Several age-ranges cross divisions. If your child's league age straddles two divisions, you may choose the division where your child plays. However, if your child is NOT drafted to that division, they may be placed on a team in the division below (assuming they are within the league-age range for that division).
All registered players WILL BE placed on a team in an age-appropriate division.
"Playing Down":
Players cannot play down to a division where they are not league-age eligible. This is for safety reasons. Each division has players of varying skill, including players brand new to baseball & softball.
Example:
Jacob and John are brothers. Jacob is league age 6 and John is league age 8. Neither child has played baseball before. Their parents would like John to PLAY DOWN in Single-A so that the siblings can play on the same team, and because they are so new. Can B'ville Little League accommodate? No. Single-A baseball is ONLY for players League Age 6-7. There is a safety risk allowing an 8 year old to play on a Single-A team. John must play for a Double-A team.
"PLAY UP" Rules:
AA, AAA, Majors Baseball, all softball divisions: If you would like your child to "play up" in the next division, they must attend the evaluations for both their REGISTERED division AND the division where they would like to "play up". Players evaluations MUST score in the top 25% of players in that division in order to be eligible for that division's draft. However, scoring in the top 25% does not guarantee that your child will be drafted in that division. Baldwinsville Little League does NOT share evaluation scores with parents.
Example:
Jane is 8 years old. She is registered for the Double-A division, but her parents would like her to play up in Triple-A. They say she is a very good player. She does not attend any evaluation. Can she play up? No. Players seeking to move up MUST attend evaluations for both the division they are registered for AND the division where they seek to play. Jane will be drafted to a Double-A team.
Example:
Jordan is 8 years old. He is registered for the Double-A division, but his parents would like him to play up in Triple-A. He attends the evaluations for both Double-A and Triple-A and his evaluation scores place him in the top 10% of Triple-A players. He is drafted by a Triple-A team. Can he move up? Yes. Because his evaluation scores fell within the top 25% of Triple-A players, he was eligible and was chosen by a Triple-A team in the draft. He will play Triple-A ball.
Example:
Joe is 7 years old. His parents would like him to play Double-A baseball. He attends evaluations for Double-A and scores in the top 50% of all players in that division. Can he move up? No, Joe's evaluation scores did not place him in the top 25% of Double-A players, so he is not eligible for the Double-A draft. Joe will be placed on a Single-A team.
Example:
Jackie is 11 years old. They are registered for and attended the Majors evaluations. There is an excess number of players in the Majors division than coaches/teams available. Jackie is not drafted to a Majors team. Where will they play? Jackie will be drafted and guaranteed a spot on a AAA team.