What ages are able to play in Litchfield Park Little League?
We currently offer programs for ages 4 -14 for the season. Junior Baseball (13-14) will be combined with Goodyear Little League again.
When does registration start?
Early Bird registration begins in September and finishes by October 31, a discount will apply for those who register before November 30. All registrations after January 1, will have a late registration penalty of $25 is added to the fees. We require 3 proofs of residency within LPLL boundaries (prior to Feb 1 of the season) & birth certificate to view. If your child is chosen for an All Star team (Minors & up) an original birth certificate is necessary. Boundary map is available on our website.
How much is it & what does it cover?
Cost per division: T-ball $75.00 Coach Pitch $99.00 All Other divisions $135.00. Each player will receive Jersey, Hat, and at least 12 games. All other youth sports usually cost the same amount and give less than 10 games. Pants, socks, and belts are the parents responsibility. Once teams are formed coaches will let you know what color needs to be purchased for those items. Minors & up will participate in post season tournaments and LPLL will contribute toward All Star uniforms.
Where do you play?
Our baseball fields are at Litchfield Elementary School in downtown Litchfield Park. Majors Baseball games are played at Jackie Robinson Field. T-ball may have some games at Staggs Park and Softball may have games at other fields in the nearby vicinity. Practice fields may vary depending on coach preference and availability. We are happy to have added Redmond Park in Verrado into our rotation for fields games will be played this season.
How long do they play?
This is an estimate of the regular season: T-ball-Majors (4-12 yrs.): Practice are scheduled to begin after January 20th, Opening Day will be March 3, and the season ends around the last day of school.
As for Postseason, the first place Major team plays in the Tournament of Champions June 15 – 22. Minors & up have the All Star tournaments beginning around June 25 and can play into July if they continue winning. Practices for All Stars are generally not allowed to start before June 15, so parents of potential All Stars take note, probably a good time to take vacation between the beginning of June and the 15th!
Are the games & practices during the week or weekend?
Baseball & Softball games will be played Monday through Friday, with a couple of Saturday games for certain divisions. Practice schedules are at the coaches’ discretion.
How many days a week do they play?
Usually you will be at the baseball field one to three days a week per player. This is an estimate and again up to the coaches discretion. Generally once the games begin there may be an additional practice or two on either Saturday or once during the week. Generally more at the older divisions.
What time of day are games/practices?
This depends on your child’s age/division. Weekday start time vary between 5:30pm and 7:30pm.
Does my child need to tryout?
Players in Baseball (AA, AAA, & Majors) and Softball (Minors, & Majors) do need to tryout. Teams in these divsions will be drafted using a matrix style draft in order to create parody and balanced teams. ALL KIDS WILL MAKE A TEAM. Returning Players on Major teams will play on their previous team. T-ball, Coach Pitch and A will be placed on a team based on requests and then after that randomly.
Can I request to be on a team with a friend or request a particular coach?
You can make a request but we cannot guarantee that it will be granted. T-ball, Coach Pitch, Mini's, and A divisions most requests are easy to fulfill. However children in divisions with drafts are subject to a draft system when making teams. More IMPORTANTLY, ONLY THE MANAGER may have an option of automatically picking his/her child, ALL other players must be drafted. Any players registering after tryouts and/or the draft will be placed waiting lists with no guarantee of team placement.
What division should my child play in?
Little League is designed to build a foundation of skills and progress your child in stages so that they are able to gain confidence and be able to play the game proficiently. Players may move up in skill level if they are ready under our age guidelines, but they must try out for the older divisions and it is ultimately a decision of the league. It is not advisable to "play up" just to push your child, a lot can be gained at staying within the age bracket and really improving their skills before moving on to the next level rather than being frustrated by moving up too soon.
T-Ball
Co-Ed; 4, 5, & 6-year-olds with little to no organized baseball playing experience.
Only 4, 5, and 6-year-olds with little to no organized baseball experience will play in this division. This division is pure instructional baseball, where basic fundamentals and techniques are taught. At this level, the first half of the season will be played from a tee, the second half of the season players begin to hit a pitched ball. A coach will pitch to the players and if the child does not hit the ball after allotted pitches, the ball is placed on a tee and the child completes the at bat. Outs are not recorded, base runners can only advance one base at a time, all players will bat and play defense every inning, and score is not kept. This is not a competitive division. There is no post-season play.
Coach Pitch
Co-Ed; 5 & 6-year-olds that have played at least one season of Little League Tee Ball. Also 7-year-olds that aren't ready kid pitch.
Basic skills are refined and stressed. Up to two coaches are on the field during games to encourage/instruct players. At this level players are taught to hit pitched balls by coaches/pitching machine only. Players are taught game basics and prepare to play at a faster pace. An offensive player that makes an out is removed from the base, and outs are recorded for the defense. Only 10 defensive players are allowed on the field at one time. Mandatory play is enforced. An inning is over when the offensive team has either batted all players in the lineup or 3 outs are recorded. Scores and Official standings are not kept. No post season tournament is played.
