Website Manager

E-HLL & BCSLL

Important Announcement (Revised)

Dear Parents and Community Members:

To start, we as the Board of Directors want to thank you – thank you for the support and continued patience as we navigate through an unprecedented time. We know we are in an extraordinary and difficult time for all of us, as we make decisions in our daily lives for ourselves, our children and our families. Thank you for putting trust in us as we absorb and traverse the ever changing news surrounding the COVID-19 virus by the day if not by the hour.

Since our league was founded 60+ years ago, our number one priority has always been, and will always be, the health and safety of our kids, volunteers and community members that make up the league. Given how quickly events surrounding the spread of the COVID-19 virus are unfolding state, country and worldwide, we would like to inform everyone that Little League International has revised their guidance. We are going to most likely further extend out the temporary suspension of team activities until Monday, May 11^th. A final determination on the extension of suspended team activities will be made on or before Monday, April 6^th. We just wanted to inform every one of the potential new date at this time.

We will continue monitor the situation as Little League International may or may not further revise as that April 6^th date approaches. We will continue to hold onto the thought of still having a season although starting a little later than usual.

Please be rest assured our Board of Directors is consistently monitoring the current health situation and are in contact with local school officials and relevant heath authorities. Please know, we will always do what we believe is in the best interest, health and safety of the kids, volunteers and community members.

As mentioned above, we appreciate your continued patience in this matter. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please do not hesitate to email [email protected] at any time.

Thank you for your time and have a good evening.

Sincerely,

Matt Theisen
League Information Officer
Essexville-Hampton and Bay County Softball Little League
Board of Directors

About the Programs We Offer

The Goal of Little League...

To help youngsters develop citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well being through sports. To help youngsters learn their own strengths & weaknesses, the meanings of sportsmanship and cooperation, the essence of competition, and the qualities that constitute effective leadership.

Essexville-Hampton Little League and Bay County Softball Little League (E-HLL & BCSLL) are officially chartered little leagues of Little League Baseball, Incorporated. We offer baseball and softball programs to boys and girls ages 5-12. E-HLL & BCSLL is a non-profit, parent/volunteer run organization offering an equal opportunity to play for all children. Our goal is to create opportunities for all skill levels to learn the proper way to play the game, exhibit good sportsmanship, have fun, make new friends, and experience personal and team successes.

As a chartered member of Little League Baseball, Inc., the largest organized youth sports program in the world, we follow Little League Baseball’s rules and regulations. E-HLL & BCSLL’s goal is to develop big league young men and women not big league ball players. We emphasize children having fun while playing competitive baseball/softball. Parents are encouraged to cheer for all players, not just their child.

E-HLL & BCSLL wants all the children to enjoy their Little League experience! So forget the "big win" and concentrate on the sportsmanship, fundamentals, individual and team building experiences and most importantly...having fun!

CO-ED BEGINNING DIVISIONS

Coach-Pitch (Baseball) for Boys and Girls: Mostly League Age 5 to 6 Year Olds:
Coach Pitch is for younger boys and girls whom are just starting out and being introduced to the sport. This division serves as our training ground for both boys and girls pursuing baseball, as well as girls preparing themselves for our girls softball divisions. In this program, coaches focus on throwing, fielding and hitting mechanics...all your beginning fundamentals of the game.

During games, coaches live pitch up to 5-balls to every batter until a hit or an out is recorded. A softer baseball is used during practices and games. Our Coach Pitch Division program is typically for players league aged 5-6. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 16 players, but our league typically has rosters in the 12-14 range. Practices are held once per week, with games occurring during the week. The season generally comprises of approximately 10 games and no standings or scores are kept. The diamond used is a Little League standard 60-foot diamond.

Machine Pitch (Baseball) for Boys and Girls: Most League Age 6 to 8 Year Olds:
Machine Pitch Baseball is for boys and girls with some experience playing baseball. It continues to be an instructional league and expands on throwing, fielding and hitting fundamentals as well as introducing proper base running techniques. As a step up from the Coach Pitch division, this is the first time players are introduced to simulated player pitching thru a machine. The speed on the machine is typically dialed in between 30-32 MPH. This speed has proved to be "not too fast/not too slow" and allows the players to work on their swing timing and assist with ball tracking.

