Understanding League Age and Choosing the Right Softball 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 softball players ages 6–14. Little League International determines each player's "League Age" based on their date of birth. League age is used to determine eligibility for 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 Softball Player Agent.
Understanding Lake Stevens Little League Softball Divisions
Lake Stevens Little League offers softball divisions designed to provide age-appropriate instruction, competition, and development opportunities.
Our softball divisions are:
Rookies (Ages 6–8)
Minors 89ers (Ages 8–9)
Minors (Ages 9–11)
Majors (Ages 10–12)
Juniors (Ages 13–14)
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 softball.
*Please see below for fall Softball descriptions.
Spring Softball
Rookies (Coach Pitch) (Ages 6–8)
Rookies is designed to introduce players to the game of softball in a fun and supportive environment. Players develop fundamental skills such as throwing, catching, hitting, base running, and teamwork.
Batters receive pitches from a coach, allowing players to build confidence at the plate while learning the rules and flow of the game.
Team Formation
Ball Type
Minors 89ers (Ages 8–9)
Minors 89ers is a transitional division designed to bridge the gap between Rookies and Minors softball. It provides players with an opportunity to continue building fundamental softball skills while being introduced to more advanced game situations and concepts.
This division helps prepare players for the move to full player-pitch softball by emphasizing skill development, confidence, teamwork, and game awareness in a supportive and instructional environment.
Minors 89ers is often the ideal division for players who have completed Rookies and are ready for the next step in their softball development but may benefit from additional experience before advancing to Minors.
Player Evaluations
All players interested in Minors or Majors may be asked to participate in evaluations to help ensure placement at the appropriate level for development and success.
Ball Type
Minors (Player Pitch) (Ages 9–11)
Minors introduces players to traditional softball rules, including player pitching, balls and strikes, walks, stealing, and more advanced game situations.
This division focuses on developing softball fundamentals while helping players build confidence and prepare for higher levels of competition.
Player Evaluations
All players interested in Minors or Majors may be asked to participate in evaluations to help ensure placement at the appropriate level for development and success.
Team Formation
Ball Type
Majors (Ages 10–12)
Majors is the highest level of traditional Little League softball and features more advanced competition while continuing to emphasize sportsmanship, teamwork, and player development.
Players interested in Majors should attend player evaluations. Players not selected for a Majors team will be placed in Minors.
Player Evaluations
Evaluations help coaches assess skill levels and draft balanced teams while ensuring players are placed in the division that best supports their development.
Team Formation
Ball Type
Juniors (Ages 13–14)
Juniors Softball provides players the opportunity to continue their Little League experience while competing against teams throughout District 1.
This division focuses on advanced skill development, teamwork, and preparing players for high school softball. Games are typically scheduled during the week and may include interleague play with neighboring Little Leagues.
Ball Type
Requesting Placement in a Higher Division
Players may be considered for placement in a higher division based on skill level, experience, and league evaluation.
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 considered to play up on the registration form.
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.
Our goal is to place every player in the division where they can safely develop their skills, build confidence, and enjoy a successful Little League season.
Fall Softball
Fall Ball is designed to provide players with additional opportunities to develop their softball skills in a fun, instructional, and low-pressure environment. The focus is on player development, learning new positions, building confidence, and preparing for the upcoming spring season.
Fall Ball divisions are based on the player's Little League age for the following spring season. This allows players to gain experience at the level they are expected to play the next year and helps make the transition to a new division smoother and more successful.
Scores and standings are secondary to development, and coaches are encouraged to provide players opportunities to learn, grow, and experience different aspects of the game.
Minors 89ers (League Ages 8–9)
Minors 89ers Fall Ball is a developmental division designed for players preparing to enter player-pitch softball. The focus is on strengthening fundamental skills, learning game situations, and building confidence in a supportive environment.
Players will continue developing their throwing, catching, hitting, fielding, and base running skills while gaining valuable game experience that prepares them for future advancement.
Ball Type
Minors (League Ages 9–11)
Minors Fall Ball provides players with additional experience in player-pitch softball while emphasizing skill development and game knowledge. Players continue refining their fundamentals and learning more advanced softball concepts in a developmental setting.
Fall Ball is a great opportunity for players moving into Minors to gain experience and for returning players to continue building their skills before the spring season.
Ball Type
Majors (League Ages 10–12)
Majors Fall Ball allows players to continue developing advanced softball skills while competing against experienced players in a positive and instructional environment.
The focus is on player growth, softball IQ, teamwork, and preparing players for future spring and tournament opportunities rather than wins and losses.
Ball Type
Juniors (League Ages 13–14)
Juniors Fall Ball provides older players with the opportunity to continue playing softball, sharpen their skills, and prepare for school or competitive softball seasons.
Players continue developing advanced skills, game strategy, and leadership while competing against neighboring Little League programs through interleague play when available.
Ball Type
*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.