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.
In 2025, Northern Lights Little League will directly offer programs in Baseball. Registration will begin October 26 2024 and end February 22, 2025 OR until a division is full for baseball.
Baseball Programs ("Player Assessment" required for Player Pitch, Major, Intermediate, Junior, and Senior to place players. All players that sign up will make a team).
Tee Ball (Ages 4-6) -- up to 10 teams with 12 players on each team (120 total players), assuming we have enough volunteer Team Managers
WHAT
Tee Ball is often a family's first introduction to baseball. Providing Tee Ball experience grounded in fun, fitness, and fundamentals is key to growing a child's love for the game. This division is designed for an introduction to sports and being part of a team. No score is kept and there are no umpires.
WHO
Tee Ball players are ages 4-6 (based on age on August 31, 2025). If your child is league age 5 and can hit a pitched ball and catch a thrown ball, Coach Pitch may be a better fit but the child MUST attend an assessment with at least one Board member to verify the 5 year old is ready for Coach Pitch.
WHEN
Practices will start in early March and games will start in mid-April. Expect two practices lasting 60 minutes each from March until games start in mid-April. Once games start, expect 1-2 games a week and maybe 1 practice a week, all 60 minutes. The goal is 2 activities a week. Expect 12 games during the season with games ending around mid to late June.
WHERE
All Tee Ball practices and games will be played at NLLL fields located at 13950 York St Thornton, CO 80602.
HOW
The League President and Tee Ball Liaison will construct teams. Team Manager (Head Coach) and teammate requests will be honored. These requests will be made during registration.
UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT
NLLL will provide a jersey and hat only.
NLLL will provide all needed equipment except a glove.
VOLUNTEERS
We want to keep team sizes on the smaller side if possible. That means we will need volunteers to be Team Manager (Head Coach) and Assistant Coaches. You can volunteer during registration.
Minor League Coach Pitch (Ages 6-8) -- up to 12 teams with 12 players on each team (144 total players), assuming we have enough volunteer Team Managers
WHAT
Coach Pitch is instructional. It is the first division where players see moving pitches via coach pitching. Coaches will vary the speed of the pitches based on the skill level of the player. The goal is to allow ALL players to succeed and develop. This will range from pitching underhanded, while on a knee close to the batter to pitching standing up further back.
There may NOT be umpires for these games.
WHO
Coach Pitch players are league ages 6-8 (based on age on August 31, 2025). If your child is league age 5 and can hit a pitched ball and catch a thrown ball, Coach Pitch may be a better fit but the child MUST attend an assessment with at least one Board member to verify the 5 year old is ready for Coach Pitch
If your child is league age 8 and played Coach Pitch for at least one year, can comfortably catch and throw, they may be considered for Player Pitch but only after they attend the formal "League Assessment" in February 2025.
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 1-2 games a week and maybe 1 practice a week, all 90 minutes. The goal is 2 (some weeks maybe 3) activities a week. Games will finish end of June. Expect 14 regular season games. There MAY be a single elimination tournament at the end of the season.
WHERE
All Coach Pitch practices and games will be played at NLLL fields located at 13950 York St Thornton, CO 80602.
HOW
The League President and Coach Pitch Liaison will construct teams. Team Manager (Head Coach) and teammate requests will be honored. These requests will be made during registration.
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.
VOLUNTEERS
NLLL will need volunteers to be Team Manager (Head Coach) and Assistant Coaches. You can volunteer during registration.
Minor League Player Pitch (Ages 9-10) -- up to 12 teams with 12 players on each team (144 total players), assuming we have enough volunteer Team Managers
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 help 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.
Major (Ages 10-12) -- up to 10 teams with 12 players on each team (120 total players), assuming we have enough volunteer Team Managers
WHAT
Major is the start of our competitive divisions.
Score during the game will be kept and records will be kept and published on the website and social media content will be posted from these games. Two umpires will be assigned to these games.
WHO
Major players are typically league ages 9-12 (based on age on August 31, 2025).
All players not "HELD" on a returning Major team from Spring 2024 (NOT FALL 2024) will have to attend one of the "League Assessments" in February 2025 to be placed on a team. Some players that registered for Major may actually be drafted by a Player Pitch 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 1-2 practices a week. Games will be one hour 45 minutes long. The goal is 3 to 4 activities a week. Games will finish end of June. Expect 18-20 regular season games and then an end of season league tournament.
WHERE
All Major practices and home games will be played at NLLL fields located at 13950 York St Thornton, CO 80602.
HOW
Teams will be formed through a division draft. ALL players that register will be assigned to a team. 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. Players on the younger side may not be drafted on a Major team. Players league age 12, WILL be drafted on a Major team.
Score and records are kept and the goal is 2 umpires per game (although at times only 1 may be available).
Pitch counts will be STRICTLY counted and enforced to protect players' arms.
