TPLL League Overview

TPLL is the Tiburon Peninsula Little League serving the Belvedere, Tiburon and Strawberry communities.

Tiburon Little League is about: Being an example, playing hard from the first pitch to the last out, respecting teammates, opponents, coaches and umpires, and always demonstrating great sportsmanship win or lose.

We offer play in seven divisions of play, based primarily on the "league age" of a player, although for certain divisions, school grade and skill level are also pertinent.

The divisions are:

• Tee-Ball
  Tee Ball is fun for all, and the child's first introduction to organized baseball. It is intended for children in Pre-K or Kindergarten aged 5 and 6. The emphasis is on teaching the fundamentals of the game — how to swing a bat, field a grounder, run the bases, and throw a ball. This league is intended to be fun and to help the kids learn about teamwork and basic sportsmanship. There are no scores kept, no outs recorded and every player bats every inning. Tee Ball is played with super-cushioned "safety" baseballs in all practices and games. Buddy requests are welcomed!
   
• Farm
  Farm League is for 6 and 7 year olds that have either played Tee Ball or who are in 1st grade. Players bat with their own coaches soft tossing from 12-15 feet away. Farm is elevated instruction, skill development and fun. Similar to Tee Ball, scores are not kept, the entire team bats every inning, regardless of "outs" made. There is no balls and strikes, or striking out. Buddy requests are welcomed!
   
• Rookie Minors
  Rookie Minors is primarily for 1st graders that have previously played Farm League baseball or 2nd graders, generally league age 7 or 8. This is a machine pitch league and the first entry level of competitive baseball. Scores are kept, games won or lost and standings are maintained. However, every player plays in the field every inning and bats several times per game. There are no walks, as the idea is to reward swinging the bat. There are no called strikes, though players can strike out swinging. There are post-season playoffs, with a champion team crowned. Rookie Minors conducts Player Assessments in January, and then the Commissioner 'allocates' players to teams with a focus on balancing skill levels for optimal parity. Thus, there are NO Buddy requests, though the league will try to accommodate reasonable requests based on hardship.
   
• Double A
  Double A is for 3rd graders, or advanced 2nd graders who have previously played, and excelled, in Rookie Minor. These players are generally league age 8 or 9. Note - Second grade participation is by invitation only based on coaches feedback, Fall Ball and pre-season evaluations. Double A is the first level 'player pitch' league. Players are instructed on more advanced skill development, sportsmanship and teamwork. Baseball strategy such as stealing is introduced. The idea is to allow as many as possible, the opportunity to get experience at various positions such as pitching, catching, infield and outfield prior to advancing to Minors. Scores, won/loss and standings are kept. These games have plate umpires with balls and strikes being called. There are post-season playoffs with a champion being crowned. We conduct Player Assessments in January for Double A, and then teams are drafted via a coaches draft in February.
   
• Minors League
  Minors is for players in 4th and 5th grades, who have previously played Double A, and who are league ages 9 through 11. Most players play Minors for two years. Minors is yet again advanced instruction, commitment and competitiveness. Most importantly, participation is paramount in this league and as a result, there are minimum play rules in the infield and outfield for each player as well as every player bats in the batting order. Pitch counts are strictly adhered to protect the players' arms. There are one practice and two games each week. Scores, won/loss and standings are kept throughout the season, which culminates into a post-season seeded playoff, with a champion crowned. However, the team that finishes in first place in the regular season goes on to represent the TPLL in District 3 "Tournament of Champions" against other local leagues. Everyone whose grade and age qualify them for Minors may play. Minors players must attend two Player Assessmenst in January, after which assessment scores are published to coaches. Teams are formed in February via a coaches draft.
   
• Majors
  Majors is OUR MOST COMPETITIVE league and is for 5th, 6th and 7th graders, who have previously played Minors, generally league age 11 and 12. The skill level of the Majors players is materially higher than previous leagues and it requires a SIGNIFICANT commitment to participate. Majors teams play both inner league games as well as inter-league games against other little league including Twin Cities and Ross Valley. Standings and scores are kept throughout the season, which culminates in a post-season playoff, with champion crowned. However, the team that finishes in first place in the regular season goes on to represent the TPLL in District 3 "Tournament of Champions" against other local leagues. Majors is a highly competitive league, and is the age group that competes in the Little League World Series. There are two practices and two games each week. All 12 year olds are assured a place on a majors team, unless the player's parents agree their child would be better served with another season in the Minors. Majors players must attend two Player Assessments in January, after which assessment scores are published to coaches. Teams are formed in February via a coaches draft, taking into consideration a range of factors including skill, attitude, experience. Age is NOT the sole determining factor as to who makes Majors.
   
• Intermediate, 50-70
  Intermediate baseball is a competitive league designed for league age 13 players, with additional participation from 12 year olds who are looking for more baseball to augment their Majors experience. Players in this league will have an opportunity to extend their enjoyment of little league and begin the transition to the Juniors and high school level. The teams will play against San Francisco little league as well as teams in Southern Marin, with home games and practices at Grenada. The distances are a comfortable extension of Majors with the mound at 50 feet, and the basepaths at 70 feet. The rules of Intermediate more closely mimic professional baseball. The introduction of leads, stealing, increased complexity and game strategy. Coaches use positive encouragement to develop the players into good teammates and confident teens. There are usually two practices and two games per week. Standings and scores are kept throughout the season. The regular season first place team competes in District 3 "Tournament of Champions" against other area league champions at the end of the league ages 13-14. Players who wish to play Juniors must attend a Player Assessment in January, after which assessment scores are published to coaches who form teams via a coaches draft.
   
• Juniors
  Juniors baseball is a competitive program designed for league aged 13 and 14 year old players. Players participating in Juniors include those aiming to continue playing at the high school level as well as those looking merely to continue playing the sport they enjoy. The teams play against other local little league programs throughout Marin, including Mill Valley, Ross Valley and Twin Cities. The Juniors league represents a significant step forward as it is the first time these players will move to a regulation baseball diamond, with all the associated challenges of 90 foot base paths, extended throws, and mounds 60 feet 6 inches from home plate. The rules of Juniors more closely mimic professional baseball. The introduction of leads, stealing, increased complexity and game strategy. Coaches use positive encouragement to develop the players into good teammates and confident teens. There are usually two practices and two games per week. Standings and scores are kept throughout the season. The regular season first place team competes in District 3 "Tournament of Champions" against other area league champions at the end of the league ages 13-14. Players who wish to play Juniors must attend a Player Assessment in January, after which assessment scores are published to coaches who form teams via a coaches draft.