ViennaBaseballFoundation.org

The little league experience starts with Tee Ball, played without pitching on a regulation Little League baseball diamond with a 75 minute time limit. This league is dedicated to basic baseball education and training, and does not contribute any scores or standings. All five-year-old players must play in this league before moving on to Rookie League, but six-year-olds attending first grade may skip this step.

The Rookie League continues T-Ball’s educational direction (i.e., keeping no scores or standings) but the coach will pitch the ball to further the development of players’ skills. The typical age range is six (if in first grade) and seven.

For the players aged 7 – 9, Single A League is the oldest “no scores, no standings” league. Geared mainly toward 8-year-olds, up to two 7-year-olds who have played in the Rookie League may play on a team, and 9-year-olds may play by parental request. Instead of cycling through the lineup, Single A League plays six innings per game with three outs per inning. After the regular season ends, a Single A Field Day is held for all league players.

Tryouts, record-keeping, pitching and catching, and the post-season George C. Yeonas Championship Series are all added for League AA, the bridge from the instructional leagues to the Majors. The typical ages in AA League are 9 and 10, but 8 year olds may participate depending on various factors (experience, number of registered players, etc.), as well as 11 year olds who may benefit from additional skill development.

AAA League provides 9 – 12 year olds with the full Little League experience, including some late-season night games, and the post-season Town Tournament and the Wayne Starliper Tournament (sponsored by District 4).

The Majors are the American League, Colonial League, and National League, each with five teams made up of 12 players drafted from the 10 – 12 year old players. 9 year olds (and any age 10 – 12 players not drafted) will play in the AAA League instead. From March 1st to mid-June, an 18-game regular season is followed by the All-Star season, and the GCY Championship series featuring the first- and second-place teams in each league.

Since 1989, the Vienna Little League has also offered the Challenger Division for all girls and boys with mental and physical disabilities. This separate Little League division brings Little league baseball to a much wider age range — starting at five years old, and continuing through the completion of high school.