You will see the signs sooner. There will be more games on weekdays. Northeast Seattle Little League (NESLL) is changing up some of its longstanding rhythms around games and registration.

Historically, registration for baseball has opened after many of the fall sports had concluded. Usually in weeks leading up to Christmas. This year, NESLL is opening it’s registration in October. The changes come as league officials recognize families desire to plan and understand how baseball fits into that. It also comes as some rule changes from Little League International give some registrants the opportunity to play in leagues that they do not reside or attend school within a set geographical zone. Kids who are league age seven (7) will be permitted to register with any league they desire. This represents a significant departure from previous Little League rules that required kids of any age to either live or attend school within a specific geographical zone.

“This change represents a type of Little League free agency,” said outgoing league president Ryan Church, “While we don’t know what is going to happen, it seems that there is the potential for a pretty major shift in the leagues that young athletes might play in. We just want anyone who is excited about baseball or softball to know that NESLL is a great option to connect to community and grow as a player.”

Additionally, siblings of seven-year-olds who are choosing to play in NESLL are also eligible to play in the league. Families that have enjoyed NESLL in the past are encouraged to invite other families in their network to come and participate in baseball and softball in Northeast Seattle. Interested families can get more information at NESLL.net.

But that’s not the only big change coming the diamonds in spring of 2025. There will be some notable changes to the game schedules in the upper-division player pitch levels as well. The biggest shift is away from games on Saturdays to accommodate family schedules and cooperate with athletes playing additional softball, baseball and other sports.

“We want to remove as many barriers from athletes participating in NESLL,” noted incoming board President Charlie Waterman, “While we are deeply enthusiastic about our game, we are enthusiastic about our athletes getting to play other sports including additional baseball and softball.”

Increasingly, young athletes are playing more than one sport per season. Over the past several years, there has been an obvious tension around participation on Saturday as athletes seek to honor coach’s requests from other sports. As a result upper divisions of player pitch in both baseball and softball will limit the number of Saturdays they play games as part of NESLL.

“It’s going to be Friday Night Lights instead of Saturday morning,” quipped Waterman. NESLL will use those Saturdays for additional practices and make-up games. The plan is to hold onto Saturday traditions such as the Mid-Season Classic and Championship Saturday.

T-Ball and Coach Ptich divisions are not impacted by these changes. NESLL facilitates T-ball, baseball and softball for nearly 500 families in Northeast Seattle. It is part of Little League International, the largest youth sports organization in the world.