League Age Calculator

Determine your player's league age and division eligibility

For USSSA, Little League, Babe Ruth, PONY, AAU, Perfect Game & more

Calculate League Age
The year of the season you're calculating for
Enter a birthdate to get started

We'll calculate league age across all major organizations

Understanding League Age

What is League Age?

League age (sometimes called "baseball age" or "softball age") differs from a player's actual age. It's determined by how old the player is on a specific cutoff date set by each organization.

This age remains fixed for the entire season, even after the player has a birthday. A player born in June might be league age 9 in USSSA (May 1 cutoff) but league age 10 in Little League (August 31 cutoff).

Why Different Cutoffs?

Each organization chooses a cutoff date that aligns with their season structure:

  • May 1 - Locks age before spring season starts (USSSA, AAU, Perfect Game)
  • August 31 - Aligns with school year registration (Little League Baseball)
  • January 1 / December 31 - Simple calendar year calculation
  • September 1 - Start of the competitive year (USA Softball)
Age Cutoff Dates by Organization
Organization Baseball Cutoff Softball Cutoff
USSSA May 1 December 31
Little League August 31 January 1
Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken April 30 April 30
PONY April 30 December 31
AAU May 1 Varies
Perfect Game May 1 N/A
USA Softball N/A September 1
Age cutoffs may vary by region and can change yearly. Always confirm with your local league or tournament director.

Common Questions

Yes! Many players participate in different organizations throughout the year. A player might be 9U in USSSA spring travel ball (May 1 cutoff) but 10U in Little League fall ball (August 31 cutoff). This is completely normal as long as they meet each league's age requirements.

No. League age is determined on the cutoff date and stays the same for the entire season. If a player is league age 9 on the cutoff date, they remain 9U for that entire season, even after turning 10.

Generally, yes. Most organizations allow players to compete in older age divisions if the player is skilled enough. This is common for advanced players who want more competitive play. However, "playing down" (competing in younger divisions) is typically not allowed to protect younger players.

Players born just after a cutoff date will be among the oldest in their division, while those born just before will be among the youngest. This is sometimes called the "relative age effect." Consider your child's size, skill level, and confidence when deciding whether to play up. Being older in a division can build confidence, while playing up can provide better competition for advanced players.
Back to Resources