FAQ

Registration FAQ

Where do I sign up?
Click the Register button in the upper right-hand corner of the website or use this link.

What are the differences in divisions? How do I know which I should sign my child up for?
You can use the league age calculator to figure out your child’s league age or view the Little League 2026 Baseball Age Chart and 2026 Softball Age Chart.

-Register your child according to their "league age" and program per Little League International rules.
- Baseball League Age = your child's age on August 31st of the year of the baseball season they will be playing. (ie, for the 2026 Spring Season, your child's "league age" is their age on August 31st, 2026.)
- Softball League Age = your child's age on January 1st of the calendar year of the softball season they will be playing (ie, for the 2026 Spring Season, your child's "league age" is their age on January 1st 2026.)

See below for Tee-ball, Coach Pitch, AA, AAA, Majors & Intermediate/Juniors descriptions.

Please reach out to pacwestlittleague.info@gmail.com for questions on the appropriate division for your player.

Will my child have to try out?
Every kid who registers will be placed on a team, so no, there are no formal "tryouts".
AAA and Majors Baseball and Softball coaches run Player Assessments to help create fair & balanced teams that ensure competitive play in a fun environment. These assessments can also be a great growth moment for the Players to have them placed in the spotlight amongst their peers and to encourage them to try their hardest.

We invite "older" players considering AA (ie, 7 & 8yo's with 1-2 years Coach Pitch or AA experience) to go through the assessment process as they may be ready to jump up to AAA. Or, they may learn they could benefit from another year in AA.

How much are the league fees and what does it include?
Teeball - $125
Coach Pitch & AA Baseball - $145
AAA, Majors & Juniors Baseball - $165
AA, AAA, Majors & Juniors Softball - $145

***Families with multiple players get a $20 discount on each registration after the first player.***

Included in Registration Fee: Every player receives a hat/visor, jersey, hours of baseball or softball practice/instruction, games and endless memories with your community.

Cost will never be a barrier for players who wish to play. Scholarships are available through the T-Mobile Call Up Grant as well as directly through Pacwest Little League. Please do not hesitate to contact us if your family needs assistance at pacwestlittleague.info@gmail.com.

I noticed a new "Volunteer fee" when registering... Can you share more?
Pacwest Little League is exclusively run by volunteers to deliver the best experience for our players, coaches & fans. As we continue to transform our facility, we're asking families to step up either in a commitment of their time or monetarily to help offset our facility improvement efforts.

Upon each Player registration, you will be asked to register as a Volunteer or pay a $100 fee. Head coach, Assistant Coach and "Team Parent" all count as being a formal volunteer. Other volunteer roles include Umpiring (Plate or Field), Snack Shack (supervisor or support team), GameChanger Manager, and Field Maintenance.

If you register as a volunteer... first THANK YOU! Getting involved is a great way to support your community and have fun along the way. Outside of coaching, we've set up each role to be easy to learn, execute and repeat. And we'll provide training along the way. This is a great way to get invested and show your Pacwest Pride!

Volunteer expectations and requirements are as follows:
- Complete 4 hours during the season. This can be completed by age eligible players, siblings, or parents. High schoolers and older junior high students can earn their service-learning hours volunteering at Pacwest.
- Snack Shack workers must be 13yo+
- Snack shack shifts can be completed before, during or after your player's game (or on another day all together)!
- Parent Umpires are really appreciated. Junior Umpires must be 12yo+ (or have the Umpire in Chief's formal approval, including attending the umpire clinic). A player can only umpire the league below them (ie, a Majors player can ump AAA or AA).

Hours are tracked based on sign up & then lead sign off of the time upon completion.

If a player decides not to play, is it possible to get a refund?
If a player decides to withdraw, a refund of registration fees minus the $3 service fee is available only up to the time of a player's first game.
Contact pacwestlittleague.info@gmail.com about the decision not to play and to request a refund.

Game Play & Equipment FAQ

When and where are practices and games?
All teams receive two practice days a week—typically Mon/Wed or Tue/Thur, although Friday practices do get scheduled.

- Practices are held at a school or park in the Burien, Seatac & Tukwila area
- Typically, teams will play two games a week (one weekday and one Saturday)
- Most games are played at the Pacwest Little League Facility however we also play "interleague" games at City Hall Park in Normandy Park and other fields in the local area.
- There are often only 1 or 2 softball teams per division, meaning that at least half of softball games played are "interleague". Weeknight games are usually played at Pacwest or closer little league fields in Normandy Park, White Center and West Seattle. Weekend games will be played at Pacwest, or other previously mentioned fields, as well as fields in Renton, Rainier or the Central District of Seattle.

What kind of gear does my player need?
- Pacwest provides team hats (baseball) or visors (softball), and jerseys along with catchers gear, practice tools and fields to coaches.
- Families provide baseball/softball glove, plastic cleats, bat, batting helmet and baseball/softball pants. All boys, regardless of age and division, should plan to wear a cup. Softball players should consider wearing a softball face guard - they will be required for pitchers.
- TIP: New gear isn't always the best gear. Consider browsing Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing Groups, SidelineSwap, OfferUp, Ebay and more for your gear - you'd be surprised at what you can find!

