What you need to know about each baseball and softball league under Swampscott Little League:
PLEASE NOTE: Go here for baseball to determine your child's "league age" for the upcoming 2022 season, and go here for softball to determine your child's "league age" for the upcoming 2022 season.
BASEBALL
League: Baseball T-Ball
What it's about: A non-competitive program with an emphasis on fun and teaching the fundamental skills and rules of baseball. Coaches are instructed not to keep score. Players hit off of a "tee" and are encouraged to play all positions in the field. Everyone plays an equal amount of time.
Time commitment: Teams will play one game per week -- mainly on Saturday mornings (times will vary). There will also be one practice per week. The Tball season typically runs from May through mid June.
2022 season age range: Open to: Boys & Girls born between: 09/01/2015 and 08/31/2018
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League: Instructional (“Coach Pitch”) League Baseball
What it's about: Consists primarily of 7 & 8 year old players, including those 8 year olds that may not have been chosen for Farm League (see below) or who choose not to try out for Farm League. A smaller number of spots for 6 year old players may be available. A non-competitive league with an emphasis on fun, while teaching the basics of baseball, team play, and sportsmanship.
Coaches pitch to their own team. Coaches are be on the field to provide instruction/direction during play. No stealing or aggressive base running.
The League Director may choose to have players pitch to batters in the last quarter of the season to prepare the players for Farm League.
Time commitment: Teams will play about twice a week; on weekends (times will vary) and on a various weeknights. There may be one practice per week. The Instructional season typically runs from late April through early to mid June.
2022 season age range: Open to: Boys & Girls born between: 09/01/2013 and 08/31/2015
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League: Farm League Baseball
What it's about: Consists primarily of 8 & 9 year old players, including those 9 year olds that may not have been chosen for Minor League or who choose not to try out for Minor League. A smaller number of spots for 7 year old players may be available. Emphasis is on development, baseball basics, understanding the rules of the game, having fun, sportsmanship, and responsibility to the team. All candidates who wish to be considered must attend a pre-season evaluation. Players pitch for the first time in this league.
Time commitment: Teams will play about twice a week; on weekends (times will vary) and on various weeknights. The Farm season typically runs from early April through mid-June.
2022 season age range: Open to: Boys & Girls born between: 09/01/2012 and 08/31/2014
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League: Minor League Baseball
What it's about: Consists primarily of 10 & 11 year old players that may not have been chosen for Major League or who choose not to try out for Major League. A smaller number of spots for 9 year old players may be available. Emphasis is on individual development, understanding the rules and strategy of the game, having fun, sportsmanship, and some level of competitive play. All candidates who wish to be considered must try-out and be selected to play in this league.
There is a minimum playing time rule (minimum: 3 innings in the field and one at bat per game).
Time commitment: The Minor League season typically runs from early April through mid- June.
Teams could play up to 3 times a week; on weekends (times will vary) and on a various weeknights. All-stars (10 yr old team) typically run from the regular season close to July 15 (no games on July 3 or 4th). The 10 yr old All-Star tournament does not extend beyond districts.
2022 season age range: Open to: Boys & Girls born between: 09/01/2010 and 08/31/2013
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League: Major League Baseball
What it's about: Consists primarily of 11 & 12 year old players. A smaller number of spots for 10 year old players may be available. Emphasis is on individual development, sportsmanship, advanced understanding of the game, and competitive play. All candidates must attend pre-season evaluations to be placed on a team.
There is a minimum playing time rule (minimum: 3 innings in the field and one at bat per game).
Time commitment: The Major League season typically runs from early April through mid- June.
Teams could play up to 3 times a week; on weekends (times will vary) and on a various weeknights. All-stars (12 yr old team and 11 yr old team) typically run from the regular season close to July 15 (no games on July 3 or 4th) for our district tournament -- and for 12 yr old team only -- could extend into August depending on success.
2022 season age range: Open to: Boys & Girls born between: 09/01/2009 and 08/31/2012
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SOFTBALL
League: Rookie Softball (Coach Pitch)
What it's about: Consists primarily of 6, 7 and 8 year olds with an emphasis on development, softball basics, understanding the rules of the game, having fun, sportsmanship, and responsibility to the team. Players will be assigned to a team by the director of the league.
This is the first time that players will hit off a a live pitcher. A coach will pitch to the kids in this league. There is a continuous batting order so all players bat. Players are encouraged to play all positions.
There is no stealing or aggressive base running. Parents of children in this league may be required (if playing at Forest Ave) to work a specified number of times in the concession stand each season. Concession duty is typically scheduled during your child's games.
Time commitment: Teams will play twice a week; on weekends (times will vary) and on a various weeknight. The Rookie season typically runs from late April through early to mid June.
2022 season age range: Open to: Girls born between: 01/01/2013 and 12/31/2015
League: Minor League Softball
What it's about: Consists primarily of 9 & 10 year olds with the possibility of some spots available for 8 year olds. Emphasis is on individual development, understanding the rules and strategy of the game, having fun, sportsmanship, and some level of competitive play. All 8, 9 and 10 year old candidates who wish to be considered must try-out and be selected to play in this league.
There is a minimum playing time rule (6 consecutive outs in the field and one at bat per game). However, coaches typically try to provide more than the minimum playing time for all players. Managers determine batting order and field position per skill, safety, and contribution to overall team success. Minor League is a commitment for both player and parent during the season. Parents of children in this league are required to work a specified number of times in the concession stand each season. Concession duty is typically scheduled during your child's games.
Time commitment: The Minor League season typically runs from late April through early to mid June. Teams could play up to 3 times a week; on weekends (times will vary) and on a various weeknights. All-stars (10 yr old team) typically run from the regular season close to July 15 (no games on July 3 or 4th). The 10 yr old All-Star tournament does not extend beyond districts.
2022 season age range: Open to: Girls born between: 01/01/2011 and 12/31/2013
League: Major League Softball
What it's about: A competitive league suited for primarily 11 & 12 year old players. A smaller number of spots for 10 year old players may be available. Emphasis is on individual development, sportsmanship, advanced understanding of the game, and competitive play. All 11 and 12 year old players must play in Majors and will need to attend pre-season evaluations to be placed on a team. All 10 year old candidates who wish to be considered must try-out and be selected to play in this league. There is a minimum playing time rule (6 consecutive outs in the field and one at bat per game).
However, managers typically try to provide more than the minimum playing time for players. Managers determine batting order and field position according to skill, safety, opportunity, and contribution to overall team success.
Time commitment: The Major League season typically runs from late April through early to mid June.
Teams could play up to 3 times a week; on weekends (times will vary) and on a various weeknights. All-stars (11-12 yr old team and 10-11 team) typically run from the regular season close to July 15 (no games on July 3 or 4th) for our district tournament -- and for 11-12 team only -- could extend into August depending on success.
2022 season age range: Open to: Girls born between: 01/01/2009 and 12/31/2011
League: Senior League Softball
What it's about: Girls who have reached league age 13-16 are eligible for Senior League level softball. There will be a tryout for determining placement on a team. The goal of Junior League level play will be to hone the skills the player has attained during their lower league level of play and to prepare players for potential future play at the High School level and beyond.
Time commitment: Teams practice generally twice a week and may be scheduled for 2-3 games per week.
2022 season age range: Open to: Girls born between: 01/01/2005 and 12/31/2008
