TeeBall Rules
TeeBall is for boys and girls 4-5 years old and provides an introduction to the concepts of baseball. Team requests are allowed. We try to roster kids from the same school.
Little League offers a 10-week TeeBall program that all teams should follow. It allows for one practice and one game a week.
Depending on how many teams we have, we may schedule two games a week consisting of half practice and half game. You can download the TeeBall program here. There are resources for both coaches and parents.
Parents are needed as volunteers to help direct the kids to stay safe and have fun. This is the most fun of being a coach, because you don't need to know a lot about baseball!
A tee is used for all batters and players bat through the roster. Each batter advances one base at a time. Last batter is called and everyone on base runs home. All batters must wear a helmet. If a player doesn't have a helmet, RVLL has some they can lend to the team. Players rotate playing defensive positions. There is no pitcher but a coach is behind the tee to assist the batter as needed. Games are 50 minutes long.
Rookie (Coach Pitch) Rules
Rookie is for boys and girls 6-7 years old based on skill, experience and development. Most players will play at least two years in this division. Team requests are allowed. We try to roster kids from the same school.
Little League offers a 12-week Coach Pitch program that we encourage all teams to follow. It provides substantial information on drills and rules of the game to help with player development. You can download the program
here. The program assumes that the volunteers who have accepted the responsibility of coaching children in this age group have a limited background in baseball and the leadership and teaching acumen that is inherent with coaching Little Leaguers® at this level of the program.
A tee may be used at the beginning of the season (and anytime for practice) for those players who cannot hit off a coach's pitch after attempting 5 pitches. All players bat through the roster. Batters can advance multiple bases on a hit; but must pause at third due to no player in catcher position.
Parent volunteers (coaches) are required for pitching and catching. All batters must wear a helmet. If a player doesn't have a helmet, RVLL has some they can lend to the team. All players rotate playing defensive positions. Coaches pitch and catch. Games are 60 minutes long.
Minors (Player Pitch) Rules
Minor is for boys and girls 8-9 years old and is a two year program designed to develop players to enter our Majors division which is more advanced and competitive. This is the first year completely kid pitch with official umpires. At this stage, they will develop a deeper understanding of the rules and strategy being taught during practice and at games.
All positions are played in this division and are rotated through the roster. Some may play specific positions more often based on skill. Catcher's equipment is required and can either be purchased from a sporting goods store or borrowed from RVLL. In order for a player to pitch, they must be able to get most pitches across the plate by standing on the pitcher's mound; however, a temporary mound may be utilized closer to the plate as players develop.
Batting order goes through the roster unless 3 outs are acquired. An out can be acquired by three strikes or a play on the field/at a plate. Player pitches until three strikes or four balls are reached. Strikes are counted for a missed swing or a pitch across the plate.
There is a 5-run limit per team per inning. Bases may be advanced on overthrown balls. Batter may attempt to take first base on a passed third strike. Runners must be on base while the pitcher has possession of the ball. Ball is in play until the pitcher has the ball and is on the pitching rubber. Games are 1 hour 30 min.***Player evaluations are required at this division.***
Majors Rules
Majors is for boys and girls 10-12 years old and is a three year program. Majors is the most competitive level of Little League where players hone their skills! Games are 1 hour 40 min. ***Player evaluations are required at this division.***
Junior/Senior Rules
Juniors/Seniors is for boys and girls 13-16 years old. This division enjoys Interleague play with other Little Leagues like Beaverdale Little League, Fort Des Moines Little League and Grandview Little League. Player evaluations are not required for this Division.