Issaquah Little League

 
 

Last updated: 2/14/2007

 

The following pages are designed as a primer for parents and players involved in Issaquah Little League. The correct information and a more complete understanding of the League, its goals and its responsibilities are essential to smooth operation and continuation of the service to the players involved. It is a continuing process and requires adaptation and effort on a constant basis.

 

Is Issaquah Little League a local organization?
We are a chapter of Little League Baseball, a national non-profit organization founded in 1939 and headquartered in Williamsport, PA. Issaquah Little League's charter was established in 1971 with a board of 8 members. Each local chapter is governed by a national framework of rules and regulations, and elects a Board of volunteers to carry out its business. Issaquah Little League has local rules that are specific to our league but must not conflict with the national rules and regulations.

 

What is the benefit of joining Little League?
Little League's primary objective is to "implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority, so that they may be well-adjusted, strong and happier children and will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy citizens." Participation is open to everyone and baseball/softball is the vehicle through which the objectives above are achieved.

 

What is the difference between the Issaquah Little League and Sammamish Little League?

How do we know what league we are eligible for?
Until two completely separate chapters were formed in 1996, Issaquah was the 10th largest chapter in the United States! The Sammamish chapter is primarily based on residence and schools in the 98029 zip codes on the Issaquah Plateau. Our local chapter has retained the name Issaquah Little League, although we are still sometimes incorrectly referred to as Issaquah South. Other than collaborating on local business sponsorships, the two chapters operate independently. Eligibility for Issaquah Little League is determined by the primary residence of the player and is similar to school attendance boundaries. For a player to be eligible to play in Issaquah Little League the player must live within the boundaries of Issaquah Little League as described in our charter. The overall geographic boundaries are for the residential areas as determined by elementary school attendance. If your child attends, or is eligible to attend the following elementary school's he/she is eligible to play for Issaquah Little League: Cougar Ridge, Issaquah Valley, Maple Hills and Sunset. All children who are within the home attendance area for Clark are also eligible for Issaquah Little League. Some children who attend Apollo or Maple Hills are also eligible for Issaquah Little League. See our boundary map to determine if you are eligible for Issaquah Little League.

 

What ages of children can play Little League and how are they divided?
Children can start out in T-Ball at league age 6 (5 on a space-available basis) and can progress through baseball and softball Majors (maximum of league age 12). League age is determined as of April 30th of the playing year for baseball and December 31st of the previous year for softball. Additional Little League softball programs continue from ages 13-15, while players who wish to follow baseball's progression can join Pony or Babe Ruth, separate but compatible organizations to Little League. A basic description of each level and the appropriate age range is listed below as a guideline. Questions concerning the specific situation of an individual player can be answered at the time of registration or addressed by any of the elected league officers at any time. When determining age appropriate play consideration should always be given to the safety and emotional factors of the individual player. The primary reason for the young age divisions is safety and the social aspects of playing with friends and other players of the same age. At the older levels, the competitive level increases and teams are based upon a draft system to foster parity at the start of every season. The Board of Directors of Issaquah Little League reserves the right to amend the Local operating rules which govern all local play as deemed necessary to best serve the ages and numbers of players registering.

 

When should I switch my daughter from baseball to softball?
Minors softball begins at age 6 if the player has had one year of T-Ball. Some parents believe that the baseball experience is more competitive and choose to have the player remain in baseball till age 9 and the Coast level play. By age 7-8 very few girls are still playing baseball, three girls in the year 2006 chose to play baseball. By age 9 the player begins pitching and will not learn the fast pitch windmill style pitch in baseball. If the player plans to continue in organized sports, fast pitch softball will be the sport offered in High School athletics. If you would like more information about this transition feel free to discuss this issue with the Little League registration helpers or contact one of the Issaquah Little League Board members.

 

T-Ball - Ages 5, 6, 7 - Children age 5 are eligible on a space available basis only. Play is off a Tee with a soft safety baseball "Incrediball". This is the first level of organized play. Emphasis is on team play and beginning with the basics of playing with a ball, bat and glove and having fun. Team formation is based upon home school as much as possible.

 

A League - Baseball - Ages 6 & 7 - Children age 6 are eligible only if they have completed one year in T-Ball or the equivalent organized, training level, baseball program. At this level coaches pitch to the players using a soft "Incrediball". Emphasis is on basic skills, teamwork and fun. Team formation is based upon home school as much as possible.

 

Minors - Softball - Ages 8 & 9 - This is the beginning level of softball in which the emphasis is on basic skills, teamwork and fun. As in beginning baseball, coaches pitch to the players using a soft safety ball "incrediball". Team formation is based on home school as much as possible.

 

AA League - Baseball - Age 8 - At this level of play there is increased focus on basic skills, teamwork, respect for coaches and umpires, and the rules of the game while still retaining a fun atmosphere. Coaches pitch to the players using RIF (Reduced Injury Factor) 5 ball. Team formation is based upon home school as much as possible.

 

AAA League - Baseball - Age 9 - At this level of play there is increased emphasis on basic skills, playmaking decisions, teamwork and respect for umpires and coaches. Players pitch to players with coaches taking over after a set number of pitches per player to avoid a game of all walks. The purpose being to develop pitchers to throw strikes and foster hitting skills. Intensity level of play appropriately increased. Regulation hardballs are used. Team formation is based upon home school as much as possible.

