Today's Games
Friday, Sep 03		 sun On as Scheduled
as of 10 PM

"Moving Up" A Parents Guide

The Rookie, Diamond, Vosburgh, and Little League divisions are configured mainly on the "league age of the players." The breakdown is as follows:

  • Rookie Division 5-6 year olds
  • Diamond Division 7-8 year olds
  • Vosburgh Division 9-10 year olds
  • Little League Division 11-12 year olds

    • What is League Age?

    The “league age” of players is based on a cut off date of April 30. For Example: A player who turns 9 years old on April 15 is considered to be a league age of 9 and would then be placed in the Vosburgh Division. A player who turns 9 years old on May 15 would be considered to be a league age of 8 and would then be placed in the Diamond Division.

    Why Players Move Up

    The Homer Little League will however at times move up 6 year old into the Diamond Division, 8 year olds into the Vosbugh Division and 10 year olds into the Little League Division. We prefer though to move up as few players as possible. The more 6 year olds in the Rookie Division, 8 year olds in Diamond and 10 year olds in Vosburgh the better and more competitive those division become.

    The reason we move players up is that often the numbers in the division may necessitate it. For example: If the Little League Division has sixty eight 11 and 12 year olds, this is not enough players to make six teams of 12 players. We would then move up four ten year olds. We have developed criteria for choosing those players who are moved up. We feel strongly that a child should not be moved up prematurely to be set up for failure.

    Skills Assessment

    Each year HLL conducts a Skills Assessment Day. The intent is to group players of similar abilities together for the draft. This ensures the teams are as fair as possible. At Skills Assessment Day evaluators with coaching experience view each child at a series of skill stations. The children are given grades at each station and these grades are later analyzed.

    Criteria for moving up

    The number one factor is safety: If the league evaluators feel that a 10 year old is too big and powerful to safely play with 8 and 9 year olds, that player is always assigned to the little league division. This rarely happens.

    Player Ability: If it is felt that a player can play at a higher division, and there are open slots at the next level, they may be considered to be moved up.

    Parents request. Parents should feel free to request a particular division. However, there are not guarantees that the request will be honored.

    Age of the child. A “league age” 10 ten year old with a May birthday who is in 5th grade may be moved up over a league age ten year old with a March birthday who is in 4th grade (all other factors being equal).

    Siblings. If a child has a sibling he may play with, this can be considered. Again, there are no guarantees.

    Final Thoughts

    Parents should remember that we are dealing with young children here. It is not a big deal if a kid is not "moved up". The league is full of examples of ten year olds who played in Vosburgh and became superior little league players.
    These children developed their skill and confidence and become key players and team leaders in Vosburgh. There are also examples of ten year olds who were moved up and lost their confidence and became overwhelmed playing against better players.

    We would urge parents to be supportive of their players and all of the volunteers in the league. These issues, with parent support, usually work out for the best. So let's go have some fun and PLAY BALL!