What is Little League?
• 1st League 1938, Carl Stolz in Williamsport
Pennsylvania
• Largest not-for-profit sporting organisation in
the world
• Over 2, 500, 000 participants worldwide
• Played in over 80 countries
Structure in Australia
National Administrator (ABF)
District Administrator (State Body)
League President (Assoc. or Region)
Club President
Benefits of Little League
• Internationally recognised name
• Increased sponsorship
opportunities at National, State,
League and Club levels
• Increased playing opportunities
with Tournament teams and
visiting International teams
• Registration gift pack for every
player during the first year of the
program
• All new leagues will have their
charter fees waived in full in their
second year of competition
• Each team will receive two free
rule books
• Each league will receive 50 rule
books free of charge
Draft
D
istrict
Major
Tournament Boundaries
League
Challenger
Administrator
National Playoffs
International Playoffs
Double Elimination
Division TERMS
Charter Player Agent
Minor
Divisional Pla
Blind D
Try Outs
Waivers
ASAP
Big League
Terms
• National Administrator – is the person who is
responsible for all aspects of Little League in Australia and who works
under the guidance of the ABF and Little League International.
• District Administrator – is the person who is
responsible for all aspects of Little League in their respective state
and works under the guidance of their state body and the National
Administrator.
• District – is the physical boundary that separates the different
Little League areas within Australia. These are more commonly known
as State boundaries, e.g. District of Queensland, District of Victoria
etc.
• League – is the physical boundaries that separates the different
Little League areas within each District (State). These are more
commonly known as Regions or Associations; however each League
is limited to a maximum of 10 Major League teams and a maximum of
250 players.
• League Boundary – is a clearly defined area that is marked on
a map which shows the recruitment catchment area for each League.
These boundaries will be determined by each League in conjunction
with that Leagues District Administrator.
• Charter – is a registration form that is completed by each League 1
month prior to any competition starting. It will show how many Little
League teams are to be registered for each League.
• Major League – is a level of competition in which each League
will draw from to select their respective Tournament teams. All 12 y/o
players must play within a Major League competition (applications for
exemption to this rule must be made to the District Administrator)
• Minor League – is a development level of competition in which it
is recommended that all 10 y/o players compete in.
• Tournament Team – is a representative team selected from the
top players in each League, which will represent their League in the
District Championships for that year. All District Champions will then
compete at the National Championships for the right to represent their
District and Australia at the Asia Pacific Championships in Hong Kong.
If successful at this level that team would then compete at the Little
League World Series in Williamsport. It is important to note that this
League team remains unchanged from District Championships all the
way through to World Series competition.
Changes
• Field Dimensions- All Little league base paths will
be 60’, a reduction from the traditional 70’. The pitching distance will
also reduce down to 46’. From a developmental stand point this
change will allow these children to achieve an increased success rate
in throwing to bases and their ability to throw strikes. This will actually
speed up the games at grass root club level and also allow them to
more readily learn game play.
• Bat Size- Little League requires that all bats used in Little
League games must not exceed 2 ¼ “ in diameter. This requirement is
a recommendation for this year only and will become a requirement at
the start of the 2008/2009 season. However this rule will be used at
the 2008 National Championships.
Age Cutoff
Injury Concerns
Leagues
• Each League will be set inside a clearly
defined boundary
• Each League will be limited to a maximum of
250 Little League players
• If a League exceeds that limit then it will need
to split into Divisions
• The League will still maintain control over both
Divisions
• Each League or Division will be limited to a
maximum of 10 Major League teams
• There is no limit on Minor League teams
except for the League player limit
Rules
• Each State will be responsible for creating and
maintaining their own rules
• No rule may directly contradict the official Little
League rules without express permission from
Australian Little League and Little League
International
• ABF will be responsible for creating and
maintaining the rules for the National
Championships
Rules
• Overall most existing rules will remain in place
• All pitchers will only be allowed to throw
fastballs and change ups
• Not all rules within the Little League
rulebook will be used in Australia
• Little League rulebook designed
specifically for the US and as such
common sense should prevail.
Tournaments
• Each League will be responsible for selecting
a Tournament team
• All Tournament teams are limited to a
maximum of 14 players
• Each team can only consist of 11 & 12 year
old players
• These teams will represent their Leagues at a
State Championship
• The winning team/s at each State
Championship will then compete at National
Championships
• National Champion will travel to Hong Kong to
compete at Asia/Pacific qualifying Tournament
• All expenses paid for National Champion
• If successful at Asia/Pacific they will then
move on to the Little League World Series in
Williamsport PA, all expenses paid
Australian
Little League
Pledge
I WILL PLAY FAIR
AND STRIVE TO WIN
BUT WIN OR LOSE
I WILL ALWAYS
DO MY BEST