History

The Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) Little League is a chartered franchise of Little League International, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Little League is the only organized sports program to be independently operated and sustained by the sponsorship of its own foundation. Little League was founded to assist youth in developing qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being, with proper guidance and exemplary leadership. It is designed to provide an outlet of healthful activity and training under good leadership in the atmosphere of wholesome community participation. It strives to inspire youth and to enrich their lives towards the day when they must take their places in society. It establishes for them the basics of teamwork and fair play.

Little League was founded in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1939. It is the largest organized youth sports program in the world. Little League operates under charter of Federal Incorporation granted under a bill signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in July 1964.

The current SYA charter has been in effect since 1978. Prior to 1978, SYA played both Little League and independent baseball. Before the start of the 1978 season it was decided by the Board of Directors of SYA to rejoin the national organization. It has been and always will be the objective of SYA to firmly implant in the youth of our community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority. Softball has been a sport under SYA since the organization was formed and in the summer of 2018, SYA chartered the softball program with Little League.

SYA currently holds a charter with Little League and baseball and softball for ages 12 and under. Additionally, SYA has a Seniors level for softball for ages 13-16. It is mandatory that every youth participating in the SYA Little League program live within the boundaries or be covered by a waiver approved by Little League Baseball. The geographical boundaries for each league can be found below.

League Boundaries are reviewed annually to ensure compliance with Little League Regulations.

SYA Little League Boundary Map

SYA Little League Boundary Text Version

If a player attends one of the following schools, they are eligible to play with SYA Little League. All that is required is the completion of a School Enrollment Form following registration.

Schools: Ad Fontes Academy, Bull Run ES, Centre Ridge ES, Centreville ES, Centreville HS, Cub Run ES, Deer Park ES, Liberty MS, Loudoun Towne ES, Mountain View HS, Powell ES, Saint Andrew the Apostle CS, Stone MS, Union Mill ES, Virginia Run ES, Westfield HS, Willow Springs ES

Mission

The objective of SYA Little League shall be to implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of team work, good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority, so that they may be well adjusted, stronger and happier children and will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy citizens. To achieve this objective the SYA Little League will provide a supervised program under the Little League Baseball/Softball Official Regulations and Playing Rules. SYA Little League volunteers shall bear in mind that the molding of future citizens is of prime importance. This shall be achieved through teaching the game and skills of baseball and softball to all players. The attainment of exceptional athletic skill and the winning of games is secondary.

Baseball Program

Tee Ball Level
Within the Tee Ball Level, SYA Little League has established Tee Ball and Coach Pitch Levels for baseball players aged 4-6, although a 7 year old can also play at this level. This level of play is dedicated to teaching the basics of baseball while emphasizing the fun aspects of playing team sports. All players play in the field and bat in every inning.

Minor League Level
The purpose of Minor League is to provide training and instruction for those players who by reason of age and other factors do not qualify for selection in the Major League. Within the Minor League Level, SYA Little League has established three Levels. They may include, depending on player registrations:

Rookie which is mixed coach pitch and player pitch for baseball players aged 7-9. 6 year olds may be eligible to play with a waiver granted by the SYA Little League President.

Double A (AA) which is introductory player-pitch baseball. This is the first level of baseball where players learn to pitch. Generally, this level of play is for players that are 7-10 years old. To be considered for this level of play, a player must attend a preseason tryout. Based on tryouts and a players past playing experience, Managers make players selections to form AA team rosters. Players not drafted onto AA rosters are assigned to play at the Machine Pitch Level.

Triple A (AAA) which is intermediate player-pitch baseball. This is the transitional level of player-pitch baseball. Generally, this level of play is for players that are 8-11 years old. Though, not required, players at this level have prior player-pitch playing experience at the AA level of play. To be considered for this level of play, a player must attend a preseason tryout. Based on tryouts and a player’s past playing experience, Managers make payer selections to form AAA team rosters. Players not drafted onto AAA rosters are then placed into the AA draft player pool for potential selection.

Major League Level
Majors – is advanced player-pitch baseball. This is the most advanced level of play for experienced player-pitch baseball. Generally, this level of play is for players that are 10-12 years old and have prior player-pitch playing experience. To be considered for this level of play, a player must attend a preseason tryout. Based on tryouts and a players past playing experience, Managers make payer selections to form Majors team rosters. Players not drafted onto Majors rosters are then placed into the AAA draft player pool for potential selection.

Challenger League
SYA has joined with the Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) to offer the Sully Challenger Baseball, a division of Little League Baseball for mentally and physically challenged boys and girls ages 5 through 18. Additional details of the program will be provided upon request of the Board of Directors.

Softball Program

Minor League Level

Minor League is introductory player-pitch softball. This is the first level of softball where players learn to pitch. Generally, this level of play is for players that are 7-11 years old. To be considered for this level of play, a player must attend a preseason tryout. Based on tryouts and a players past playing experience, Managers make players selections to form minor league team rosters.  Depending on number of registrations we may form various levels of play of minor leagues with pitching from all coach pitch/machine pitch to all player pitch.

Major League Level

Major League is intermediate level player-pitch softball. This is the next level of softball where players enhance their skills learned in prior seasons. Generally, this level of play is for players that are 9-12 years old. To be considered for this level of play, a player must attend a preseason tryout. Based on tryouts and a players past playing experience, Managers make players selections to form major league team rosters.  Players not drafted are then selected in the minor league draft.

Senior League Level

Senior League is the advanced level of player-pitch softball. This is the top level of softball where players continue to enhance their skills learned in prior seasons. Generally, this level of play is for players that are 13-16 years old. To be considered for this level of play, a player must attend a preseason tryout. Based on tryouts and a players past playing experience, Managers make players selections to form team rosters.

Fall Season
While the Fall season mirrors the organization of the Spring season, the Fall Season is considered primarily an instructional program on all levels as it is the beginning of our new year. The Fall Baseball Season will be comprised of an Advanced Player Pitch division for Spring Majors veterans, AAA All Stars, and 12 year old players, an Intermediate division for all Spring AAA and advanced AA players, and an Introductory division for the remaining AA players and all Spring A division players wishing to advance. The Rookie, Coach Pitch, and Tee Ball levels are essentially the same as in the spring. The Fall Softball Season follows similar naming conventions used in the Spring softball season. Any adjustments to league and level organization will depend on total children registered for each playing level.