North Bothell LL Player Placement Guide & Progression Track – Softball
For the Softball Divisions – Little League Age is the child’s age on Dec. 31st of the PREVIOUS Spring Little League Season

Little League has several divisions organized around age and skill to help develop players from league ages 4 through 16. The progression of a child will vary based on the age at which the child starts playing organized softball and the amount of time the child practices at home and school.  Parents spending the time to practice with their child and a child’s own athletic ability plays a large role in how a child will develop and progress through the divisions.

For a child who starts playing at League Age 4, 5, 6 or 7 year old with North Bothell Little League, may progress through each of the divisions as follows (note: ages listed below are based on league ages):

The above progressions are just examples. Each child is different, which is why there are age ranges that overlap between levels.  For children starting later than age 5 or 6, or for those children who have not successfully demonstrated the required softball skills, it is best to let the child play down a level to gain confidence and have fun rather than place the child in a situation where he or she is playing below the skill level of their teammates.

Whatever the progression, it is important to make certain that a child is not pushed too fast where he or she is not given enough time to learn, practice and master the fundamentals of softball.

Remember most children will not play professional softball, but by learning how to play the game and having fun while doing it, we continue the tradition of this great American past-time for the next generation.

Placement Guidelines by Players League Age for 5 - 9 yr olds

**For the Tee Ball Division - Little League Age is the child’s age on Aug. 31st of the Spring Little League Season

For the Softball Divisions – Little League Age is the child’s age on Dec. 31st of the PREVIOUS Spring Little League Season

**League Age 4 – All children will play Tee Ball.

**League Age 5 – All children will play Tee Ball.

League Age 6 – Those children that have played at least one season of Tee Ball AND are comfortable catching, throwing, and swinging at a pitched ball may play the “A” Division (coach pitch).  If it is the child’s first year of softball, then the Tee Ball Division may be the appropriate division to start.

League Age 7 – Most will play in the “A” Division (coach pitch), unless it is the child’s first year of softball, then the Tee Ball Division may be the appropriate division to start.

League Age 8 – A player is ready to advance to the “AA” Division (coach/kid pitch) if they have played at least one season of the “A” Division AND if they are starting to catch the ball with the glove “up” (at face level) as opposed to basket catches with the glove “down”. The player is successful putting the ball in play in most coach-pitch at bats. A ball thrown or hit at the player’s head will usually result in the player making an effort to catch the ball with periodic success.  If the child is not starting to demonstrate these fundamentals, then staying at the “A” division may be appropriate.  Players registered for the AA division will attend an assessment to assist in balancing teams. 

League Age 9 – Most will play the “AA” Division (coach/kid pitch).   Players registered for the AA division will attend an assessment to assist in balancing teams. 

PLAYER PROGRESSION TRACK - Softball

Tee Ball Division (Ages 4 - 7)

Any child who is 4, 5 or 6 years old on August 31st will be eligible to play Tee Ball.  *If your child is 7yrs old and never has played softball before they may also play Tee Ball

This division is primarily for 4, 5 and 6 year olds who are just starting to play organized Softball.  All 6 year olds must have played one season of Tee Ball in North Bothell Little League before advancing to the “A” Division (coach pitch).

Tee Ball is generally the first introduction to organized softball for most players. The primary objective by the end of the season is to ensure that each player has a "positive experience" with softball, desires to play again the following year, and has successfully demonstrated the skills listed below.

Warm up techniques
Names of defensive positions
How to execute a throw (proper grip)
Proper fielding position (down and ready)
How to hold a bat properly
What to do after the ball is hit (as a batter and a runner)
Knows how, why and when to run to the next base

“A” Division (Ages 6 - 8) – Coach Pitch

 Any child who will be ages of 6, 7 or 8 years old on December 31st will be eligible to play the “A” Division (coach pitch).

At the “A” Division, all games will be coach-pitch for all innings.  A safety, compression 10in Softball will be used

This division is primarily for 6, 7 and 8 year olds who have successfully demonstrated all the Tee Ball skills. As with Tee Ball, the primary objective at this level is to ensure that each player has a "positive experience" with Softball and desires to play again the following year, and has learned the skills listed below.

TEAM concept
Warm up techniques
Number of outs per inning
Fielding techniques (proper down and ready position)
Uses both hands to catch the ball vs. one handed or trapped catches
Understands where to make the defensive play
Proper Batting position
Proper base running (on the ground vs. in the air)
Good Sportsmanship (End each game with a High Five)

“AA” Division (Ages 8 - 10) – Coach/Kid Pitch

Any child who will be age 8, 9 or 10 years old on Dec. 31st will be eligible to play the “AA” Division.  A player must have played at least one year at the “A” Division to be eligible for “AA”. 

This division is primarily for 8 and 9 year olds who have successfully demonstrated all the “A” Division skills. *This division is also for 10 year olds who were not drafted to a team in the “AAA” Division.

At the “AA” Division, all games will be coach/player-pitch and will use a 11in hard softball for all innings.  Pitching distance of 35ft. 

