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Farm and Minors (AAA) Baseball

There are two levels in the Mukilteo Little League Minor leagues: Farm (AA) and Minors (AAA). Both Minor league levels are instructional levels. The goal of the Minor league is to build on the fundamentals of hitting, fielding, and throwing while being introduced to recreational competitiveness.  Players will continue to have fun while experiencing teamwork, sportsmanship, and a passion for the game.  The Minor league is open to boys and girls. One year of Farm (AA) level is required before moving to the Minors (AAA). Please contact us at mmfbaseball@mukilteolittleleague.com if you have further questions or if issues arise during the season.  

Farm (AA) Division

Farm Age and Experience Requirements

  • League Age: Primarily 9 year olds (age as of August 31, 2024)
  • Some 8 year olds may qualify if they have played 1 year of Rookie Baseball, pass a safety evaluation, receive a Rookie ball coach recommendation and are drafted to a Farm team.  If your child wants to "play up", please note this on the registration form.  Please click here for more information: Farm Skills Assessment. You should note on your registration form that your child would like to play up, and you will be contacted for an assessment date. If you do not hear from us shortly after registration closes, contact the Registrar at [email protected].
  • Click here for the 2024 Baseball Age Chart
Farm: What to Expect

  • Hitting: Coach pitch for the first two weeks of the season.  Thereafter, players will be hitting off of a coach for the first two (2) innings, followed by player pitch innings
  • Ball Type: Hard ball
  • Field Size: The field size is 60-foot base path and pitching is at 46 feet
  • Competition: Regular season games and small postseason tournament

Minors (AAA) Division

Minors Age and Experience Requirements

  • League Age: 10 and 11 year olds (age as of August 31, 2024)
  • Some boys who turn 9 before August 31, 2024 may be eligible if they perform well enough during assessments and have played in Farm. 
  • 8 year olds are not eligible for Minors
  • Requirement: One year of Farm-level experience. The Farm division was created to provide a transition between the slower-paced Rookie (Coach Pitch) division and the faster-paced Minors division. At the time, the majority of 9 year olds coming out of coach pitch were not ready to face the faster pace of Minor league. We feel player development at this level is very important and a gradual progression of going from Coach Pitch to Farm level helps player's skills, confidence, and overall enjoyment for the game.
  • Click here for the 2024 Baseball Age Chart

Minors: What to Expect

  • Hitting: Players will be hitting off of a player for all 6 innings
  • Ball Type: Hard ball
  • Field Size: The field size is 60-foot base path and pitching is at 46 feet
  • Competition: Regular season games, All-stars, and small postseason in-house tournament

Registering for Minors vs. Majors  

If your child is age 10 or 11, you may register him for Minors or Majors, unless your child is 12 years old. All 12-year olds must register and play in the Majors division. If your child is chosen for a division that is different from the one in which you registered, then you will either be refunded the difference (e.g., if you registered for Majors and he is drafted to a Minors team) or asked to pay the difference (e.g., if you registered for Minors and he is drafted to a Majors team). If you want your child to be considered for Majors, you should register him/her for Majors or let the league know by emailing [email protected]. Per local rules, players who do not attend the Majors assessments/tryouts and are not seen by the Majors coaches will not be eligible for the Majors draft.

Practices & Games

Practices

This year, practices for Minors and Farm will begin starting March 7th and are held at various schools in our area. The frequency of practices is determined by each manager.

Regular Season Games

Regular season games for all divisions begin on March 23rd and end in early June. Minors teams play 16+ games, while Farm plays 14+ games.

In-House Tournament

Once the regular season is over, the league's in-house tournament for Minors will take place the last week of May. The in-house tournament for Farm will take place in early to mid-June.

How much playing time do players get in the Minors division vs. the Majors division?

Every player on a team roster will participate in each game for a minimum of six (6) defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time. The Minors division is considered an instructional level and coaches try to give equal playing time. The Majors division is considered a more competitive level and playing time may not be equal, but all players will participate for at least the minimum amount required.

Team Formation / Assessments

Team Formation

In the Minors and Farm divisions, players are placed on teams by the Player Agent with Assessment scores, input from coaches and parent requests on the registration form.  Requests are considered but accommodation cannot be guaranteed. Every child who tries out is drafted onto a team. The Player Agent will attempt to maintain balanced teams and stimulating games, while adhering to the "team first" philosophy noted below.

In 2019, Mukilteo Little League moved away from a coaches draft team formation process to a "team first" philosophy where keeping teams and families together is a priority.  This is called a Vested Redraft Plan. It is assumed that players will stay with their team, to the extent possible, as they move through the Mukilteo Little League divisions. However, parents may request to NOT be on the same team as the prior year by noting such on the registration form. Additionally, teams may be split up if, for example, a team manager is moving to an upper division but not all players are eligible to progress to that level.  The players remaining in the lower division will be assigned to a new team.

Assessments

The league still holds Assessments for all Minors and Farm division players. Assessments serve two purposes: (1) it is a skills and safety assessment so the coaches can ensure that kids are placed in the correct divisions; and (2) scores are used during the draft for selection of players by the coaches.


During the assessments, each candidate will be given the opportunity to: (1) hit/bunt, (2) field fly balls, (3) field ground balls, (4) throw, and (5) run around the bases. Assessments will be conducted in the presence of head coaches and some assistant coaches from the division for which the candidate is registered, who shall observe the ability of each candidate.

All player candidates (ages 9 through 12) must attend one session. 2024 Assessments will be conducted the weekends of February 24th/25th and March 2nd/3rd at Voyager Middle School. Click here to register for a time slot:
Minors: 2024 Minors Baseball Assessments — Signup Sheet | SignUp.com
Farm:   2024 Farm Baseball Assessment — Signup Sheet | SignUp.com

Assessments/tryouts may be held even if it rains or snows. Dress for the weather. If there is lightning, then the sessions will be rescheduled. For more details see the information sheet and the Registration Dates page for links to sign up for a time slot: 

We recommend that players bring their baseball glove, bat, helmet, jacket or sweatshirt. A bat and helmet may also be borrowed if the player does not own these items.

Player Notification

Players should hear from a team manager on or shortly after March 6th, which is when Minors and Farm teams will be announced. If you have not heard from a team manager by the designated date, please contact the Registrar at [email protected]

Equipment

It is recommended that all players should have a baseball glove, baseball shoes (rubber cleats), and a protective cup. Many players prefer to use their own baseball bat and helmet, although the league has extras available that the players may also use. Many players also like to have an equipment bag to carry their belongings, but this is not required.

All players will need to purchase their own baseball pants, socks and belt, which are typically color-coordinated with the team jersey color. (See your team's head coach for specific colors, styles, etc.) The league will provide a jersey and hat for all players.  We generally buy the exact amount of hats needed for the kids and coaches. If your son loses his hat, your head coach may have extras. If not, we can give you the vendor information so you may purchase a replacement if you wish.

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