Levels of Play

Little League International sponsors several levels of play for both softball and baseball. In Wilshire-Riverside Little League, we pride ourselves on fielding upwards of 50 teams each spring.

Tee Ball

At the most basic level we are proud of what we refer to as Tee Ball Nation, a small army of boys and girls ages 5 to 7 who are learning the basics of the sport of baseball. This year we have 16 teams and have over 200 boys and girls participating. It is the foundation of our league. We strive to teach the fundamentals of throwing, catching, hitting and fielding, as well as the most basic concept of how the game is played. As each child progresses through the season, it is the league’s goal that each child improves on his or her skill set and they’re ready for the next level of play.

Most of our games are played at either Beaumont Middle School or Faubion School, with one special game per season at Riverside Field.

Farm League

As your child becomes older and more proficient at the basics, usually ages 7 to 9, he or she steps into the farm division of either baseball or softball. At this level we take the level of play up a notch from tee ball. We use a pitching machine, and the games resemble a more competitive nature of play. Outs per inning are kept, and there is a five-run rule per inning. Very little emphasis is placed on the final score. We prefer to emphasize fundamentals and the spirit of having fun.

Minor League

As children enter into the minor league level of play, the first thing you’ll notice is that the pitching machine is no longer used. Players pitch starting at this level, and the emphasis remains on player development. Each year players go through evaluations in February and they are then drafted onto specific teams. Most players are 9 to 11 years old. We keep score and limit the number of pitches a player throws. At this level the games resemble real baseball and softball. Pitchers pitch from 46 feet and the bases are 60 feet apart. We use umpires to officiate the games, and the regular season is culminated with a district-wide (North and Northeast Portland) tournament called the Tournament of Champions.

Major League

As athletes mature and grow, the level of play becomes much more keen. Dominated by 11 and 12 year olds, the level of play raises as major leaguers pitch better and hit the ball better, and the competition ramps up. Most players in the league continue to refine their skills. It’s not uncommon to see a kid hit the ball over the fence for a home run, or see a pitcher shut out his opponents. However, kids of all skill play at this level because they love the game of baseball. The distances on the pitching mound and between the bases are the same (46 and 60 feet, respectively) as minor league. Each game lasts six innings, and rarely lasts longer than two hours.

Junior League

Entering into Juniors many players have plans to play high school baseball or softball, and this is a perfect precursor to that ambition. In baseball, the distance between bases moves up to 90 feet and the pitching rubber is 60 feet, 6 inches away from home plate. There is leading off base and stealing, which adds another level of complexity to the game. The move to the larger field arrives in the vicinity of the growth spurt that many players realize in Middle School. This helps level the playing field for many players. Regular season games are played against teams through out the District, from Parkrose to Clatskanie.