Gallinas Valley Little League

So you think your kid might want to play Tee Ball?

Here’s everything families need to know about our Tee Ball and Intro to Tee Ball programs.

Our league — and Tee Ball especially — is all about making friends and bringing families together through baseball. It might feel like an introduction to “organized sports,” but for our 4–6 year olds it’s really about playing, laughing, and having fun.

After coaching Tee Ball for several seasons, one thing is clear: the kids who enjoy it most are not necessarily the “athletes.” This is a special time where fun truly rules the day and every skill level is welcomed and valued.

Gallinas Valley Little League is entirely run by parent and community volunteers. That’s us — coaches, team parents, board members and more. To make it work, we rely on families who are willing to jump in and help.

There are no residency or school boundaries at this age. Kids can join their friends and play in Gallinas Valley Little League regardless of where they live or which school they attend.

• To play in Little League, a child must be 4 years old by August 31, 2026 (league age).
• League age 4 players can choose Intro to Tee Ball (4s only) or the standard Tee Ball division.
• The biggest “readiness” factor is the ability to be part of an hour-long practice or game. Nobody expects laser focus at 4–6, but kids should be able to participate most of the time.
• Girls and boys play together. Our league is better when our whole community is involved.
• It’s okay to be little. Sometimes kids are thrilled, sometimes they’re tired or upset. We support them, help them regroup, and keep it fun.

• Tee Ball is typically a 2x per week activity.
• Practices usually begin in March and the season typically ends in June.
• Games are on Saturdays, and one 1-hour practice is held during the week at a day and time set by the volunteer coaches on each team.

• During registration, families can request friends to be placed on the same team. We do our best to honor these requests.
• We also try to group kids by the kindergarten they’ll attend (Lucas Valley, Vallecito, Mary Silveira, and others).
• Many kids start kindergarten already knowing several teammates from Tee Ball, which makes that big transition much easier.

• Kids receive a uniform jersey and hat. They keep the hat and return the jersey at season’s end.
• League helmets are available, though many families prefer to purchase their own for health and hygiene reasons.
• Team bats are provided; some families choose to get a personal bat.
• Each player needs their own baseball mitt.
• Baseball pants (about $10–$12) and a socks/belt combo (about $10) are strongly encouraged — and yes, they look incredibly cute.
• Cleats are not required. If kids already have them, soccer cleats work great for Tee Ball.

Our pre-Tee-Ball division, Intro to Tee Ball, makes baseball accessible to more kids and families and has been very popular since we introduced it.

At 4 years old, some kids are ready for a full team and games, and some just need a smaller first step. In Intro to Tee Ball, players start with wiffle ball off a tee and may progress to real bats and balls as they are ready.

Kids practice and play within a single 1-hour session on Saturday mornings. There is active parent participation (as safety guidelines allow) to keep the kids engaged and having fun.

This division typically starts in April, about six weeks after the standard Tee Ball division, and runs for roughly eight weeks. Based on the number of participants and their skill levels, we may adjust the structure to give kids the best possible experience.

Our league is entirely run by parent and community volunteers. Parents are our coaches, assistant coaches, team parents and more. Every player on the field is supported by adults who donate their time and energy.

For coaching, deep baseball knowledge is helpful but not required at this age. Enthusiasm and the ability to create a fun, supportive environment matter even more. If you’re even considering getting involved, we encourage giving it a try — it’s incredibly rewarding.

From ages 4–8 there are four local Little League divisions (with additional divisions up to age 16):

1. Intro to Tee Ball (4-year-olds only; age as of 8/31/26). A bite-sized sampling for the littlest players. We start with wiffle balls and build from there.
2. Tee Ball (4–6-year-olds). Intro to baseball: kids hit off a tee, everyone bats, nobody sits, no outs, no score. Just fun.
3. AA / Coach Pitch (typically 6–8-year-olds). Coaches pitch to the kids. No strikeouts, everyone bats, no score, but we do introduce outs — and they really do happen.
4. AAA – Machine / Kid Pitch (typically 7–9-year-olds, with most players age 8). Kids hit off a machine that throws about 35 mph. Toward the end of the season we may introduce kid pitching. Kids can strike out, outs are made, but no score is kept.

Tee Ball FAQ

What age is Tee Ball?

Tee Ball at Gallinas Valley Little League is for league age 4–6, based on Little League’s age chart (age as of 8/31/26).

What is Intro to Tee Ball?

Intro to Tee Ball is a pre-Tee-Ball division for league age 4 players only. Kids start with wiffle ball off a tee and may progress to real bats and balls as they are ready, in a shorter, once-a-week format.

Is prior baseball experience required?

No experience is needed. Both Tee Ball and Intro to Tee Ball are beginner-friendly programs focused on fun, basic skills, and helping kids feel comfortable on the field.

Where are practices and games held?

Games and practices take place on local fields in the San Rafael, California area. Specific fields and schedules are shared with families before the season starts.

Can kids play on a team with friends?

Yes. During registration you can request teammates; we do our best to honor friend and school-based requests whenever possible.

How often do Tee Ball teams practice and play?

Standard Tee Ball teams typically have one practice during the week and one game on Saturdays from March through June. Intro to Tee Ball meets once a week for a combined practice-and-game hour on Saturday mornings.

Questions? We’re happy to help. Reach out to league president John Baker at [email protected].