Little League Age
The information below is based on your child’s Little League age. To determine your child’s playing age, please refer to the Little League Baseball’s Age Calculator.
placement factors
Cupertino Little League offers the following divisions: T-Ball, Farm A, Farm AA, Minors, and Majors. We also offer Juniors and Seniors for teenagers, and a Challenger division for children with special needs. Please use the information in this section as a guide to selecting the right division for your child.
There are many factors that go into selecting the right division beyond baseball skill, including:
- Safety: Players should not be too big/strong for a level nor have it be too big of a jump in competition level such that the power and strength of the more-developed players hitting, pitching, and throwing poses an unacceptable risk of injury;
- Player Development: Little League is about community and developing a life-long love for the game. While coaches ensure every child gets sufficient playing time, as you move to higher divisions the game does get more competitive and playing time becomes increasingly merit-based. So if a child is able to make a team but will be on the less-skilled side of the roster, it may be better for their baseball development to be a great player on a lower division team than struggle to get on the field as much as they’d like at the higher level.
- Leadership: Kids at the appropriate levels often get to benefit from leadership opportunities on and off the field. When players are registered for higher divisions than is age-appropriate, those kids miss out on developing leadership skills;
- Emotional growth: Playing at the Little League Age-appropriate level is more fun because the competition is at the right level. It’s not fun for kids to be stressed out and overwhelmed by much stiffer competition, which can happen when parents push their kids to be at a level where few or none of their friends are at – and depending on the maturity level of the younger child, it might not be fun for the older kids that the level is designed for either.
- Social factors: Kids usually want to be with friends from their age/grade, and when playing at the divisions designed for that age, should be skilled enough, physically/emotionally mature enough and when appropriate, get drafted, at the right level.
The emphasis on community and social / emotional factors versus predominantly baseball skill is the biggest difference between Little League and private baseball programs. Just because a child could make a team at a higher-level division doesn’t mean that’s in their best interest, as these other factors should be significantly weighted.
Farm A, Farm AA, Minors and Majors require a yearly evaluation organized prior to the beginning of the season. Except for Farm A, players are not guaranteed a roster spot in the division they are registered for.
Placement in a division will be based on their evaluation and on the draft for Minors and Majors. Friends requests will be honored in Farm A and Farm AA to the extent possible, but only if both kids are part of the same division.
If your child is not drafted, they will still have the opportunity to play baseball, but it will be in the preceding division. Players of certain ages are guaranteed to be drafted at a given level if their age qualifies, as shown in the table unless there’s a serious safety concern.
If your player registers for a level that’s clearly above or below an appropriate level for your child, the League and our coaches will help ensure they’re moved to the right level for them after a discussion with the family.
Divisions per age
| Child Age | Appropriate Division |
| 4-6 | All 4-5 year olds play T-Ball. 6 year olds with no prior T-Ball experience will play T-Ball, but also may be suited to jump directly to Farm A. This decision is based more on which level a child’s friends are registering for, and age-appropriate physical and emotional maturity. |
| 7 | 7 year olds that have no prior baseball experience should play in Farm A. A small number of skilled 7 year olds may play-up to Farm AA. |
| 8 | Most 8 year olds with baseball experience from Farm A will play Farm AA. 8 year olds that have no prior baseball experience should play in Farm A unless they have the physical size, plus maturity, and have displayed significant athleticism and an ability to learn quickly. It’s typically better to learn at Farm A and accelerate more quickly, than for Farm AA to be a child’s first experience in Little League. That said, it is possible for Farm AA to be a child’s first Division. A few skilled 8 year olds -who have played at least one spring season in Farm AA- may try out for Minors, but this is strongly discouraged for safety and maturity reasons, as that level will include 11 year olds. Speak with a League representative before registering an 8 year old in Minors. |
| 9 | 9 year olds will play in either Farm AA or Minors. Both levels require a League evaluation and players will be entered into a division draft. 9 year olds that choose to play Farm AA are guaranteed to play in the Farm AA division, unless they are deemed a safety risk in that division. 9 year olds who register for but are not drafted in Minors will be automatically placed in Farm AA after confirming the player’s continued interest in participating at that division. |
