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**note regarding coach pitch baseball division status
T-Ball Division
T-Ball Coordinator, Clancy Jacobsen 
email T-Ball Coordinator
T-Ball Program (ages 4-7 before May 1): This division emphasizes the development of players. The goal of this division is to provide all players with a fun and positive introduction to the sport in a very supportive and non-competitive learning environment. Every player who is age 5-6 must play at least one year of T-ball before advancing to the Minor baseball or softball divisions. T-Ball is open to both girls and boys. They will learn how to hold a bat, hit off the tee, throw a baseball and possibly catch a ball. The most basic fundamentals will be covered in T-ball. Any candidate who will attain the age of 4 years before May 1 and who will not attain the age of 8 before May 1 of the year in question shall be eligible to play in the T-Ball Division. This means that a child, who will be 8 years old on May 1 or later, is still eligible to play T-ball in this year.
Recognizing the broad age-range of Tee Ball, effort will be made to assign players to teams that are developmentally appropriate and to play against similar teams.
Challenger Division
Challenger Coordinator, Marc Strachan email Challenger Coordinator
Challenger Program (ages 4-18 or up to 22 if still in High School): The goal of the Challenger Division is to give everyone a chance to play. The Challenger Division offers boys and girls with physical and/or mental disabilities the opportunity to participate in organized baseball. Player development is a core Little League principal and each week the Challenger players will be "buddied" up with a BILL Majors Baseball or Softball player who will work with them to teach the basic fundamental skills of baseball while also playing a weekly baseball game. BILL also plays a home and away series with the NK Little League Challenger Team.
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Softball Divisions
The league goals for each level of play is to have fun, build individual self-esteem, promote team camaraderie and foster ongoing player skill development and an understanding of the game. To that end, divisions have been established to progress the player in physically and emotionally appropriate developmental stages.
Player Agent, Shannon Starling email Player Agent
Vice President Softball, Tony Gaspich email V.P. Softball
Minors Division Softball GIRLS (ages 6, 7-9 before Jan 1*): This division emphasizes the development of basic playing skills (throwing, catching, fielding, and batting) and introduces playing rules. Games and practices are arranged in a format that is more advanced as compared to T-ball, but modified to fit their skill and knowledge level (e.g. coach or machine pitch, three innings games, all players bat or three outs per inning whichever occurs first). The goal is to teach players about the sport in a non-competitive environment that emphasizes having fun. Coaches will introduce players to the elements of team work and sportsmanship. Players should be given equal playing and the opportunity to play all defensive positions. Players are assigned to teams.
*Little League 6 year olds are welcome to play Minors softball if they have played one year of T-Ball and pass a safety evaluation.
Intermediate Division Softball GIRLS (ages 8-12 before Jan 1*): This division is still primarily an instructional and developmental division, but offers a mid-level competitive environment where winning and losing during the season should always be secondary to having fun and to developing each player. Players at this level are developing their knowledge of the game and may or may not have prior experience playing softball. They are introduced to more rules of softball, and games are played in a more realistic setting, although the rules are modified to fit their skills and knowledge level. Pitching, stealing, and bunting are introduced. Minimum playing time and bat around order apply. The game format encourages a more even but not necessarily equal distribution of playing time among players. Playing positions are determined based on player skill levels and safety concerns, but with the goal of allowing players to try as many positions as possible. Coaches emphasize the elements of team work and sportsmanship. Teams will play Interleague games with other leagues. Players are assigned to teams.
*Little League 7 year olds are welcome to play Minors softball if they have played one year of T-Ball and pass a safety evaluation.
Majors Division Softball GIRLS (ages 10-12 before Jan 1): This division offers a high level of competition where all rules of the game are applicable. Within this more competitive environment, the emphasis is still on improving softball skills, building individual self-esteem, and promoting team camaraderie rather than strictly focusing on the win/loss record. Players at this level have a solid knowledge of the game and most of the players have had several years of playing softball. Minimum playing time and bat around order apply. Coaches emphasize the elements of team work and sportsmanship. Teams will play Interleague games with other leagues. Tryouts are required for new players. 12 year olds automatically qualify to play in the Majors unless they choose to play in the Intermediate division.
Juniors/Seniors Division Softball GIRLS (ages 13-16 before Jan 1): This is a more advanced level of softball offering girls a chance to play on a competitive, although recreational level prior to high school. Girls at this level have a strong understanding of the game as well as a higher strength and ability to play. Minimum playing time does not apply. Coaches emphasize the elements of team work and sportsmanship, as well as building self esteem and developing skill levels. Games are mostly played on weekends in doubleheaders and sometimes during weekdays against other teams within District 2 (i.e., from Port Orchard to Sequim).
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Baseball Divisions
The primary goals for each level of play is to have fun, build individual self-esteem, promote team camaraderie and foster ongoing player skill development and an understanding of the game. To that end, divisions have been established to progress the player in physically and emotionally appropriate developmental stages. Girls are welcome to play baseball! If you have any question as to the appropriate division to which you should register your child, we recommend that you contact the VP of Baseball.
