The Major League Division helps continue a player's transition to traditional baseball.  Little League International rules are fully enforced without modification.

The foundational principles of the Major League Division are:

• Develop fundamentally sound ballplayers and prepare them for traditional baseball.

• Foster each player’s love for the game through encouragement and positivity.

• Emphasize respect for coaches, teammates, umpires, and the opposition.

Spring/Summer Season:

• Major League teams can expect to practice and play games 3-4 times per week.
• Games will be against other Hamel Majors teams and against neighboring Little League teams, which may require local travel (metro area).
• Teams will compete in two tournaments:
  • A Hamel league tournament that coincides with the Hamel Jamboree.
  • An end of the season tournament against other communities in District 1 (approximately June 22 - July 1).  Travel (w/in Metro) and weekend play is likely for this tournament.

Summer/Fall Season:

• This season is for additional development and games will be against other Hamel teams.

Games and practices will be held at

• Hamel Legion Park Fields:
  • Quad Fields
  • Lighted Field
• Hunter Lions Field
• Other fields near Medina pending field capacity

See the Fields page for more information on these locations.

Some games may be played on a field in another community during interleague play. Please refer to that community's league site for more details on the location of those fields.

Season fees may vary year-to-year and will be listed in registration.

Age Requirements:
Major League is for kids aged 10-12 as of August 31st of the current year.

• 12-year-olds must play in Majors unless a waiver to play in Minors is signed by the Parent/Legal Guardian, League President, and District President. 
• 11-year-olds are not guaranteed to play in Majors.  Rather, based on the number of Majors teams, roster capacity, and skill evaluation, players may be placed in Minors. 
  • Parent requests for an 11-year-old to play in Minors will also be considered.
• 10-year-olds may participate in Majors if they evaluate high enough and based on prior year coach feedback (if applicable).  
• 9-year-olds are not eligible for Majors.

Divisions:

Majors American:

This division is for the highest-skilled players based on evaluations and prior year coach feedback.  Having a positive attitude, respecting coaches and umpires, supporting teammates, and committing to Hamel baseball as first priority are other factors beyond baseball skill that are taken into consideration.

Majors National:

This division is for the next level of players based on evaluations and prior year coaches feedback.  Having a positive attitude, respecting coaches and umpires, supporting teammates, and committing to Hamel baseball as first priority are other factors beyond baseball skill that are taken into consideration.

Team Formation:
Evaluations are used to create balance among teams within each division.  The Board reserves the right to make changes to teams in the event that team talent becomes imbalanced, or if coaches are not disseminated equally.

See the Evaluations page for more information.

"Play with" requests will not be honored.

A progression of baseball skills will be taught at the Majors level.  Players will continue to rotate and experience all positions in practice.  Coaches will continually evaluate each player's skills and skill development during the season to ensure they are put in a position to succeed in games.  All players may not play all positions in games and playing time may not be equal.

Coaches will focus on the things that ALL players can control:

• Showing up on time
• Positive attitude
• Respect for coaches, the opposition, umpires, and teammates
• Willingness to learn
• Giving their best effort
  • Running hard on the base paths
  • Hustling onto and off the field
  • Taking quality at-bats

Little League rules are fully enforced.  It is up to coaches to know and understand the rules.  The Little League rules app can be downloaded on iOS or Google Play devices.

(Link to download Little League Rules app)

Pitch Count Rules:

An example of a Pitch Count Tracker is provided below and can be downloaded and used.

See https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/pitch-count/ for the full list of pitching and catching rules.

At the Major League level, Hamel Baseball provides:

• Baseballs (practice balls and game balls)
• Catcher’s equipment
• Medical Kit
• Team Jersey
• Team Hat
• Coach's Hat (rostered coaches only)
• Coach's Shirt (rostered coaches only)
• Little League patches

Players are required to supply their own:

• Batting Helmet
• Glove
• Baseball bat (USA Baseball approved - "USAbat") https://www.hamelbaseball.org/bat-information
• Baseball pants (white or gray preferred)
• Athletic Supporter and protective cup
• Rubber cleated baseball shoes
• Baseball socks and belt (to match jersey if possible)

NOTE: Please write your child’s name on all personal equipment.

See the Tournament Team page for more information.