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Age Requirements

The Churchill American Little League is subdivided into five separate leagues, primarily based on age (age chart), but also on skill at the higher levels. These leagues are:

T-Ball - Ages 5 - 6 - An introduction to baseball. The players bat from the tee, everyone plays in the field. There is one game during the week and one game on Saturday. Each side bats through the order once each inning. Games generally last 1 ˝ hours or 4 innings, whichever comes first.

Coach Pitch – Age 7 – A coach gently pitches the ball to a player. The player is pitched 6 balls before being given a chance to hit from the tee. There is either a practice or a game during the week and a game on Saturday. Each side bats through the order once or until three outs are recorded each inning. Games generally last 1 ˝ hours or 4 innings, whichever comes first.

Federal League – Age 8 – Children pitch. There is either a practice or a game during the week and a game on Saturday. Each side bats through the order once or until three outs are recorded each inning. Games generally last 2 hours or 6 innings, whichever comes first.

Minor League – Ages 9-12 - The games are more competitive. Games last 6 innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first. Coaches draft players for their teams based on skills demonstrated at tryouts. 12-year old children cannot pitch in this league.

Major Leagues – Ages 10-12 - This is the most competitive league. Coaches draft players for their teams based on skills demonstrated at tryouts. Once picked for a major league team, a player remains on that team for all future years of Little League play. To be eligible for the major league, a player must try out at one of the two tryouts held in September and March; there are no exceptions. Any 12-year old that has played in our league at least 2 years and has tried out is guaranteed a spot in the major leagues for his or her last year.

Age Rules - Little League age is determined based on this age chart

In rare circumstances, and only for Minor leagues or lower, a player is allowed to advance to a higher league if the player’s demonstrated skill level is appropriate for the higher level  AND if the player’s participation at a lower level might compromise the safety of less skilled players.  The deciding factor, after safety of the players, is the leagues’ needs.

Special Transition Rule for 2006

Little League is changing the basis of age determination for 2006, so that children born between April and July will be repeating their previous age groups for the purposes of the league. This means that some players can repeat their participation in the league as 12-year olds instead of moving on to the Babe Ruth 13-year old league. By agreement with Melrose Babe Ruth and the other leagues in town, players in this select group can choose between repeating Little League 12-year old season or moving to Babe Ruth 13-year old league; they may NOT play both. The decision is up to the player, and can be changed at any time prior to the earlier of the Little League or Babe Ruth Draft.

For players at other ages who must repeat a level, the league will consider requests to advance to the next league. However, this is the only year in which this advancement will occur, and the player will be bound by the league age limits in all future years. Please contact the league co-presidents or player agent to discuss the options.