The focus of this category is on youth baseball leagues and programs.
Youth baseball leagues and programs are fundamental in nurturing young talent and fostering a love for the game. These leagues cater to various age groups and skill levels, providing opportunities for children and teenagers to develop baseball skills, learn teamwork, and build character.
Although baseball is played at the elementary and middle school levels as well, high school baseball is a popular sport in the United States, with thousands of high schools fielding competitive teams. It serves as a stepping stone for young athletes aspiring to play at the collegiate or professional level. High school baseball typically includes players aged 14-18, and the season runs from late winter to early summer.
Founded in 1952, the Babe Ruth League is one of the largest youth baseball organizations in the world. It offers players aged 13-18, focusing on developing better citizens through sportsmanship, teamwork, and fair play. Babe Ruth leagues are divided into various age divisions, including Babe Ruth Baseball and Babe Ruth Softball.
Affiliated with Babe Ruth Baseball, the Cal Ripken Baseball program is designed for younger players aged 5-12. The emphasis is on fun, fitness, and fundamentals, with divisions such as Tee Ball, Minor League, and Major Division.
Known throughout the United States and much of the world, Little League Baseball is the world's largest organized youth sports program. Founded in 1939 by Carl Stotz in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the program features baseball and softball leagues for children aged 4-16. Its divisions include Tee Ball (4-7), Minor League (5-12), Major Division (9-12), Intermediate (11-13), Junior League (12-14), and Senior League (13-16). Little League Baseball is known for its annual Little League World Series, which attracts teams from around the globe.
American Legion Baseball was established in 1925. A national program for players aged 13-19, it provides a competitive environment for young athletes to develop their skills and compete at a high level. The league is divided into various age divisions, with teams often representing their local American Legion posts.
PONY Baseball and Softball, founded in 1951, offers leagues for players aged 5-18, including divisions such as Pinto (5-6), Mustang (7-8), Bronco (9-10), Pony (11-12), Colt (13-14), and Palomino (15-18). PONY Baseball focuses on providing a positive and educational experience for young athletes.
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Baseball is a national organization that offers leagues for players aged 8-14, using a classification represented by 8U-14U, with 8U representing age eight and under, 9Y representing age nine and under, and so on, through 14U. USSSA Baseball emphasizes player development, sportsmanship, and competition, with teams competing in regional and national tournaments.
The American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) is a national organization that provides organized baseball competition for players aged 13 and older. The AABC offers leagues for various age groups, including junior baseball, senior baseball, and men's baseball. The league promotes amateur baseball and provides opportunities for players to compete at a high level.
Sam Bat Fall League Baseball is a wood-bat league designed to help players develop their skills and prepare for higher levels of competition. The league typically includes players aged 12-18 and offers a competitive environment for young athletes to showcase their playing abilities.
There may be others. These youth baseball leagues and programs play a crucial role in engaging children to want to play baseball and to develop these young athletes, providing them with opportunities to learn, grow, and excel in the game.
These and other youth baseball programs and leagues are appropriate topics for this part of our web guide.
Recommended Resources
American Amateur Baseball Congress
The AABC offers amateur baseball programs designed to stimulate interest in the game and provide competition, and has a vision of bringing back baseball as America's pastime while showcasing some of the best amateur players from age 8 to college level play. Founded in 1935, AABC conducts state, regional, and national competitions in seven age groups: Roberto Clemente (8U), Willie Mays (10U), Pee Wee Reese (12U), Sandy Koufax (14U), Mickey Mantle (16U), Connie Mack (18U), and Stan Musial.
https://aabc.us/
Founded in 1925, American Legion Baseball is a variety of amateur baseball played by 13-19-year-olds in the United States and Canada. Information for players, coaches, and volunteers is provided, along with a listing of American Legion teams sorted by state, and other helpful resources and policies regarding its baseball programs, including contacts. Visitors can view or register a Legion Baseball tournament through the website, or view award recipients throughout its history.
https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/baseball
Named for one of the greatest players of all time, the Babe Ruth League is organized as a non-profit educational organization. Founded in 1951 with its 13-15 division, the league added a 13-Year-Old Prep League in 1974, a Bambino Division for players aged 4-12 in 1982, and Babe Ruth Softball in 1984. The Buddy-Ball Division for physically or mentally challenged players was added in 2000 and later renamed the Bambino BuddyBall Division. Xtreme Fastpitch softball began in 2013.
https://www.baberuthleague.org/
Greenfield Minor League Baseball
Affiliated with the Cal Ripken Division of the Babe Ruth League, GMLB is an independent youth baseball league based in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The league is dedicated to supporting the youth of the community by developing qualities such as sportsmanship, citizenship, teamwork, and leadership through baseball. Its bylaws, rules, and sponsors are highlighted, along with player registration, coaching requirements, game schedules, events, and an online fan store.
https://www.gmlb.org/
Junior Baseball Magazine is America's oldest youth baseball publication, connecting children aged 6-18 to the sport since 1996. Available in 1-3-year digital subscriptions, six back issues of the printed magazine, and through a lifetime subscription. Its subscription center allows for purchasing gift subscriptions, renewals, updating of account information, customer service, and access to the latest issues. Articles, letters, or photographs may be submitted for possible publication.
