Strrrike up Excitement, Little League is Back!

by Kaydence Smith, Staff Writer

Little Leaguers high-five South Lakes High School baseball players at the opening day parade. Photo by Isadora Guerreiro.

Reston Herndon Little League (RHLL), the area's largest and most established youth baseball league, is now open for spring registration. With divisions for players ages 3-1/2 to 12, there’s a place for every child to learn and enjoy the game.

For children ages 4 and younger, RHLL offers a free program called Blastball, a simplified version of T-ball. In this fun and engaging division, kids hit the ball off a tee and run to first base—which squeaks when they step on it—before getting high-fives and returning to the dugout. Players learn fundamental skills such as field positioning using plastic markers, fielding a ball (with or without a glove), and hitting off a tee.

As players progress, they move into T-ball (ages 5-6) and then A-ball, the final division in the lower leagues. These divisions begin in late March and continue through the end of the school year. Players advance from hitting off a tee to coach-pitch and eventually kid-pitch, with rules like three-out or four-run innings keeping the pace of the game exciting.

The upper divisions include AA-ball (ages 8-9), AAA-ball, and Majors (ages 11-12). Majors is the most competitive level, culminating in playoffs at the end of the season. Players in these divisions must complete a skill evaluation to be placed on a team, as all teams are drafted.

To ensure fair and balanced teams, coaches use SkillShark, an app that creates custom player profiles and evaluates skills in categories such as throwing/catching, ground balls, fly balls, and hitting. For the spring season, skill evaluations will take place on Feb. 9 and 23. RHLL encourages all upper-level players to register before the second evaluation. After evaluations, the draft begins in March, with practices and games starting in April and continuing through the end of the school year.

This season, RHLL has made key changes to its All-Star program. Previously, RHLL had two separate district teams—American and National—but this year, they have been combined to create greater parity and stronger support among players.

Additionally, RHLL has introduced Local All-Stars, providing more players with an opportunity to compete. Any player not selected for the district All-Star team is eligible for the local All-Star team, which will have the same practice structure and uniforms but will compete in a local tournament.

District All-Star teams have the opportunity to advance to the Little League World Series if they continue winning. RHLL (formerly RLL) has a proud history, with its 12U All-Stars winning the Virginia State Championship in 2011.

Reston Herndon Little League wants your player to excel, no matter their age or status. For families that need support when it comes to registration fees, fill out the form on RHLL’s website that will, when accepted, give your player a scholarship. “In the Reston Herndon Community, there are no kids out there that want to play baseball that aren’t going to be able to do it,” RHLL President Tim Jones said.

If your child is interested in playing for the Reston Herndon Little League, please go to RHbaseball.org under the “Register Now” tab to sign-up. Parents or family interested in coaching can follow the same link and sign-up under the “Volunteer” tab. All potential coaches are required to complete a background check, and all upper-level coaches will be interviewed and voted on. Join RHLL and give your child the gift of teamwork, sportsmanship, and lifelong friendships.