The “AA” Division is where the players should recognize situations and understand "HOW BEST" to make certain plays.  As with the “A” Division, the primary objective is to ensure that each player has a "positive experience" with softball,  desires to play again the following year and has learned the skills listed below with the emphasis on "HOW BEST”

Advanced warm up techniques
The ball is always "LIVE"
Ground ball fielding techniques
Where to make the play
Relaying the ball from the outfield to the infield
Batting stance (closed, open)
Pitching mechanics
Bunting
Infield Fly Rule
Communication (calling for a fly ball)
Backing up plays
Pitcher position
Difference between a Force Play and a Must Tag
Good Sportsmanship

“AAA” Division (Ages 9 - 11) – Kid Pitch

Any child who will be age 9, 10, or 11 years old on Dec. 31st will be eligible to play the “AAA” Division.  A player must be selected by a manager after a player skills review and draft process to play the “AAA” Division.

This division is primarily for 9, 10 & 11 year olds who have successfully demonstrated all the “AA” Division skills and show they are ready for the next division.

At the “AAA” Division, all games will be player-pitch and will use a 11in hard softball for all innings.  Pitching distance of 35ft.  Most games are played on weeknights. 

The primary objective at the “AAA” Division is the same as the previous levels with emphasis on preparing players for advancement to the Majors level. The “AAA” Division is both competitive and instructional with more emphasis on instructional than competitive during the regular season.

It is critical that the managers and coaches of this division provide sound training and good balance of playing time and position rotations for all players. Besides building upon the skills taught to them at the preceding levels, players should successfully demonstrate the following skills:

Coming on time to practices and games prepared to play softball
Competence in batter's box positioning
Proper grip of the bat
Acceptable level of determining ball vs. strike
Passing the bat through the strike zone
Proper base running techniques including:
Stealing after the ball crosses the plate
When to tag up
How and when to slide
Correct pitching mechanics
Proper footwork to field and throw quickly
How to go back on a fly ball
Sacrifice situations
How to rundown a base runner (pickle)
Covering bases and backing up positions after a hit
Always show good Sportsmanship on and off the field (no bad mouthing other players or officials)

Major Division (Ages 11 - 12) – Kid Pitch

Any child who will be 11 or 12 years old on Dec. 31st will be eligible to play Majors.  A player must be selected by a manager after a player skills review and draft process to play at the Majors Division.

This division is primarily for 11 & 12 year olds who have successfully demonstrated all the “AAA” skills and show they are ready for the next division.  The Majors level is both competitive and instructional with admittedly more emphasis on the competitive aspects of the game then at the “AAA” Division.  All players are ensured equal playing time.  Managers focus on fielding a competitive team while also providing the players with a fun learning experience

At the Majors Division, all games will be player-pitch and will use a 12in hard softball for all innings.  Pitching distance of 40ft.  Most games are played on weeknights.

Players should focus on refining their softball skills with a strong emphasis on consistency.  Often the difference between an average player and a good player is the ability to consistently execute the required skills.

Players in the Majors level should:

Come on time to practice and prepared for practice or games (including safety equipment)
Show proper batting stance, bat position, and swing execution
Reasonable competence in making contact with the ball
Know the difference between bunting for a base hit and a sacrifice bunt
Demonstrate proper base running techniques including:
Exploding off the base after the ball crosses the plate
When to tag up vs. going half way
Proper sliding techniques
Execute proper pitching motion
Use Catching skills (blocking the plate with the ball, blocking wild pitches, throwing out runners)
Cover bases correctly when receiving a throw or fielding a ball
Understand how to go back on a fly ball
Properly execute a double play
Execute a run down - both as a runner and a fielder
Know what can happen after a ball is caught in foul territory
Use the relay man from out field or throw home if needed
Cover all bases and backs up other players after a hit
Always show good Sportsmanship on and off the field (no bad mouthing other players or officials)

Juniors & Seniors (Ages 13 - 16) – Kid Pitch

Any child who will be 13, 14, 15 or 16 years old on Dec. 31st will be eligible to play Juniors & Seniors.  

These two divisions are organized at the District 8 Level.  Teams will be formed at the League level but the game schedule will be in collaboration with the District. 

Juniors Games (13yr & 14yr olds)  - Pitching distance of 43ft.  Games are played with High School rules, include leading off, unrestricted stealing, etc

Senior Games (15 & 16yr olds) – Pitching distance of 43ft. Games are played with High School rules, include leading off, unrestricted stealing, etc

Teams play approximately 2-3 games a week from mid-March till mid-June, followed by a Tournament of Champions.

The level of competition varies by league, depending on the strength of the other competing programs in District 8.  Skill levels vary from recreational to highly competitive (select) levels of play. All players are ensured playing time, like the Little League program.

Part-Time players (Select Players) can play in either of the 2 divisions if they would like to extend their little league careers.

The 2 divisions also have All Start Tournament opportunities if the team chooses to do so.

The Junior and Senior levels focus on strategy and situational plays, mastering specific positions.  These divisions also assist in bridging the gap between Jr. and High school, toensure all kids in our community have a place ot play softball.