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Tiburon Peninsula Little League serves the Belvedere, Tiburon and Strawberry communities.

Tiburon Peninsula Little League teaches:

Teamwork and Commitment
Playing hard from the first pitch to the last out
Respect for teammates, opponents, coaches and umpires
Great sportsmanship, win or lose

We offer play in seven divisions, based primarily on the “League Age” of a player, although for certain divisions, school grade and skill level are also pertinent. Note: the level/age guidelines are not firm, and the league reserves the right to place players in divisions based on safety concerns, skill level, league balance, etc.

See the Little League 2019 Age Chart here.

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, generally League Age 5 or 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 cushioned “safety” baseballs in all practices and games. Buddy requests will be considered!

Farm

Farm Ball is for League Age 6 and 7 and kids that have either played Tee Ball or who are in 1st grade. In certain cases, Farm Ball may be the appropriate entry point for a first time player, depending on skill level. Players bat with their own coaches soft tossing from 12-15 feet away. Similar to Tee Ball, scores are not kept and the entire team bats every inning, regardless of “outs” made. There are no balls, strikes, or strike outs. Buddy requests will be considered!

Rookie Minors

Rookie Minors is primarily for 1st graders who have previously played Farm Ball 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 are won or lost, and standings are maintained. However, every player plays in the field every inning and bats several times per game. There are also 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.

Double A

Double A is for 3rd graders, or advanced 2nd graders who have previously played, and excelled, in Rookie Minors. These players are generally League Age 8 or 9. Note – Second grade participation is by invitation only based on coaches feedback, together with Fall Ball and pre-season evaluations. Double A is an exciting introduction to “player pitching”, with adjusted rules to keep games moving. 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 children as possible, the opportunity to get experience at various positions such as pitching, catching, infield and outfield prior to advancing to Minors. Scores and standings are kept. Double A games have plate umpires with balls and strikes called. There are post-season playoffs with a champion crowned. We conduct Player Assessments in January for Double A, and then teams are formed via a coach’s draft in February.

Minors

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 offers 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 for each player, plus a requirement that every player be in the batting order. Pitch counts are strictly adhered to in order to protect the players’ arms. There is one practice and two games each week. Scores and standings are kept throughout the season, which culminates into a post-season seeded playoff, with a champion crowned. The winner of the TPLL Minors goes on to represent the TPLL in the District 3 “Tournament of Champions” against other local leagues. Minors players must attend Player Assessments in January. Teams are formed in February via a coaches draft.

Majors

Majors is generally for 5th and 6th graders, who have previously played Minors, generally League Age 11 and 12. Majors teams play both intra- league games as well as inter-league games against other Little Leagues, including Twin Cities and Ross Valley. Standings and scores are kept throughout the season, which culminates in a post-season playoff, with a champion crowned. The winner of the TPLL championship game goes on to represent the TPLL in the District 3 “Tournament of Champions” against other local leagues. There are as many as two practices and two games each week. All 12 year olds are assured a place on a Majors team, unless the player’s parents and the league agree that a child would be better served with another season in Minors. Majors players must attend 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.

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 in this league will play against San Francisco teams 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 including the introduction of leads, stealing, and increased 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 the District 3 “Tournament of Champions” against other area league champions at the end of the season. Players who wish to play Juniors must attend Player Assessments 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. The teams in this league 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 90 foot base paths and mounds 60 feet 6 inches from home plate. The rules of Juniors more closely mimic professional baseball including the introduction of leads, stealing, and increased 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 the District 3 “Tournament of Champions” against other area league champions at the end of the season. Players who wish to play Juniors must attend Player Assessments in January, after which assessment scores are published to coaches who form teams via a coaches draft.