MCLEAN LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL PROGRAM
Tee and Rookie Ball are offered for both boys and girls and is the earliest level of play for both Softball and Baseball.
Each level of play increases in competitiveness as the players get older and develop higher-level skills. Throughout all the levels, the league focuses on building skills, knowledge of the game, and having fun.
The MLL Softball Program offers six levels of play, in addition to tee ball and rookie ball which are coed:
Please read each level to review appropriateness for your child, as well as scheduled days of play to avoid conflicts.
Transition Softball is geared to 7 and 8 year old girls. Six year olds with one or two years of tee ball experience will be considered for this level on a case-by-case basis. The goal of Transition Softball is instructional, with an emphasis on building and learning skills, introducing the game, and having fun.
Players use a 10-inch soft softball and pitching is by machine with a plate distance of 35’. Players will change fielding positions and all players are in the batting order throughout the game. Teams are organized by McLean Little League with school and player/coach requests taken into consideration. There are no evaluations at this level/age.
There are 8 to 10 games in the Spring season with an average of one game per week. The majority of the games are held on Saturdays with some games during the week. There is one fielding practice per week and coaches may elect to add a weekly batting practice at the MLL batting cages.
Scores and standings are not kept and there isn’t a tournament or post-season play. All players receive a medal for participation.
Single A, Double A, and Triple A
MLL has three minor league levels - AAA, AA and A . The goal for all three levels is to develop softball players by building skills, increasing game acumen, and having a lot of fun. As the players grow older, competitiveness increases - but always with a focus on sportsmanship, fun, and development.
A Softball
Single A softball is for 7 to 8 year-olds and is focused on skills development and having fun.
Players use a 10-inch ‘soft’ softball. The pitching machine - placed at 35’ - is used for the first several innings followed by player pitch for the remainder of the game. When the players’ pitch, the batter starts with one strike and there are no walks. If the batter is pitched four balls, the coach pitches and the at-bat continues until the batter either hits or strikes out. Players change positions and all players are in the batting order throughout the game.
The teams are organized by MLL with schools and player/coach requests taken into consideration. There are 8-10 games in the Spring season with an average of one per week, typically held on Saturdays with some games held during the week on various days. There is one fielding practice per week and coaches may elect to hold a separate batting practice at the MLL batting cages.
Standings are not kept, and there isn’t a tournament or other post-season play. All players receive a medal for participation at the end of the season.
AA Softball
AA Softball is for 8 to 10 year-olds and is focused on skills development and fun with the play getting more competitive as the season progresses.
Players use an 11” softball. The pitching plate distance is 30’. The pitching machine is used for the first several innings followed by player pitch for the remainder of the game. When players pitch, the batter starts with one strike and there are no walks. If the batter is pitched 4 balls, the coach pitches and the at-bat continues until the batter either hits or strikes out.
Players may be placed in different positions (IF & OF) and all players are in the batting order throughout the game. Player evaluations are required and held during a 30-minute gym session in February. Teams are formed via draft.
There are 10 to 12 games in the Spring season with an average of 1 to 2 games per week. The majority of games are held on Saturdays with some games during the week, typically on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays. There is one field practice per week and coaches may elect to hold a separate weekly batting practice at the MLL batting cages.
Standings are not kept. There is a single elimination tournament with tournament draw established when the regular season schedule is published in March. The 1st and 2nd place teams in the City Series Tournament receive a trophy. There is no post-season All-Star team at this level.
AAA Softball
AAA softball is for 9 to 11-year-olds and is a competitive league while also focusing on age-appropriate skills development and fun.
Players use an 11-inch softball and the pitching plate is at 35’. It is primarily player pitch. For the first few weeks of the season, each batter starts by facing a player pitcher. Strikes are called and walks are allowed up to three walks per half inning. After three walks, if the batter is thrown four balls, a coach will pitch for the remainder of the count. After Phase 1 is over, it is all player pitch with no max on walks.
All players are required to play one inning of defense in the infield, however there is less player movement than AA and A softball. Coaches focus on ensuring players have an opportunity to play different positions. All players are in the batting order. Player evaluations are required and occur during a 30-minute gym session in February. Teams are formed via a draft.
There are 12 to 14 games in the Spring season with an average of two per week, typically held on Mondays and Fridays with an occasional Thursday or Saturday game. If there is a rare Saturday game, they are typically late afternoon or evening. Make-up games for rainouts are held on Sunday evenings.
