Welcome to Little League® baseball in the U.K.! We are a well-organized, fun and competitive youth baseball league located within easy reach of London and the southeast of England. Our aim is to serve the community by embracing fundamental skill development, good sportsmanship and team play.
LYBL is open to boys and girls from ages 4 to 18.
The London Youth Baseball League (LYBL) is the preeminent Little League baseball club in the UK.
LYBL Divisions
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Note: Our aim is to provide players with as many options and opportunities to play as possible depending on your age and experience. As such, players are allowed to play in multiple divisions if they are able to do so and if agreed by the LYBL Board.
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For tournaments and Little League events, players can only play in one division and must conform to all eligibility requirements.
Developmental
(Age 4-8)
The Developmental division is generally for players aged 4-8 on or before August 31st.
Games, preceded by short practices, are played during the weekends. The season starts with children hitting from a tee and normally progresses to coach pitch fairly quickly. We don't play with official outs and every batter swings until they hit a fair ball.
Minors
(Age 8-10)
The Minors Division is for players aged 8-10 on or before August 31st (plus younger players subject to ability and experience). Games are played on 42 ft pitching and 60 ft bases with closed bases and a combination of player pitch / coach pitch. Focus on player development and learning to compete.
Majors
(Age 11-12)
The Majors Division is for players aged 11 or 12 years on or before August 31st (plus 10 yr olds subject to ability and experience). Games are played on 46 ft pitching and 60 ft bases with closed bases and player pitch. Focus on player development and competition.
Each year, LYBL forms an All-Star team from the Majors Division that plays for the right to represent Great Britain in Kutno, Poland, at the Little League European Regionals in July. The winner of the European Regionals advances to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as the EMEA representative. The LYBL All-Star team were quarter finalists in Poland in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019. In 2017, the LYBL All-Star team came up one game short of a trip to the LLWS in Williamsport, PA and finished as the LL Europe/Africa Region Runner-Up…the best finish ever for a UK team. In 2019, the LYBL All-Star team finished 3rd in the LL Europe/Africa Region.
Intermediate
(Age 11 - 13)
The Intermediate Division is for players aged 11-13 on or before August 31st (plus younger players subject to ability and experience). Games are played on 50 ft pitching and 60 ft bases with open bases and full baseball rules.
This is a bridge division helping kids moving from Majors to Juniors and also serves as an advanced challenge for more experienced 11 and 12 yr old players. Focus on player development, competing, and full baseball rules.
Juniors
(Age 13-15)
The Juniors Division is for players aged 13-15 years old on or before August 31st. Games are played on 54 ft pitching and 80 ft bases with open bases and full baseball rules.
An All-Star team of 13-14 year olds is formed at the end of the season. The All-Star team competes for the right to represent Great Britain in Kutno, Poland, at the Junior League Baseball European Regionals in July. The winner of the European Regionals advances to compete in the Junior League World Series. In 2008, the LYBL Junior All-Stars were crowned European Champions and were the European representatives at the World Series in Taylor, Michigan.
Seniors
(Age 14-18)
The Senior League/Big League is for players age 14-18 on or before August 31st. Games are played on 60 ft pitching and 90 ft bases with open bases and full baseball rules.
Subject to the number of participants, the league is usually split into AA and AAA to ensure that players are matched appropriately for skill level and experience.