To help youngsters develop citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well being through sports. To help youngsters learn their own strengths & weaknesses, the meanings of sportsmanship and cooperation, the essence of competition, and the qualities that constitute effective leadership.
Tee-Ball (Coed): League Age 4 to 5
Tee Ball is for boys and girls 4-5 years old who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. In Tee Ball, players hit a softer safety ball off a batting tee. Rules of the game may be varied to accommodate the need for teaching and should focus on fun, fitness, and fundamentals. The primary goals of Tee Ball are to instruct children in the fundamentals of baseball/softball and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork. There is no minimum or maximum composition for Tee Ball rosters, but we would recommend smaller roster sizes to help keep all players engaged. No live pitching is permitted in this division. Games & practices are 1 hour, generally twice per week.
There are no pre-season evaluations at this level and teams are assigned with a focus on keeping neighborhoods and schools together if possible. Parents may request to be on a team with specific coaches or teammates and we will try to honor requests.
Anticipated Days of Play: M/W or T/Th options both available
Coach Pitch (Baseball and Softball *new*): League Age 6 to 7
Coach Pitch continues to focus on throwing, fielding, hitting and baserunning fundamentals. Having fun and being a good teammate are emphasized. During games, coaches gently live pitch softer safety balls to every batter until the ball is put in play. If a hit is not achieved after a few pitches, a batting tee will be used so each player gets to hit and run every at bat. Every player gets an opportunity to bat each inning. A softer ball is used during both practices and games. No scores or standings are kept. Games and practices are scheduled for 1 - 1.5 hours, up to three days per week.
There are no pre-season evaluations at this level and teams are assigned with a focus on keeping neighborhoods and schools together if possible. Parents may request to be on a team with specific coaches or teammates and we will try to honor requests.
**Note: Minimum number of player registrations must be met for dedicated baseball and softball divisions. A coed division will be formed if minimums are not met.
Anticipated Days of Play: M/W + occasional 3rd day
Machine Pitch Baseball: League Age 7 to 8
Machine Pitch Baseball is the first time players will be able to hit live pitching, albeit off of a pitching machine. A regulation baseball is also used for the first time. The velocity of the pitches is generally 36-42 mph, with placement of the pitches down the middle of the plate. There is an increased focus on playing ‘real’ baseball, with defensive positioning reinforced and innings potentially ending based on 3 outs being achieved as opposed to batting through an entire order. Strikeouts may occur after a certain number of pitches (generally 5-6) which prepares the players for the player pitch division in future years. Coaches may keep scores, but no standings are kept. Games & practices are scheduled for 1.5 - 2 hours, up to three days per week
There are no pre-season evaluations at this level and teams are assigned with a focus on keeping neighborhoods and schools together if possible. Parents may request to be on a team with specific coaches or teammates and we will try to honor requests.
Anticipated Days of Play: T/Th + occasional 3rd day
Junior Majors Baseball (League Age 9-11) & Majors Baseball (League Age 11-12)
Jr. Majors and Majors baseball is a player-pitch environment (though consideration will be given to occasional use of pitching machines at the Jr. Majors level). This is ‘real’ baseball, in the sense that a formal 9-player positional alignment is utilized, the official Little League rulebook is enforced, umpires are present to control the action and scores & standings are kept. Although these divisions operate with increased competitiveness, there is very much still a focus on personal development and encouragement. WPLL coaches are encouraged (particularly at the Jr. Majors level) to rotate positions and batting orders to ensure all players receive opportunities to bat near the top of the lineup and to play various infield and outfield positions.
All participants are required to participate in a skills evaluation and teams are drafted with the goal of even talent distribution. We will not honor coach and teammate requests. Please note that it is West Portage Little League policy that all league age 9 year olds will play in the Jr. Majors division and all league age 12 year olds will play in the Majors division. League age 10 & 11 year olds may be allocated to either division based on the skills evaluation.
Games & practices are scheduled for 1.5 - 2 hours, up to three days per week. Depending upon the number of registered players, there is the possibility that the Majors division will have interleague play, with some games against other local little leagues, both home and away.
Jr. Majors Anticipated Days of Play: T/W + rotating 3rd day
Majors Anticipated Days of Play: M/Th + rotating 3rd day
Intermediate Baseball (i.e. 50/70): League Age 13
Intermediate baseball, also known as 50/70, utilizes a 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot base paths. The division offers a transition for players between the standard Little League field size (46-foot pitching distance and 60-foot base paths) and the Junior/Senior/Big League field size (60-foot, 6-inch pitching distance and 90-foot base paths). New concepts introduced for the first time include runners being permitted to lead off bases and attempt a straight steal, on-deck batters and various others.
Team selection process is entirely dependent upon the number of registered players. Please note that it is West Portage Little League’s policy that league age 11 & 12 year olds may ‘play up’ in the 50/70 division if they so desire and their skills evaluation indicates they will be able to effectively compete.
Games & practices are scheduled for 1.5 - 2 hours, up to three days per week. Intermediate baseball will have interleague play, with some games against other local little leagues, both home and away.
Baseball Anticipated Days of Play: TBD
Juniors Baseball: League Age 14
The Junior League Baseball Division is a program using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. Modified diamond dimensions may be used during the regular season.
Traditionally West Portage does not have enough player interest to field a complete Juniors team, however we will accommodate interested players by forming a combined team with other local little leagues.
Anticipated Days of Play: TBD
Machine Pitch Softball: League Age 7-8
Machine Pitch softball is the first time players will be able to hit from a pitching machine. The velocity of the pitches increase but the placement of the ball in the strike zone is improved. Defensive positioning is reinforced. Players get to slide for the first time. Strike outs can occur after a certain number of pitches which prepares the players for the player pitch division in future years.
There are no pre-season evaluations at this level and teams are assigned with a focus on keeping neighborhoods and schools together if possible. Parents may request to be on a team with specific coaches or teammates and we will try to honor requests.
Anticipated Days of Play: T/Th + occasional 3rd day
Little Majors Softball (League Age 8-10) Majors Softball (League Age 11-12)
Little Majors and Majors softball is a player-pitch environment. This is ‘real’ softball, in the sense that a formal 9-player positional alignment is utilized, the official Little League rulebook is enforced, umpires are present to control the action and scores are kept. Although these divisions operate with increased competitiveness, there is very much still a focus on personal development and encouragement. WPLL coaches are encouraged (particularly at the Little Majors level) to rotate positions and batting orders to ensure all players receive opportunities to bat near the top of the lineup and to play various infield and outfield positions.
All participants are required to participate in a skills evaluation and teams are drafted with the goal of even talent distribution. We will not honor coach and teammate requests. Please note that it is West Portage Little League policy that all league age 9 year olds will play in the Little Majors division and all league age 12 year olds will play in the Majors division. League age 10 & 11 year olds may be allocated to either division based on the skills evaluation.
Games & practices are scheduled for 1.5 - 2 hours, up to three days per week. Depending upon the number of registered players, there is the possibility that both Little Majors and Majors divisions will have interleague play, with some games against other local little leagues, both home and away. Games & practices are scheduled for 1.5 - 2 hours, generally twice per week with an occasional third day added.
Little Majors Anticipated Days of Play: M/W + rotating 3rd day
Majors Anticipated Days of Play: M/W + rotating 3rd day
Juniors Softball: League Ages 13-14
Juniors softball is for young ladies league-age 13 - 14. If WPLL does not have enough interest to field a team by itself, we will look to combine registered kids with players from other league to form combined teams.
Anticipated Days of Play: TBD