Standings are kept and there is a single elimination tournament - the City Series Tournament - at the end of regular season play. The tournament draw is based on regular season standings. The 1st and 2nd place teams in the regular season and City Series tournament receive a trophy.
Players are also eligible for the 8-10 and 9-11 All Star teams. Generally, only a few players at the AAA level are selected to participate on these teams.
Note that all 9-12-year-old players who try out for Majors and are not drafted onto a Majors Softball Team will be assigned to a AAA or AA team. Based upon skills shown at evaluations and the number of players available to form teams at various levels of play, some 8 year olds (and, in special circumstances, occasionally a 7 year old ) may be assigned to AA teams. Eight year olds may request eligibility for AAA but will only be made eligible for AAA in exceptional circumstances.
Majors Softball
Major League Softball is for 10 to 12 year olds and is the highest level of softball competition in the Little League with coaches focusing on higher-level skills development and, of course, fun.
Players play with a 12-inch softball and pitch from 40’. Players pitch the entire season. Players may not sit out consecutive innings during the game. There is no requirement that players play in the infield or that every player must sit out an inning. All players are in the batting order throughout the game.
Player evaluations are required and occur during a 30-minute gym session in February. Teams are formed via a draft. Once selected to a team, a player is expected to complete their LL eligibility (through 12 years of age) with that team.
There are 14 to 19 games in the Spring Season with an average of two games per week, typically held on Mondays and Fridays with an occasional Thursday game. Make-up games due to rainouts are typically on Sunday evenings. There are two practices per week - one fielding and one batting practice at the MLL batting cages.
Standings are kept and there is a single elimination tournament - the City Series Tournament - at the end of regular season play. The tournament draw is based on regular season standings. The 1st and 2nd place teams in the Regular Season and City Series tournament receive a trophy. Players are also eligible for the 8-10, 9-11, and Majors (10-12) All-Stars teams.
Note that all 9-12-year-old players who try out for Majors and are not drafted onto a Majors Softball Team will be assigned to a AAA or AA team. Nine-year-olds may request eligibility, but will only be made eligible for the majors draft in exceptional circumstances.
Juniors/Seniors Softball
Seniors Softball is for players 13-18 years of age. The league’s Seniors program was restarted successfully in the fall of 2011 and the overall program at this level is still in a developmental stage. It is anticipated that the seniors team(s) will play other area teams (e.g.,in Arlington and Great Falls) of similar age levels. It is also possible that the team would play a local travel tournament or two, but such determination would only be made in consultation with the participating families and could be subject to supplemental charges to cover travel tournament fees.
The focus of the league is competitive with a focus on skills development and fun. This league is great for players who wish to continue playing after the age of 12 but may not necessarily want to play travel softball.
Players use a 12-inch softball with all player pitch. Players may not sit out consecutive innings during the game. There is no requirement that players play in the infield. All players are in the batting order throughout the game.
Teams are formed based on age and there are no evaluations held. There are typically 12-16 games in the Spring season with two games held per week, typically played on Saturdays as a doubleheader. Teams hold one fielding practice per week and a weekly batting practice at the MLL batting cages.
Standings are not kept. The team does not participate in a City Series Tournament, however, the team often plays in a Northern Virginia tournament at the end of the season. If there is sufficient interest and availability, there can be a Juniors or Seniors all-star team. These teams are not common but do occur on occasion. There are no MLL trophies or awards at this level.
FOR ALL LEVELS TRANSITION OR BELOW:
If you want to request a specific manager or teammate here's how:
- Check with the manager or player you wish to play with, to confirm you are registering for the same level of play. This is the PRIORITY in determining teams.
- At registration, request the manager or teammate by name, directly on the form. Unfortunately, the league cannot process requests that say, “same team as last year” or “the Yankees”.
- If you are new to the area or to MLL, please feel free to indicate a school or neighborhood preference for teammates.
Fall Ball has all five of the above levels. The emphasis of Fall ball at all levels is on development. All levels are low key. No standings are kept at any level nor is there a draft. The fall ball program is supplemented with several skills clinics for Majors and Minors players.
Questions regarding the Softball Program should be directed to the Vice Presidents of Softball, Lindsey DeVylder and Deirdre Ramsey.