Understanding League Age and Choosing the Right Baseball Division
When registering for the spring season, one of the most common questions families have is: "Which division should my player register for?"
The information below is designed to help families choose the division that will provide the best experience for their player while supporting skill development, confidence, safety, and enjoyment of the game.
Lake Stevens Little League serves players ages 4–16. Little League International determines each player's "League Age" based on their date of birth. League age is used to determine eligibility for various divisions and All-Star play.
To determine your player's League Age, please use the Little League League Age Calculator.
If you have questions about division placement, please contact the Lake Stevens Little League Information Officer or Player Agent.
Understanding Lake Stevens Little League Divisions
Different Little Leagues may use different division names. Some leagues use a single "Minors" division, while Lake Stevens Little League utilizes a developmental progression that includes both Farm and AAA before players advance to Majors.
Our baseball divisions are:
Player placement is determined by league age, experience, skill level, evaluations, and available roster space. Our goal is to place every player where they can safely develop their skills, gain confidence, and have fun playing baseball.
*Please see below for Fall Ball descriptions.
Spring Season
Tee Ball (Ages 4–6)
Tee Ball is designed to be a player's first introduction to baseball. Players hit from a batting tee while learning the fundamentals of throwing, catching, fielding, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
There are no official outs, scores, or standings. Every player has the opportunity to bat each inning, creating a fun and positive learning environment.
Team Formation
Advancing to Rookies
Some league-age 6 players with prior Tee Ball experience and a strong understanding of the game may be ready for the Rookies division.
Rookies (Coach Pitch) (Ages 6–8)
Rookies is the next step in player development and introduces more game action while continuing to focus on learning and fun. Players hit pitches thrown by a coach, and defensive play becomes more structured.
Players begin learning game situations, outs are recorded, and teams start developing baseball fundamentals in a game setting.
Team Formation
Advancing to Farm
Some experienced league-age 8 players may be ready for the Farm division. If a rookie-aged player would like to play up, they must attend Farm evaluations. Placement is determined through player evaluations and league review.
Farm (Ages 8–10)
Farm is a developmental division designed to bridge the gap between coach-pitch baseball and the more competitive levels of player-pitch baseball. Players continue developing their hitting, fielding, throwing, and game awareness while learning more advanced baseball concepts.
Farm focuses heavily on skill development and preparing players for AAA and Majors competition.
Player Evaluations
All players interested in Farm, AAA or Majors are encouraged to attend player evaluations. Evaluations help ensure players are placed in the division where they can be most successful and continue to develop. If a player does not attend evaluations, they will be considered a "blind draft" and will be drafted in the division that correlates with their age, and they will not be able to "play up".
Team Formation
AAA (Ages 9–11)
AAA is a competitive player-pitch division where players continue refining their baseball skills and understanding of the game. The pace of play increases, and players gain experience with advanced defensive situations, pitching, and baseball strategy.
AAA serves as the primary preparation level for players aspiring to compete in the Majors division.
Player Evaluations
All players interested in Farm, AAA or Majors are encouraged to attend player evaluations. Evaluations help ensure players are placed in the division where they can be most successful and continue to develop. If a player does not attend evaluations, they will be considered a "blind draft" and will be drafted in the division that correlates with their age, and they will not be able to "play up".
Team Formation
Majors (Ages 10–12)
Majors is the highest level of traditional Little League baseball and follows standard Little League rules. The game is faster-paced and more competitive while continuing to emphasize sportsmanship and player development.
Player Evaluations
Player evaluations are used to assess skill level and help coaches draft balanced teams. All players interested in Majors must participate in player evaluations. Players not selected for a Majors team will be placed in AAA. If a player does not attend evaluations, they will be considered a "blind draft" and will be drafted in the division that correlates with their age, and they will not be able to "play up".
If a player was on a Majors division team in the previous spring season, they may choose to return to the same team and therefore will not need to attend evaluations.
Team Formation
League-age 12 players are generally expected to participate in the Majors division. Families with concerns regarding player readiness or safety should contact the Player Agent or Vice President of Baseball.
Intermediate (50/70) (Ages 11–13)
The Intermediate Division is played on a larger field with 50-foot pitching distances and 70-foot base paths. Players continue to develop advanced baseball skills while transitioning toward full-sized baseball.
This division is typically available to experienced players who are league age 11–13 and may be offered depending on registration numbers and district participation.
Juniors (Ages 13–14)
Juniors is played using full-sized baseball dimensions with 90-foot base paths and a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches.
Players are introduced to the full rules of baseball, including leading off bases and pickoff plays.
Games are typically played through district interleague schedules and provide an excellent transition to high school baseball.
Seniors (Ages 15–16)
The Seniors division continues play on full-sized baseball fields and provides opportunities for older players to continue their Little League experience.
This division emphasizes advanced baseball development, competition, teamwork, and preparation for high school and beyond.
Availability of the Seniors division may vary based on registration numbers and district participation.
Requesting Placement in a Higher Division
Players may be considered for placement in a higher division based on skill level, experience, league evaluation, and availability.
If you believe your player may be ready for a higher division:
Register your player in the division appropriate for their league age.
Indicate that your player would like to be evaluated for the higher division when you register them.
Attend any required player evaluations.
- Please do not alter your player's age or birth date during registration. Proof of age may be required prior to the season.
- If a player is approved for placement in a different division, registration records will be updated by league administrators. Any differences in registration fees will be reflected in your account and communicated to your family.
- Our goal is to place every player in the division where they can safely develop, build confidence, and enjoy a successful Little League season.
Fall Season
Fall Ball is designed to prepare players for the division they are expected to play in during the upcoming spring season. Because of this, player eligibility is based on the Little League age chart for the following spring season, rather than the age they played during the previous spring.
Using the upcoming spring season's league age allows players to develop alongside others they will likely compete with the following year. It also provides an opportunity to become familiar with the next level of play, build confidence, and gain experience before moving into a new division during the spring season.
Farm (Ages 8–10)
Farm Fall Ball focuses on player development in a fun, low-pressure environment. Players continue building fundamental skills such as hitting, throwing, fielding, and base running while gaining experience in game situations. Fall Ball is an excellent opportunity for players preparing to move into AAA during the spring season.
AAA (Ages 9–11)
AAA Fall Ball provides players with additional experience in player-pitch baseball while continuing to develop baseball fundamentals and game knowledge. The focus is on instruction, skill development, and preparing players for increased competition in future seasons.
Majors (Ages 10–12)
Majors Fall Ball allows players to continue refining their skills against experienced competition while emphasizing development over results. Players gain valuable repetitions, work on advanced baseball concepts, and prepare for future spring and tournament play.
Intermediate (50/70) (Ages 11–13)
Intermediate Fall Ball is played on a larger field with 50-foot pitching distances and 70-foot base paths. This division helps players transition toward full-sized baseball while continuing to develop advanced skills, baseball IQ, and confidence in a competitive but developmental environment.
*You can find more detailed descriptions for each of our divisions under the "About Us" tab at the top of our website.
To register for our upcoming season, click here.