Baseball Divisions
West Pasadena Little League supports players ages 4 to 14, and is divided into the following levels of play:
Please note that all ages refer to "League Age" which is the age of the player at the end of Spring Season (August 31). E.g. a 8 year old who turns 9 in July would be considered "League Age" 9.
T-Ball (Ages 4-6):
This is the first introduction to baseball for most players and focuses on basic skills (throwing, catching). It is non-competitive and game scores are not recorded. The ball is hit from a tee and no experience is required. Ages range from 4 to 6 years old.
Farm (Ages 6-8):
This division focuses on fielding and hitting a pitched ball. All pitching in this division is done by a coach. Advanced 6 year old players with at least a year of T-Ball experience can play in the Farm division.
Players interested in registering for Farm at age 6 should:
- Be able to make semi-accurate throws and play catch with each other
- Understand the basic stances (batting, fielding) and throwing motion
Minor AA (Ages 8-10):
This is the first division where teams play competitively with players pitching, umpires, game scoring, team standings and playoffs. Advanced 8 year old players may be drafted to a Minor AA team. While 10 year old players can play in this division it is discouraged and requires the approval of the player agent.
Minor AAA (Ages 10-11):
This division plays competitively with full little league rules and serves to get players ready to play in the Majors division. Advanced 9 year old players may be drafted to a Minor AAA team.
Majors Program (Ages 11-12):
Majors is the highest level of play for traditional Little League. It plays competitively with full little league rules. Advanced 10 year old players may be drafted to a Majors team.
Not sure your ballplayer's age? Use the
League Age Calculator
Tee Ball (Ages 4-6)
Tee Ball is where it all begins—our youngest players are introduced to the fundamentals in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Kids start the season hitting off a tee and gradually work toward soft toss and coach-pitch as they gain confidence. Games use soft baseballs and focus on participation, not competition—no scores, no outs, just reps, encouragement, and high-fives. Every child bats and plays the field each inning.
Our progressive “Grand Slam Challenge” gives players milestones to aim for—like naming bases, hitting live pitches, and catching pop flies. Families should expect high energy, lots of movement, and plenty of coach and parent support on the field. If your child is under 4, we recommend waiting a year or helping as an on-field parent volunteer.
FARM (Ages 6-8)
Farm division bridges the gap between Tee Ball and competitive play. Players face coach-pitch to start, with some kid-pitch introduced later in the season. The focus is on fundamentals—throwing, catching, baserunning, and teamwork—while still keeping things low-pressure. No standings, no official outs, but plenty of skill development. We use a “Level 5” training ball that’s softer than a regulation ball, which helps with player confidence and safety.
Farm is ideal for kids who are still building their skills or who are not yet ready for the more competitive AA level.
Minor League (Ages 8-12)
AA (Ages 8–10)
AA is the first fully player-pitch division. Players are selected via a draft after skills assessments. AA introduces umpires, outs, scorekeeping, and standings. While competition ramps up, the primary goals remain player development, teamwork, and game awareness. Pitchers typically throw 25–40 mph from a 40’ distance. Coaches emphasize position rotation and in-game learning while balancing safety and fair play. AA ends with a league tournament, giving players a taste of postseason excitement.
AAA (Ages 9–11)
AAA builds on the AA experience with more consistent pitching, faster game pace, and increased strategic play. Pitchers throw from 46’ and can reach up to 50 mph. Players are again selected via draft and must attend assessments. This is a competitive division where score, standings, and tournament results matter—but so does continuing development. Expect more situational coaching, positional specialization, and game management. Coaches aim to prepare players for Majors while making sure they grow in confidence and love of the game.
Major Division (AGes 10-12)
Majors is the highest level of Little League play for ages 10–12. This is the division featured in the Little League World Series. All 12-year-olds must play Majors, and others are drafted based on ability. Pitchers throw from 46’ and may reach 65 mph. Games are competitive and fast-paced, but WPLL ensures all players continue to learn, contribute, and grow. Teamwork, sportsmanship, and preparation for future baseball (including middle school and travel ball) are emphasized.
Volunteers (We Need You!)
Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this entry level of Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members and other volunteer positions within the league.
How to Volunteer:
- Register as a Volunteer when signing up your player—or go to our Volunteer Form if you're signing up separately.
- All on-field roles require a background check, Abuse Awareness training, and may include fingerprinting depending on your role. We’ll walk you through it.
- All coaches will be required to complete the Diamond Leadership training program.
- Not sure where to help? Just ask. We’ll match your availability and skills to the league’s needs.