Introduction to Hitting and Fielding

Focus: Start here for first swings and throws in a fun, confidence-building setup. The focus is on movement and smiles.

Tee Ball provides young players with their first exposure to batting and playing defense in a relaxed setting.

• Safety ball; everyone bats off the tee each inning
• Players rotate across positions throughout the season
• Coaches emphasize movement, confidence, and smiles

Team Selection Criteria

We place players to keep friends together while balancing teams.

• Coach and teammate requests considered at placement
• Siblings and school friends grouped when possible
• All-girl team option available upon request

Practice and Game Schedule

Expect a steady rhythm that builds routine for new families.

• One weeknight practice plus a Saturday game
• Sessions run 60-75 minutes with high movement

Practice Location & Next Steps

Teams typically gather at Upper Ross Park with coaches providing equipment and practice plans.

Game Format & Skill Goals

Focus: build confidence at a slightly faster pace using coach pitch with a tee fallback as families gauge coordination, attention, and emotional readiness.

Coach pitch provides live-ball reps while a tee stays nearby so swings remain confident.

• Safety ball keeps early outs low stress.
• Rules scale through spring to match player readiness.
• Stations reinforce throwing, catching, and baserunning basics.

Team Placement

We blend friendship requests with parity so every dugout feels connected and competitive.

• Coach and teammate requests logged at signup.
• Siblings and classmates grouped whenever possible.
• Prior Tee Ball season or coach approval helps confirm readiness.

Season Rhythm

Families can plan on a steady two-touch cadence from March through June.

• Weekly Wednesday practice plus Saturday games
• Sessions run 60-75 minutes with lots of movement.

Fields & Next Steps

Kindy teams rotate between Upper Ross Park and Upper Woodland; coaches coordinate shared gear and practice plans.

Upper Woodland refers to the upper baseball diamond at Woodland Park. When Kindy isn't at Upper Ross, they use the upper playfield just north of Green Lake — the same diamond our lower divisions share for practices.

• Expect quick transitions from warm-up to live reps.
• Weekly updates help families support learning at home.

Register & Next Steps

Ready to jump in? Secure your player's spot using the league-wide registration form below.

Need placement guidance before registering? Email [email protected] and the division leads will help you out.

Game Format & Skill Goals

Focus: transition athletes to hardball coach pitch, layering live swings with fundamentals they can carry into AA.

Hardball coach pitch keeps timing sharp while reinforcing fundamentals every inning.

• Coach pitch builds live-pitch reads with a continuous lineup.
• Stations reinforce throwing, fielding, and base-running fundamentals.
• Defensive rotations expose players to multiple positions.

Team Placement

We blend friendship requests with parity so practices and games stay upbeat.

• Coach and teammate requests logged at registration.
• Siblings and classmates grouped whenever possible.
• League balances rosters so matchups stay competitive.

Season Rhythm

Families can expect two weekly touchpoints from early spring through playoffs.

• Thursday practice plus Saturday games.
• Sessions run 75-90 minutes with high movement.

Fields & Next Steps

A Division teams split time between BF Day and Lower Woodland, with coaches coordinating shared gear and practice plans.

• Expect a mix of cage work, defensive pods, and live scrimmages.
• Weekly recap emails highlight at-home drills for families.

Player Profile & Readiness

Focus: blend coach and player pitch so hitters see live velocity, pitchers learn workload habits, and rules knowledge keeps accelerating.

AA rosters feature experienced 8–9-year-olds plus top 7s ready for more tempo.

• Coach-invited 7s join after demonstrating safety and readiness.
• Players build on A-level fundamentals with quicker game speed.

Game Environment

Coach pitch opens the season while player pitch phases in to prepare arms and bats for AAA.

• Coach pitch early; player pitch added by midseason.
• Reinforces rules, decision-making, and game awareness.
• Minimum-play rules keep innings and at-bats balanced.

Team Placement

We honor family requests while distributing pitching and catching depth across the division.

• Coach and teammate requests gathered at signup.
• Siblings and schoolmates grouped when possible.
• League balances rosters to maintain parity.

Season Rhythm

AA keeps a twice-weekly cadence while layering in game-speed reps.

• Wednesday practice plus Saturday games.
• Optional scrimmages help pitchers and catchers log extra reps.

Fields & Support

Practices split between BF Day and Lower Woodland, with coaches coordinating shared gear, cages, and bullpens.

• Families receive weekly notes with at-home drills and pitching guidelines.
• Volunteer help with scorekeeping and field prep keeps the pace moving.

Skill Foundations

Focus: translate AA fundamentals into game-speed execution with consistent reps on the mound, in the field, and at the plate.

Coaches layer movement prep, throwing progressions, and defensive stations so players lock mechanics in before game tempo ramps up.

• Movement prep plus long-toss progressions keep timing and arm care on track.
• Pitcher/catcher rotations follow clear workload plans with rest built in.
• Situational scrimmages reinforce cut-offs, reads, and dugout communication.

Assessments & Draft

Evaluations keep rosters balanced so every matchup stays competitive and every player sees meaningful roles.

• Assessments + coach feedback drive a parity-focused draft.
• Attend evaluations (or makeup) to stay AAA eligible.
• Managers pre-plan pitching/catcher workloads for safe reps.

