MINORS
Minors Division is made up of four separate leagues (Coach Pitch, Machine Pitch A, Machine Pitch AA and Player Pitch) and consists of players ages 6-11. The age range is intentionally large to allow for the most flexibility in placing players in the appropriate division based on ability. The primary goal of the Minors Division is preparation for Majors, the premier division of Little League Baseball.
Coach Pitch
Who is it for? Coach Pitch is an instructional division, one level above Tee Ball. Some players are new to the game, although many have played Tee Ball. Teams are formed by the Coach Pitch Player Agent and are based on the school each child attends.
What is a parent's role? As a teaching division, Coach Pitch relies on parent involvement to be successful (see How is the game played below?). You might be asked to coach a team if not enough parents volunteer to coach during the registration process. DBLL aims to keep Coach Pitch team size small to give each player maximum at-bats and fielding chances (learning opportunities), and this requires volunteer coaches. If you volunteer to coach a team, DBLL's Coach Pitch Player Agent will be happy to share practice plans and tips to help you be successful!
What skills are taught? Coaches teach further understanding of the rules and positions and proper throwing and catching. Key concepts learned in this league are how outs are made, how to react when a ball is hit in the air and following the base coach’s instructions. When playing the catcher position, proper stance behind the plate is taught. The flow of the game is introduced as players understand how outs are made and what makes up an inning.
How is the game played? A coach for the hitting team pitches in this league, and players play designated positions. No score is kept. A RIF (reduced injury factor) ball is used that is slightly softer than a normal baseball. The emphasis remains on building baseball knowledge and strong fundamentals. As in Tee Ball, all players bat in the lineup the whole game, and the entire lineup bats each inning. Coaches will play players in a variety of positions they can play safely. Balls and strikes are not called. Each batter is to be thrown a MAXIMUM of 5 pitches. The only exception is if a player fouls the 5th pitch. Thereafter, the batter is treated just like a hitter with two strikes, but he must swing at every pitch.
What are the rules? Coach Pitch Guidelines
What equipment is required? The league will provide the uniform: jersey T-shirts and DBLL caps. Players are responsible to bring their own gloves and shoes. Athletic cleats are not mandatory but highly recommended. Athletic cups are highly recommended for all players and are required for everyone playing catcher.
Price: $125.00
Minors Machine Pitch A
Who is it for? The Minors Machine Pitch A league is for players who want to continue to develop their baseball skills. For spring baseball, player assessments are conducted and teams are formed by the Minors Division Player Agent and are based on the school each child attends.
What skills are taught? The major difference between Minors Machine Pitch A and Minors Coach Pitch is that a machine pitches instead of a coach. From an instructional standpoint, a main objective of this division is to help players become more comfortable at the plate and improve their ability to hit, field and throw the ball. Key skills developed include being prepared to make a play defensively and situational awareness when fielding. Also, players should demonstrate proper form when catching and throwing.
How is the game played? In Minors Machine Pitch A, a player is out after 3 swings and misses or 5 total pitches. This helps build confidence, encourages the batter to be ready to hit and speeds up the overall pace of the game. All players bat in the lineup the whole game. Coaches will play the players in a wide variety of positions they can play safely.
What are the rules? Machine Pitch Rule Sheet
What equipment is required? The league will provide the uniform: jersey T-shirts and DBLL caps. Players are responsible to bring their own gloves and shoes. Athletic cleats are not mandatory but highly recommended. Athletic cups are highly recommended for all players and are required for everyone playing catcher.
Price: $140
Minors Machine Pitch AA
Who is it for? This division further develops competitive baseball skills. Most of the players in Machine Pitch AA league played in the Machine Pitch A league at least one season and were in the better half of the players on their Machine Pitch A team. However, any player of eligible age with appropriate baseball skills is welcome, even if this is his or her first experience with baseball. For spring baseball, player assessments are conducted and teams are formed by the Minors Division Player Agent and are based on the school each child attends.
