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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Registration is now open for the Saratoga Springs Little League (SSLL) Spring 2022 season. 

Sign up before March 1 to take advantage of the early bird pricing. Registration fee is $80 for Majors, Minors AAA, and Minors AA prior to March 1, and $90 thereafter. Registration is $40 for Bantam and Challenger prior to March 1, and $50 thereafter. Registration is $25 for T-Ball. Maximum registration fee is $135 for families who are registering multiple children. 

Kids ages 4-13 of all abilities and residents of Saratoga Springs City School District are welcome. The Spring 2022 Division Levels are as follows: 

T-Ball – ages 4 to 6. An entry level division for players League Age 4-6, in Kindergarten, or younger. Players must be 4 years old before May 1, 2022, in order to register for T-Ball. This division is designed for children with little or no experience. 

Bantam – ages 6 to 7 (Coach Pitch). An instructional division for players League Age 6-7, typically in Kindergarten, or 1st grade. Players age 5 who are in Kindergarten and have on year of T-Ball experience may play in this division. 

Minors AA – ages 7 to 8 (Machine Pitch). An instructional division for players who are League Age 7-8 and in 2nd or 3rd grade. Players who are League Age 9 can play in this division upon request and with the approval of the Player Agent. 

Minors AAA – ages 9 to 10 (Player Pitch). A competitive division for players who are League Age 9-10 and in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade. Players age 8 with at least one year of experience at the Minor League AA level may be eligible to play in this division based on enrollment, player safety, and player ability. Under certain circumstances (ability, experience), players age 11 can play in this division with the approval of the Player Agent. 

Majors – ages 11 to 12. A competitive division for players who are League Age 11-12, and in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade. Players age 10 may be eligible to play in this division based on enrollment, player safety, and play ability. 

Challenger – ages 4 to 18. The Little League Challenger Program is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and developmental challenges. The goal of this division is to provide the opportunity for the developmentally and/or physically disabled to enjoy the full benefits of little league participation in an environment structured to their abilities. Rules for this division will be flexible to meet the program’s needs. League ages will also be flexible for this division, determined by the Board of Directors on a yearly basis based on division registrations. 

Teams can generally expect to play one game during the week (starting at 6 p.m.) and one game on Saturday (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for younger divisions, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. for older divisions) from late April through early June. All games are played at West Side Recreation in Saratoga Springs. 

Please visit the program page at saratogaspringslittleleague.org/program for more detailed information. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions. 

Saratoga/Wilton Youth League and Saratoga Springs Little League both kicked off their Opening Day at the East and West side recreation fields on Saturday, May 4. Children of all ages enjoyed a day of fun on the fields.

Photos by SuperSource Media, LLC.

Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs Little League® has announced its first ever Challenger Division game under the lights at the West Side Rec Fields on June 1, with ceremonies beginning at 7:30 p.m.     The Little League Challenger Division® was established nationally in 1989 and is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.  Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate.  The Little League Challenger Division accommodates players ages 4 to 18; or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school.

“Saratoga Springs Little League’s® adaptive baseball program is in its third year and is only one of a few in the region. It gives our players with specialized needs a place to join in and enjoy playing the game of baseball in our community.  Additionally, we are inviting not only all SSLL parents, but all teachers, teacher aides, therapists, counselors, and other school staff to come out and cheer the players on.  As you make a difference in the school with them, watch them perform on the field for a special night,” said Rob Kelly, Challenger Division Player Agent. 

Challenger player Evan Daikos loves the game of baseball and explains it best, “I like playing baseball! Hitting the ball is my favorite part!”

The evening will begin at 7:20 p.m. with warm ups led by Major league players of the game, Ben and Patrick McKinley, followed by an introduction of each player at 7:30, the 7:45 p.m. ceremonial first pitch and at 7:50 p.m., an invitation for all Little League® players onto the field to stand with the Challenger players for the national anthem. First pitch is 8 p.m. under the lights.

“We hope the entire community comes out this Friday to celebrate these kids and to root them on.  We are so proud of our Challenger Division and all the volunteers and parents who make it possible.  Please come out and support them as they experience this well-deserved honor under the lights,” explained Derrick Legall, President of Saratoga Springs Little League.

Little League Baseball, Inc. is a non-profit organization with the mission “...assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than stellar athletes.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Springs Little League celebrated a season of competition on June 17 with the first-ever Adirondack Cup. Held at West Side Rec, the day-long event kicked off at 9 a.m., pitting the top-seeded teams from both the major and minor divisions of the league against their counterparts from Glens Falls Little League (GFLL). A total of 18 match-ups played out, culminating with the No. 1 seeded major and minor teams from each league facing off, which led to victories for Saratoga Springs Little League in each case.

Majors champions PBA bested their GFLL opponents, Warren Tire, with a strong 16-1. PBA was dominant from the outset, scoring six runs on Warren Tire in the first inning. Minors champions Julie and Co. bested GFLL’s Hudson River Community Credit Union, rallying back against their opponents’ early 3-point lead. Prior to the event, each team had claimed the Saratoga Little League titles in championship bouts on Thursday (Julie and Co. vs. HT Lyons) and Friday (PBA vs. Byrne Orthodontics).

Beyond the numerous match-ups, Saratoga Springs Little League went above and beyond to make the gathering feel like a proper celebration for all the young athletes in attendance. Special announcers were brought in for the games, and music was played between innings. A bounce house was also set up for the enjoyment of the children in attendance.

“This was a celebration of both leagues in their entirety,” league vice president David S. Karpinski said. “We always love to conclude our seasons with a sort of playoff type event.”

Moving on from this season, 36 out of the around 300 players from the normal leagues have been chosen to compete on the All-Stars team. Practice for this higher-level team began on June 20, and the first game will take place June 26 against Mechanicville/Stillwater.

All photos by www.photoandgraphic.com.