure every player gains experience in both the infield and the outfield. Defensive player rotation is encouraged in AAA and Majors.
Retention of continuous batting order. In 2006 we will adopt regulations that further improve batting rotation by limiting the number of times that a batter bats last in the order and for the Minor's division, providing player the opportunity to bat in the lead-off position.
Pitching rotation. Pitching is the key to successful post-season play and is a prime position that many players seek to try. Beginning this season we have established limits to the number of innings that a player can pitch in a given game. This accomplishes three objectives:
- 1) Provides more opportunity for players to try and develop pitching skills,
- 2) Develops more pitchers throughout the course of the season, and
- 3) Protects the arms of young pitchers.
Elimination of Division standings in Farm and AA during the regular season. Post season tournaments remain competitive in all divisions, but will be established by random seeding rather than by Season standings, affording managers more latitude to develop players without the pressure to win at all costs in competitive environments.

We are hopeful that the institution of these measures will provide for a more enjoyable format for our players and their parents. We also expect that these measures will increase overall player development and skill, improving the level of competitiveness in post-season play.

Divisional Competitive Progression

	T-Ball	Mini-Ball	Farm	AA	AAA	Majors
Competition	Introductory	Introductory	Developmental	Developmental	Introductory Competative	Full Competitive Division w/ Inter-league play
Ages	5 year-olds and kindergartners	6 year-olds and 1 st graders	7 - 9 No cutting of 8 year olds to Mini-ball, unless child/parents self-select	8 - 10 No cutting of 10 year olds to Farm, unless child/parents self-select	9 - 11 No cutting of 11 year olds to AA, unless child/parents self-select	11 - 12 No cutting of 12 year olds to AAA, unless child/parents self-select
Scoring	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Standings	No	No	No	No	Partial (12 of 20 Games)	Yes
Team Size	10 kids per team	10 kids per team	12 kids per team	12 kids per team	12 kids per team	12 kids per team
Minimum Play	Everyone plays all innings	Everyone plays all innings	Each player plays 2 of 4, 3 of 5, or 4 of 6 innings. No player is on bench more than one inning in a row.	Each player plays 2 of 4, 3 of 5, or 4 of 6 innings. No player is on bench more than one inning in a row.	Each player plays 2 of 4, 3 of 5, or 4 of 6 innings. No player is on bench more than one inning in a row.	Minimum 3 defensive innings or 50% of game. No player is on bench more than one inning in a row. Otherwise player starts next game.
Fielding			Mandatory defensive position rotation	Mandatory defensive position rotation	Encourage defensive position rotation	Encourage defensive position rotation
Batting	Continuous Batting rotate bottom of order, no player bats last more than 2 games, everyone gets to bat leadoff at least once.	Continuous Batting rotate bottom of order, no player bats last more than 2 games, everyone gets to bat leadoff at least once.	Continuous Batting rotate bottom of order, no player bats last more than 2 games, everyone gets to bat leadoff at least once.	Continuous Batting rotate bottom of order, no player bats last more than 2 games, everyone gets to bat leadoff at least once.	Continuous Batting rotate bottom of order, no player bats last more than 2 games, everyone gets to bat leadoff at least once.	Continuous Batting rotate bottom of order, no player bats last more than 3 games.
Pitching	N/A	N/A	N/A	Regular season: thru April 23^rd - six (6) consecutive outs or two innings but no more than 50 pitches After April 24^th, maximum or 55 pitches and three (3) innings / week. Playoffs: three (3)innings per pitcher maximum.	Regular season: 60 pitches. Starting pitchers may pitch three (3) innings, relief pitchers may pitch two (2) innings Playoffs: 75 pitches.	Regular season: three (3) innings per pitcher maximum, or 75 pitches before start of batter.
Tournament	N/A	N/A	Competitive Random Seeding	Competitive Random Seeding	Competitive Random Seeding	Competitive pool play format Random Seeding.
Contacts per week	1 per week	3 per week	3 per week	3 per week	3 per week	3 per week
Pre Game Practice Time	30 min prior to Game	30 min prior to Game	30 min prior to Game	60 min prior to Game	60 min prior to Game	60 min prior to Game
Game Length	1.5 Hours	1.5 Hours	2 Hours / 10 Run Difference	2 Hours / 10 Run Difference	2.5 Hours ?	2.5 Hours?

Honor the Game