Major - Little League Baseball
WHAT
Major is an even more competitive league.
WHO
Major players are typically league ages 11-12 (based on age on August 31, 2024).
All players not "HELD" on a returning Major team from Spring 2023 (NOT FALL 2023) will have to attend the "League Assessment" in February 2024 to be placed on a team. Some players that registered for Major may actually be drafted by a Player Pitch team. See "HOW" section for more details.
WHEN
Practices will start in early March and games will start in mid April. Expect two practices lasting 90 minutes each from March until games start in mid April. Once games start, expect 2 games a week and 1-2 practices a week. Games will be one hour 45 minutes long. The goal is 3-4 activities a week. Games will finish end of June. Expect 18-20 regular season games and then an end of season league tournament.
WHERE
All Major practices and home games will be played at NLLL fields located at 13950 York St Thornton, CO 80602. Away games will be played in nearby cities (North Denver, Westminster, Northglenn, south Thornton, Erie, Boulder, and Superior).
HOW
Teams will be formed through a division draft. ALL players that register will be assigned to a team. Some players that register for Player Pitch may be drafted on a Major team and players that register for Major may be drafted on a Player Pitch team. Players on the younger side may not be drafted on a Major team. Players league age 12, WILL be drafted on a Major team.
Score and outs are kept and the goal is 2 umpires per game (although at times only 1 may be available).
Pitch counts will be STRICTLY counted and enforced to protect players' arms.
Players that register for Major must attend a "Player Assessment" in February 2024, unless they are a "HELD" player that played on a returning Major team from the Spring of 2023 season (Fall 2023 team does not count). The assessment aims to ensure that players are put on teams for the division that best matches their playing level and to assist in forming balanced teams within each division.
HELD PLAYERS
Little League rules allow a Major Team that played in the previous Spring season to "Hold" their players for the 2024 Spring season. This means any player that was on a Spring 2023 team that returned to play in Spring 2024 can be held on that same returning team assuming the parents want that.
If that happens, the player will be assigned to that team and will NOT have to attend the "Player Assessment" in February 2024.
NO TEAM MANAGER OR TEAMMATE REQUESTS ALLOWED
No Team Manager (Head Coach) or teammate requests will be allowed or honored, except siblings. Teams are formed to ensure Team Balance so these requests cannot be honored at this division. Teams will be formed by the draft mentioned above.
UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT
NLLL will provide a jersey, hat, socks, and belt. Families must provide pants and cleats.
NLLL will provide all needed equipment except a glove. Although at this level we start to see players purchase their own helmet and bat. That works also. All bats must be USA stamped and be free of dents.
ALL STAR ELIGIBILITY
Players in Major are eligible for selection to a Little League Tournament Team (aka, "All Stars") that will participate in a post season starting right around July 4th.
VOLUNTEERS
NLLL will need volunteers to be Team Manager (Head Coach) and Assistant Coaches. You can volunteer during registration.