Baseball - Hybrid - "Rookie"
No Tryouts Required.
Formally known as “AA”
Co-Ed; Players age 7, 8, and 9 year-olds that tried out and weren't drafted to at least an AA Baseball team. Also players age 7, 8, and 9 years-old that didn't attend tryouts and didn't give prior notice of missing.
This is the first level of kid pitch. Fundamental skills are stressed, but games move at a faster pace, game strategies are also taught. Mandatory play is enforced. Kids will begin pitching will be introduced to pitching, no walks are granted, and when a pitcher reaches four balls on a batter the coach will then finish the at bat. An at bat is over when the batter has either reached base safely on a hit ball or is out. Scores, pitch counts, and standings are kept. There can be 10 defensive players on the field at one time. An inning is over when the offensive team has either scored 6 runs or 3 outs are recorded. Pitching mound is placed approximately 40 ft. from plate. A post season tournament is played, with a champion being crowned.
A & AA Baseball
Tryouts Required
Co-Ed; Players Little League age 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 that tried out and weren't drafted to at least a AAA Baseball team. Also players Little League age 10 or 11 that didn't attend or gave prior notice to missing tryouts.
Players must attend a try out where skills are assessed. Mandatory play is enforced. Scores, pitch counts, and Standings are kept. There can be 10 defensive players on the field at one time. An inning is over when the offensive team has either scored 6 runs or 3 outs are recorded. 8, 9 and 10 year-olds are eligible for 10u Tournament Teams. A post season tournament is played.
AAA Baseball
Tryouts Required
Co-Ed; Players that are Little League age 8, 9, 10, & 11 year-olds that tried out and weren't drafted to a Majors team.
Players must attend a try out where skills are assessed. 8 year-old players may tryout, but are NOT guaranteed a roster spot in this division. Fundamental skills are stressed, while developments of additional skills are taught. Only 9 players will be playing defense at one time. Mandatory play rules are enforced. 8, 9, 10, & 11-year-olds in this division are eligible for Post season Tournament teams. Official Standing, pitch counts, and scores are kept. A post season tournament is played.
Majors Baseball
New Majors Players Tryouts Required.
Returning LPLL Majors Player will not need to tryout.
Co-Ed; all 12-year-olds, and 10 & 11-year-olds that tried out and were drafted by a Major Baseball team.
All new Majors players must attend a tryout where skills are evaluated. Every registered 12 year old will be drafted or placed on a Majors team. RETURNING LPLL MAJORS DO NOT need attend the try-out. 10 & 11-year-old players may tryout, but are NOT guaranteed a roster spot in this division. While fundamental skills are stressed, advanced skills are taught and developed. Games are fast paced. Mandatory play is enforced. All players 10, 11, and 12-year-olds in this division are eligible for Post Season Tournament teams. A post season tournament within LPLL and within District 2 is played.
Mini’s Softball
No Tryouts required
Girls Little League age 7, 8, and 9 years old.
Most of the girls in this division have never played softball before. It is an introduction to softball much like the boys “A” division it is a hybrid of player pitch and coach pitch. Players that are yet ready for this division are encouraged to sign up for Coach Pitch – “Rookie” baseball.
Minors Softball
Tryouts required
Girls Little League age 9, 10, and 11 years old.
Most of the girls in this division have some softball experience. Players in the Minors weren’t drafted to a Majors team. The start of the season could begin as an older Mini’s Division with a hybrid player and coach pitch method. Although by the end of the season it will be exclusively player pitch. Games could be played against other leagues at other locations outside of Litchfield Park and Goodyear. Players in this division will be eligible for Post season All Star Teams.
Majors Softball
Tryouts required
Girls Little League age 10, 11 and 12 years old.
Most of the girls in this division have softball experience, and her skilled softball players. This is our highest level of softball offered and is exclusively player pitch. Games could be played against other leagues at other locations outside of Litchfield Park and Goodyear. Players in this division will be eligible for Post season All Star Teams.
Will you offer Intermediate, Junior, Senior Divisions?
Unfortunately at this time, we don't, but Goodyear Little League offers both Intermediate and Junior divisions.
Do you offer softball?
Yes! Although unlike past season, Goodyear Little League will now be offering softball, so those girls that play softball but are inside Goodyear's boundaries will need to register to play through them.
How do I know if I’m in the boundaries & why does it matter?
Click Here and either put in your home address or your childs school address, either can be used to determine which league you should play in. It matters because this is mandated, regulated and scrutinized by Little League International and is also important for insurance purposes. Furthermore, any child not in LPLL boundaries cannot be chosen for the All-Star team.
What if I want to coach?
We are always looking for volunteers! Please fill out a volunteer application at registration or mail one in to us. Per Little League International a background check is also necessary (for the protection of our children). Coaching has added benefits in that you can dictate your practice times. Please note that coaching is a big time commitment and a responsibility to work within the guidelines of Little League’s value system.
What is your address?
PO Box 2555, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
