GUIDING PRINCIPLE IN TEAM FORMATION
LTLL is committed to providing a fun and competitive Little League. We strive to create parity in teams at all four levels of play. Competitive teams will create an environment that pushes all players to be at their best. This assists in player development, excitement during each game, and improved baseball IQ.
NEW IN 2026: In an effort to create competitive balance, the Buddy System is only applicable in T-Ball and C-Ball.
LITTLE LEAGUE AGE
Every season, Little League International publishes an “Age Chart” that determines every plays “League Age.” All levels abide by this when forming teams. See note below on players “Playing Up.” The age chart is strictly adhered to during All-Star and District Tournaments. The current age chart is located on our website at ltllbaseball.com. LTLL ages by level of play are:
T-Ball – 4 and 5 year olds (Pre-School)
C-Ball – 6 and 7 year olds (Kindergarten and 1st Grade)
B-Ball – 8 year olds (2nd Grade)
Minors – 9 and 10 year olds (3rd and 4th Grades)
Majors – 11 and 12 year olds (5th and 6th Grades)
T-BALL
Each team is allowed to have one head coach and TWO assistant coaches. The only guarantee of placement is the children of the team’s coaches. There is NO DRAFT in T-Ball. Players will be placed on teams based on school attended, neighborhood residency, age and gender. Siblings will always be on the same team (unless otherwise requested). The teams are formed by the T-Ball Commissioner and Player Agent. Note, because of greater numbers at some schools there may not be a completely equal balance. Buddy requests are permitted but never guaranteed. For the Buddy Rule to apply, both sets of parents need to list each other’s child during registration.
B-BALL / C-BALL / MINORS / MAJORS
Each team is allowed one head coach and ONE assistant coach. Additional assistant coaches can be pulled from registration, but only after a player is drafted. This will prevent the chaining of coaches (i.e. having four Assistant Coaches tied to a single Head Coach). LTLL compiles player evaluation data from previous season coaches to establish a player rating for most players. Coaches utilize the evaluation for the draft. Evaluation data is utilized strictly for draft purposes, remains confidential and is discarded immediately following the draft.
The draft is conducted by the Division Commissioners and the Player Agent. They are responsible for ensuring a fair draft. The draft order is established with each team drawing a number. The League Commissioner and/or Player Agent keeps track of draft order and players selected. The draft starts first with the children of the coaches automatically placed together. Siblings are always placed on the same team unless otherwise requested After that is established, draft order is used to select “Travel Baseball” players. After all “Travel Baseball” players are selected, the draft moves to “Non-Travel Baseball” players.
The goal is to create competitive balance with having travel and non-travel baseball players together. With competitive balance in mind, there are special circumstances to alter draft order after it has been established. For example, based on number of players to start (ie. Multiple siblings on the same team), it may be agreed upon by the League Commissioner, Player Agent, and coaches to deviate from order so other teams may work to draft players to create more balance between the teams.
TEAM SIZE
Optimal team size for maximum amount of play depends of the level. Below is the desired size of teams by level:
T-Ball: 9-10 players
C-Ball: 10-12
B-Ball: 10-12 players
MINORS and MAJORS: 10-12 players
“PLAYING UP or DOWN”
LTLL believes that players should play with their age group. The friendships and memories formed during this time will last a lifetime. If a parent(s) believe that it is in their child’s or children’s best interest to play up or down a level, they can contact the League President to discuss this option. All requests will be evaluated by the Board of Directors and decisions will be communicated by the League President. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis and with divisional parity in mind.