T-Ball (Ages 4-7)
T-Ball provides an introduction to the diamond, stressing fundamentals and fun. The fundamentals include introductions to throwing, catching, batting, fielding and base-running. Games typically run between 45 and 90 minutes and will never exceed six innings. No score is kept, everybody on the team bats through the order, outs are not counted, and the last batter in an inning always hits a “home run.”
Participants must be age 4 or older by August 31st of the year of the season. For example, children who are 4 years old by August 31, 2020 are eligible to play in the 2020 season, even if the child is three years old during part or all of the season. Participant ages typically range from 4-7 years old. T-Ball is coed.
Youth Minor “Coach Pitch” (Ages 5*-9)
Youth minor continues to develop players beyond t-ball providing further instruction for throwing, catching, batting, fielding and base-running and including positioning. As the name implies, coaches pitch to their players and teams are encouraged to use catchers. Games typically run between 90-105 minutes and will never exceed six innings. No score is kept but outs are recorded. A maximum of five runs per inning are allowed or everybody on a team bats through the order, whichever comes first. There are no wins and losses or standings.
Participants must be age 5* by August 31st of the year of the season. However, age 5* participants are only allowed to play at the youth minor level with a minimum of one year experience at the t-ball level. All children ages 6 through 9 can participate. Youth minor is a coed activity, though some girls starting at age 6 may move to u8 (instructional) softball.
Minor League Baseball “Kid Pitch” (Ages 7*-12*)
Minor league baseball is considered an instructional league, intended to prepare players for the major level. As the name implies, children begin pitching at this level (with catchers). Games can last up to 2 hours, though innings may not start after 7:30 on a weeknight or 7:45 on a weekend. Games are six innings, though games can go to extra innings if time permits. Unlike the lower levels, score is kept with a maximum of five runs per inning. However, no standings or playoffs occur at the minor league level. Standard, continuous batting orders are enforced. Players should play multiple positions during the season, including pitching, as the ultimate goal of the minor league level is to develop and refine skills that will prepare participants for major level Littler League baseball and beyond. Minor league teams often play games against non-league competition including opponents from Athol and Orange.
Participants must at least 7* by August 31st of the year of the season. However, most players at this level are at least 8 years old and we do not encourage 7 year olds to play at this level unless we can see evidence that the player will be safe and be able to develop properly. “Minors” is coed with players typically ranging from ages 8-11 depending on level of skill – while a coed level, many girls choose to move on to u10 (minor) softball at this stage. And 12* year old participants are allowed to play minor league with a parent/guardian waiver. However, 12 year olds ARE NOT ALLOWED to pitch at the minor level and are not eligible to participate on a Little League Tournament Team.
Players at the minor level often play baseball over the summer and/or in fall leagues to continue developing skills. For many years, Quabbin Area Little League has participated in the Jimmy Fund baseball tournament over the summer (early July through mid-August) for participants ages 9 and above. Games occur throughout MA district 3 in North Central Massachusetts. And since 2018, Quabbin Area Little League has participated in the Holden fall baseball league with all games being held in Holden.
Major League Baseball (ages 9*-12)
Major league baseball is considered a competitive league. Games can last up to 2 hours, though innings may not start after 7:30 on a weeknight or 7:45 on a weekend. Games are six innings, though games can go to extra innings if time permits. Standings and playoffs occur at the major league level. Quabbin Area Little League follows the rules set forth by Little League International including a standard 9 player batting order, dropped third strike, etc. Players may play multiple positions during the season but at this level of competition, positions and batting orders are more set by skill level. Major league teams often play games against non-league competition including opponents from Athol and Orange.
Tryouts are required at the major level and not everyone makes a team at this level. Participants must be at least 9* by August 31st of the year of the season. However, most players at this level are at least 10 years old as most 9 year olds have not developed enough physically or skill-wise to safely and effectively play at this level. “Majors” is coed with players typically ranging from ages 10-12 depending on level of skill – while a coed level, most girls choose to move on to u13 (junior) softball at this stage. All 12 year old participants are typically selected to play on a major level team unless league administrators feel a player poses a safety issue to themselves or other players. The ultimate decision is left to parents/guardians and if the parents/guardians feel it is appropriate, a waiver will be completed to allow a player to participate at the minor level with various conditions in place.
Players at the major level often play baseball over the summer and/or in fall leagues to continue developing skills. Quabbin Area Little League participates annually in the Little League International Tournament at the major level for 10-12 year olds with the goal of competing for district titles and beyond. Quabbin Area Little League has participated in the Jimmy Fund baseball tournament over the summer (early July through mid-August) for players ages 9 and above. Games occur throughout MA district 3 in North Central Massachusetts. And since 2018, Quabbin Area Little League has participated in the Holden fall baseball league with all games being held in Holden.
U8 Softball – Instructional
New for 2020! U8 Softball is an instructional, coach pitch level and intended to introduce girls to softball. Players will develop beyond t-ball with throwing, catching, batting, fielding, base-running and positioning. A new inning may not start after 75 minutes and games will never exceed six innings. No score is kept but outs are recorded. A maximum of five runs per inning. There are no wins and losses or standings.
Participants must be between ages 6 and 8 by January 1st of the year of the season. Depending on skill level, older players may ‘play down’ and players who are age 8 could ‘play up’.
Quabbin will participate as part of the Wachusett Softball Association (WSA). Travel for the u8 level will be minimal, likely limited to Rutland and Sterling.
U10 Softball – Minor
U10 softball is competitive while intended to reinforce throwing, catching, batting, fielding, base-running and positioning. No innings will start after 90 minutes and games will never exceed six innings. A maximum of five runs per inning may be scored until the sixth inning and then teams may score as much as they can. There are standings and the weekend of June 5-7 will serve as playoffs.
Participants must be between ages 9 and 10 by January 1st of the year of the season. Depending on skill level, older players may ‘play down’ and players who are age 10 could ‘play up’.
Quabbin will participate as part of the Wachusett Softball Association (WSA). Travel for the u10 level will be to some or all of Rutland, Sterling, Leominster, West Boylston, Boylston, and Clinton.
U13 Softball – Junior
U13 softball is competitive while intended to reinforce throwing, catching, batting, fielding, base-running and positioning. No innings will start after 90 minutes and games will never exceed six innings. A maximum of five runs per inning may be scored until the sixth inning and then teams may score as much as they can. There are standings and the weekend of June 5-7 will serve as playoffs.
Tryouts are required at the major level and not everyone makes a team at this level. Participants must be between ages 11 and 13 by January 1st of the year of the season. Depending on skill level, older players may ‘play down’ and players who are age 10 could ‘play up’.
Quabbin will participate as part of the Wachusett Softball Association (WSA). Travel for the u13 level will be to some or all of Rutland, Sterling, Leominster, West Boylston, Boylston, and Clinton.