Spring Baseball Overview
League | Description | Tryouts? |
Kindergarten | An instructional program with tee ball for kindergarten players. | No |
First Grade | An instructional program with tee ball and coach pitch intended for 1st grade players. | No |
A | An instructional program with coach and player pitch intended for 2nd grader players | No |
AA | A competitive and instructional program for 10- and 9-year-old players on a 60-foot diamond. | No |
AAA | A competitive and instructional program for 11, 10 and stronger 9-year-old players on a 60-foot diamond. | Yes (9U+10U) |
Majors | A competitive program for 12-year-olds and stronger 11- and 10-year-old players on a 60-foot diamond. | Yes (10U+11U) |
Intermediate | A competitive and instructional program for 13-year-old players on a 70-foot diamond. | No |
Big Diamond | A competitive and instructional program for 13–16-year-old players on a 90-foot diamond. | No |
Tryout/Evaluation Options
- 6-, 7-, and 8-year-olds - no tryouts/evaluations
- 9-year-olds - Eligible/optional to try out for AAA. Tryouts are scheduled in the Fall for players registered for the following Spring. Players will not be considered for AAA without a tryout.
- 10-year-olds - Eligible/optional to try out for AAA and/or Majors. Tryouts are scheduled in the Fall for players registered for the following Spring. Players will not be considered for Majors without a tryout.
- 11-year-olds – All non-returning Majors players may try out for Majors. Players will be placed in AAA if they do not attend. Tryouts are scheduled in the Fall for players registered for the following Spring.
- 12-year-olds –Tryout requested for all Non-returning Majors players. Tryouts are scheduled in the Fall for players registered for the following Spring.
NOTE: Tryouts are for evaluation and placement purposes only. Everyone who registers will be placed on a team in an appropriate division.
For those that have registered for 2025, the evaluations for AAA/Majors will take place at Mills Field on October 20th from 3:00 - 5:30. Please email needham.majors.director@gmail.com with any questions.
SEE BELOW FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT EACH LEAGUE
If you have further questions after reading these descriptions, please reach out to the appropriate league director that can be found on the Board of Directors page.
Kindergarten & First Grade Baseball
Overview: Instructional programs are divided into two different leagues based on age and grade level. Practices in April are run by Frozen Ropes staff with volunteer coaches assisting. The focus is on instruction and fun, we do not keep score or have umpires. Kindergarten Baseball uses a tee to start and switches to coach pitching after the 6th game. First Grade Baseball starts out with the tee and progresses to coach pitch starting around the 3rd game.
Coaching: At these levels we strive to have one manager and 2-3 coaches per team. The manager takes a leadership role during on-field games and practices, as well as the off-field communication with the parents. You absolutely do not need to have prior experience in coaching baseball to volunteer.
Season: Teams practice 1-2 times per week at the beginning of the season and occasionally on weekends. Games replace the weeknight practices in May.
Team Creation: Typically rosters and schedules are finalized by the end of March. Friend requests are used in team formation but are not guaranteed to be honored.
Single A
Age: 8
Overview: An instructional program with a hybrid of coach and player pitch intended for 2nd grade players. Games are 90 minutes (or 6 innings whichever comes first). The season starts with coach pitch but transitions to kid pitch in June. No score is kept, the focus is on instruction and learning higher level baseball skills. When player pitch begins there are no walks. If the pitcher throws 4 balls, a coach from the hitting team pitches to complete the at-bat.
Eligibility: Based on age and grade level. Friend requests are used in team formation but are not guaranteed to be honored.
Schedule: Games are mainly scheduled on weeknights and begin in late April. Teams typically play 1-2 games each week. Practices may take place in early April and on weekends.
Double AA
Ages: 9-10
Overview: An instructional program for primarily 9 and 10 year old players with a lightly competitive aspect. Games are played on a 60 ft diamond. The full season is player-pitch, with umpires and called balls/strikes. All Managers and Coaches are volunteers and parents are encouraged to volunteer.
Eligibility: By default, the player will be placed on a AA roster unless they attend tryouts/evaluations for AAA or Majors
Schedule: Games are mainly scheduled on weeknights and begin in April. Teams typically play 1-2 games each week. Practices may take place on weekends. Playoffs are held at the end of the season. All teams qualify for the playoffs.
Team Creation: Rosters will normally be finalized by the middle of February.
Triple AAA
Ages: 9-11
Overview: Competitive and instructional program for 11, 10, and stronger 9 year old players on a 60ft diamond. At the AAA level, we place children and form teams with a focus on establishing competitive parity.
Eligibility: In order to be eligible for AAA, 9 and 10 year old players must attend tryouts held in the fall. Some 10s will be considered for Majors. 11 year olds will automatically be assigned to AAA if they do not attend a tryout/evaluation for Majors.
Schedule: Games are mainly scheduled on weeknights and begin in April. Teams typically play 1-2 games each week. Practices will take place on weekends and/or during the week. Playoffs are held at the end of the season. All teams qualify for the playoffs.
Team Creation: Rosters will normally be finalized by the end of January.
Majors
Ages: 10-12
Overview: Competitive program open to all 12 year olds and stronger 11 and 10 year old players on a Little League 60ft diamond
Eligibility: 10 and 11 year olds that attend tryouts/evaluations will be eligible to be selected during the Majors draft. 12 year olds are automatically assigned to Majors unless a parent requests they play AAA. Players who have never been in Majors before, but are 12, are asked to come to evaluations but it is not required. Returning Majors players do not need to attend evaluations.
Schedule: Games are mainly scheduled on weeknights and begin in April. Teams typically play 1-2 games each week. Practices may take place on weekends or during the week. Playoffs are held at the end of the season. All teams qualify for the playoffs.
Team Creation: Rosters will be selected by the assigned managers in Majors and communicated in December. Friend requests are not honored.
Intermediate League
Ages: 13
Overview: A competitive and instructive program on an intermediate sized diamond (50’ pitching distance and 70’ base paths).
Eligibility: The league will consist of 13-year-old players.
Schedule: Games are mainly scheduled on weeknights beginning in April. Teams typically play 1-2 games each week both in Needham and surrounding towns. Practices may take place on weekends or during the week. Playoffs are held at the end of the season. All teams qualify for the playoffs.
Team Creation: Rosters will normally be finalized by the end of February.
Big Diamond
Ages: 13-16
Overview: Competitive program on the 90’ big diamond for players aged 14-16 as well as the stronger players from the 13 year old age group.
Eligibility: Anyone can sign up between the ages of 13-16, there is no tryout. Rosters will be created to be as competitively balanced as possible. Friend requests are not considered during roster formation.
Schedule: Games are scheduled on weeknights beginning in April. Teams typically play 1-2 games each week both in Needham and surrounding towns. Practices may take place on weekends or during the week. Playoffs are held at the end of the season. All teams qualify for the playoffs.