Pacwest can loan pants, gloves, batting helmets and bats for players.
***limited sizes in stock and contingent on fitting player. Please do not hesitate to contact pacwestlittleague.info@gmail.com for questions on sizing and availability.

Why is it recommended for Softball Players to wear a softball face guard?
Injuries happen! The main reason for wearing a softball face guard is safety.

-Softball players, particularly pitchers and infielders, wear face guards to protect their faces from the impact of larger, heavier balls.
-In baseball, the pitcher is 46-60 feet away from the batter. In softball, the pitcher is less than 40 feet away from the batter (less than 35 feet at AA and AAA levels) by the time she finishes her wind-up, meaning she has much less time to react to a hard-hit ball.
-The softball diamond never gets bigger, even as girls have growth spurts, become much stronger and able to hit with significant force.
-Increased confidence for younger players when learning to play softball.

Foundational Divisions

Tee Ball

Coed | Ages 4 and 5

Introductory year with emphasis on teaching fundamentals and having fun
Previous baseball experience IS NOT required
Typical skill level includes players learning simple baseball rules and how to catch, throw and hit a ball
Non-competitive games (no scoring)
Teams formed by PWLL with an importance of matching coach and friend requests

Coach Pitch

Coed | Ages 6 and 7

Focus is on teaching fundamentals, being a great teammate and having fun
Previous baseball experience IS NOT required
Coaches pitch 6-8 pitches to their own teams — after that, players hit ball off a tee
Defensive positions are more defined with players often rotating to different positions. Some defensive outs are made, but not consistently
Coaches discuss before the game if teams should play with outs. The full roster will still bat regardless if playing with “outs” unless agreed upon by coaches prior to the start of the game
Non-competitive games (no scoring)
60 minute games
No umpires
Team formation is made by coach and friend request (no draft)

Typical player skills at the Coach Pitch level include:

Can make contact with a pitched ball some of the time
Can throw and catch the ball, but inconsistently
Understand basic baseball rules and positioning

Baseball Divisions

AA Baseball

Coed | Ages 7-8

Focus is on teaching fundamentals, being a great teammate and having fun with some competitive spirit
Previous baseball experience IS NOT required
Team selection by draft after player assessment day
All kids are drafted onto teams
7 year olds may qualify to play in AA if they have played a minimum of one year of Coach Pitch
"Home Plate" Umpire will call balls/strikes
Parent volunteers will also act as field umpires and call basic safe/out and prevent excessive base running
Individual game scores will be kept, but overall standings and records will not be maintained
No leading off or stealing

Typical player skills at the AA level include:

Have more consistent ability to catch thrown balls, field grounders and catch easy pop ups
Can throw the ball accurately to a designated target at reasonable distances. (2nd to 1st; and SS to 1st are good tests).
Have a clear understanding of basic rules, defensive situations and where plays are made to
Are able to hit off Coach Pitch pitches the majority of the time and hit off kid pitches in the strike zone some of the time

AAA Baseball

Coed | Ages 8-10

Focus is on teaching & reinforcing fundamentals, being a great teammate, having fun and building a competitive spirit
Previous baseball experience IS NOT required
No leading off but there is base stealing once the ball crosses home plate
Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions but will play both infield and outfield positions.
Pitching is from the full 46’ distance
Team selection is done by draft after player evaluation day
All kids are drafted onto teams
Competitive play with standings being kept for the first time
League tournament at end of season - winner goes to the "Tournament of Champions" to player other Division 7 Winners
All-Stars ("8-9-10" team) nominated & selected

Typical player skills at the AAA level include:

Consistently throw catchable balls and can catch balls thrown to them
Can hit an easy pitch most of the time, hitting balls to the outfield more often
Have an increased baseball awareness of more complex situations

Majors Baseball

Coed | Ages 10-12

Focus is on reinforcing fundamentals, being a great teammate, having fun and competing to the best of one's ability
Previous baseball experience IS NOT required
No leading off but there is base stealing once the ball crosses home plate
Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions but will play both infield and outfield positions.
Pitching is from the full 46’ distance
Team selection is done by draft after player evaluation day
All kids are drafted onto teams
Competitive play with standings kept
League tournament at end of season - winner goes to the "Tournament of Champions" to player other Division 7 Winners
All-Stars ("9-10-11" and "10-11-12" teams) nominated & selected

Typical player skills at the Majors level include:

Can make routine infield and outfield plays (catching & throwing)
Usually understand baseball situations without adult guidance
Some batters are able to hit balls with tremendous force and are able to hit home runs over the fence
Some pitchers can pitch 50+ MPH with increasing accuracy and some are throwing breaking balls

Intermediates (50/70) / Juniors (60/90) Baseball
Coed | Ages 12-14

Depending on the # of players in each age group that registered along with coaches, Pacwest will determine which team (Intermediates or Juniors) it will put forth. Typically, there is only enough to field 1 team. If Pacwest is unable to field an Intermediates or Juniors team, it will coordinate with other leagues in the division to place interested players onto a team.
Players compete on an intermediate sized diamond (50' pitching distance, 70' base paths for Intermediates; 60' pitching distance, 90' base paths for Juniors). The team(s) will compete against other LL programs in and around District 7 in the Greater Seattle area.
No experience is necessary
Games are six innings
The batting order will be the nine players who played in the field ("non-continuous")
Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions.
Lead offs are allowed & runners may attempt to steal at any time.

