Rookie Baseball (6-8)

The Rookie Division (Machine Pitch) is for players who are Little League ages 7 and 8.

Players who are league age 6 are able to play in the Rookie Division, provided they have played one year of T-Ball, additionally at the leagues discretion, children who are 9 years old may be allowed to play Rookie ball based on their comfort, skill and safety level.

In this division the ball is "pitched" from a machine placed in front of the pitching mound; half-way through the season players will begin pitching with coaches helping.

The rules and format of Machine Pitch are set up to be less intensive play than the upper levels and focus on the teaching and instructional aspects of the game. This is the first level where players begin to learn and play by most of the basic baseball rules. By having pitches delivered from the machine versus a coach, players are able to more adequately develop hitting skills and positive habits while getting consistent pitches.  

The Rookie Division is co-ed, and is structured as a baseball program. Rookie players may use t-ball bats or a baseball bat. All bats must have the USA Baseball logo on them. This division uses actual baseballs designated for use in this division.

Games are a minimum 90 minutes in length, but not to exceed 1:45. 

Players are allowed 5 pitches in which they either put the ball in play, or they are retired as an out (foul balls are not included in the count). When a side achieves 3 outs, or scores 5 runs (whichever occurs first) that side is retired. A continuous batting order is used, requiring all players to bat in order and all players must play in the field a series of 6 consecutive outs (2 innings).

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.

Minor Baseball (8-10)

The Minor League Baseball program is open for boys and girls league aged 8-10 years old and 11 year olds with less experience. This is a 100% player pitch division. By league rules, some 9-year-olds could “play down” in the Rookie division.  This is entirely at the discretion of the Orchard Mesa Board of Directors and is based on player experience and safety. Players who are league age 7 must play in the Rookie division. League-age 12-year-olds may participate per Regulation V(a). The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet.  All bats used in this division must have the USA Baseball logo.  Mandatory play is required, in which all players must play 6 consecutive outs (2 complete & consecutive innings) in the field, and teams must bat using a continuous batting order.  Sides are switched when a team achieves 5 runs in an inning, or 3 outs, whichever occurs first. Games are typically 2 hours in length, with no new inning after 1:45, but the inning must be completed. Tournament opportunities are available for players league-age 8-10 and 9-11. 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.

Major Baseball (10-12)

The Little League Baseball Division (also known as the Major Division) is for boys and girls ages 9 -12. All players league aged 10, 11 or 12, who are not returning to an existing Major Division team MUST attend the leagues skill assessment to determine team placement. 9 year old players wishing to play up are encouraged to attend the skill assessment however they are not required to do so. Players in this division go through a draft as required under Little League rules. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet.  All bats used in this division must have the USA Baseball logo.  Mandatory play is required, in which all players must play 6 consecutive outs (2 complete & consecutive innings) in the field, and teams must bat using a continuous batting order.  There is no run limit to end an inning, the opposing side must achieve 3 outs.  Games are typically 2 hours in length, with no new inning after 1:45, however the inning must be completed. Orchard Mesa 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.

Junior/Senior Baseball

The Junior/Senior League Baseball Division is a program for boys and girls ages 12-16, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches.  Bats used in this division must be either stamped with the USA Baseball logo, or be a -3 BBCOR. Following the regular season, Orchard Mesa will choose two Tournament Teams (or “All Stars”) of 12-16-year-olds (Junior 12-14 & Senior 13-16) from within this division, and the team may enter the International Tournament. 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.

Softball (6-16)

Softball is offered at Orchard Mesa in 4 divisions. 

Beginner Softball for girls age 6-8
Minor Softball for girls age 8-10
Major Softball for girls 10-12
Junior/Senior Softball for girls 12-16

Based on player experience and safety some 11 year old girls may play down in the minor division, as well some 9 year old girls may play up in the major division, or 12 year old girls in the Junior/Senior division. The diamond used is a standard 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 35 feet (Minors), 40 feet (Majors) or 43 feet (Junior/Senior).  Mandatory play is required, in which all players must play 6 consecutive outs (2 complete & consecutive innings) in the field, and teams must bat using a continuous batting order.  In the minor and major division, sides are switched when a team achieves 5 runs in an inning, or 3 outs, whichever occurs first. In the Junior/Senior division sides are switched after 7 runs in an inning or 3 outs, whichever occurs first, however the final inning is an open inning requiring 3 outs to retire the side.  Games are typically 2 hours in length, with no new inning after 1:45, but the inning must be completed and the game must reach the 4th inning (5th Jr/Sr) to be considered "Complete". Tournament opportunities are available for all divisions. 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.