First Timer Skills & Fun

First-Timer Skills & Fun is for kids 4-6 years old and generally in Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten. It is an introductory level, that focuses on practicing basic skills and having fun and asks for parents to participate with their kids on the field. Parent participation is encouraged, but not required. Skills will include the basics of hitting, throwing, catching and safety. Players hit from tees. There will be one "team" that will practice together.

Tee Ball

Tee Ball is for kids 4-6 years old and generally in Kindergarten. It is an introductory level, that includes basic instruction for hitting, throwing, catching and learning positions in non-competitive format that includes both practices and games. Games are adjusted to highlight participation, fun, and safety. Players hit from tees for game play. Teams are assembled randomly by the EJLL board. Player pairings are considered at this level, but cannot be guaranteed.

Coach/Machine Pitch

Coach/Machine Pitch is for kids 6-8 years old and generally in 1st and 2nd grade at the time of registration. It is a development level, that continues basic instruction for hitting, throwing, catching and learning positions in non-competitive format that includes both practices and games. Games are adjusted to highlight participation, fun, and safety. Players hit from a coach's pitch that may evolve to a machine pitch based on player development and at the coaches discretion. Teams are assembled randomly by the EJLL board. Player pairings are considered at this level, but cannot be guaranteed.

The goal of this division is to prepare players to participate in traditional-rules baseball games with players pitching to each other (the rules for the next division).

Minors

Minors (Player Pitch) is for kids ages 8-10 (as of August 31). This division is played with traditional Little League rules meaning players pitch to each other and score is kept. Focus is placed on learning to play games, play as a team, and to improve individual skills of hitting, catching, throwing, and pitching. Teams are assembled via a draft process, by the volunteer head coaches, the EJLL Player Agent, and the EJLL board (if necessary). The draft is intended to create balanced teams with similar skill levels among the teams. Participant pairing requests are typically not considered at this level.

This division typically offers an opportunity for selected players to join an All Star team at the end of the season. All Star teams practice nightly during the month of June and participate in Little League sanctioned tournament play until they are eliminated or progress to the next tournament. All Star participation includes additional costs (scholarships are available).

Majors

Majors is for kids ages 11-12 (as of August 31 - 10 year old players are also eligible for this league the discretion of the volunteer coaches). This division is played with traditional Little League rules and full game play. Focus is placed on improving game play, playing as a team, and improving individual skills of hitting, catching, throwing, and pitching. Teams are assembled via a draft process, by the volunteer head coaches, the EJLL Player Agent, and the EJLL board (if necessary). The draft is intended to create balanced teams with similar skill levels among the teams. Participant pairing requests are typically not considered at this level. This division often includes local travel to play against other towns.

This division typically offers an opportunity for selected players to join an All Star team at the end of the season. All Star teams practice nightly during the month of June and participate in Little League sanctioned tournament play until they are eliminated or progress to the next tournament. All Star participation includes additional costs (scholarships are available).

Baseball Camp

Luke Goyette, Head Coach at South Burlington High School and Essex Junction resident hosts a week of baseball camp at Maple Street Park! Camp is supported by Essex High School baseball players and provides campers with opportunities to work on hitting, fielding, throwing, and pitching through various drills and games of baseball. A portion of the proceeds supports Essex Junction Little League. Camp is for children ages 7–12 and typically operates one week a summer at Maple Street Park in the morning.

Baseball League Play for Major and Minor age players

Each summer, a local league is organized with little league players from the surrounding area.  Teams are usually organized near the end of the spring Little League season and they play a summer schedule lasting about 6-8 weeks.  It is a great league for continued development of players.  It is exclusively supported by volunteers and caregivers.  If you are interested in participating, please connect with the EJLL Board of Directors and we will connect you with families who are participating and organizing.

Baseball League Play for Major and Minor age players

Each fall, a local league is organized with little league players from the surrounding area.  Teams are usually organized near the end of the summer, before Labor Day) and they play a fall schedule lasting about 6-8 weeks.  It is a great league for continued development of players.  It is exclusively supported by volunteers and caregivers.  If you are interested in participating, please connect with the EJLL Board of Directors and we will connect you with families who are participating and organizing.