Spring 2026 Division Updates & FAQ
What is changing?
Starting with the Spring 2026 season, Ardsley Little League will gradually transition from assigning players to divisions based on school grade to using players’ birth dates and Little League International league age.
Why are we making this change?
Ardsley Little League is a member of Little League International (LLI) and, LLI’s policy is that divisions are created based on a player’s age, with rules and gameplay designed for each age group.
Historically, we have organized divisions by school grade while applying LLI’s age-based rules. This approach has created some developmental challenges for players and is out of alignment with most other leagues in our district (District 20).
In addition, when our teams compete in intra-league or tournament games, differences in how divisions are structured can make it harder to ensure fair competition, consistent rules, and player safety. Moving to an age-based system helps address these challenges.
What does it mean to me?
To make this transition as smooth as possible, we’ll be phasing it in over multiple seasons. For Spring 2026, only our Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders will be placed in divisions based on their age. Baseball and softball players in 3rd grade and older will continue in the current grade-based system until they age out of Little League.
Below is how the 2026 season will apply to each group:
IMPORTANT! For families following the age-based divisions, your child’s Little League age may not match their numerical age. You can confirm their league age using the official Little League International charts for Baseball and Softball.
Final Thoughts
We appreciate your patience and feedback as we work through this transition! Please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected] to discuss. Additionally, we will be holding a forum in early December (date TBD) to answer any additional questions.
Our goal is to create a safe and fun learning environment for all of our baseball and softball players. As such, Ardsley Little League may modify individual placement and/or team structures within a given division to ensure a balance of safety and fair competition.