https://www.juniorbaseball.com/
Little League Baseball is a non-profit organization based in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, that organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the United States and elsewhere. Organized in 1939, its major divisions today are Tee-ball (ages 4-7), Minor League (ages 5-11), 9-10 Year Old Division (ages 9-10), Little League (ages 9-12), Little League Intermediate (ages 11-13), and Junior, Senior, and Big Leagues (ages 12,14, 13-16, 16-18). A league finder is featured.
https://www.littleleague.org/
Little League has been played in Canada since 1951, with the first league charters awarded outside the United States in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The history of the Little League and the Little League in Canada are offered here, along with contact data, an overview of its baseball, softball, Northern Girls Baseball, and Challenger programs, LL divisions, and regional tournament schedules are posted on the website, and various forms are available.
https://littleleague.ca/
The official website for American Legion Baseball in Maine provides information about the league, including team contacts, schedules, tournament results, rules and regulations, and important dates. The website also features resources for coaches, players, and umpires, as well as details on eligibility and registration. Other resources include a digital archive, promotional brochures, and the American Legion Baseball World Series. Links to other resources are included.
https://baseballmaine.com/
Madison Ridgeland Youth Baseball is a recreational baseball league based in Madison, Mississippi. The league offers baseball programs for children aged three years old through high school. The program offers Fall and Spring seasons, with registration opening in the summer for the Fall season. Games and practices are held around Madison County, with specific locations provided by the league. MRYouth also fields All-Star teams for more competitive play. Schedules and rules are noted.
https://www.mryouthbaseball.com/
PONY (Protect Our Nation's Youth) Baseball and Softball was formed from a YMCA program in Washington, Pennsylvania, and the acronym originally stood for "Protect Our Neighborhood's Youth," but it became national in the early 1950s. Today, PONY consists of divisions for eight different age groups: Foal 4U League, Shetland 6U League, Pinto 8U League, Mustang 10U League, Bronco 12U League, Pony 14U League, Colt 16U League, Palomino 19U League, and Thorobred 23 U League.
https://www.pony.org/
Sponsored by The Original Maple Bat Corporation (Sam Bat), a Canadian manufacturer of baseball bats and a licensed baseball bat supplier for MLB and MiLB players, Sam Bat Fall League baseball is open to players from 10-18 years of age who want to work on improving their skills, practice hitting with quality maple bats in game situation, and want to continue playing after the summer season is over. Locations, registration data, and information about becoming a Sam Bat affiliate are offered.
http://poweralleymarketing.pointstreaksites.com/view/poweralleymarketing/confidence-is-power
TBS Nationals is a premier travel tournament held at the Colonel Thomas "Buddy" Styers Athletic Complex at Grand Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It features highly competitive play for teams in various age divisions, including 8U, 9U, 10U, 12U, and 13U. The tournament emphasizes high-level competition, team bonding, and Southern hospitality. Upcoming tournament dates are highlighted, and teams may apply to be invited to participate. An overview of the venue and rules is included.
https://tbsnationals.com/
The US Nationals Baseball Club is a prominent organization that provides competitive baseball opportunities for youth and high school players across the U.S. The club is divided into several regions, each focusing on player development and competitive play. Age groups and levels include youth teams (ages 9-14), high school teams, elite Scout teams competing in regional and national events, and National Scout teams competing at the highest level. Teams, schedules, and staff are introduced.
https://www.usnats.com/
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is volunteer, sports governing body and non-profit organization. Originally, the acronym stood for the United States Slowpitch Softball Association, but was rebranded when it expanded into other sports, including youth girls fastpitch, boys baseball, boys baseball, and other sports. The primary focus of USSSA Baseball includes a Major Division, AAA Division, AA Division, and A Division, based on skill levels.
https://www.usssabaseball.org/
The Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum is located on the Little League International Complex on Route 15 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The museum offers interactive exhibits for children of all ages, including a Hall of Excellence honoring former players who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their chosen profession. Directions, hours, and admission fees are posted, along with photographs highlighting its exhibits and educational programs.
https://www.littleleague.org/world-of-little-league/
Youth Baseball Midwest is a comprehensive resource for youth baseball in the Midwestern region of the United States. It offers news, tournament results, player spotlights, and other resources. The site also has a podcast called YBMcast, which covers youth and high school baseball and provides insights, interviews, and discussions on various topics related to the sport. A photo gallery and an online store with branded apparel are also available. Game photos may be uploaded to the site.
https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/
Youth Baseball Nationals is a week-long youth travel baseball tournament held at various premier locations across the United States. The event combines competitive baseball with a family-friendly vacation experience. Teams compete in age-specific divisions. The site highlights game locations, age divisions, schedules, a FAQ, and other details, including online registration for games and hotel accommodations. An online store is included, and sponsors are acknowledged.
https://baseballnationals.com/
YBN is an alliance of travel baseball tournament providers that organizes a variety of tournaments and events for youth and high school age divisions, including 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 18U. Key features include elite games and showcases for top players, weekend tournaments with a minimum of four games, and national events, including the Youth Baseball Nationals. An overview of the network, its rules, online registration, tournament and elite game schedules, and camps are featured.
https://youthbaseballnetwork.com/
