Marlins

Little League Baseball has changed the age determination date from December 31 to August 31. There was a lot of concern voiced by parents and the local leagues. The new date determination goes into effect for the 2016 season. The emphasis is to make Little League Baseball a 12 and under program. Below is the rationale from LLB:

Why the change?
 In 2011, Little League conducted very detailed participation research. As a result of that research, we learned that parents, players, and volunteers wanted to see Little League become, as a whole, a younger program, and give children an easier way to play Little League with their classmates. Since the research concluded, Little League revamped its Tee Ball program, established a Coach Pitch Program, and changed its residency requirements to allow children to play in the league where their school is located. Adjusting the Age Determination Date will help us achieve the goal of making Little League younger. And, making the date August 31, the same that many schools in many states use for student registration, allows Little Leaguers to play with their classmates.

This change will make the Little League Baseball Division, also known as the Major Division, truly a 12 and under program – ensuring that no child playing in the Little League/Major Division will turn 13 years old at any point during their final season in that division. The same will be true with the upper age limit at all teenage divisions of Little League Baseball. 

Click HERE to read more about the changes and view the 2016-2019 age charts along with the explanation on why age determination is changing.