This is a question that often comes up, and is frequently a cause of confusion.

It is a standard set by Little League International, to which we as a local league must adhere when determining who is eligible to play.  

Since the 2006 playing season, "League age" had been the age your child will be on or before April 30 of the year in which your child wishes to play.  Prior to that, the determining date was June 30.

If it wasn't already confusing enough, Little League International decided in 2014 to change the eligibility date for determining league age from April 30 of the year in which the season starts to December 31 of the year in which the season starts.  The implementation process was like this - for any child born ON or AFTER January 1, 2006, the new standard of December 31 applied immediately.  The age your child turned in 2015 was your child's "league" age.  For children born BEFORE January 1, 2006, the old date of April 30 of the season in which the child will be playing will apply for the next two seasons (2016, 2017).  In 2018, the December 31 date would apply for ALL players (at least that was the plan).

HOWEVER, Little League International has backed away from the December 31 date, after much input from leagues all around the country and world, and the new date of determination will be August 31.  For a more detailed discussion, please refer to this article on the Little League International web site. 

This change is expected to be finalized for the 2018 season.  Most players will be unaffected by the implementation of the newest determination date.  A few players will have the interesting situation of being the same league age two years in a row.

Please be aware that it is taking our board some time to wrap our heads around this change and the many implications, and we will do our best to keep the best interests of your kids uppermost in all decisions.