Player Agents, Sarah Barnes & Sarah Nicholson email Player Agents
Vice President Baseball, Graehm Wallace email V.P.Baseball
Coach Pitch Divisions (Rookie and A)
Rookie Division Baseball (age 6-7 before May 1*): This division emphasizes the development of players and fosters a better understanding of the game. The goal is to ensure all players expand their knowledge of the sport in a structured manner. Players experience a low level of competition without emphasis on winning or losing. All defensive positions will be covered and all players will bat their turn. No scores or league standings will be kept. Focus is on fun and building baseball skills.
*Little League 6 year-olds are welcome to play Rookie Division baseball if they have played one year of T-Ball
"A" Minors Division Baseball (age 8 before May 1): This mid-entry level of play fosters continued skills development and a better understanding of the rules and nuances of the game. Players are expected to have fundamental baseball skills, as this is a more elevated level of play than Rookie. The focus is also on fun, and no scores or league standing will be kept. All defensive positions will be covered and all players will bat their turn. Focus will be on fielding, making plays, accurate throwing, proper hitting technique and preparing the player for player pitch at the "AA" level.
A NOTE ON BOTH ROOKIE AND "A" DIVISIONS:
** Bainbridge Island Little League is committed to offering as many playing levels as is practical so that all kids can play at their appropriate experience level and with kids of similar skills. Because the Rookie and Single A levels generally draw from only one age group each, and require similar skill sets, these two levels may be combined into a single division to ensure a sufficient number of teams and thus a variety of games. If these divisions are combined then each team will draw kids from both levels. This is similar to the higher playing levels, which all draw kids from multiple age groups. The final decision on whether Rookie and Single A should be combined will be made once registration is closed and we know the number of kids that have registered for these two levels.
Player Pitch Divisions (AA, AAA and Majors)
"AA" Division Baseball (age 8-10* before May 1): The "AA" Division is a combination player/coach pitch baseball where a higher level of game understanding and ability is taught. Competition is introduced at this level. Primary goals are to give players as much experience and playing time as possible and encouragement of ongoing development for all players in all phases of the game. This important developmental division provides a relatively even but not necessarily equal distribution of playing time among players. "AA" includes player pitch, limited stealing of bases, scoring and umpiring. By the end of the season players are expected to have refined their skills so they may be competitive at the "AAA" level the following year.
* If your child is 10, please contact the registrar and they will assist with the registration process.
"AAA" Division Baseball (ages 9-12* before May 1): This division of Little League promotes a higher level of competition than "AA" and emphasizes more of the standard rules of Little League baseball. The focus in "AAA" remains on education, development and teamwork while developing a deeper understanding of the game and advancing skill development in order to prepare players for the Majors level. Try-outs/skills assessments are required for all players in order to assure safety to play at this level and to enable the coaches to form teams with approximate equivalent talents.
* If Child is 12 contact the registrar and they will assist with registration process.
Majors Division Baseball (ages 10-12 before May 1): This division promotes competition to a higher degree as compared to the Minor League. Within this more competitive environment, the emphasis remains on improving baseball skills, building individual self-esteem, promoting team camaraderie and emphasizing fair play. This division is designed to be both the satisfying culmination of some players' Little League careers and to prepare other players for higher levels of play including advancement in Little League Tournament play and readiness to move up to play on the full 90 foot diamond. Tryouts are required for all players who did not make Majors in the prior season.
Junior League Baseball Division (ages 13-14 before May 1): This is the first year Bainbridge Island Little League will be offering the option to play in this baseball division. The players will experience a new level of play as they step up from the Little League-sized field to a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. We will be placing our emphasis on fun and fair play, as we continue the development of the skill fundamentals along with the mental aspects of baseball the players will need to compete at this higher level. The games will be scheduled across Kitsap County against other Little Leagues in the District 2 Area. The local league has an option to enter the team in the International Tournament.
Senior League Baseball Division (ages 15-16 before May 1): This is the first year Bainbridge Island Little League will be offering the option to play in this baseball division. The player will learn to compete at a higher level of play in this division. We will strive for players to continue improvement in individual baseball skills and strategic thinking, maintaining a fun and lively developmental atmosphere. Games will be scheduled against other Little Leagues in the District 2 Area. If we don't register enough players to field a team, it is possible that BILL may join with another local District 2 little league to create a combined team. The local league has an option to enter the team in the International Tournament.
Big League Baseball Division (ages 16-18 before May 1): This is the first year Bainbridge Island Little League will be offering the option to play in this baseball division. Player development is still the primary goal in this highest level division offered by Little League. Players will compete around the Puget Sound area against other little leagues and districts. This team or teams will be administered by District 2 (not BILL) and will be open to eligible players from any local little league within the district. Depending upon the number of young men registered to play, participation on the District 2 Big League team may require tryouts. Play at this level is highly competitive and can be likened to play at high school varsity level.
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