AAA

What is the game and practice schedule at this level?

Teams begin practices in March and games on Opening Weekend in early April. Teams have practice twice per week, typically on a weeknight or Sunday afternoon and then on a weeknight.  This is a big commitment!  Games are played on Saturday mornings or afternoons, as well as having one game per week on a weeknight. Game schedules will be made available in late March or early April.   Games are scheduled for 2-hour slots. 

In early June, the schedule shifts to a postseason tournament in which all teams participate.  The season ends in late June.

What does a typical game look like?

At this level, a game looks like much more like a real game of baseball. Players pitch to each other, steal bases, and learn to bunt. Only nine players play in the field at any time, though all players are in the batting order. No more than five runs can be scored by a team in any inning.

My son/daughter played AAA last year.  Can’t he/she return to the same team without attending this evaluation session?

It is quite possible that your player may return to his/her team from last season through the draft, but participation in the evaluation session and the draft is required to achieve the desired balance between competitive play and keeping players with friends, schoolmates, and prior teammates. Aside from just being a fun time, these sessions really help our coaches and league officials to understand how players have progressed (i.e., whether a player is at the right level in a second year of AAA) and to establish a baseline of the talent level for each team.  

What’s the deal with all-stars?

AAA has several different possibilities when it comes to making an All-Star team, including:

LOCAL – Arlington Little League has an annual AAA All-Star Game, featuring two or three talented players from each team as voted on by their teammates. There is no commitment to participating on this team or in this game, other than the game itself.
 

DISTRICT 4 – 9 & 10 year-olds from our AAA and Majors divisions are eligible for the District 4 all-star teams. These teams require an almost daily commitment to baseball practice and/or game from the end of the ALL season until early to mid-July. Talk to your coach, stay tuned to the website for details if you’re interested.
 

What does my player need?

The league provides a team t-shirt and a hat for each player, as well as a tee, helmets, catcher’s gear, and bats at each game. Players at this level need to provide their own glove, and will need to bring their own water, juice, etc. to each game. Cleats and baseball pants should be worn at this level.

What else is required?

Your participation as a parent.  Even if you don’t step up as a head coach, parents should be present at these games to cheer on their players and help the coaches.

If you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact or the AAA Commissioner!