DIVISIONS OF PLAY
Divisional programs are provided for league ages 4-16. League age is defined as your child's age on August 31st of that year. North Penn Little League is age / grade appropriate and is organized to continually expose the player to new skills and increasing competition at each level of play. Through all Divisions, players are introduced to new fundamentals such as throwing, fielding, hitting, live pitching, stealing, and bunting. If parents have legitimate concerns on their child’s placement in a particular Division, the League will consider making appropriate accommodations.
Official Rule / PIAA High School Baseball Rules:
Senior League (Ages 14-16) Games are played on a regulation baseball field (60/90). The league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or "All Stars") of 13-16-year-olds from within this division (and/or from within the Junior League or Big League divisions), and the team may enter the International Tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Senior League Baseball World Series, featuring teams from around the world. College / High School Rules are used; BBCOR -3 approved bats, metal spikes.
Junior League (Ages 12-14) Games are played on a regulation baseball field (60/90). The league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or "All Stars") of 13-14-year-olds from within this division (and/or from within the Senior League Division), and the team may enter the International Tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Junior League Baseball World Series, featuring teams from around the world.
College / High School Rules are used; BBCOR -3 approved bats, metal spikes.
PIAA Rules on a Modified 50/70 Field:
Intermediate Division (Ages 11-13) A fully competitive divisionGames are played on a modified (50/70-foot diamond). This division of Little League Baseball is more advanced than younger Little League divisions due to more advanced rules, including the ability to lead-off and steal as the pitcher breaks, along with longer base paths and greater pitching distance.The Intermediate Division only allows the use of molded or plastic spikes as used in Little League.
Little League Divisions
AAA Division (Ages 9-10*) A fully competitive division.Games are played on a Little League field (46/60). Players pitch, protective cups are required for all catchers, scores and standings are kept and a continuous batting order is used. PIAA certified umpires are utilized. All teams in the AAA Division participate in a post season tournament in which the winning team and runner-up receive trophies. An annual mid-season All-Star game is held. **Any 8 Year Old Player is required to use a full cage batting helmet in this division**
AA Division (Ages 7-8*) This is an instructional division where players hit live Safety Balls (reduced impact) machine pitched, no scores are kept and a continuous batting order is used. Players are taught throwing, catching, batting, defensive ready position and running the bases. The AA Machine Pitch Division is intended to be a bridge between T-Ball and AAA. An annual mid-season skills competition is held. All teams in the AA Division participate in a post season tournament in which the winning team and runner-up receive trophies.
Tee-Ball Division (Ages 4-6*). It is an instructional division where players hit off a tee rather than hit a pitched ball. T-Balls (reduced impact) are utilized, no scores are kept, and a continuous batting order is used. Players are taught the fundamentals of baseball such that they are exposed to playing positions and are taught throwing, catching, batting, defensive ready position and running the bases. All players in the T-Ball Division receive participation trophies. An annual mid-season skills competition is held.
Challenger Division is a program for mentally and/or physically disabled players to enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities. The value of the Challenger Division is found in the benefits of participation in sports, the strengthening of the participants' self-esteem, the opportunities to mainstream into other divisions of play, and the disciplines of teamwork and fair play.
*Note: Due to variations in skill level at all ages, final decisions of proper division placement will be determined by the North Penn Little League Board of Directors. Decisions will be based upon skill, safety and the emotional wellbeing of the child, amongst other factors as well.
