Little League Softball program includes divisions for all children, ages 4–16. There are five divisions for softball players:
- Tee Ball is the entry level division enjoyed by ages 4-7.
- Minor League serves ages 5-11.
- Little League Majors is played by ages 9-12.
- Junior Division is made up of players ages 12-14.
- Senior League is for the oldest players, ages 13-16.
The equipment rules for softball specify a range of circumference and weight requirements and it is up to the manufacturers produce balls withing those ranges.
1.09 – SOFTBALL: The softball used must meet Little League specifications and standards. The ball shall be not less than 11-7/8” nor more than 12- 1/8” in circumference and shall weigh not less than 6¼ ounces nor more than 7 ounces.
Tee Ball/Minor League: The ball shall be not less than 10-7/8” nor more than 11-1/8” in circumference and shall weigh not less than 5-1/2 ounces nor more than 6 ounces.
The material used for the core, winding and cover of the softball may differ by age group. Generally speaking, younger children play with balls that are lighter and softer to minimize injury and maximize handling ability.
Manufacturers apply and pay to have their products licensed by for use in Little League. Baseball and softball models approved to bear Little League® marks must first meet Little League specifications. To ensure all models meet the established specifications, the manufacturer/licensee is responsible for providing COR and compression test results from Southern Impact Research Center. If the average falls within acceptable parameters, balls will then be submitted for a field evaluation using age appropriate players.
References:
https://www.littleleague.org/partnerships/licensing/baseball-softball-approval-process/
