Is Taconic 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. Taconic Little League's charter was established in 1991 with a board of 5 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. Taconic 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 ages of children can play Little League and how are they divided?
Children can start out in T-Ball at league age 5 and can progress through the program up to age 18 for baseball and age 16 for softball.  League age is determined as of April 30th (December 31 of prior year for softball) of the playing year.  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 Taconic 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?
Minor League softball begins at age 7 if the player has had one year of T-Ball. By age 7-8 very few girls are still playing 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 Taconic Little League Board members.

T-Ball - Ages 5 to 6 - Children age 5 and 6 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.

Modified Baseball - Ages 6,7 & 8 - Children age 6-8 are eligible only if they have completed on 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. 

Minor League - Softball - Ages 7 to 8 - 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". 

Minor League -  Baseball - Age 7-11  - 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. 

Minor League - Softball - Ages 7-10 - 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. 7 and 8 year olds wishing to play at must demonstrate, at player evaluation, the appropriate skills for this level of play. Post season play begins at this level with all star selection eligibility for all 7-10 year olds within this division.

Majors - Little League 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 Minor League level. 10 year olds must have parents petition the Player Agent 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 9, 10, 11, 12 - 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 Little League Baseball Operational 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 Minor League level. Players on a Majors level team the prior year are automatically reassigned to the same team for the upcoming season provided that they have properly registered with the league and paid the players fees for the current season. Returning players are not required to attend a skills evaluation session. All players are eligible for selection to the post season "All Star" tournaments in the appropriate age brackets.

Junior League Softball - Ages 13, 14 - 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. Post season play continues at this level with all star selection eligibility for all 13 and 14 year olds in the Junior Majors division. Player petitions for 14 year olds to seniors are required.

Senior League Softball - Age 15,16 - Continued emphasis at this level is on development of advanced skills and game situation knowledge. Inter-league play will be necessary to facilitate enough teams to provide a true competitive experience. Post season play continues at this level with all star selection eligibility for all 15 and 16 year olds in the Senior Majors division.

Big League Baseball - Age 17,18 - Continued emphasis at this level is on development of advanced skills and game situation knowledge. Inter-league play will be necessary to facilitate enough teams to provide a true competitive experience. Post season play continues at this level with all star selection eligibility for all 17 and 18 year olds in the Senior Majors division.

What is the League's usual operating schedule?
Registration - December - January; Skills evaluations and Draft - end of February, early March: Practices being - early March; Season games - middle 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.

What is the cost?
A full fee schedule is available upon Registration. 

What is the typical time commitment?
Generally for t-ball - the minor league division there is one practice per week and one game usually on Saturday.  For Little League and higher divisions number of practices per week are at the discretion of the team coaches. There are usually two games per week.

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. Additionally, you may want to attend a Taconic Little League 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 Taconic 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.