Alameda Little League Fall Ball 

The Alameda Little League Fall Ball program is ideal for players who enjoy playing recreational baseball. By continuing to play from Spring into the Fall, players will build on their successes to improve skills and baseball IQ.  Our goal is to create a community that promotes sportsmanship, respect and appreciation for the game of baseball.

A.L.L. Fall Ball is an instructional program available for new and returning players ages 6-12. There is a 4-week pre-season with 2 practices per week, then a 9-week regular season with 1 practice and 1-2 games per week.

The season will take place between August (when schools return) through the end of October, with games and practices primarily being held at the Alameda Little League fields at Otis & Grand Streets and Rittler Park in Alameda.

VOLUNTEER TO COACH OR UMPIRE

Fall Ball is an excellent opportunity to experience coaching and umpiring in order to prepare for the next Spring season. Please make sure to mark yourself as a volunteer during registration.

PLAYER EVALUATIONS

Only players who did not play the Spring season will need to evaluate in order to assess their skill level for the appropriate division of play (date and time TBD, but likely in early July). A committee of existing managers and coaches will help place Spring players on Fall Ball teams in order to assure player safety and achieve parity among the teams. Buddy and coach requests will be considered (please add a note during your player registration).

DIVISIONS OF PLAY

Team and division placement is determined by multiple variables including age, skill level and manager recommendation. Once registration ends, A.L.L. Fall Ball will determine the number of teams depending on the availability of the number of coaches who volunteer and the number of registered players.

Divisions organized by age and skill level will focus on the following:

·   Farm Ball (ages 6-7, non-competitive): Intro to Throwing, Catching and Hitting - Infield fielding

·   FB8 (ages 7-8, A division rules): Pitching Machine - Intro to Catching - Infield fielding - Intro to Base Running

·   FB9 (ages 8-9, AA division rules): Intro to Pitching (aka “Kid Pitch”) - Base Running - Catching - Outfield

·   FB11 (ages 9-11, AAA division rules): Pitching - Catching - Baseball IQ – Outfield

·   FB12 (ages 10-12, Majors division rules): Pitching - Catching - Baseball IQ – Outfield

** Participation in a particular division in the Fall does not guarantee division placement in the following Spring season.

For further questions, please email: [email protected]

If you are planning to coach or interested in umpiring, please indicate so during registration. This is an excellent opportunity for coaches and umpires to familiarize or brush up on Little League rules and drills.

Fall Ball Frequently Asked Questions and important dates are included below.

Alameda Little League Fall Ball: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When do I register?

A: Registration opens in May at the end of the Spring season.

Q: When are player evaluations?

A: Evaluations are not required for players who participated in the latest Alameda Little League Spring season. Players who did not participate in the latest Spring season are required to evaluate (date and time TBD).

Q: My player will be going into Majors Division next season. Currently he/she is league age 11.
Can s/he participate in A.L.L. Fall Ball?

A: Yes, players going into the Majors Division can participate in A.L.L Fall Ball. This is an excellent opportunity to improve and build on their Spring season successes to increase their skills and baseball IQ.

Q: Does trying out guarantee placement on a team?

A: Placement will depend upon the number of volunteer coaches and players. We will make all efforts to place players on a team. After the registration deadline, players may be waitlisted.

Q: When and where will practices and games be held?

A: Practices and games will be held at the Alameda Little League Baseball Fields located at Otis and Grand Streets in Alameda and other ARPD fields. Practice schedules will be established by the team manager. Games will be held mostly on the weekends, with the occasional weekday game.

Q: When will I know which team my player will be on?

A: Teams will be formed by the first week of August. Players will be notified of their team placement shortly thereafter. 

Q: Will team uniforms and equipment be provided?

A: Team jerseys and caps will be provided. Players will be responsible for purchasing their own team colored socks, pants and belts.

Q: Is A.L.L Fall Ball team a Travel Ball team?

A: No, A.L.L Fall Ball teams typically play against other Alameda Fall Ball league teams. Games against other Bay Area league teams may be played if both teams’ schedules permit.

Q: Will all A.L.L Fall Ball players play against other Bay Area league teams?

A: Players who exhibit strong skills, positive attitude & good attendance may be selected to play against other Bay Area teams.

Q: Will teams be playing by USSSA rules or Little League rules?

A: Games will be played under Little League rules. The primary objective of A.L.L Fall Ball is to prepare players for the next Spring Little League season. In some cases, more advanced rules may be practiced during games if agreed upon in advance by the opposing team.

Q: What Little League Age is my child?

A: The age determination date for a Little League Baseball player during the Spring season is the actual age of a child on August 31 of the current year.

Age Calculator: https://www.littleleague.org/play-little-league/determine-league-age/

For example: For the next 2025 Spring season, your player would be LL Age 9 if they were born September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016. A date of birth on 8/31/15 or earlier would be LL Age 10.

** LL age charts and calculators are subject to change. Please consider which division to register your player based on their LL age for the next Spring season. In other words, think of Fall Ball as a “pre-season” to expose players to the next level of play according to their age group.

 Q: What are the divisions for A.L.L. FALL BALL?

A: A.L.L. FALL BALL will have five divisions focusing on the following:

·   Farm Ball (ages 6-7, non-competitive): Players graduating from T-Ball or first-time players
Intro to Throwing, Catching and Hitting - Infield fielding

·   FB8 (ages 7-8, A division rules): Players hoping to draft Single A next Spring.
Pitching Machine - Intro to Catching - Infield fielding – Intro to Base Running

·   FB9 (ages 8-9, AA division rules): Players hoping to draft Double AA next Spring.
Intro to Pitching - Base Running - Catching – Outfield

·   FB11 (ages 9-11, AAA division rules): Players hoping to draft Triple AAA next Spring.
Pitching - Catching - Baseball IQ – Outfield

·   FB12 (ages 10-12, Majors division rules): Players hoping to draft AAA / Majors / Intermediate next Spring.
Pitching - Catching - Baseball IQ – Outfield

Q: Can I help by finding a sponsor?

A: Yes! Fall Ball needs corporate sponsorships to upgrade practice equipment and other tools and instructional equipment for coaches and players.

Q: Why is it good to volunteer during the Fall?

A: Fall Ball is a great opportunity to learn hands-on and share your experiences in coaching, umpiring, scoreboard operation, field prep, and all the other things that make a 100% volunteer organization work.