Spring 2006 Spring registration IS OPEN ONLINE and BY MAIL and our rosters are filling. To register online, use the “Click here to register” link on our Home Page. (The online registration process is strongly preferred.)
Families requesting a fee reduction or waiver (scholarship) or who wish to register by mail should e-mail their request through this site (info@westsidebaseball) or to westsidebaseball@nyc.rr.com, or mail your request to WSLL, Box 333, 2444 Broadway, New York 10024, and we will e-mail or mail you a mail-in registration form.
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Spring Divisions - assignment to Little League divisions is generally based on player's age as of April 30, 2006 (NEW). Eligibility for play is based on residence and age, as set forth in further detail elsewhere on this site. Returning players have priority for placement. Each year, we have a waitlist, so you are advised to register early.
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6s (Tee-ball): This co-ed division focuses on introducing kids of either gender to the game of baseball and the development of batting stance, fielding technique and throwing skill. In-game playing rules are relaxed and non-competitive, with all emphasis on safety and allowing the kids to enjoy the game.
We are in need of volunteer parents to serve as the 6s Division Head and as coaches and umpires for the 6s Division, which usually involves about 80-100 players on 8 teams. The Division Head's responsibilities include coordination of player and coach assignments to each team, preparing a game schedule, and coordinating the distribution of equipment, uniforms and end-of-season trophies. Coaches (two per team) are responsible for ensuring safe and fun skills development and safe gameplay for their team. Coaches and volunteer umpires (2 per team) are required to complete and submit a 2006 Little League volunteer form to permit a background check, and will be required to attend a minimal number of training sessions in the early Spring. Volunteers will also be needed to assist with player registration, photo day, fund-raising, and other administrative tasks. If you are a parent of an eligible player interested in coaching or in acting as Division Head for the 6s, please e-mail us at info@westsidebaseball.org or westsidebaseball@nyc.rr.com.
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7s Division / 8s Division: These co-ed baseball divisions focus on developing knowledge of the game of baseball and further development of batting with live (coach) pitching, and fielding and throwing. In-game playing rules are designed to promote play-making while remaining non-competitive, again with emphasis on safety and allowing the kids to enjoy the game.
Girls ages 8 through 17 can opt to play Softball rather than baseball.
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Minors ("AA") Division (Players age 9-10)
Minors is the first age division featuring player pitching. Pitcher evaluations will be conducted by the coaches prior to the start of the season. Through scheduled practices and games (for the first time with professional, rather than parent, umpires), an emphasis is placed on higher level game play. There will be an opportunity to participate as teams in skills clinics held during the early part of the season at a facility to be determined.
Players registered to play in the Spring season at this level are eligible to try out for a summer tournament (“all star”) team comprised of 9 and 10 year olds, which provides a further opportunity for skilled and motivated players to advance to competitive playmaking in inter-league tournaments.
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Middles ("AAA") Division (Players age 10-11)
Middles serves as a transition to “competitive” recreational playmaking in all field positions, especially pitching and catching. Pitching clinics, catchers’ clinics, and other specific skills clinics will be designed to assist the coaches in developing players with the skill sets and game knowledge to advance to Majors Division play.
In addition to scheduled practices, scheduled mid-week games supplement regular weekend games to provide more opportunities for players to compete in a number of fielding positions and to develop specialties at one or more positions.
Players registered to play in the Spring season at this level are eligible to try out for either the 9-10s, the 10-11s, or the 11-12s (Majors) summer tournament (“all star”) teams.
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Majors Division (Advanced 10-year-olds and Players age 11-12)*
*(Because of the change in League Age determination date, for 2006 only, players turning 13 in May, June or July are eligible under Little League Rules to play in either the Majors Division or Juniors Divisions, at their election)
Majors Division, essentially, is the tier to which all developmental work in the younger divisions has led. Games in this division are played at a generally higher skill level than any in the younger divisions by truly motivated young ballplayers, some possessing real athletic talent. While the focus is not solely on competition – it is still recreational little league and not varsity – games can be intensely (and well-) played.
Players registered to play in Majors in the Spring season are eligible to try out for either the 10-11s, or the 11-12s (Majors) summer tournament (“all star”) teams. Being selected to an 11-12s tournament team from a local little league can be an ultimate prize for talented players interested in serious competitive play, insofar as the 11-12s teams from each league face off in a series of tournaments that will lead, through District, Sectional, State, and Regional Championship levels, to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
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Juniors (Players 13*-14)
(Because of the change in League Age determination date, for 2006 only, players turning 13 in May, June or July are eligible under Little League Rules to play in either the Majors Division or Juniors Divisions, at their election)
Seniors (Players 15-18)
Both the Juniors and Seniors Divisions play on larger diamonds and will play some number of inter-league games during their seasons. Both Divisions play in Morningside Park in the early part of the season; games are scheduled on Central Park fields once those fields are opened for the season (late April). Most of these players have the talent to play on high school ballclubs or travel teams – and some do play on these teams – but they continue in the League because they enjoy playing organized ball at a less keenly competitive level with their friends from the area.
The League did not field a summer tournament team at either the Juniors or Seniors level in 2005. Depending on player interest and coach availability, the League is interested in fielding an all-star team in one or both Divisions in 2006.
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WSLL Softball is an available playing option for girls aged 8-17. Information concerning the Softball Divisions can best be obtained by contacting Debbie Kling, through this website.
Minors Girls (8-10) Girls age 8-10 with or without playing experience are introduced to Softball in a developmental format, with coach pitching and other modified playing rules.
Majors Girls (10-12) Girls age 10 with some Softball experience and girls age 11-12 with or without Softball experience begin developing skill sets, including slow pitch delivery, through practices, games and developmental clinics sponsored by the League. Games are officiated by professional umpires.
Juniors/Seniors Girls (12-17) Girls age 12 to age 17 who have Softball playing experience compete at a fairly high level in intra-league and inter-league games.