Players that register for Major must attend a one of the "Player Assessments" in February 2025, unless they are a "HELD" player that played on a returning Major team from the Spring of 2024 season (Fall 2024 team does not count). 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.
HELD PLAYERS
Little League rules allow a Major Team that played in the previous Spring season to "Hold" their players for the 2025 Spring season. This means any player that was on a Spring 2024 team that returned to play in Spring 2025 can be held on that same returning team assuming the parents want that.
If that happens, the player will be assigned to that team and will NOT have to attend the "Player Assessment" in February 2025.
NO TEAM MANAGER OR TEAMMATE REQUESTS ALLOWED
No Team Manager (Head Coach) or teammate requests will be allowed or honored, except siblings. Teams are formed to ensure Team Balance so these requests cannot be honored at this division. Teams will be formed by the draft mentioned above.
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 Major 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.
Intermediate (50-70) (Ages 12-13) -- up to 6 teams with 12 players on each team (72 total players), assuming we have enough volunteer Team Managers
WHAT
The Intermediate division is a competitive community baseball division. The distance to the mound is 50 feet (up from 46') and the bases are 70 feet (up from 60'). Intermediate division play is typical of what you see at the professional level with leading off, stealing, pick-offs, and balks.
WHO
Intermediate players are typically league ages 12-13 (based on age on August 31, 2025).
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 1-2 practices a week. Games will be one hour 45 minutes long. The goal is 3-4 activities a week. Games will finish end of June. Expect 18-20 regular season games and then an end of season league tournament.
WHERE
All Intermediate practices and home games will be played at NLLL fields located at 13950 York St Thornton, CO 80602. Away games will be played in nearby cities (North Denver, Westminster, Northglenn, south Thornton, Erie, Boulder, and Superior).
HOW
Teams will be formed through a division draft. ALL players that register will be assigned to a team.
Score and records are kept and the goal is 2 umpires per game (although at times only 1 may be available).
Pitch counts will be STRICTLY counted and enforced to protect players' arms.
Players that register for Intermediate must attend a "Player Assessment" 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.
League age 12 players are not guaranteed a spot on an Intermediate team. If this happens, they will be transferred to Major division.
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 or BBCOR stamped and be free of dents.
ALL STAR ELIGIBILITY
Players in Intermediate 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.
Junior (Ages 13-15) -- As many as sign up and assuming we have enough volunteer Team Managers
WHAT
The Junior division is a competitive community baseball division. The distance to the mound is 60 1/2 feet (up from 46') and the bases are 90 feet (up from 60'). Junior division play is typical of what you see at the professional level with leading off, stealing, pick-offs, and balks.
WHO
Junior players are typically league ages 13-15 (based on age on August 31, 2025).
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 1-2 practices a week. Games will be one hour 45 minutes long. The goal is 3 to 4 activities a week. Games will finish end of June. Expect 18-20 regular season games and then an end of season league tournament.
WHERE
All Junior practices and home games will be played at NLLL fields located at 13950 York St Thornton, CO 80602 or Thornton Sports Complex at 104th and McKay. Away games will be played in nearby cities (North Denver, Westminster, Northglenn, south Thornton, Erie, Boulder, and Superior).
HOW
Teams will be formed through a division draft. ALL players that register will be assigned to a team.
Score and records are kept and the goal is 2 umpires per game (although at times only 1 may be available).
Pitch counts will be STRICTLY counted and enforced to protect players' arms.
Players that register for Junior must attend a "Player Assessment" in February 2024. 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.
League age 13 players are not guaranteed a spot on a Junior team. If this happens, they will be transferred to Intermediate division.
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 or BBCOR stamped and be free of dents.
ALL STAR ELIGIBILITY
Players in Intermediate 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.
Senior (Ages 15-16) -- As many as sign up and assuming we have enough volunteer Team Managers
WHAT
The Senior division is a competitive community baseball division. The distance to the mound is 60 1/2 feet (up from 46') and the bases are 90 feet (up from 60'). Junior division play are typical of what you see at the professional level with leading off, stealing, pick-offs, and balks.
WHO
Senior players are typically league ages 15-16 (based on age on August 31, 2025).
WHEN
Senior division starts later to begin after the High School baseball season ends.
Practices will begin early May and games will be played from mid May to end of June or maybe into July. Expect around 12-15 games.
WHERE
All Senior practices and home games will be played at NLLL fields located at 13950 York St Thornton, CO 80602 or at Thornton Sports Complex at 104th and McKay. Away games could be played in Arapahoe County, Ken Caryl, and Cherry Creek areas.
HOW
Score and records are kept and the goal is 2 umpires per game (although at times only 1 may be available).
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 or BBCOR stamped and be free of dents.
ALL STAR ELIGIBILITY
Players in Intermediate 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.