• Single A is a straight coach pitch level suited for kids between 5 and 7 years old with typically one year of tee ball experience.  See below for more information on this new level.

• With the introduction of Single A, Tee Ball will revert back to a true tee ball division with no coach pitch at all during the season.  Tee Ball is great for young kids and those with no prior baseball experience between the ages of 4 and 6.

• We have a $25 Early Bird discount available for all who register prior to December 31, 2023. Don't miss out!

• We also offer payment plans at registration dividing up the cost into 3 payments with the first installment due at checkout.

• For families with multiple children wishing to play, we do have multi-player discounts that are applied at registration.  $10 off second child and $15 off each additional.

• T-Mobile is once again offering its Call Up Grant to help eligible families pay for registration fees for baseball or softball.  You can apply here.  Be sure to name Elgin Classic Little League as the recipient.

• Evaluations this year will be held on Saturday, March 2.  Time slots will be announced sometime in February.  Evaluations are required for all Baseball divisions from AA through Juniors and all Softball divisions Minor B through Juniors. (This information could change. Please refer to your latest emails for eval information.)

2024 Baseball Divisions

Tee Ball (Ages 4-6)

Tee Ball is for players Little League age 4-6. This division is primarily for first year players and players not yet ready to hit a pitched ball. Players hit off a tee the entire season.  This is a change from previous years - there will no longer be any coach pitch at this level. There will be one game per week with 1-2 short practices during the week. No scores are kept, and games are intended to move at a quick pace. Teams are intentionally kept small (6-7 players) to maximize coaching instruction and limit the amount of time any child is kept sitting.

This is an instructional division intended to introduce the basic skills of baseball. Children will have 0-1 seasons of baseball experience.

Single A (Ages 5-7)

The Single A division is a new division we are introducing this year. This division is intended for players Little League age 5-7. Any 5-year-olds wishing to play Single A are required to have one year of tee ball experience. We also highly recommend 6-year-olds with no previous baseball experience start at tee ball.

This division is coach pitch. Games will largely be played similar to tee ball rules. Teams will be kept small (6-7 per team) to maximize personal coaching and minimize idle time for players during practices and games. Teams will have one game per week with 1-2 short practices during the week. Coaches will pitch overhand to players. There will be no use of tees during gameplay.

Recommended Minimum Skills

• Players should know how to set up at the plate in a proper batting stance
• Able to demonstrate a solid swing through the strike zone
• Know where the bases are and location of defensive positions
• Demonstrated ability to throw the baseball toward first base after fielding a ball
• Awareness in the field – able to pay attention to best of their ability given their age

AA (Ages 7-9)

The AA division is primarily for players Little League ages 7-8. Players who are 7 ideally would have one year of Single A experience. Exceptions may be made for players Little League age 6 who have 1 year of Single A and at least 2 years of baseball experience. 6-year-olds wishing to play AA must attend evaluations. Players aged 9 who have never played baseball before may be more suited for AA than AAA, depending on their skill level.

AA is an instructional league where we build on what is learned in Single A and Tee Ball. At this level, we introduce kid pitching, the catching position, and inning completion after 3 outs. No umpires are used, and no official scores are kept until the end of the season. Kids pitch from a distance of 42 feet and bases are 60 feet. There are no walks. After the fourth ball, the coach of the team at bat will step in and pitch from the mound. Players will learn more advanced defensive skills at this level and have the opportunity to get extra base hits. Most importantly, they will begin to see live pitching from their peers and learn to pitch.

Teams are ideally kept at 8-9 players per team to maximize coaching instruction and keep any kid from sitting on the bench while his or her team is in the field. Players will get a chance and are expected to try and learn how to play every position.

Recommended Minimum Skills:

• Players should be able to hit a pitched ball
• Good awareness in the batter’s box - they will be hitting off their peers
• Have proper batting stance and good swing
• Be able to demonstrate good throwing mechanics
• Able to catch a thrown ball from another player
• Demonstrate proper fielding form - both ground ball and fly balls
• Understanding of the strike zone
• Understanding of defensive outs and how to get them

AAA (Ages 8-11)

The AAA division is primarily for players Little League age 9-10. Eight-year-olds wishing to play AAA should have one year of AA experience and must attend evaluations. Eleven-year-olds who either have no or little baseball experience or not feeling ready to advance to our Majors division are encouraged to register at AAA.

AAA is our advanced instructional league where we build on skills learned in AA. Players will get a chance to learn and play a variety of positions. Games are played against other local Little League teams with scores kept and the possibility of qualifying for an end of the season tournament.

There is no coach pitch at this level. The mound is moved back to 46 feet. Players may advance on overthrows and runners are able to steal bases.

Recommended Minimum Skills:

• Players should be able to make good throws to teammates
• Able to field ground balls and make a throw to the proper base
• Able to catch fly balls
• Able to hit live pitching from a peer
• Awareness in the field of where to get an out when the ball is in play

*After evaluations, if your son or daughter demonstrates a skill level that the coaches feel could prove detrimental to their safety the league will recommend they play at a lower level.

Majors (Ages 9-12)

The Majors division is for players Little League age 9-12. Nine year old players wishing to play Majors should have a few years of baseball experience. The field has a 46-foot mound and 60-foot bases.

The Majors division is Little League's premier division whose All Star tournament feeds into the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. This is a competitive division. Games will be played against other teams in the area.