| 10 | Most 10 year olds will play in Minors. 10 year olds that have not played baseball prior may play Farm AA, though their size and maturity may make Minors a stronger fit. A very small number of 10 year olds that have excelled in Minors and played Majors Fall Ball or had other experience with advanced baseball may try out for Majors. Majors is the most-competitive level of Little League, and these 10 year olds will be playing with and against 12 year olds that can be quite advanced. We strongly suggest you speak with a League official about potential safety, competitiveness, and maturity implications before registering your 10 year old for Majors. |
| 11 | Most 11 year olds will play in Minors or Majors, based on how well they performed in Minors the prior year, plus their evaluation results. 11 year olds are guaranteed a spot in Minors regardless of whether they initially register for that division, or they register for Majors but go undrafted. 11 year olds who are deemed a safety risk may also be placed in Minors at the discretion of the Majors/Minor Player Agent. |
| 12 | All 12 year olds will play in the Majors division and are guaranteed to be drafted. A 12 year old will only play in Minors by mutual agreement between the parents and league if the player is deemed a safety risk. This also requires approval by the District Administrator. |
| 13 | 13 year olds play Juniors. Players do not have official evaluations, but have typically played some level of baseball prior and are known to the coaches or to the League, and are not safety risks. Players with no prior experience are still welcome and encouraged to play, but may require an informal evaluation in order for the League to determine team placement. |
| 14 | See the above description for 13 year olds. This is the second and final year of eligibility to play Juniors. |
| 15 | 15 year olds play Seniors. Players do not have official evaluations, but have typically played some level of baseball prior and are known to the coaches or the League, and are not safety risks.Players with no prior experience are welcome, but given the size, strength and skill of players at this level, it’s rare to have no prior baseball experience. Speak with a League representative for more information about the potential fit with this level of baseball. |
| 16 | See the above description for 15 year olds. This is the second and final year of eligibility to play Seniors. |
Division Details
Please note that it’s not possible to know the precise practice or game schedule until after teams are formed. Teams at the Farm A and Farm AA levels have more flexibility with regard to changing teams in order to accommodate schedules. Minors and Majors require a draft to ensure competitive talent distribution, and thus the team a player is on cannot be changed.
Most weekday practices start sometime after 4 pm, with exact times dictated by field availability, daylight, and coach availability. Saturday games usually are played in the morning or afternoon, and will often be at different times. Weekday games are typically around 5 pm, with most coaches expecting players to arrive approximately one hour prior.
It’s common for teams to start with more practices near the start of the season and replace those days with games later in the season, to keep most weeks to about the same amount of field activity (e.g. going from 2 practices and a game to 2 games and a practice).
| Division | Little League Ages | May also Include Ages / Must Draft Ages | How Teams Are Formed | Typical or Approximate Schedule |
| T-Ball | 4-6 | – | – | One combined practice and game per week on Saturdays |
| Farm A Division | 6-8 | – | Player Evaluations and Friends Requests | 1 weekday after-school practices and one Saturday game per week |
| Farm AA Division | 7-10 | Ages 9 & 10 must be drafted | Player Evaluations and Friends Requests | Typically: 1-2 weekday after-school practices, plus one Saturday game and one weekday game per week. |
| Minors Division | 9-11 | Age 11 must be drafted Age 8 with League approval | Player Evaluations and Draft | Typically: 1-2 weekday after-school practices, plus one Saturday game and one weekday game per week. |
| Majors Division | 10-12 | Age 12 must be drafted Age 10 may be qualified and drafted in limited cases | Player Evaluations and Draft | Typically: 1-2 weekday after-school practices, plus one Saturday game and one weekday game per week. |
| Junior League | 13-14 | – | No evaluation or draft League-Determined | Typically: 1-2 weekday after-school practices, plus one Saturday game and one weekday game per week. |
| Senior League | 15-16 | – | No evaluation or draft League-Determined | Typically: 1-2 weekday after-school practices, plus one Saturday game and one weekday game per week. |
| Challenger Program | 5-15 | – | League-Determined | One combined practice and game per week, mid-day on Sundays. |
T-Ball
Often, a family’s first introduction to Little League is in the T-Ball program. T-Ball is the entry level division for players with “Little League ages” 4-6 (usually TK – 1st grade). The experience is grounded in fun, fitness, and fundamentals while also being a key to growing a child’s love for the game. The League attempts to honor buddy requests at this level.
