The goal of the Minor Division is to teach baseball fundamentals while having fun and preparing players for the Major Division. The Minor division introduces Kid Pitch for young players. The focus continues to be on player development in the areas of hitting, fielding, throwing, catching and now pitching. This division offers young players competitive play where score is kept and the season ends with post-season playoff. Prior baseball experience is not required.
Player Ages
The Minor Division is designed for all league age 9 and 10 year old players. Your child must turn 9 or 10 years of age between September 1st 2024 and August 31st 2025 to qualify. Please click here to determine your players league age
Playing Up
Players that are league age 8 can play up to the Minor division under the following circumstances:
- The player must attend both the Coach Pitch and Minor in person Player Assessment so that Managers at both divisions can assess the player's ability.
- There must be roster spots available at the Minor Division for 8 year old players after allowing for all 9 & 10 year old players.
- A 8 year old player must be selected by a Manager at the Minor Division. If the 8 year old player is not selected, they will default to the Coach Pitch Division.
If you are interested in having your league age 8 year old play up to the Minor Division, please contact our player agent at [email protected].
Season
Teams will be formed in late February with a couple of practices scheduled. Games will begin on Saturday March 22nd and run through the end of May. In the Fall, teams will be formed on August 23rd with practices starting the week of August 25th. Games will begin on Saturday September 6th and run through the end of October.
Games
- Each team plays around 12 games per season (6-7 games for Fall Ball)
- Teams typically play 1 or 2 games a week (1 game on Saturdays for Fall Ball)
- During the Spring Season, there will be no more than 2 games played on Saturdays (not including playoffs)
- Games last 1 hour and 45 minutes
Practice
Practices will begin in early March. Prior to Opening Day (March 22nd), each team will be scheduled for around 3 practices. Practices generally last for 1-1.5 hours and start at either 6:00 PM or 7:30 PM during the week. After Opening Day, each team will generally have 1 practice a week. In the Fall, practices will begin the week of August 25th with roughly one practice scheduled a week through the end of October.
Field Size
The Minor division uses the standard Little League field size with 60 Feet between bases with a pitching distance of 46 feet.
Uniforms
Central Chesterfield Little League provides a T-Shirt Jersey, pants, socks and a cap. Parents must provide athletic shoes or cleats (rubberized cleats only).
Playing Equipment
Parents must provide a ball glove and bat. We also recommend a batting helmet with mask.
Team
Teams typically consist of 12-14 players, a volunteer manager, two volunteer coaches, and a volunteer team parent.
Minor FAQs
Q: Do you keep score and are there umpires?
A: Yes. Every manager maintains a scorebook. Umpires are used at this level.
Q: Can I request my child play on a team with their friends?
A: Not unless they are selected by the team manager during player selection. In this age group, player's skills are evaluated in a skills assessment. Then team managers select their teams through a draft process.
Q: Why a draft? Sounds pretty serious?
A: A player draft is the best way to evenly spread the various skill level of players throughout the teams at this division. CCLL holds a player skills assessment clinic prior to each season. The player's skills are assessed and the team managers then decide what player he or she would like to select in the various rounds of the draft. All players are placed on to a team. There are no cuts.
Q: Can my child play up or down a level?
A: Maybe. A parent of a child that is league age 9 may request to play down at the Coach Pitch division by contacting our Player Agent at [email protected]. A player that is league age 10 has the opportunity to play up to the Major division (Ages 11-12). Please reference the Major page for further information on the process. All player assignments are ultimately determined by the Player Agent and President.
Q: Will my child get to play all the time?
A: Probably not the entire game. But, our rules require the manager to bat the entire line up and no player can sit the bench more than one inning in a row.
Q: Is my child eligible for an All-Star or Tournament Team at this level?
A: Yes. There are tournament opportunities at this level. Please see our All-Star page HERE for more information.
Q: Can I manage or coach a team?
A: Absolutely!! Prospective managers and coaches must register as a volunteer (follow the link below) and be approved by Central Chesterfield Little League's Board of Directors.