Often, a family’s first introduction to Little League® is in the Tee Ball program. Tee Ball is the entry level division for players, ages 4-7. The experience is grounded in fun, fitness, and fundamentals while also being a key to growing a child’s love for the game.

The Little League Tee Ball program provides volunteer coaches with everything they need to create an environment where players will learn the skills of the game, while having fun and staying active. Parents and legal guardians of Tee Ball players are crucial to the extension of the program, and their satisfaction is equally important to its success. The outreach and inclusion of this division sets the foundation for continued participation in the local Little League program.

Each Little Leaguer is required to play one season of Tee Ball before being eligible to be evaluated by the local league officials for consideration to advance to a higher division of Little League baseball or softball. The Tee Ball Division is co-ed, but may be structured as a baseball or softball program. Such a decision is made by the local league’s Board of Directors.

The use of a robust 10-week Tee Ball program benefits the players and volunteer coaches, who typically are younger parents with little experience as coaches/managers.

Tee Ball players use bats and balls (baseballs and softballs) designated specifically for use in this division. The roster size for a Tee Ball team averages 7-10 players, with a season featuring 1-2 practices per week with a single game played on weekends.

Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this entry level of Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members and other volunteer positions within the league.

Coach Pitch programs for boys and girls may be operated within in one division or separated into two divisions, depending on the approval of the Board of Directors and what options are available though out Little League District. Coach Pitch is for players with less experience. Prior to moving to coach pitch, a player should have one AT LEAST one year of tee ball under their belt. However, not all players who complete a year of tee ball are ready to move into coach pitch. Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this level of Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members and other volunteer positions within the league.

Coach Pitch programs are referred to as Minor Baseball. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 20 players, but most leagues have rosters in the 12-15 range. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet.

Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this level of Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members and other volunteer positions within the league.

The Little League Baseball Division (also known as the Major Division) is for boys and girls ages 9 -12. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet. The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or “All Stars”) of 10-12-year-olds from within this division, and the team may enter the International Tournament.

Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members and other volunteer positions within the league.

The Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division was introduced in January, 2010, which utilizes a 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot base paths. Many of the Junior League rules are used such as runners being permitted to lead off bases, runners may attempt to steal at any time, and allowing an on-deck batter.

Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this division of Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members and other volunteer positions within the league.

The Junior League Baseball Division is a program for boys and girls ages 12-14, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. Modified diamond dimensions may be used during the regular season.

Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this teenage division of Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members and other volunteer positions within the league.

Hopatcong Little League does not have a softball charter, but rather, our Softball teams compete in the Sussex County Recreational Softball League. While girls are able to play in our Little League divisions, softball teams do exist within our program for female players.

We look to field the following teams:

In addition to Recreation Softball, Hopatcong offers two travel programs at the 10u and 14u level this year. There is no current registration option on this website for these program, as they require a tryout and/or evaluation. Players interested in trying out for the Jr. Chiefs Softball Travel program can e-mail us at [email protected] to inquire about more information.