NEW FOR 2025 -- TEAM MANAGERS (NOT ASSISTANT COACHES) WILL RECEIVE THE $60 VOLUNTEER FEE BACK AT THE END OF THE SEASON ASSUMING THEY ATTEND ALL REQUIRED TRAINING THROUGHOUT THE SEASON AND MANAGE THE ENTIRE SEASON.
WE WILL OFFER A LOT OF COACHING TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
WHAT
Player Pitch is still an instructional and developmental division with the introduction of players pitching and baserunning advancement. It is an excellent stepping stone for future years in the competitive Major and Intermediate divisions. NLLL views it's Player Pitch division as a developmental league focused on skill development and not winning or losing. Records will not be published.
Score during the game will be kept and wins and loses will be tracked internally for tournament seeding purposes only. Records will NOT be posted anywhere publicly. One umpire will be assigned to these games.
WHO
Player Pitch players are league ages 9-11 (based on age on August 31, 2025). League age 8 players with at least 2 years experience who can catch, hit, and throw may be considered for Player Pitch but only after they attend the formal "League Assessment" in February 2025.
All players MUST attend one of the "League Assessments" that will be held in February 2024 to be placed on a team. Players that do not attend a “League Assessments” will be refunded. Some players that registered for Player Pitch may actually be drafted by a Major team. See "HOW" section for more details.
WHEN
Practices will start in early March and games will start in mid-April. Expect two practices lasting 90 minutes each from March until games start in mid-April. Once games start, expect 2 games a week and 1 practice a week. Games will be one hour 45 minutes long. The goal is 2-3 activities a week. Games will finish end of June. Expect 16 regular season games and a single elimination end of season league tournament.
WHERE
All Player Pitch practices and games will be played at NLLL fields located at 13950 York St Thornton, CO 80602.
HOW
NO TEAM MANAGER OR TEAMMATE REQUESTS ALLOWED.
Players that register for Player Pitch must attend one of the "Player Assessments" offered in February 2025. The assessment aims to ensure that players are put on teams for the division that best matches their playing level and to assist in forming balanced teams within each division.
All players that register and attend one of the “League Assessments” will be placed on a team. Teams will be formed after the League Assessments are over. Some players that register for Player Pitch may be drafted on a Major team and players that register for Major may be drafted on a Player Pitch team.
Once all Major teams are formed through a draft, these Player Pitch teams will be formed by League Personnel and not a draft with the primary goal of ensuring team balance. The following process will be used:
· League personnel will assign the Team Manager’s kid and the kids of up to TWO assistant coaches on the team immediately (No more than 3 total. NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS).
· Team Manager and Coach kids MUST attend an assessment even if held on a team. This will held ensure a full understanding of each player’s ability to ensure better team balance.
· League personnel will review the results of the League Assessments for each player.
· League personnel will review pitching results from the League Assessments to ensure at least one solid pitcher is put on each team.
· League personnel will assign players to the teams to ensure the most balance among all the teams.
NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW THE ABOVE CAREFULLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT BEFORE REGISTERING.
Pitch counts will be STRICTLY counted and enforced to protect players' arms.
UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT
NLLL will provide a jersey, hat, socks, and belt. Families must provide pants and cleats.
NLLL will provide all needed equipment except a glove. Although at this level we start to see players purchase their own helmet and bat. That works also. All bats must be USA stamped and be free of dents.
ALL STAR ELIGIBILITY
Players in Player Pitch (9 and 10 year olds only) are eligible for selection to a Little League Tournament Team (aka, "All Stars") that will participate in a post season starting right around July 4th.
VOLUNTEERS
NLLL will need volunteers to be Team Manager (Head Coach) and Assistant Coaches. You can volunteer during registration. WE WILL OFFER A LOT OF COACHING TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.