Palm Harbor Little League (PHLL) offers Little League Baseball and Softball for eligible players league ages of 5 to 16 years old with Little League played most of the year in the Sunshine state with a "Spring" season and a "Fall" instructional season.
Your player’s league age is determined by the Little League Baseball® and Little League Softball® Age Charts. The dates for baseball and softball are different, but each determines the division in which your Little Leaguer will play this season. The Age Determination Date for a Little League Baseball player is the actual age of a child as of August 31 of the current year. The Age Determination Date for a Little League Softball player is the actual age of a child as of January 1 of the current year. Go to the Little League International league age determination tool to find your player's league age.
PHLL Spring Season
The traditional Little League Baseball and Fast-pitch Softball "Spring" season typically begins as early as October 1st with final registration for the spring season typically ending in early to mid- January. Player evaluations are typically held in mid to late January for player’s league age 9-16. Opening Day Ceremonies for both Baseball and Softball divisions typically is on a Saturday in Mid-February with the season’s first games scheduled on opening day. Regular season games typically end in mid-May. A player may be selected to represent his age group (9-16) and PHLL in the traditional All-Star Tournament, which begins mid-June and can continue through August.
PHLL Fall Season
PHLL also offers a "Fall" instructional season. This season provides a year-round player with additional playing time, a transition season for those players changing divisions, and for the first-time player – a chance to develop their fundamental playing skills in a less competitive atmosphere. Early Registration for the fall season typically begins as early as August. Final Registration for the fall season typically ends in early September. There is no formal “Opening Day” for the fall season. Games typically begin in mid-September and end in mid-November.
Please Note:
Moving a player up or down any playing level can be requested but will be ultimately be determined by the league. In some cases, the League will place a player in a division that was not requested at registration. This would be based on your players skill and playing ability determined at skill assessment completed for certain age groups for the good and safety of other players.
In conjunction with LLI Rules and the PHLL Constitution, PHLL has established Cross Division Applicable Playing Rules to establish Spectator, Manager, Coach, and Player expectations. See PHLL rule links for more information.
PHLL tries to fill 4 divisions of Little League play based primarily on Little League "League Age", experience level of players, and number of players registered for a season. Please click on the LLI "League Age Calculation" link at the very bottom of this web page to determine your player's league age.
Tee Ball Division (League ages 4-7): A family’s first introduction to Little League is in the Tee Ball program. Tee Ball is the entry level division for players. The experience is grounded in fun, fitness, and fundamentals while also being a key to growing a child’s love for the game.
Each Little League player is required to play one season of Tee Ball before being eligible to be evaluated by the local league officials for consideration to advance to a higher division of Little League baseball or softball. This can be an PHLL Tee Ball program or another Little League chartered program experience.
The PHLL Tee Ball Division is co-ed and is structured as a baseball program. Tee Ball players use bats and balls designated specifically for use in this division. The roster size for a Tee Ball team averages 7-10 players. See PHLL rule links for more information.
Minor League Division (League Ages 6-11): The purpose of the Minor League Division is to prepare Players, Managers, Coaches, and Spectators for the Major and higher levels of Little League. PHLL offers 3 levels of play in this division to insure the safety and skill levels of individual players are achieved for a positive playing experience.
Exceptions of moving a player up or down any playing level can be requested but will be determined by PHLL board of directors.
1. Minor League Single A- Coach Pitch Division (League Ages 6-7) – League age 6 who have completed one spring season of Tee Ball may move up to Single A. This division is considered a non-competitive highly on the field instructional level of play by coaches. Coaches umpire the games. See PHLL rule links for more information.
2. Minor League AA- Player/Coach Pitch Combo Division (League Ages 7-9) – League age 7 players who have completed one season of Single A may be eligible for play. Not all league age 7 players are guaranteed to play AA divisional ball. This division is considered a non-competitive highly on the field instructional level of play by coaches. Coaches umpire the games. See PHLL rule links for more information.
3. Minor League AAA- Player Pitch Division (League Ages 8-11) – League age 8-11 players may be eligible for play. This is a player pitch only division. All AAA players are required to attend a skills evaluation day(s) prior to the start of the Spring season. League age 8 and 9 players who do not attend the AAA Division Skills Evaluations will typically be place in the AA level of play during the Spring season.
Fundamentals of hitting, throwing, and catching ability is expected by players to ensure the safety and positive playing experience is achieved.
Basic game strategies and understanding of the game of Little League ball is introduced.
This division is considered a semi-competitive level of play. In Spring season, limited on the field instructional during games is given at the beginning of the season. By the end of Spring season, on the field instruction is removed during games and full LLI rules are used for an end of season tournament.
All eligible AAA players qualify to be selected for LLI sponsored All Star team after the end of the season tournament.
Games are mostly umpired by willing team coaches, team parents, and/or volunteers with limited umpiring experience.
Typically, this is the most transitional challenging level of play for players, coaches, and spectators. See PHLL rule links for more information.
Major Division (League Ages 10-12): League age 10-12 players may be eligible for play. This is a player pitch only division. All Major division level players are required to attend a skills evaluation day prior to the start of the Spring season. League age 10 and 11 players who do not attend the Skills Evaluation day(s) will typically be place in the AAA level of play during the Spring season. The League President and the Players Agent may recommend to the Board of Directors a limit on the number of league age 10 players to play in Majors. League age 12 players are required to play on a Major team unless a written request is made to the player agent requesting the player to play in the Minor division.
The purpose of the Major Division Baseball is to prepare players for the big ball field experience.
Fundamentals of hitting, throwing, and catching ability is required by players to ensure the safety and positive playing experience is achieved.
Basic game strategies and understanding of the game of Little League play is expected to ensure the safety and positive playing experience is achieved.
Games are mostly umpired by willing volunteers with Florida District 12 Little League umpiring experience and approval.
The intent of the Major League Division is to provide Players, Managers, Coaches, and Spectators fun, character building, and competitive ball as seen at the Baseball/Softball Little League World Series held each year as seen on television.
All eligible Major players qualify to be selected for LLI sponsored All Star team after the end of the season tournament.
Junior Division (League Ages 13-14): League age 13-14 players may be eligible for play. League age 14 players can only play if not drafted by the Senior Division.
Fundamentals of hitting, throwing, and catching ability is required by players to ensure the safety and positive playing experience is achieved.
Basic game strategies and understanding of the game of Little League play is expected to ensure the safety and positive playing experience is achieved.
Games are mostly umpired by willing volunteers with Florida District 12 Little League umpiring experience and approval.
Games are generally played with other local Florida District 12 teams.
Softball Specific: League age 13 players may play Senior Fast-Pitch Softball.
For more information please contact PHLL.
Senior Division (League Ages 14-16): League age 14-16 players may be eligible for play. League age 14 players are required to be evaluated and drafted by a Senior Division team.
Fundamentals of hitting, throwing, and catching ability is required by players to ensure the safety and positive playing experience is achieved.
Basic game strategies and understanding of the game of Little League play is expected to ensure the safety and positive playing experience is achieved.
Games are mostly umpired by willing volunteers with Florida District 12 Little League umpiring experience and approval.
Games are generally played with other local Florida District 12 teams.
For more information please contact PHLL.