Lakeland Baseball-

Majors

This division is designed to introduce the players to a more competitive brand of baseball and put to use the skills they have learned from the instructional leagues, such as the Minor and Instructional divisions. Major League players range from 10 to 12 years of age. The number of teams in the Majors fluctuates from year to year, depending on the number of new players who sign up, returning Major League players and the number of players moving up from the Minors. Depending on the number of teams, there may be two divisions with playoffs. This division usually starts at the end of April/early May and play approximately 16 games, weather permitting. All games are played on Monday's and Thursday's. Weekends if necessary.There is an end-of-season interleague tournment played for the Major division, seeded from regular season standings. This occurs at the last weekend of June or beginning of July.There is an All Star tournament that players can be selected to. These tournaments usually start around the first week of July.Criteria to play -1)All players must be at least 10 years of age and no older than 12 years of age.2)All 10 year-olds can try out (they can also elect to stay on the Minor AAA team they were on last year) prior to the season. There is no guarantee a player will be drafted into the Majors. If a player is not drafted, he will play in the Minors that season. All other players who have never played in the Major Division (11 & 12 years of age) must try-out prior to the season. Returning players do not have to try-out. 3)Once you are drafted to a team, you will stay with that team throughout your Major Division career. 4)To be considered for the All-Star team, besides meeting age and residency rules for regular season, each player must participate in 50% of the league games.                                                                                     

Minors

The Minor AAA division is an upper tier instructional division with players ages ranging from 8 to 10 years of age.Scores and standings are kept. The number of teams in the minor AAA fluctuates from year to year, depending on the number of new players who sign up, number of players moving up from the Minor AA level and returning Minor AAA players. Depending on the number of teams, the AAA division may be divided into two divisions.During the course of the season each player should have the opportunity to play many positions in the field. The offensive team will use the continuous batting order for all players. The defensive team will field 10 players (pitcher, catcher, 4 infielders and 4 outfielders).Players pitch in this division, with Little League pitching rules including pitch count regulations.This division is differentiated from Majors, with no dropped third strike rule, for example. Stealing rules may be phased in as the season progresses.This division usually starts at the end of April and runs through the end of June. The division plays approximately 16 games (weather permitting). Games are played on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Teams could play from 1- 3 games per week due to bye or makeup schedule demands. There are All Star teams that players can be selected to (9u and 10u). These tournaments are in July.Criteria to play1) All players must at least be 8 years old and no older then 10 years of age.2)8 yr olds may try out for the Minor AAA Division. If the 8year old is not drafted he will return to his existing Minor AA team. 3)All 9 yr olds coming from Minor AA or new to the league must tryout for Minor AAA.4) All star criteria requires 50% of league games played, in addition to all age and residency requirements