Softball
Fastpitch Softball Program
Bellevue National Little League (BNLL) operates several age/skill appropriate levels of recreational fastpitch softball. The program is open to girls only.
We offer softball programs at the tee ball, minors, majors and juniors levels. Evaluations are held each year for all drafted levels of play to help determine each players overall skill and aptitude, and to ensure each player is properly placed at the correct level.
Our programs are designed to teach players (and parents) the fundamentals of the game while offering a fun, team-oriented environment to develop good sportsmanship, leadership skills, accountability and physical fitness.
No longer just a spring-time activity, Bellevue National Little League offers programs through the spring, summer, fall and winter (indoor clinics & camps).
Requirements and Overview
Players must live within, or attend school within the approved BNLL Boundary to be eligible to play on a BELL team.
The program is open to girls only.
Players must be between league age 6 and 16.
Skills Evaluations
Each year, Bellevue National Little League holds evaluations for all drafted level players. Evaluations help to determine a players overall skill and aptitude, while helping to identify strengths and weaknesses for managers and coaches. Evaluations are usually held each February. Evaluation results are confidential, and are not posted or published publicly.
Regular Season
The regular season typically runs from approximately mid-March to mid-June each year. Players and families will be contacted by the league and/or their respective team Manager regarding practice schedules, game schedules, etc.
- Tee ball events are typically once , typically on Saturdays starting in late April.
- Single-A and Double-A levels begin practices in early April. Players and families can expect two events per week at the Single-A level, and two-to-three events per week at Double-A. 10 to 12 games will be played during the season.
- AAA level begin practices in late March. Players and families can expect up to three events per week, and up to 12 games in the regular season.
- Drafted Levels (Coast, Majors, Juniors) typically begin practices in early March. Players and families can expect up to five events per week, with 14 or more games in the regular season.
Games begin around the first week of April (depending on level) and run through early June.
Coast, Major and Junior levels typically play in a District 9 tournament mid-season. At the end of the regular season, Coast, Majors and Juniors team players are eligible to try out for All-Stars.
All-Stars
All-Stars is competitive, tryout-based post-season play for drafted levels that typically begins mid-June and follows Little League Tournament play rules and schedules.
All-Star tryouts are held no earlier than the date announced by District 9.
Tryouts are open to all eligible Bellevue National Little League baseball players from the regular season. Teams will be formed based on the approved All-Stars selection process.
Levels of Play
Bellevue National Little League offers the following levels of play for softball:
| Level of Play | Little League Division | Age Group | Evaluations | Friend Requests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tee Ball | Tee Ball | 4-5 | No | Yes |
| Single-A | Minors | 6-7 | No | Yes |
| Double-A | Minors - Undrafted | 7-8 | No | Yes |
| Triple-A | Minors - Drafted | 8-10 | Yes | Yes |
| Coast | Minors - Drafted | 9-11 | Yes | No |
| Majors | Majors - Drafted | 10-12 | Yes | No |
| Juniors | Juniors - Drafted | 12-14 | Yes | No |
| Seniors | Seniors - Drafted | 13-16 | Yes | No |
League Age
League age is different than the player's actual age.
The Age Determination Date for a Little League Softball player is the actual age of a child as of January 1 of the current year. These respective dates identify the “league age” as it relates to a player’s eligibility to participate in any of Little League’s divisions of play.
Players are placed on age and skill appropriate teams. All players must be League Age 4 to 16 years to participate.
Tee-Ball Division (Ages 4-5 | Un-Drafted)
The Bellevue National Little League Tee Ball program is specifically designed for boys and girls, age 4 to 5, and provides a foundation and introduction to baseball and softball. Over the course of the 10 week season, coaches and players will engage in a series of lessons and activities to teach the fundamentals of the game including catching, throwing, batting (from a stationary tee), and physical fitness.
Bellevue National Little League has seen tremendous growth in our Tee Ball program in recent years; emphasizing fun and friendship as the core requirement. Parents and players can submit requests to play on teams with friends, neighbors, or based on school attendance.
Minors Division (Ages 6-8 | Un-Drafted)
Single-A Division - (6-7 year olds) - Coach Pitch - Continuing introduction of initial concepts of baseball with emphasis on throwing, catching, hitting and sportsmanship. Scores or statistics are not kept at this level. Teams are predominantly formed based on school affiliation and/or friend requests. We do our best to make sure that kids play with their friends or school mates. If your child attends a private school please be sure to indicate what Bellevue School they would attend, based on their neighborhood.
Double-A Division - (7-8 year olds) - Coach Pitch - Continued introduction of initial concepts of baseball with some progression to more complex concepts. Emphasis on throwing, catching, hitting and sportsmanship. Scores are kept at this level. Players learn playing rules, strike out on called or missed swings, emphasis on playing more defense will be added. Teams are predominantly formed based on school affiliation and/or friend request. We do our best to make sure kids play with their friends or school mates. If your child attends a private school please indicate what Bellevue School they would attend.
Minors Division (Ages 8-11 | Drafted)
Triple-A Division - (8-10 year olds) - Player Pitch - Evaluations Attendance Required - Continue building upon basic concepts, develop pitching skills and increasing fielding and hitting techniques. Emphasis on pitching, throwing, catching, hitting and sportsmanship. Scores are kept at this level. Teams are formed at this level using a draft based on the Skills Evaluations scores. Friend and Coach requests are not considered for the Triple A division. Often parents are not sure whether to register players for Triple A or Coast level. Evaluations are used to determine placement, and the league will adjust registrations, as needed, depending on which level the player is assigned.
Coast Division - (9-11 year olds) - Player Pitch - Evaluations Attendance Required - Advanced fielding, hitting and pitching. Scores and statistics are maintained at this level. Teams are formed based through a draft. School and friend requests are not considered. Main goal in team formation at this level is parity amongst the teams within this division. On conclusion of the regular season, eligible 9 and 10 year olds are encouraged to try out for All-Stars.
Majors Division (Ages 10-12 | Drafted)
Competitive - Evaluations Attendance Required - Emphasis on advanced concepts of softball, improving the players fielding, hitting and pitching. Majors softball uses a 12-inch ball, and a pitching distance of 40-feet. Teams are formed through a draft. School and friend requests are not considered. Main goal in team formation at this level is parity amongst the teams within this division. 10 year olds who wish to be considered for Majors softball must attend evaluations and, should they be assigned to the Majors level, receive approval from the Bellevue National Little League Board of Directors.
Juniors Division (Ages 13-14 | Drafted)
Softball through Little League Juniors Program for league age 13 and 14 year olds. Juniors softball uses a 12-inch ball, 60-foot base paths, and pitching distance of 43-feet. Games are played against teams from other leagues, within District 9. Eligible players are encouraged to try our for All-Stars.
The Juniors-level World Series is held locally each year in Kirkland, WA.
Seniors Division (Ages 14-16 | Drafted)
Softball through Little League Seniors Program for league age 14 through 16 year olds. Seniors softball uses a 12-inch ball, 60-foot base paths, and pitching distance of 43-feet. Games are played against teams from other leagues, within District 9. Eligible players are encouraged to try our for All-Stars.