Baseball & Softball
Known as “the National Pastime”, baseball has been an American sport’s icon for years. Baseball originated in the mid 1800’s. It was known as “rounders, a game played on sand lots and later called “townball”, “base”, and finally “baseball”. Unlike other sports, such as football or basketball, athletes of average size or weight could play the game competitively. Professional baseball began in 1871 with 2 leagues, the National and the American leagues. The champions of each league were the winners of the “pennant”. The pennant winners would play each other for the title of “World Series Champion”.
Today boys & girls can enjoy playing baseball by joining a number of leagues, YMCA, National Youth Sports, or many of the city programs. For the serious athlete or to improve skills, look at the baseball & softball training facilities available around the valley. Line Drives and Ballpark Arizona are two of the premier indoor training facilities in Scottsdale. Whether its fall or spring, there’s always a place to play ball.
Little League
Little league is the largest organized youth sports program in the world. Many leagues, but not all, offer both baseball & softball. Arizona has 13 districts with several leagues and teams. If you can’t find your league below, go to Little League Finder.
| T-Ball: 5 – 6 years old | Minor League: 8 – 12 years old |
| Farm League: 7 – 8 years old | Major League: 10 – 12 years old |
| Junior League: 13 – 15 years old | Senior League: 14 – 16 years old |
| Challenger Division: available | Big League 16 – 18 years old |
| League | Area | Phone | |
| McDowell Mt. LL | North Scottsdale District 6 | 480-513-7750 | |
| Fountain Hills LL P.O. Box 17904 Fountain Hills, AZ |
Fountain Hills District 6 | ||
| Horizon
LL 6339 E. Greenway Rd. PMB #102-221 Scottsdale AZ |
N. Scottsdale District 3 | 480-998-7785 | |
| South Scottsdale LL 2056 N. 71st St. Scottsdale, AZ |
S. Scottsdale District 6 | 480-945-5843 | |
| Old Scottsdale LL 8330 E. Osborn Rd Scottsdale AZ |
Scottsdale District 6 | 480-990-7067 | |
| District 6 | Scottsdale & Fountain Hills | 480 596-2998 | |
| District 3 |
Phoenix & Scottsdale | 602 689-3451 | |
| District 13 | Tempe, Chandler, Ahwatukee | 602 809-5525 | |
| District 2 | Surprise, Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Avondale, Tolleson, Buckey, Litchfield Park, Goodyear | 602 622-8846 | |
| District 7 | Mesa, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Higley, Queen Creek |
PONY League (Protect Our Nation’s Youth)
The Pony League is a non-profit organization that competes with Little League. The League offers baseball for boys & girls ages 5 to 18.
| League | Area | Phone | |
| Chandler Youth Baseball | Chandler | 480 659-9247 |
National Youth Sports
NYS provides T-Ball and baseball for both boys and girls 4 times per year. Visit www.nysonline.org to register on line.
T-Ball: Ages 3-4 & 5-6 years
Baseball: Ages 7-9, 10-12 & 13-15 years
YMCA
Softball
Did you know that softball was invented on Thanksgiving Day 1887? A group of young men were in a gymnasium in Chicago to hear the outcome of the Yale-Harvard football game. When the winner was announced someone threw a boxing glove at another person and that person hit it back with a pole. George Hancock, a reporter, yelled “let’s play ball”, used the laces of the boxing glove to tie it into a ball, drew a diamond shaped field on the floor, and the initial game was invented. George went on to produce the rules and make a proper ball and bat. It was known as indoor baseball, but was soon taken outside and is now known as softball.
Softball is available for both boys and girls. Although few girls play baseball, softball has become a great sport for girls to play and eventually get college scholarships. Not all Little Leagues have softball, so call or visit their websites
Scottsdale Miss Softball
(1st grade – 10th grade)
4700 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd # 157
Scottsdale 480 941-6848
Chandler Girls Softball
PO Box 228
Chandler 480 773-7517
cgsl@cox.net
Registration begins in January for spring ball. Over 50 teams are expected.
National Youth Sports – Girls Softball
The NYS program is a recreational program with the mission to “strengthen the individual, the family and the community through participation in youth sports”.
Softball is offered 4 times a year, spring, summer, fall, and winter. Visit www.nysonline.org for registration information.
Girls ages 7-9 years old
Girls ages 10-12 years old
Desert Wolves Softball Club
Desert Wolves is a Scottsdale based ASA competitive club currently offering teams for 12U & 14U. Players participate in both a fall and spring league. It is open to any girl who has a desire to play at a competitive level and wants to develop the skills and experience needed to play at a higher level.
Desert Wolves Softball Club
13968 E. Kalil Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Contact: Brian Tschetter 480 661-4776 or 480 657-9611