Unlike sports like soccer and hockey, baseball divisions are organized with some overlap between age groups. This allows players to advance at a pace suitable for their skill level, rather than strictly by age group. This means that players sometimes have the option of “playing up” in the next division.
One example is the choice between Rally Caps and Rookie Junior. The MSLL default ages for these divisions are:
- Rally Caps – Kindergarten and Preschool (entering K in Sept)
- Rookie Junior – Grade 1
However, if your child played Rally Caps during their preschool year then moving up to Rookie Junior may be suitable option. Making the choice to move up is dependent on both the player’s baseball skill level as well as their maturity as they would be on a team with players primarily in grade 1.
The other factor to consider is Little League “baseball age”. This is the players age on August 31st of the baseball season i.e. August 31st 2017 this year. If your child’s birthday is on or prior to August 31st they are considered baseball age 6 this season, those born on or after September 1st are baseball age 5. Little League requires that players who are baseball age 5 must complete at least one season of tee-ball before moving up to a coach-pitch division.
Therefore if your child is currently in Kindergarten the options break down this way:
- If you child is baseball age 6
- New players are strongly recommended to play Rally Caps
- Returning players may opt for a second year in Rally Caps or may request playing up in Rookie Junior
- If your child is baseball age 5
- New players must play Rally Caps
- Returning players are recommended to play Rally Caps, but may request playing up in Rookie Junior
To make a request for your child to play Rookie Junior – please email MSLL Player Agent.