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Westfield Little League

Player Evaluation Overview

Player evaluations for baseball and softball take place in March and are typically held indoors. Evaluations assist us in placing players in the appropriate divisions and making balanced teams. No players will be cut, and all players will have a team to play on.

What skills will be assessed?

  • Batting
  • Fielding Ground Balls (grounders)
  • Fielding Fly Balls (pop-ups in the outfield)
  • Throwing / Pitching
  • Running

How can I prepare my player for evaluations?

  • Practice with them beforehand.
  • Encourage them - Assure them that they will be on a team, regardless of their performance at evaluations. Encourage them to have fun and pay attention to coaches so they know what's expected in each drill.
  • Set expectations - Although evaluations typically last 45-90 minutes, each child will only have a limited number of reps. For example, each child will likely only field about 3-5 grounders. Let them know what activities to expect (see above).

How will I know when evaluations are?

Each player will be assigned a timeslot during the evaluation weekend. Timeslots vary in length, depending on the number of players in each group, but typically last 45-90 minutes. Players are grouped based on age and their last names. We will send out an email listing your player's specific timeslot prior to evaluations. Schedules will also be posted below.

What equipment should my child bring?

  • Glove
  • Bat
  • Batting Helmet
  • Batting Gloves (if desired)
  • Fielding mask (softball)
We will have equipment on site if needed.

What should my child wear?

Players should wear comfortable athletic clothes, a hat and sneakers (cleats are not allowed indoors). Baseball/softball pants are okay but not required. 

What is the evaluation process?

  • Check-In: Your child will receive a sticker that has their evaluation number. The sticker will be attached to the back of their shirt so they're identifiable to the coaches and league administrators.
  • Wait: Players will wait for the previous group to finish. 
  • Warm Up: Players will be called in to start warming up and playing catch with their peers as they wait for evaluations to begin.
  • Evaluation: Drills are generally facilitated by our league Vice Presidents and Player Agents. Coaches  and league officials will observe and evaluate players based on the activities (batting, ground balls, fly balls, throwing, pitching and running). 

Parents/Guardians are asked to NOT participate in any part of evaluations, including warmups. Parents will not be allowed into the gym for safety reasons.

When will teams be announced?

Team assignments will be announced as soon as possible after evaluations. This process sometimes takes a couple of weeks. Teams are created, starting with the oldest division and ending with the youngest division. 

2026 Baseball Evaluation Schedule

This year’s baseball evaluation schedule is listed below. Please contact us if your child will be unable to attend their scheduled time slot.

All players must attend evaluations except league age 6 year olds (born between 9/1/2019 and 8/31/2020). During the evaluation, players will field ground balls, field fly balls, throw, pitch and hit.

- Players should arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled evaluation time to check in and warm up.
- Players should bring gloves, bats and helmets.
- No cleats will be allowed.
- Parents will not be allowed in the gymnasium. This is for everyone’s safety.

It is extremely important that you determine your child’s “baseball” age prior to finding your assigned time slot!

Sunday, March 8
Westfield High School Gymnasium


10 and 11-year Olds (Born between 09/01/2014 and 08/31/2016)
1:00 pm (Last names A - Fletcher)
2:15 pm (Last names Fournier - Lindau)
3:30 pm (Last names Lopez - Rooney)
4:45 pm (Last names Rowe - Z)

12-year Olds (Born between 09/01/2013 and 08/31/2014)
6:00 pm (Last names A - K)
7:00 pm (Last names L - Z)

Saturday, March 14
Woodward Center (Westfield State University)

13-16-year Olds (Born between 09/01/2009 and 08/31/2013)
8:15 am (All) 

9-year Olds (Born between 09/01/2016 and 08/31/2017)

9:30 am (Last names A - K)
10:45 am (Last names L - Z)

8-year Olds (Born between 09/01/2017 and 08/31/2018)
12:00 pm (Last names A - F)
1:00 pm (Last names G - O)
2:00 pm (Last names P - Z)

7-year Olds (Born between 09/01/2018 and 08/31/2019)
3:00 pm (Last names A - Lisee)
4:00 pm (Last names Lopez - Z)

6-year Olds (Born between 09/01/2019 and 08/31/2020)
No Evaluations - All league age 6 year olds will be in the Rookie Division. We will contact you with more information soon. If you are available to serve as a coach, please let us know.

2026 Softball Evaluation Schedule

Saturday, March 7 
Westfield High School Gymnasium

The evaluation schedule is based on League Age (see below). Please contact us in advance if your player will not be able to attend.

9:00 am - 13-14 year olds new to WLL (born 2012 and 2011)
9:00 am
- 12 years old (Born 2013)
10:00 am - 11 years old last name A - L (Born 2014)
11:00 am - 11 years old last name M - Z (Born 2014)
12:00 pm - 10 years old (Born 2015)
1:00 pm - 9 years old (Born 2016)
2:00 pm - 8 years old (Born 2017)

- Players are expected to attend evaluations. The only players who do not have to attend are returning players born in 2011 and 2012 and all players born in 2018 and 2019.
- Players born in 2011 and 2012 who are new to Westfield Little League (have not attended evaluations before) are asked to come to the first time slot.
- Players should arrive 15 minutes early to check in. Evaluations will last about 45-60 minutes for each group.
- Players should bring a glove, bat, batting helmet, and fielding mask. If you do not have a piece of equipment, we will have some on hand to borrow.
- Wear athletic shoes. NO CLEATS as this is inside of the WHS gymnasium.

Please print out and sign the linked Medical Release Form and bring it evaluations. You will need it to participate this season.

Returning players born in years 2011 and 2012
While there is no evaluation required for these players, we would love the help of our tenured athletes to assist at evaluations. We can use help with player check-in, as well as inside of evaluations assisting with guiding players through drills and helping with equipment. Please respond back to let us know if your player is available to help, and at what time.