What skills are taught? The major difference between Minors Machine Pitch AA and Minors Machine Pitch A is that kids are paying attention, making throws to the appropriate base and they have a general overall understanding of the game. Also, the fielding and hitting have noticeably improved and an increased element of competition is added. From an instructional standpoint, however, the main objective in this division is to continue to develop players in the field and at the plate, teach fundamentals and good sportsmanship, win or lose. Key concepts learned at this age are more aggressive plays, both offensively and defensively. Players begin making longer throws, hitting the cutoff and tracking and catching fly balls.
How is the game played? Every player is in the batting lineup for every game. On defense, players will learn to play a variety of positions they can play safely. While all players bat, only nine players take the field on defense. Coaches will play the kids in all positions they can safely play. Everyone sits the bench from time to time but always hit in the lineup.
What are the rules? Machine Pitch Rule Sheet
What equipment is required? The league will provide the uniform: jersey T-shirts and DBLL caps. Players are responsible to bring their own gloves and shoes. Athletic cleats are not mandatory but highly recommended. Athletic cups are highly recommended for all players and are required for everyone playing catcher.
Price: $140
Minors Kid Pitch
Who is it for? The core ages for this division are 9-11, with 9-year-olds with advanced skills, 10-year-olds with average skills and 11-year-olds with limited skills. Before choosing to advance early into this league or move on to Majors division, consideration should be given to physical size of your child, ability to pitch, previous years of experience and basic skills already acquired.
What skills are taught? The biggest change in this league is now the kids pitch. Accuracy and balance on most routine throws is expected in this league. Players understand the count and learn how to adjust their approach when hitting. Proper execution of a bunt and when it is appropriate is covered. Players in this league have demonstrated the coordination and concentration needed to catch low fly balls by adjusting their position and moving left, right, up or back. As competition increases, good sportsmanship and a healthy outlook, win or lose, is reinforced.
How is the game played? All players bat in the lineup the whole game. Coaches will play the kids in more than one position, but they look for overall balance on the team and develop players accordingly. Everyone sits the bench from time to time but always hit in the lineup. In addition, there are 9/10, 10/11 and 11/12 year old All Star Teams that participate in the Missouri District 4 All Star Tournament. This team typically plays well into July.
What are the rules? Minors Kid Pitch Rule Sheet
What equipment is required? The league will provide the uniform: jersey T-shirts and DBLL caps. Players are responsible to bring their own gloves and shoes. Athletic cleats are not mandatory but highly recommended. Athletic cups are highly recommended for all players and are required for everyone playing catcher.
Price: $140
Majors
Who is it for? This is the premier Division for Little League. The core age for Majors is 10-12 — with 10-year-olds having advanced skills, 11-year-olds having average to advanced skills and 12-year-olds accepted based on age. The age range is to accommodate those who have significant baseball instruction and are ready for Majors as well as players needing additional instruction on baseball’s complexities before playing full baseball. In this Division, there is a greater emphasis on team play, which includes teams working together to win games. By the time a player is eligible for Majors, he or she generally has played a few seasons of baseball and is very familiar with the way the game is played. For spring baseball, player assessments are conducted and teams are formed by a draft selection process.
What skills are taught? Stamina and concentration are important. Longer, accurate throws are expected and full attention is required. Players learn to react quickly, throw properly and accurately on the run and make consistent, hard throws to any base or the plate. Pitching is more sophisticated as pitchers develop more arm strength and improved form.
How is the game played? All players bat in the lineup the whole game. Coaches will play the kids in more than one position, but they look for overall balance on the team and develop players accordingly. Everyone sits the bench from time to time but always hit in the lineup. League standings are kept to determine a regular season champion and an inter-league tournament is played near the end of the season. In addition, there are 10/11 and 11/12 year old All-Star teams that participate in the Missouri District 4 All Star Tournament. This team typically plays well into July.
What are the rules? Majors Rule Sheet
What equipment is required? The league will provide the uniform: jersey T-shirts and DBLL caps. Players are responsible to bring their own gloves and shoes. Athletic cleats are not mandatory but highly recommended. Athletic cups are highly recommended for all players and are required for everyone playing catcher.
