Baseball

Baseball Divisions

A
League age 6 - 7. 7 year old's who have not played at least one season of Tee Ball or Single A should play at this level. Coach pitch. Children learn how to hit off of a live pitcher. After 5 pitches are thrown without the ball being put into fair territory, the batter will get 2 swings off of the tee. If the ball is not put into fair territory on the 2nd swing, it is a strikeout. Children continue to be coached in the field during play and develop playing skills. Four innings are played or a 90 minute time limit – which ever comes first. Coaches continue to emphasize teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Practices - Will fall on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday OR Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday - dependent on field availability - 1 hour - 5pm or 6pm; Saturday AM
Games - Wednesdays and Saturdays - 4 innings

AA
League age 7 – 8. 7 year old's must have played AA as a 6 year old in 2024 or at least one season of Tee Ball. Coach assisted, player-pitch baseball. Children learn how to pitch and how to hit off of a live player pitching. After 5 balls are thrown without a hit or a strike out, the coach steps in to pitch. Children continue to be coached in the field during play and develop playing skills. Four innings are played or a two hour limit – which ever comes first. Coaches continue to emphasize teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Practices - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday - 90 minutes - 5pm or 6:30pm; Saturday AM
Games - During the week depends on field availability, Saturdays - 1 hour, 45 minutes

AAA
League age 9 – 10. Player-pitch competitive play. At this level children will start learning the finer details of the game. This includes: stealing bases, following signals, strategies in the field and more. This is for intermediate players who can play up to the expected skill criteria.

Practices - Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday - 90 minutes - 5pm or 6:30pm; Saturday AM
Games - Game schedule is determined by District 13 and can land on any day Mon-Thurs and Saturday - 1 hour, 45 minutes

Majors
League age 11 – 12. Children are introduced to higher expectations of play and are able to demonstrate a high level of sportsmanship and responsibility.

Practices - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday - 90 minutes - 5pm or 6:30pm; Saturday AM
Games - Game schedule is determined by District 13 and can land on any day Mon-Thurs and Saturday - 1 hour, 45 minutes

Intermediate (50/70)
League age 12 - 13. You must be 12-13 years of age. The Intermediate Division was formed by Little League to bridge the transition to Juniors. It is available to accommodate players whose skills permit rules closer to conventional baseball (leading off, pick-offs, balks), but on a field not as large; 50 foot pitching mound and 70 foot bases. You may not “play up” to this division.

Practices - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday - 90 minutes to 2 hours - 6:30pm; Saturday AM
Games - Game schedule is determined by District 13 and can land on any day Mon-Thurs and Saturday - 2 hours

Juniors
League age 13 – 15. More advanced play. 60 foot, 6 inch mound and 90 foot bases. This is the next step before high school baseball.

Practices - Dependent on coach/field availability - 2 hours - 5:30pm; Saturday AM
Games - Game schedule is determined by District 13 and can land on any day Mon-Thurs and Saturday - 2 hours

Seniors
League age 15 - 16, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches.

Practices - Dependent on coach/field availability - 2 hours - 5:30pm; Saturday AM
Games - Game schedule is determined by District 13 and can land on any day Mon-Thurs and Saturday - 2 hours

*League age is the players age on 8/31 of the current season. Little League age calculator can be found here.

Rules of Play
A - Coming soon!
AA - Coming Soon!
AAA/Majors
Intermediate/Juniors/Seniors

2026 Spring/Fall Information

Here's what your player will need for the upcoming season:

Required:

- Baseball glove
- Batting helmet
- Athletic protector (Boys)
- Black baseball pants
- Baseball cleats (No Metal Cleats)

Optional:
- Baseball bat*
- Batting gloves
- Sliding shorts
- Gear bag

*All bats must be Little League approved using the new USABat Youth Bat Standards - click HERE to view the list for 2018 and beyond.

Contact our VP of Baseball with any questions - [email protected]

Second Goal Parenting

We strongly encourage all our parents and guardians to view the Little League's Second Goal Parenting resources. At NWLL, we believe in focusing on the “second goal” of helping children learn life lessons from baseball and softball.

• Establishing a Parent-Coach Partnership
• Empowering Conversations With Your Children
• Guidelines for “Honoring the Game”

We also encourage you to view the FREE Little League quick course Second-Goal Parenting

We value and appreciate our families and we welcome your feedback! Email [email protected] with any questions, comments or feedback.

Website Manager

Northwest Little League of Illinois

Baseball Divisions

2026 Spring/Fall Information

Second Goal Parenting

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Northwest Little League of Illinois

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