This Spring we will once again be offering the chance for kids to participate in Little League® right here in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, AZ; a tradition dating back to 1961! We are so glad to have you as part of our local community!  

Little League® began in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1938, when Carl Stotz created a league for children to play baseball like the Major Leaguers of the day, on a field that was two-thirds the size of a standard baseball diamond. For more than 75 years, Little League has been the premier local community provider of baseball and softball opportunities to millions boys and girls of all abilities. And it's all volunteer-run, so please consider volunteering to coach, serve on the board (or a committee) or help the league in some other capacity this year.

The season begins for the older kids with Player Evaluations held in late January (dates to be announced) at Cochise Elementary's Silver field. All players wishing to play in the Minors or Majors Divisions (i.e. kid pitch, typically for ages 9-12) must attend one of the evaluations. All teams are announced and practices begin in February, with games beginning in March. The regular season concludes in May before school ends. Please keep in mind, your child's "Little League Age" this season is their age as of Aug 31, 2022. (https://www.littleleague.org/downloads/2022-baseball-age-chart/)

Divisions offered: 

Tee Ball - Often, a family’s first introduction to Little League® is in the Tee Ball program. Tee Ball is the entry level division for players, geared for league ages 4-6. The experience is grounded in fun, fitness, and fundamentals. Smaller team rosters ensure the best experience possible. As players gain more skill and confidence, they may begin to hit "soft toss" pitches from their coach later in the season.

Farm (Coach Pitch) - The next step in a young player's development is to experience live pitching (from a coach) and learn more about all the positions in the field. This division is designed for league age 7 and 8 year olds, with some experienced league age 6 year olds eligible as well. Kids are also really expected to be able to conduct themselves with proper behavior with less coaches/parents on the field and in the dugout compared to Tee ball.

Minors (Player Pitch) - Players get their first taste of trying their hand at pitching, as well as batting against player pitchers at this level. To ensure fair teams, all players are evaluated and teams are formed via a draft process. Although some experienced league age 8 yr olds may tryout to play in this division, its typically made up of players league age 9-11 years old.

Majors - The division commonly associated with the annual Little League World Series in Williamsport, these teams are also formed via the player evaluation and draft process. Most players are league age 11 and 12 years old, although if younger players are assessed capable of playing at this level, parents will be asked if they're ok with their child playing up.

All players are subject to placement within the divisions above based on age, skill and experience level, with safety and a spirit of fairness being key.  This is entirely the choice of the League's Player Agent, with consultation by the Board of Directors.

Softball - McCormick Ranch hopes to be able to field teams in Little League Softball this year as well in the Farm, Minors and Majors divisions. If there are not enough registrations to form full teams, we will once again partner with Arcadia Little League to provide a chance to participate within their softball teams and leagues.

In addition, we are opening Spring 2022 Registration for kids who are considered "Little League Age 13 & 14" to see if we can form an Intermediate division or a Juniors division team. The Intermediate division, is designed for players up to league-age 13, competing on a slightly large field (50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot base paths) compared to the standard Little League field size (46-foot pitching distance and 60-foot base paths). The Juniors division is for players up to league-age 14 and plays on a regulation field size (60-foot, 6-inch pitching distance and 90-foot base paths).

Note: We apologize, but the online registration process will prompt you for proof of age and address/school residency. You DO NOT have to attempt to upload your child’s birth certificate or scanned copies of address residency documents during the online registration process (just "click through" that portion of process). INSTEAD, we will require you to bring the above documents to the in-person verification events. These events will be held in conjunction with the Player Evaluations in January (dates to be announced).