The ~10-week T-Ball program benefits the players and volunteer coaches.
Practices / Games: The season features a combined practice and game played on Saturday mornings.
Approximate Schedule: T-Ball usually starts in early March and goes until mid or late May.
Farm A Division
Farm A is for younger players with little or no baseball experience. Farm A players may be Little League ages 6-8 (usually 1st-3rd grade). Players may be a little bigger than in T-Ball, and are slightly more skilled. Farm A is the first level that requires player evaluations (held in January) to verify readiness and make sure teams are balanced. The League attempts to honor buddy requests at this level. Coaches pitch to batters in Farm A, but may use a tee after 5 attempts. This division is non-competitive, scores are not kept.
Rosters may have between 9 and 11 players. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the coach pitching distance is 30 feet.
Practices / Games: The season features 1-2 practices per week with a single game played on Saturdays.
Approximate Schedule: Farm A usually starts in early March and goes until early June.
Farm AA Division
Farm AA is for players that are Little League ages 7-10 (usually 2nd-4th grade). Farm AA requires player evaluations (held in January) to verify readiness and make sure teams are balanced. The League attempts to honor buddy requests at this level. Coaches pitch to batters in Farm AA and kid pitching (30 feet) is introduced halfway through the season, with coach pitch supporting as needed. This division is non-competitive, scores are not kept.
Practices / Games: The season features 1-2 practices, one weekday and one Saturday game per week. Post-season tournament opportunities may also be available for a limited number of players league-age 8-9.
Approximate Schedule: Minors AA usually starts in mid February and goes until early June.
Minors Division
Minors is for boys and girls with Little League ages 9-11 (usually 3rd-5th grade) with intermediate experience or those that are new to baseball, but that have aged-out of the prior levels. In rare cases, 8 year olds may qualify for Minors.
Minors is a player-pitch only level. Player evaluations are required.
Practices / Games: The season features 1-2 practices per week with games played one-to-two times a week, usually including Saturdays. Games and practices take place at Wilson Park or Jollyman Park. All Minors teams play in a league play-off tournament at the end of the season. The winning team will have the opportunity to participate in the District Tournament of Champions, (T.O.C.) All Star tournament opportunities may be available for a limited number of players league-age 8-10.
Approximate Schedule: Minors usually starts in early February and goes until late May. The T.O.C. occurs during early June. The All Star season begins in June and can go all the way into July, depending on how far a team advances.
Majors Division
Major League Division players are typically Little League ages 11 or 12 (usually 5th – 6th grade), with some limited cases of being Little League age 10.
Practices / Games: Players participate in an evaluation prior to the season starting, and a draft is held to build the teams. The season features 1-2 practices per week, plus 1 game played on Saturday and one on a weekday. Games and practices take place at Wilson Park.
All Majors teams will play in a league playoff tournament. The winning team will have the opportunity to participate in the District Tournament of Champions, (T.O.C.). All-Star tournament opportunities may also be available for a limited number of Majors players.
Approximate regular season Schedule: Majors usually starts in early February and goes until late May. The TOC occurs during early June. The All-Star season begins in June and can go until July, depending on how far a team advances.
Juniors Division
The Junior League Baseball Division is a program for boys and girls with “Little League ages” 13-14 (usually 7th – 8th grade), using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. Juniors teams play all District 44 Juniors teams from around the area.
Practices / Games: Typically two or three practices per week, and shifting to two to three games and one practice per week later in the season.
Seniors Division
The Senior League Baseball Division is a program for boys and girls with “Little League ages” 15-16, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. Seniors teams play District teams from around the area.
Practices / Games: Typically two or three practices per week, and shifting to two to three games and one practice per week later in the season.The Senior Division season may only begin once the local high school season has concluded. This is typically mid May.
Challenger Program
The Little League Challenger Program is an adaptive baseball program for individuals with intellectual and physical challenges. Games are played on Sundays in the spring and are typically 1-2 innings long, lasting about an hour. Games follow T-Ball rules with regard to every player getting to bat every inning. Players have a buddy to offer guidance, to keep them safe, and to provide the best experience possible. Buddies assist with batting, running the bases and fielding.
Thanks to Los Altos Little League for allowing us to adapt their document for our use.