Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Levels of Play?
At SMLLA, we name most of our levels after divisions of Professional Baseball. The progression is Wiffle Ball ⇨ T-ball ⇨ Single A ⇨ Cal ⇨ Minors ⇨ PCL ⇨ Majors ⇨ Juniors.
How do I know which level of play is appropriate for my child?
Players are matched to the right division based on baseball ability which is determined during a League-hosted assessment. Based on baseball ability, your child could be placed one level up or down. Any child can waiver down in any division. For example, if your 10 year old isn't ready for PCL (typically 10-11’s), you can ask to keep them in Minors (9-10’s). Players that participate in Wiffle and T-ball aren’t required to attend an assessment.
What is the draft?
For Single A through Juniors, SMLLA builds teams for the spring season via a draft. All of the players attend an assessment session in early January where they throw, catch, field, pitch and hit. Later, team managers of each division draft players one round at a time. It is up to the manager to select a participant for any given division. The league can't guarantee a participant will be chosen to any specific division. However, every player will be selected for a team. For Wiffle & T-Ball, teams are built by the league taking into consideration buddy requests & school info.
What is the difference between Age and Little League Baseball Age?
Baseball age is an age categorization set by Little League International. LL baseball age is the age your child will be as of August 31, 2026. This means that some kids will have a higher baseball age than their actual current age. See the 2026 Little League Age Chart.
What is the difference between San Mateo American and San Mateo National?
San Mateo has two little leagues. For players that are baseball age 8 or older, you are recommended to play in the league affiliated with either your home address or the address of the school your child attends. You can determine your eligibility for San Mateo Little League American using the Little League Finder tool. If your home and school are outside of the boundaries and your player wants to join San Mateo American, please contact [email protected] to discuss your request.
If a player is baseball age 4-7 and they don't meet the boundary eligibility requirements, can they play San Mateo American?
Yes. In 2025, Little League International removed the boundary restriction for players baseball age 4-7 so they can play in any Little League they want.
Can the sibling of a player registered in San Mateo American also play in San Mateo American?
Yes, if a player is baseball age 7 or younger, and lives outside the SMLLA boundary, and does not attend a school within the SMLLA boundary, and chooses to play in SMLLA, any older sibling(s) who meet the age requirements can play with SMLLA and are eligible for All Stars consideration. If the younger player stops playing during the season, the older sibling will be rendered ineligible for All Stars for the current season and must play in the program where they are eligible (via address or school attendance) next season.
Can I request my player be placed on a specific team - with a specific coach or friends?
Teammate requests are possible in our Wiffle Ball and T-Ball divisions, but are not guaranteed. We generally try to organize teams by schools and friends for Wiffle Ball and T-Ball.
Since teams in our Single-A through Juniors divisions are created via a draft format to promote equitable teams, SMLLA cannot accept requests for specific coaches or players to be on a team together in these divisions.
I found out my child has a conflict and cannot play Little League. Can I cancel my child’s registration?
Registration fees for the Spring 2026 season can be refunded on or before December 31, 2025. After this date, no refunds will be processed. Please contact [email protected] to coordinate a refund on or before December 31, 2025.
Additional questions? Email us at [email protected].