2024 Regulation 2 Update:
League Eligibility
Starting with the 2025 season, children at the youngest level of the Little League® Baseball and Softball program (League Age 4-7) throughout the United States will have the ability to register for any Little League program they choose, without respect to any geography- or school-related eligibility requirements. Those players who register under this option will also be fully eligible to participate in all aspects of league play, including International Tournament play, for the duration of their Little League careers provided they have continuous and unbroken participation from the time they are League Age seven within the specific league where initially registered and provided all other participation eligibility requirements have been met.
New League Choice League Age 4-7
LEAGUE CHOICE: Players league age seven (7) and under may register in any Little League program without respect to any geography-related eligibility or school enrollment eligibility requirements.
Players who have participated in the league without a break in service participation since league age seven (7) are eligible to continue participation in the league provided they maintain continuous and unbroken service participation within the league and regular season play.
FAQ:
In the 2025 season and beyond, will tournament-specific documentation still be utilized to track eligibility for a child currently league-age 4-7 years old that elects to participate in a league where residency and school eligibility is not met?
Central Registration will allow Little League to maintain an eligibility database that will be used to verify the eligibility of participants who elect to continue participating in a league where they first participated as a player league age 7 or younger.
Does my league have the option not to follow and adhere to the updated regulation for children league age 4–7 years old?
No. Each local league is to conform with this change and amendment to Regulation II.
What happens if my league can no longer accept players due to limited field space?
Each local league’s Board of Directors is encouraged to structure its league to best serve its community. Just as in any playing season, the Board of Directors does have the discretion to set a “stop–date or cut-off date” for accepting player registrations based on physical factors such as field availability and access.
Can a league age 4–7-year-old chose to play in multiple leagues during the same season?
No. When a league age 4–7-year-old is registered to participate within a local Little League program and placed on a regular season team roster, the Little Leaguer® will be dedicated to that Little League for the duration of that regular season (Regulation IV – The Players (c) Note 1). However, the player would not be restricted from playing in any other non-Little League program simultaneously while the Little League season is operating provided such participation is not deemed disruptive to the operations of the local Little League season.
Could a child change Little League participation multiple times during the 4–7-year-old league age span?
Yes. League Choice allows any child league-age 4-7 years old the opportunity to relocate to another Little League program without restriction from season to season, prior to turning league-age 8.
Why limit this option to children league age 4-7 years old only?
After a thorough review of data, feedback, and insight provided and collected by local league officials, parents, and District Administrators through Little League International, it was determined that League Choice provides an option for the youngest Little Leaguer to participate in a league that provides the best opportunity for a positive, rewarding, and fun Little League experience, while also taking into consideration the need of flexibility and convenience for families of players at these younger ages.
Why does Little League feel the need to make this change and implement moving forward?
In 2015, Little League International first expanded participation opportunity to allow children to participate in a local Little League program based on the location of the school in which they are enrolled. This latest evolution provides even more flexibility and support to remove barriers of entry and provide all families and children the opportunity to enjoy a Little League experience, developing life lessons, and building stronger individuals and communities. Little League is committed to the continued strength and further development of the youngest divisions of play where all children have the opportunity to have a welcoming and rewarding first experience in youth sports.
Is a younger sibling (league age 4-7) of a current player in a league still able to utilize league choice? If so, can the older sibling(s) follow the younger sibling for participation?
Yes. League Choice is specific to league age children 4-7 without regard to residence or school eligibility, essentially allowing them the opportunity to select the local league of their choice. Also, the older sibling(s) of a child league age 4-7 electing to participate in a league by choice are eligible to follow the younger sibling while having full participation eligibility.