 Recommended Minimum Skills:

• Players should have defensive situational awareness
• Able to properly run bases
• Full understanding of strike zone
• Able to play at a competitive level
• Able to pitch

*After evaluations, if your son or daughter demonstrates a skill level that the coaches feel could prove detrimental to their safety the league will recommend they play at a lower level.

Intermediate (Ages 11-13)

 The Intermediate Division is for players Little League Age 12-13. Advanced 11 year-olds may be ready for this division.  The field dimensions at this level are 70-foot bases and a 50-foot mound pitching distance. Leadoffs and balks are introduced at this level.

 Recommended Minimum Skills:

• Advance defensive situational awareness
• Advanced knowledge of baserunning and leadoffs
• Full understanding of strike zone
• Able to play at a high level of competition
• Able to pitch competently
• Able to hit competently

Juniors (Ages 12-14)

Juniors Baseball is for players Little League age 13-15. This division is played on a full-sized baseball diamond with 90-foot bases and the pitching mound at 60 1/2 feet.


Seniors (Ages 15-16)

The Seniors baseball division is for players Little League age 15-16. It is designed for high school players who have finished their high school season.  It is an abbreviated season that does not start until June after high school baseball is wrapped up.


2023 Softball Divisions

Minor B (Ages 6-9)

Minor B is an instructional division. There are no umpires. Coaches stand in the field to instruct defensive players and develop understanding of the game. This level builds from the skills of Tee Ball, but adds the element of coach pitch. Batters are given 4 pitches from the coach in the pitching circle, if they have not hit the ball they are given the opportunity to hit from a Tee. Six year olds should have at least one year of Tee-ball experience. Games are played against other district Minor B teams so some travel is involved. (Typically 12 games in the Spring season)

Minor B Field and Supplemental Rules

• 60ft base paths
• Pitching mound at 35ft with 8ft radius circle
• Coach Pitch (4 pitches) then to Tee (3 swings)
• Runners may lead off after ball crosses the plate
• Advance 1 base on overthrow on a batted ball 
• No stealing
• No bunting

Minor B Skills: 

• Appropriately hold and swing the bat.
• Take an athletic position in the batter’s box.
• Running through first base.
• Know the defensive positions.
• Assume a “down and ready” position playing defense.
• Field a ground ball.
• Demonstrate basic throwing mechanics.

Minor A (Ages 8-10)

Minor A is an instructional division. Umpires officiate these games. Players pitch from a distance of 35 feet. Part of the season the rules are modified to allow for coach pitch after four walks to allow for development of pitchers and to facilitate an appropriate pace of play. Skills such as bunting, stealing bases, and sliding are introduced at this division. Eight year old players should have at least a year of Minor B before playing this division. Players ten or eleven years of age who have never played baseball or softball should play Minor A before moving on to Majors. (Typically 16 games in the Spring season. District tournaments depending on interest.)

Minor A Field and Supplemental Rules

• 60ft base paths
• Pitching mound at 35ft with 8ft radius circle
• Player pitch
• First half of the season- The fifth walk by a pitcher and after the coach pitches after 4 balls to each batter in the inning. Walk count resets the next inning.
• Second half of the season, all player pitch.
• Runners may lead off after ball crosses the plate.
• No bunting first half of season
• No stealing first half of the season
• Advance 1 base on overthrow on a batted ball or stolen base attempt

Minor A Skills:

• Continue to develop skills learned in Minor B.
• Bunting grip and posture.
• Safely slide into a base.
• Understand positions coverage on the field, including backing up other players.
• Catch a fly ball.
• Understand the difference between a force and unforced runner, including the appropriate defensive play.
• Comprehend basic base running
• Tagging the base on a caught fly ball
• The difference of advancing forced or unforced to the next base.
• Assume a correct catchers posture.
• Demonstrate a softball “windmill” pitch.

Majors (Ages 10-12)

The Majors division is a competitive division. The game is completely player pitched and umpired according to Little League rules. Players pitch from a distance of 40 feet. (Typically 16 games in the Spring season. District tournament of champions concludes the full season followed by the Little League Allstars tournament if players are capable and available to play.) 

Majors Field and Supplemental Rules

• 60ft base paths
• Pitching mound at 40ft with 8ft radius circle
• Runners may lead off after the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
• Dropped Third Strike rule in effect
• In-field fly rule in effect

Majors Skills:

• Continued development in skills learned in Minor divisions
• Appropriately timing lead offs
• Following signals from base coaches for stealing and taking pitches.
• Running on a dropped third strike.
• Catchers able to “throw down” to second base.
• Situational awareness of lead runners and double play opportunities. 

Juniors (Ages 12-15)

The Juniors division is a competitive division. The game is completely player pitched and officiated by umpires. Players pitch from a distance of 43 feet. (Typically16 games in the Spring Season. District tournament of champions concludes the full season followed by the Little League All-Stars tournament if players are capable and available to play.) 

Juniors Field and Supplemental Rules

• 60ft base paths.
• Pitching mound at 43ft with 8ft radius circle.
• Runner may lead off once the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
• Dropped Third Strike rule in effect
• In-field Fly rule in effect

Juniors Skills:

• Continued growth in fundamentals, softball IQ, and agility.
• Execute designed defensive plays.

Seniors (Ages 12-16)

A separate seniors season can take place if enough players register and there are opportunities to play teams within and outside of our district.