Little League 101: A Beginner’s Guide for New Families
Welcome to Fox Point East Side Little League.
If your family is brand new to youth baseball, this guide will help you feel confident registering your child and preparing for the season. No prior baseball experience is needed—our coaches teach every skill from the ground up.
What Is Little League?
Little League is a community-based youth baseball program focused on teamwork, skill development, and creating a fun, positive environment for players ages 4–12. Families, volunteers, and coaches work together to ensure kids of all experience levels feel welcome.
Coaches and team volunteers are unpaid volunteers. They all undergo a criminal background check and receive training and support throughout the season.
Who Can Play?
Players ages 4–12 who live or attend school within our league boundaries are eligible to register.
We offer four divisions to match each player’s age and experience. Check out our detailed Divisions page for more detail, but the TLDR is:
Tee Ball (Ages 4–6)
- Introductory level focused on fundamental skills
- Players hit from a tee
- One practice and one game per week
Coach Pitch (Ages 6–8)
- Coaches pitch soft, hittable balls
- Continued skill-building with game awareness
- One to two practices and one to two games per week
Kid Pitch (Ages 8–10)
- Players pitch to each other
- Rules and gameplay begin to resemble full baseball
- Two practices and up to two games per week
Majors (Ages 10–12)
- Advanced play for experienced players
- Full baseball rules and competitive games
- Two or more practices and two games per week
If you’re unsure which division fits your child, we can help.
How to Register
Registration is simple and completed online. You’ll need:
- Proof of residency or school enrollment
- Your child’s birth certificate (only needed for first time registration)
- Emergency contact and medical information
- Registration fee (scholarships and financial assistance are available)
We never turn a child away for financial reasons.
Required Equipment
Little League is designed to be accessible and affordable. Here’s what you’ll need:
Essential Items
- Baseball glove
- Baseball pants (typically grey or white)
- Cleats (recommended for Coach Pitch and above; sneakers are fine for Tee Ball)
- Water bottle
Optional Items
- Bat (must be USA Baseball certified)
- Batting helmet (the league provides team helmets if needed)
- Batting gloves
- Equipment bag
Provided by the League
- Team jersey
- Team hat
- Team bats and helmets (for players who don’t have their own)
- Catcher’s gear
- All game and practice equipment
If equipment cost is a concern, we can provide loaner gear.
What to Expect During the Season
Our spring season typically runs from April through June.
Before Opening Day
- Registration
- Evaluations for Majors and all 12year olds
- Team assignments
- Coaches introduce themselves and share practice schedules
During the Season
- Practices and games vary by division
- Weeknight games and occasional Saturday games
- Emphasis on learning, improvement, and good sportsmanship
Parents do not need any baseball knowledge. Your main role is to support your player, help them arrive on time, and enjoy watching them develop.
Parents’ Role
We are a community league, and parent support keeps everything running smoothly. You can help by:
- Ensuring your child attends practices and games
- Encouraging a positive attitude
- Volunteering when possible (team parent, field setup, events, concession stand etc.)
- Modeling good sportsmanship from the sidelines
There is no expectation for parents to coach or know baseball rules—unless you want to.
Why Join Little League?
Players gain confidence, coordination, and teamwork skills while being part of a supportive community. Whether your child is new to sports or already loves baseball, there is a place for them in our league.
Questions?
We’re here to help new families get started. Please reach out anytime with questions about divisions, equipment, or the registration process.