Divisions of Play
Milford Little League Recreational program is designed to teach the fundamentals of baseball, promote sportsmanship, and create a fun, supportive environment for players of all skill levels. Below is an overview of each division to help families choose the best fit for their player.
Little League Bat Standard: ONLY USA CERTIFIED BATS refer to USA BATS STANDARD for more information.
Tee Ball
Coed | Ages 4–6 | First-time players & pre-school aged
Tee Ball is an introductory, noncompetitive division focused on learning the basics of baseball while having fun. No prior experience is required. Players will learn how to hit a ball off a batting tee, run bases, fielding and throwing fundamentals and learn what the positions on the field are called. A league practice plan is used to assist coaches in planning practices and development of players.
· Team size: 5-7 players and formed by the league (no Assessments or drafts). Coach and friend requests are prioritized.
· Schedule: Practices are held twice a week for approximately 1hr and are decided by coaches. Games are on Saturdays and consist of three innings or 1 hour.
· Equipment: Players will receive a Jersey and Hat. Families are to provide Gloves, Cleats, and pants. The League has some Bats and Helmet for use. Some loaner equipment is available.
· Team Volunteer Roles: Coaches and a dugout parent. Team Manager (Mom) for coordinating field preparations, Dugout Control, Game Day Snacks, and league volunteer opportunities. All parents are encouraged to register as a volunteer.
Pee Wee – Coach Pitch (Not offered every season)
Coed | Ages 5–6 (Players must have one Tee Ball season)
Pee Wee builds on Tee Ball fundamentals while introducing light competition and sportsmanship. Players will continue to learn the fundamentals of baseball. This is a coach pitch division, but a tee will be utilized if no contact is made after five pitches. A league practice plan is used to assist coaches in planning practices and development of players.
· Team size: 7-9 players and formed by the league (no Assessments or drafts_. Coach and friend requests are prioritized.
· Schedule: Practices are held twice a week for approximately 1 hour and are decided by coaches. Games are on Saturdays and consist of 4 innings or 75minuts.
· Equipment: Players will receive a Jersey and Hat. Families are to provide Gloves, Cleats, and pants. The League has some Bats and Helmet for use. Some loaner equipment is available.
· Team Volunteer Roles: Coaches and a dugout parent. Team Manager (Mom) for coordinating field preparations, Dugout Control, Game Day Snacks, and league volunteer opportunities. All parents are encouraged to register as a volunteer
Rookies – Coach Pitch / Machine Pitch
Coed | Ages 7–8 | 6-year-olds are eligible if they have had a season of Tee Ball
Rookie League Division is mostly Coach Pitch (Machine pitch will be introduced) and is for players who will be introduced to competitive play, scoring, and umpires while continuing skill development. Players will continue to learn baseball fundamentals of batting, fielding, throwing and baserunning. Players are expected to be able to make contact occasionally on a ball being thrown by the coach, uses a continuous line-up and allows for strikeouts. Players are expected to learn to make some defensive plays by fielding ground balls and catching pop-ups and throws from other players. A league practice plan is used to assist coaches in planning practices and development of players.
· Team Size: 9-12 players. Teams are formed after Assessment Day (all players most participate) by draft system to allow for evenly distributed players and competitive teams.
· Schedule: Teams will practice twice a week for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Games will be held on Saturdays with occasional games during the week. Games are 5 innings or 1 hour 15-minute time limit. Coaches will set the practice schedule and times.
· Equipment: Players will receive a Jersey and Hat. Families are to provide Gloves, Cleats, and pants. The League has some Bats and Helmet for use. Some loaner equipment is available.
· Team Volunteer Roles: Head Coach and Assistant Coaches. Team Manager (MOM) for coordinating field preparations, Dugout Parent, Game Day Snacks, and league volunteer opportunities. All parents are encouraged to register as a volunteer.
Minor – Kid Pitch
Coed | Ages 9–10 | 11-year-olds can be placed in this division based on evaluations
Minor division is a full kid-pitch competitive division that focuses on player development of game awareness, situations, and skill consistency. Players will continue to learn baseball fundamentals of batting, fielding, throwing and baserunning. Players are expected to be able to make contact occasionally on a ball being thrown by pitcher at 46 feet, uses a continuous line-up and allows for strikeouts. Players are expected to learn to be more proficient in defensive plays by fielding ground balls, catching pop-ups and throws from other players. Players will be introduced to proper base running and stealing bases (except Homeplate). Players will start to specialize in positions but will still rotate between infield, outfield, pitching and catching. A league practice plan is used to assist coaches in planning practices and development of players.
· Team Size: 9-12 players. Teams are formed after Assessment Day (all players most participate) by draft system to allow for evenly distributed players and competitive teams.
· Schedule: Teams will practice twice a week for approximately 2 hours. Games will be held on Saturdays with occasional games during the week. Games are played for 6 innings or 1 hour 45 minutes. Coaches will set the practice schedule and times.
· Equipment: Players will receive a Jersey and Hat. Families are to provide Gloves, Cleats, Helmets, bats and pants. The League has some Bats and Helmet for use. Some loaner equipment is available.
· Team Volunteer Roles: Head Coach and Assistant Coaches. Team Manager (MOM) for coordinating field preparations, Game Day Snacks (optional), and league volunteer opportunities. Official Score Keeper each home game. All parents are encouraged to register as a volunteer.
Majors
Coed | Ages 11–12 | 10-year-olds can be moved up based on evaluations.
Major division is a full kid-pitch highly competitive division that focuses on advanced player development of game awareness, situations, and skill consistency. Players will continue to learn baseball fundamentals of batting, fielding, throwing and baserunning. Players are expected to be able to make contact on a ball being thrown by pitcher at 46 feet, uses a continuous line-up and allows for strikeouts and drop third strikes advances. Players are expected to learn to be more proficient in defensive plays by fielding ground balls, catching pop-ups and throws from other players on a routine bases. Players will be introduced to proper base running and stealing bases (including Homeplate). Players will continue to specialize in positions but will still rotate (less frequent) between infield, outfield, pitching and catching. A league practice plan is used to assist coaches in planning practices and development of players.
· Team Size: 9-12 players. Teams are formed after Assessment Day (all players most participate) by draft system to allow for evenly distributed players and competitive teams.
· Schedule: Teams will practice twice a week for approximately 2 hours. Games will be held on Saturdays with occasional games during the week. Games are played for 6 innings or 1 hour 45 minutes. Coaches will set the practice schedule and times.
· Equipment: Players will receive a Jersey and Hat. Families are to provide Gloves, Cleats, Helmets, bats and pants. The League has some Bats and Helmet for use. Some loaner equipment is available.
· Team Volunteer Roles: Head Coach and Assistant Coaches. Team Manager (MOM) for coordinating field preparations, Game Day Snacks (optional), and league volunteer opportunities. Official Score Keeper each home game. All parents are encouraged to register as a volunteer.