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.

Rosters: 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: To be eligible for AA, players should attend tryouts held in the fall. At tryouts, any player Little League Age 9 can opt to be considered for AAA, and any Little League Age 10 can opt to be considered for AAA and/or Majors. Any Little League Age 9 or Little League Age 10 year old who does not qualify for the AAA or Majors divisions, or who does not attend tryouts, will be assigned to AA.  Please note that players who do not expect to qualify for AAA or Majors and request placement directly to AA, should still tryout for the purpose of forming and balancing teams.

Leagues:  AA plays a unified schedule, but in accordance with Little League regulations, technically has 2 leagues, National and American.  Starting at the AA age level, due to the large size of Needham's program (in terms of enrollment), Little League requires that Needham have 2 leagues assigned on an objective basis.  Needham Baseball assigns children based on their birthdates with even numbered birthdays assigned to the AL, odd numbered dates to the NL.

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.

 

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.  We do not honor friend requests.

Eligibility: In order to be eligible for AAA, players must attend tryouts held in the fall. At tryouts, any Little League Age 10 or 11 can opt to be considered for Majors. While any Little League Age 11 year old who does not qualify for the Majors division will be assigned to AAA, tryouts are required for the purpose of forming and balancing teams, even if requesting automatic placement in AAA.

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.

 

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: In order to be eligible for Majors, players must attend tryouts held in the fall. At tryouts, all Little League Age 12 year olds will automatically be placed in Majors; nevertheless, for purposes of forming and balancing teams, all Little League Age 12 year olds must attend tryouts in order to be eligible to participate in the Majors division Any Little League Age 10 year old who opts to try out for Majors but does not qualify for the Majors division will be assigned to AA or AAA, and any Little League Age 11 year old who opts to try out for Majors but does not qualify for the Majors division will be assigned to AAA.

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.

 

Intermediate League

Ages: 12-13

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 and stronger 12 year old players.

Twelve-year-old Intermediate League players retain their eligibility for the post-season Little League Tournament. A limited number of roster spots are available for 12-year-olds and tryouts may be required.

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.

 

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.