Typical player skills at the Intermediates/Juniors level include:

Can make routine infield and outfield plays
Most likely understand baseball situations without adult guidance
Some batters are able to hit balls with tremendous force and are able to hit home runs over the fence
Some pitchers can pitch 60+ MPH with increasing accuracy, command and pitch variety.

Softball Divisions

***Girls ages 6-7 who are interested in the game, but not ready for modified player
pitch, please sign up for co-ed Coach-Pitch Baseball. ***

AA Minors Softball Ages 7 - 9
Modified Player Pitch Softball - Pitching for each batter will start with a Player Pitcher. If the batter receives 4 called balls, an adult Coach will step in to pitch the remainder of the strikes. Pitching distance of 35 ft. Focus is on teaching fundamentals, being a great teammate and having fun with some competitive spirit. Previous softball experience IS NOT required. All kids are encouraged to attend player assessment day. 7-year-olds may qualify to play AA if they have played 1 year of Coach Pitch baseball. "Home Plate" Umpire will call balls/strikes. Strike-outs will be called. Stealing 1 base per batter after the pitch crosses home plate, will be allowed. No stealing home. Individual game scores will be kept, but overall standings and records will not be maintained Typical player skills at the AA level include: Basic understanding of softball rules and where some plays are made in the field. Able to hit a ball pitched by the coach some of the time. Fields grounders with their glove. Attempts to catch balls in the air. Throws to targets 20-30 feet away with relative accuracy.
AAA Minors Softball Ages 9-11
Player Pitch Softball - Pitchers will be allowed to throw windmill rotation (preferred) or underhand toss. Pitching distance of 35 ft. Focus is on teaching & reinforcing fundamentals, being a great teammate, having fun and building a competitive spirit. Previous softball experience IS NOT required All kids are encouraged to attend player assessment day. 9-year-olds may qualify to play AAA if they have played at least 1 year of AA Softball. All kids will be drafted to either a AA or AAA Softball team. "Home Plate" Umpire will call balls/strikes. Strike-outs and Walks will be called. Stealing after the pitch crosses home plate will be allowed. Stealing home is allowed. Competitive play with standings being kept for the first time. Typical player skills at the AAA level include: Understanding of softball rules and where more complex plays are made in the field. Able to hit a ball pitched by the coach in batting practice with increased frequency and can sometimes hit player-pitched strikes. Throws catchable balls and catches throws with increasing accuracy.
Majors Fastpitch Ages 10-12
Player Pitch Softball - Pitchers will throw windmill rotation pitches. Pitching distance of 40 ft. Focus is on reinforcing fundamentals, being a great teammate, having fun and competing to the best of one's ability. This division introduces advanced competitive play, with an increased focus on skills and strategies of the game. This level is for players with 1 – 3 (+) years’ experience playing softball. All kids are encouraged to attend player assessment day. 10-year-olds may qualify to play Majors if they have played at least 1 year of AAA Softball. All kids will be drafted to either a AAA or Majors Softball team. (12-year-olds may have the opportunity to play up in some Junior games if a Juniors team is short players) "Home Plate" Umpire will call balls/strikes. Strike-outs and Walks will be called. Stealing after the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand will be allowed. Stealing home is allowed. Dropped 3 rd strike is enforced. Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions but will play both infield and outfield positions. Competitive play with standings will be kept. Typical player skills at the Majors level include: Understanding of softball rules and usually understands where more complex plays are made in the field without adult guidance. Can make routine infield and outfield plays (catching & throwing) Some batters are able to hit balls with force. Some pitchers can pitch 45+ MPH with increasing accuracy and a variety of pitches.
Juniors Fastpitch Ages 13-15
Player Pitch Softball - Pitchers will throw windmill rotation pitches. Pitching distance of 43 ft. Focus is on reinforcing fundamentals, being a great teammate, having fun and competing to the best of one's ability. This division introduces advanced competitive play, with an increased focus on skills and strategies of the game. This level is for players with 1-3 (+) years’ experience playing softball. All kids are encouraged to attend player assessment day. At this division, teams are formed based on player abilities as determined at the player assessment. Players are highly encouraged to attend one of the player evaluation events. If we have enough players for more than one Juniors team, teams will be drafted and assembled to be as balanced as possible. "Home Plate" Umpire will call balls/strikes. Strike-outs and Walks will be called. Stealing after the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand will be allowed. Stealing home is allowed. Dropped 3 rd strike is enforced. Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids get to play all positions but will play both infield and outfield positions Competitive play with standings will be kept. Typical player skills at the Juniors level include: Usually understands softball play situations without adult guidance. Can make routine infield and outfield plays (catching & throwing) Some batters are able to hit balls with tremendous force. Some pitchers can pitch 50+ MPH with increasing accuracy and a variety of pitches.

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Pacwest Little League