Price: $140
INTERMEDIATE
Little League International implemented an Intermediate Division to address the need for better preparation for the larger diamond used at the Juniors level and beyond. The biggest difference between Intermediates and Majors is that lead-offs are incorporated along with an increased pitching distance of 50 feet (from 46ft in Majors) and longer basepaths of 70 feet (compared to 60 feet in Majors).
Who is it for? Any player that participates in DBLL is strongly urged to play at least one season in this Division prior to playing Juniors. This Division gives players the time needed to further develop arm strength and proper form to minimize injuries. Also, the coaching staff introduces the high-level decision-making needed for full baseball in a supportive and fun way. The core age for the Intermediate Division is 11-13. This Division is for players with advanced skills that permit rules more in line with full baseball, as well as players with the concentration and desire to fully understand and play with those rules. For spring baseball, player assessments are conducted and teams are formed by a draft selection process. This league may be chosen as a complementary league for boys already playing in Majors. Most boys in this league are also play on competitive travel teams and as such there is an expectation of unresolvable scheduling conflicts. The league should provide an opportunity for extra experience and higher level of play for younger players and a competitive environment for older players.
What skills are taught? Introduction to baseball’s full complexities is taught. This includes pickoff moves and techniques, how to take a proper lead off and, as confidence grows, more effective communication between infielders and outfielders resulting in improved defensive plays. The 50/70 diamond gives every player the opportunity for success while building both arm strength and the concentration and decision-making skills mandatory for higher-level play.
How is the game played? Juniors Division rules are used, including those for bats. An important difference between the Juniors Division and Intermediate is that more instruction on the complexities of situational play is provided as players learn full baseball rules. Also, the 50/70 diamond gives players the opportunity for more success as their arm strength continues to grow. Players become accustomed to making decisions and reacting to the play with decreasing instruction from the manager. League standings are kept to determine a regular season champion. In addition, players selected for the All Star team will participate in the Missouri District 4 All Star Tournament. This team typically plays well into July.
What are the rules? Intermediates Rule Sheet
What equipment is required? The league will provide the uniform: jersey T-shirts and DBLL caps. Players are responsible to bring their own gloves and shoes. Athletic cleats are not mandatory but highly recommended. Athletic cups are highly recommended for all players and are required for everyone playing catcher.
Price: $140
Draft Process
Majors, Intermediates and Junior Division teams will be formed via draft. Each player shall be placed in the draft pool of their respective League (American or National) depending upon their home or school of record. The respective division player agents will conduct the draft according to Little League International guidelines.
2022 AGE CHART
Click here to view the 2022 age chart
BOUNDARY SYSTEM
Daniel Boone Little League is a Little League International-affiliated organization and is run in accordance with Little League rules and guidelines. Little League International has approved our outer boundary to be the County of Boone, and based upon the size and population of that geographic area, requires our baseball division to be divided into two separate leagues. Those two leagues are currently named Daniel Boone American League and Daniel Boone National League.
The boundary map is below. As you can see, Daniel Boone National includes players from the area north of the boundary line, and Daniel Boone American includes players from south of the boundary line. The boundary follows the Hickman and Rock Bridge boundary line, and divides the Battle school district equally between the two leagues. (Your child's league is determined by Middle School/High School attendance designation Use the CPS school locator tool to find your child's attendance area.) The decision to split the Battle area was made because of the relative low number of players in that geographic area who have registered at DBLL over the past few years. The future goal of DBLL is to establish a third league that encompasses the Battle High School area.
Your child’s assignment into the American League or National League will be determined by the child’s permanent residence. There is only 1 exception to this rule: The school attendance area rule, which allows a player to play in the league where his school is located (if different than the player's designated Columbia Public School Middle School or High School), regardless of his residence. (As an example, if you live in the Thornbrook subdivision and your child attends Our Lady of Lourdes school, the league by residence is American, but the league by school attendance area is National, thus the parents can choose to have their child play with neighborhood friends or school friends.)