Season Rhythm & Facilities

Families can count on a steady cadence: structured practices, game weeks with built-in recovery, and fields equipped for quick transitions.

• Monday practices, Wednesday league games, Saturday doubleheaders.
• Lower Woodland’s Cloverleaf offers lights, bullpens, and cage access; Bitter Lake & Green Lake cover overflow needs.
• Weekly coach email covers focus areas, gear reminders, volunteers, and weather pivots.

Thank You & Volunteer Call

AAA runs on community energy-thank you for shuttling players, cheering every at-bat, and building a positive dugout culture.

Interested in coaching, helping with practices, scorekeeping, or field prep? Head over to our volunteer hub and raise your hand.

Assessments & Draft

Focus: blend varsity-style competition with instruction so players sharpen mechanics, decision-making, and leadership ahead of all-stars and junior baseball.

Tryouts ensure every roster has arms, bats, and leaders ready for the full Majors slate.

• All 10s/11s attend tryouts to be draft eligible.
• Every 12-year-old participates to finalize rosters.
• Makeup sessions keep late signups in the draft pool.

Competitive Environment

Majors layers high-stakes moments on top of continued instruction so development never stops.

• Managers call full offensive/defensive playbooks.
• Game-speed reps reinforce fundamentals and baseball IQ.
• Minimum play rules keep innings and at-bats balanced.

Player Development Goals

Consistency is the goal—pitching, hitting, and situational defense all receive weekly focus.

• Pitchers refine command, secondary pitches, and arm care.
• Hitters own the zone, master situational bunting, and track quality ABs.
• Defenders develop communication, cut systems, and double-play footwork.

Roster Construction

Managers draft using tryout data plus prior-season notes to keep parity across the league.

• Pitching and catching depth spreads evenly among teams.
• Coach feedback informs player roles and development plans.
• Tryout attendance (or approved makeup) required.

Season Rhythm

Expect three to four touchpoints most weeks with built-in recovery windows around tournaments and holidays.

• Tuesday practice plus Thursday and Saturday games, with optional makeups.
• In-season sessions blend arm care, defensive installs, and situational work.
• Additional scrimmages prep all-star hopefuls.

Fields & Next Steps

Majors teams primarily use the Lower Woodland Cloverleaf, with BF Day available for extra bullpens and cage work.

• Friday lights or Monday makeups keep the schedule balanced.
• Volunteer help with scorekeeping and pitch charts is always welcome.

Ballpark Dimensions & Mechanics

Focus: elevate varsity-level mechanics, strategy, and leadership while competing across District 8.

Junior teams play on a full 90' diamond, matching high school rules and the physical demands that come with it.

• Pitchers work from 60'6" with varsity-style pitch counts.
• Defenders refine long throws, deeper cuts, and communication.

Playing Time & Safety Standards

Even with varsity-level competition, NCLL safeguards participation and workload balance.

• Minimum-play rules ensure every roster spot sees action.
• Pitch count and catching guidelines manage arm and knee health.

District Competition

Junior teams represent NCLL in District 8 play, facing peers from across North Seattle.

• Regular opponents include Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Richmond, Northwest, and Northeast Seattle.
• Regular season sets seeds for District and All-Star tournaments.

Assessments & Draft

All athletes attend tryouts; every player lands on a roster via the Junior Division draft.

• Tryouts slot players so managers can balance pitching and key positions.
• Snake draft keeps parity front and center.
• Approved makeups keep late signups eligible.

Fields & Travel Notes

Green Lake and Lower Woodland #1 host most practices, with occasional nights at Bitter Lake or Magnuson.

• Expect travel across District 8 for Friday or Sunday showcase games.
• Coaches share scouting reports and logistics early so families can plan carpools.

Ballpark Dimensions

Focus: maintain varsity-level conditioning, keep arms on safe workloads, and align with high school timelines.

Seniors play on a full 90' field with varsity distances and timing.

• Matches high school mound, base paths, and fence dimensions.
• Prepares players for summer travel and prep tryouts.

Playing Time & Safety Standards

Even at the oldest level, NCLL maintains participation guarantees and workload guardrails.

• Minimum-play requirements ensure equal opportunities.
• Pitching guidelines align with high school rest expectations.

District Competition

Senior teams compete across District 8, keeping travel local while elevating the level of play.

• Opponents include Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Richmond, Northwest, and Northeast Seattle.
• Regular season feeds directly into District tournament play.

Assessments & Draft

Tryouts pace players into the draft; every athlete lands on a roster with balanced pitching depth.

• Managers evaluate hitting, defense, and pitching at tryouts.
• Snake draft keeps parity across staffs and key positions.

Fields & Travel Notes

Practices are anchored at Green Lake and Lower Woodland #1, with occasional sessions at Bitter Lake or Magnuson.

• Travel stays within Seattle for league play.
• Coaches coordinate carpool options and scouting notes.

High School Coordination

Most Seniors athletes juggle high school baseball; the league stays flexible to keep them on the field.

• Registration stays open to accommodate high-school cut timelines.
• Coaches coordinate with families around conflicting game nights.
• Contact the league with roster or scheduling questions.