Baseball

South Maryland Little League

Baseball Divisions

Note: Baseball registration is done through a separate website than the rest of DAA sports. Click here to register for all baseball divisions.

Tee-Ball (4 – 5 year olds)

For generations of Little Leaguers, their first steps between the lines came in Tee Ball. The same is true of the parents and volunteers who too are new to the Little League program. The Little League Tee Ball curriculum focuses on providing a fast-paced, fun and athletic experience while teaching the fundamentals of the game.

All players are provided with team shirts and hats.

There will be two practices and/or games per week. All activities are at either Davidsonville Elementary School or the Davidsonville Family Recreation Center. Tee Ball is played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm starting in late March/early April and running through early June.

Coach-Pitch (5 - 6 year olds)

The Little League Coach Pitch program works to build on the foundational skills learned in Tee Ball. Providing a fast-paced, fun, and athletic experience while teaching the fundamentals of the game will always be the priority. Within the Coach Pitch curriculum, however, we will begin to teach our athletes how to hit a ball in-flight, while incorporating “outs” on the base path midway through the season.

All players are provided with team shirts and hats.

There will be two practices and/or games per week. All activities are at either Davidsonville Elementary School or the Davidsonville Family Recreation Center. Coach Pitch is played on Monday and Wednesday evenings, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm starting in late March/early April and running through early June.

Machine Pitch (7 – 8 year olds)

In Machine Pitch, our ball players will be introduced to more advanced baseball concepts. It is here where we begin to layer in the various defensive positions, while teaching them the proper mechanics to fielding those positions; outfield, infield, and even catching. The introduction of proper base running techniques will also be emphasized at this level. We will make use of a pitching machine rather than a 'coach' or 'player' pitching. Currently, we use spring loaded machines.

Ultimately, our goal at this level is to create an experience that closely resembles MLB rules, but with slight modifications that allow them to develop their skills safely and enjoyably in an environment that is in line with their current level of experience.

All players will be provided with a jersey that they return at season's end, as well as baseball pants, belt, and hat that they can keep.

There will be two practices per week until games begin: one on a weeknight and one on Saturday. Games will be held twice a week, one on a weeknight and one on a Saturday. The season will culminate with a round of playoffs to decide the Machine Pitch division champions – another fun addition to this age group. All activities are at Riverwood Park.

Minors Baseball (9 – 10 year olds)

In the Minors Division, our athletes will now transition to kid pitch. Because the players are now pitching, a greater emphasis will begin to be placed on the development of catchers, base running, and discipline at the plate in judging balls vs. strikes. Players will continue to learn more about the game including some advanced hitting, throwing, and fielding skills, while also incorporating new defensive strategies of the game.

We will maintain a goal at this level in creating an experience that closely resembles MLB rules, but with slight modifications that allow players to develop their skills safely and enjoyably in an environment that is in line with their current level of experience.

All players will be provided with a jersey that they return at season's end, as well as baseball pants, belt, and hat that they can keep.

The season typically runs from mid-March through end of school in June and culminates with the South Maryland Little League Playoffs in June, for which all teams qualify. There will be two to three practices per week until games begin, when we shift to one practice and two games per week. One game each week will be held on either Tuesday or Thursday evening and the other game will be held on Saturday.

Also, new at this level, is the introduction to the Little League All-Star experience. At the conclusion of the season, 12 players will be selected as All-Stars to represent South Maryland Little League in the Maryland District 4 tournament. The winner of that, will advance to the Maryland state tournament.

Majors Baseball (11 – 12 year olds)

This is a more competitive league, with emphasis on development as well as competitiveness. Majors is generally governed by 'Major League' rules and incorporates most of the rules and thus true baseball. In this division, players will transition to 50/70 baseball.

All players will be provided with a jersey that they return at season's end, as well as baseball pants, belt, and hat that they can keep. There will be two to three practices per week until games begin when we shift to one practice and two games per week. One game each week will be held on either Monday or Wednesday evening and the other game will be held on Saturday.

This is the Little League Division that competes for a chance to participate in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA as covered world-wide on ESPN.

The season typically runs from mid-March through end of school in June and culminates with the South Maryland Little League Playoffs in June, for which all teams qualify. All activities are held at Bottner Field or Davidsonville Park.

Juniors Baseball (13 – 15 year olds) - Not a Little League division

This is competitive league that will participate in the local recreational league in the AA County Co-Operative. Juniors is generally governed by 'Major League' rules and incorporates most of the rules of Major League baseball, playing on Major League regulation diamonds with 90’ bases.

There will be two to three practices per week until games begin.

Due to the decreased number of players (and coaches) at this level, fielding teams that can incorporate all players may not be possible. SMLL remains committed to having a place for every player, but please anticipate that roster limits may need to be imposed. Information about teams and roster sizes will be communicated throughout February to the REGISTERED members of this division. Any 13-year-old player that is reassigned to the Majors division after assessments will be refunded the difference in registration fees.

This division will play a typical recreational schedule of 14 to 16 games. This division permits 13- to 15-year-olds to participate, as the local recreational leagues are 13–15-year-old leagues.

Fees for Juniors baseball are significantly higher than Little League age 12 and under due to registration fees and umpire fees that do not exist in Little League, coupled with the increased number of games.

The season typically runs from mid-March through mid-June. Practices and home games are held at Davidsonville Park.

Seniors Baseball (16 – 18 year olds) - Not a Little League division

This is competitive league that will participate in the AA County Co-Operative. Seniors is generally governed by 'Major League' rules and incorporates most of the rules of Major League baseball, playing on Major League regulation diamonds with 90’ bases.

There will be two to three practices per week until games begin.

This division will play a typical recreational schedule of 14 to 16 games. This division permits 16- to 18-year-olds to participate, as the local recreational leagues are 16–18-year-old leagues.

Fees for Seniors baseball are significantly higher than Little League age 12 and under due to registration fees and umpire fees that do not exist in Little League, coupled with the increased number of games.

The season typically runs from mid-March through mid-June. Practices and home games are held at Davidsonville Park.

8U Pony Softball (6 - 8 year olds)

The South Maryland Little League Pony 8U Softball Team will play Little League Softball against in house and Regional Little League Teams.

This division is for 6- to 8-year-olds as determined by Little League age rules (see Softball Home Page). Advanced 8-year-olds may register and play Minors 10u pending assessments. 6-year-old are welcome to participate in Pony but may also consider continuing to play SMLL Coach Pitch.

10U Minors Softball (8 - 10 year olds)

The South Maryland Little League 10U Girls Softball will play Little League Softball with regional Little League teams.

This division welcomes 8- to 10-year-olds according to the Little League Age Determination (see Softball Home page). Advanced 8-year-olds are encouraged to register for Minors 10u but will be determined at assessments if they are better suited for Pony level.

12U Majors Softball (10 - 12 year olds)

The South Maryland Little League 12U Girls Softball will play Little League Softball with regional Little League teams.

This division welcomes 10- to 12-year-olds according to the Little League Age Determination (see Softball Home page). Advanced 10-year-olds are encouraged to register for Majors 12U but will be determined at assessments if they are better suited for Minor's level.