 

Coast - Softball - Ages 9, 10, 11 - Emphasis at this level of play is on basic skills, playmaking decisions, teamwork and respect for umpires and coaches. Intensity level of play appropriately increases. Players pitch to players. Regulation 11 inch softballs are used. Each year team formation is based on a Skills Evaluation and Draft system as prescribed by Little League Baseball Operating Rules. All potential players should attend as skills evaluation. 8 year olds wishing to play at coast must demonstrate, at player evaluation, the appropriate skills for this level of play. They must also petition the Player Agent for Softball and have that petition accepted to be considered for this level. 10 year olds may petition the Player Agent of Softball to play at the Majors Level. Post season play begins at this level with all star selection eligibility for all 9-10 year olds within the Coast and Majors divisions.

 

Coast - Baseball - Ages 9, 10, 11, 12 - 9 year olds must have parents petition the Player Agent for Baseball and have that petition accepted to be considered for play at this level. This level is to be considered the training level to develop the skills and attributes necessary for play at the majors level. Players pitch to players. Walks allowed. No coaches pitch. Regulation hardball used. Emphasis increased on basic skills, playmaking decisions, teamwork and respect for umpires and coaches. Intensity level of play appropriately increased. Team formation is through a Skills Evaluation and Draft system as prescribed by the Issaquah Little League rules. All potential players must attend a skills evaluation to be considered. All 11 and 12 year old players at this level are eligible for selection via the draft to a Majors level team unless a request has been made for the player to be considered for Coast level play only. 10 year olds can play Coast only, unless a petition has been submitted and accepted for Majors level consideration. 12-year-old players are not allowed to pitch at the Coast level. All Majors level players not selected in the draft for a Majors level team are automatically entered in the draft for Coast level. 11 and 12 year old players at the Coast level are not available for selection to post season "All Star" tournament teams for that age bracket.

 

Majors - Softball - Ages 11, 12 - The emphasis at this level is on refining of all skills learned at previous levels. The intensity level is increased appropriately. Players pitch to players with increased focus on the windmill fast pitch style. Team formation is through a skills evaluation and draft system as prescribed by the Little League Baseball Operational Rules. All potential players must attend a skills evaluation to be considered. All Majors level players not selected in the draft for a Majors level team are automatically entered into the draft for the Coast level. 10 year olds must have parents petition the Player Agent for Softball and have that petition accepted to be considered for this level. Post season play continues at this level with all star selection eligibility for all 11 and 12 year olds in the Major division.

 

Majors - Baseball - Ages 10, 11, 12 - 10 year olds must have parents petition the Player Agent for Baseball and have that petition accepted to be considered for this level. Players pitch to Players. Emphasis on refining of all skills learned at previous levels. Intensity level increased appropriately. Team formation is through a Skills Evaluation and Draft system as prescribed by the Issaquah Little League local rules. All potential players must attend a skills evaluation to be considered. Those players not selected in the draft for a Majors team are automatically entered into the available player pool for teams at the Coast level. 11 and 12 year old players are eligible for selection to the post season "All Star" tournaments in the appropriate age brackets.

 

Juniors - Softball - Ages 13, 14, 15 - Emphasis at this level is on development of advances skills and game situation knowledge. Inter-league play may be necessary to provide enough teams to provide a true competitive experience. 15 year olds are eligible to play at the Junior Majors level but Little League Baseball Operational Rules do not allow a 15 year old to pitch or be eligible for all stars at the junior majors level. Post season play continues at this level with all star selection eligibility for all 13 and 14 year olds in the Junior Majors division.

 

What is the League's usual operating schedule?
Registration - November; Skills evaluations and Draft (Coast players and above) - first to middle of February: Practices being - first of March; Season games - first of April through the middle of June (Completed before school is out). Every possible opportunity to schedule around major calendar conflicts, such as school vacations, is observed.

 

Why is Registration in November for the following year's baseball/softball season?
Because of the ever-increasing number of children, the Little League Board needs to insure we have sufficient time to both select the proper number of well-qualified managers and to be able to schedule fields on an efficient basis. Having too few managers means too many children on a team and therefore reduced playing time. Growth and rainouts have made the scheduling of a limited number of fields a major challenge. The additional planning time provides the Board with the ability to better insure all children get a chance to play (some children on waiting lists for late registration unfortunately have had to be turned away)!

 

What is the cost?
A full fee schedule is available upon Registration. Although subject to change, generally the breakdown can be found on this web site.

 

What is the typical time commitment?
Generally there are two practices per week (one weekday and one on Saturday), with the same schedule usually holding true for games, once the season starts. However, due to a shortage of fields and also having to make-up some canceled games, some practices and games are scheduled on Sundays (religious restrictions will be observed). Practices are generally not scheduled during the playing season.

 

How can I get more information or make suggestions?
You may want to first talk directly to parents or Board members who already are involved in Little League. By leaving a message on the League's phone machine (425-391-9747), a Board member will call you back as soon as possible (please be patient). The League also provides general information on our web site, which may be accessed at http://www.issaquahlittleleague.org. Additionally, you may want to attend an Issaquah Little League Board of Director's meeting which are held every month. A schedule is available on the website for your reference. At this meeting, not only can you meet volunteers who are committed to the success of the Issaquah program, but you also may want to offer suggestions or even volunteer your own services.

 

How are All-Stars selected?
You can find more about the All-Stars Selection process by visiting the following page.

 

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