Like the Coach Pitch division, 5-balls will be fed thru the machine to every batter until a hit or an out is recorded unless a foul ball occurs. For every foul ball, that player will be awarded an extra pitch until that number of foul balls have been exhausted, there is a hit or an out is recorded. Our Machine Pitch Division program is typically for players league aged 6-8. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 16 players, but our league typically has rosters in the 12-14 range. Practices are held once per week, with games occurring during the week. The season generally comprises of approximately 10-12 games and no standings or scores are kept. The diamond used is a Little League standard 60-foot diamond and the machine pitching distance is approximately 40 feet to support swing and ball tracking development.

Please click here to determine your player's league age.

E-HLL BASEBALL DIVISIONS

Minor League (Baseball): Most League Age 8 to 10 Year Olds:
Minor Baseball is for boys and girls with experience playing baseball. It continues to be an instructional league and further expands on fundamentals and starts teaching more advanced playing techniques. This is the first time players are introduced to "live" player pitching. Our minor league baseball system consists of players ages 8-10 years old, with some beginning 11 year olds. In this program, coaches focus on throwing, fielding, hitting & pitching fundamentals and mechanics. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 15 players but our league typically has rosters in the 12-14 range brought about from a player draft.

Although this division operates with increased competitiveness, there is still a focus on personal development and encouragement. The season generally comprises of approximately 12-14 games with standings and scores are kept. A post-season single elimination tournament based on seeding is offered to all teams to determine the division champion. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 40 feet to support pitching development.

Players in this division are also eligible to be selected to the 8/9/10 or 9/10/11 year old "All Star" team where they can represent E-HLL and experience tournament competition at the District, Regional and State levels.

Major League (Baseball): Most League Age 10 to 12 Year Olds:
The Major League Baseball program is for boys and girls ages 10-12 with more baseball experience. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet.

While this division allows for more advanced levels of play and adoption of rules such as the "Dropped 3rd Strike," there are no lead offs in this division. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 14 players that is brought about from a player draft. Although this division operates with increased competitiveness, there is still a focus on personal development and encouragement. The season generally comprises of approximately 14-16 games and standings and scores are kept. A post-season double-elimination playoff is offered to all teams to determine the division champion. The winning and second place team may go on to represent E-HLL in the Bay County Baseball Tournament (County) in the "A" and "B" flights.

Our league has an option to choose an "All Stars" team of 10 to 12-year-olds from within this division to represent E-HLL. Players participating on this All Star team are provided the opportunity to participate in a State of Michigan baseball tournament at the District and State levels. State champions move further in the International Tournament to Regionals. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Boys Little League Baseball World Series, featuring teams from around the globe.

Please click here to determine your player's league age.

BCSLL GIRLS SOFTBALL DIVISIONS

Minor League (Softball) for Girls: Most League Age 8 to 10 Year Olds:
The Girls Minor League Softball program serves as a softball training ground for young girls with developing softball skills. Our minor league softball system consists of players ages 8-10 years old, with some beginning 11 year olds. In this program, coaches focus on throwing, fielding, hitting & pitching fundamentals and mechanics. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 15 players. This division is operated as a player pitch division.

The ball used is an 11" softball and the diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 35 feet per Little League standards. The regular season is generally comprised of approximately 12 league games and standings and scores are kept. A post-season playoff based on seeding is offered to all teams to determine the division champion.

Our league has an option to choose an "All Star" Team of 8 to 10-year-olds to represent BCSLL. Players participating on this All Star team are provided the opportunity to participate in a State of Michigan softball tournament at the District and State levels.

Major League (Softball) for Girls: Most League Age 10 to 12 Year Olds:
The Girls Major League Softball program is for girls ages 10-12 with more softball experience. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 40 feet. This division is operated as a player pitch division and a 12" softball is used. In this advanced program, coaches continue to focus on throwing, fielding, hitting & pitching fundamentals and mechanics. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 14 players.

The season is generally comprised of approximately 12-14 games, and standings and scores are kept. A post-season playoff based on seeding is offered to all teams to determine the division champion.

Our league has an option to choose an "All Star" Team of 10 to 12-year-olds from within this division to represent BCSLL. Players participating on this All Star team are provided the opportunity to participate in a State of Michigan softball tournament at the District and State levels. State champions move further in the International Tournament to Regionals. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Girls Little League Softball World Series, featuring teams from around the globe.

Please click here to determine your player's league age.

Site Links

Essexville-Hampton and Bay County Softball Little League

For more information please contact us at, PO Box 136
Essexville, Michigan 48732
Email : [email protected]