General guidance based on Little League International's published age-determination rules for the 2026 season — your local league sets its own division cutoffs and may differ. Little League's official league age calculator is the last word over any chart.
League age: what it is and why it's weird
League age is a kid's age on the age determination date — August 31 for baseball. Everyone born the same year isn't the same league age; it depends on whether the birthday falls before or after August 31.
The one-line version
- Born before September → their league age is basically their age at the end of the summer season.
- Born September–December → they count as one year younger for the season, because their birthday hasn't arrived by August 31.
Why it exists
Age measured against one registration day means a September birthday kid would be a year "younger" than an August kid of the same birth year — every single year. The fixed date makes the spread fair, so the divisions get evenly populated instead of guesswork at sign-up.
2026 baseball league age, by birthdate
Find your kid's birth year in the left column, then read across for their league age. The two birth months keep four of them.
| League age (2026) | Born Jan–Aug | Born Sep–Dec |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2022 | 2021 |
| 5 | 2021 | 2020 |
| 6 | 2020 | 2019 |
| 7 | 2019 | 2018 |
| 8 | 2018 | 2017 |
| 9 | 2017 | 2016 |
| 10 | 2016 | 2015 |
| 11 | 2015 | 2014 |
| 12 | 2014 | 2013 |
| 13 | 2013 | 2012 |
| 14 | 2012 | 2011 |
| 15 | 2011 | 2010 |
| 16 | 2010 | 2009 |
Little League International's official calculator uses the same dates and is the last word — use it if there's any doubt.
Which division, and at what field size?
League age opens the door; the local board decides the room. These are International's ranges — most leagues trim them to fit their rosters.
| Division | League age | Pitching distance | Base paths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tee Ball | 4–7 | — (tee) | 60' (some leagues 50') |
| Rookie (coach/machine pitch) | 7–8** | ~40–46' | 60' |
| Minors | 9–10 | 46' | 60' |
| Majors | 9–12 | 46' | 60' |
| Intermediate (50/70) | 11–13 | 50' | 70' |
| Junior | 12–14 | 60' 6" | 90' |
| Senior | 13–16 | 60' 6" | 90' |
Rookie placement (7–8) is a common local option within the Minor division. The Majors division is where the 46/60 field takes shape — that's the one most kids picture when they say "Little League at Williamsport."
The fallbacks every dad needs
- If your kid's age spans two divisions — say league age 9 — the board decides, and it can differ by year. Ask what the league's standard is.
- Playing up a level is allowed in some leagues with a board vote; be ready to justify the move.
- Tee Ball first. International requires a season of Tee Ball before a player can move to a higher division — it's the actual rule, not just a suggestion.
League age = age on August 31 for baseball (December 31 for softball). September–December kids play one league age younger than their birth-year says for the season. The chart above covers ages 4–16 for 2026 — and when it matters, your league's table is the truth.
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