This is what you need to know
For parents
Your son or daughter is participating in the Little League program. Awesome!
What does it involve, and what should you keep in mind? We’ll list some things for you,
such as:
- What are the costs?
- What about the training sessions?
- What if my child's team wins during the NK?
General information
Participation in the Little League program
Little League is for all youth members aged 10 to 16, and anyone who is a member of the KNBSB is welcome to participate.
Your child participates in the league (region) where they live or attend school. The determining factor for this is the postal code. You cannot choose a region yourself, and unfortunately, no exceptions can be made.
The information you provide during registration will be checked to avoid disappointment. For international tournaments, the verification process includes a birth certificate and the population register. If the information does not match, unfortunately, your child will not be allowed to participate.
Little League Training Sessions
What are the costs?
It is best to contact the regional coordinator for your area, as they can provide you with information about the costs. The participation fee must be paid no later than the first training session.
Participation in the NK Little League
There will be additional preparations with this team leading up to the NK, usually consisting of several team training sessions and practice games. The coach will provide you with information about these, and the regional coordinator will inform you about any additional costs if your child is selected for the league’s All-Star team.
Equipment check
Before each game of the NK, the umpires inspect the equipment of the participating teams.
This is done to ensure everyone’s safety. If a bat or helmet is damaged, it will be disqualified and taken out of play, so it cannot be used during the NK. Once the tournament is over for the team, the kids will, of course, get their personal equipment back through the coach.
However, it’s even better to repair or replace any damaged items beforehand or simply leave them at home. The coach knows the requirements and guidelines the equipment must meet, so be sure to check with them before sending equipment with your child.
Respect the Game
The organization of the National Championship (NK) is managed each year by many enthusiastic volunteers, including over 40 umpires who officiate the games. We are incredibly grateful for the help of all these dedicated individuals, as we couldn’t do it without them. Playing or officiating exciting and fun games—and, of course, winning—is amazing!
The joy of the sport is the top priority and is highly valued. We are strongly committed to promoting sportsmanship and respect among and for the organization, players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, and parents. This ensures that everyone participates in this wonderful event with great enjoyment.
Did you know that every year, at each location, we present a “Respect The Game” Award to the most fun and sportsmanlike team?
From Dutch champion to the European Championship!
The teams that win the National Championship (NK) qualify for the European Championships (Regionals), which take place during the summer holidays in Italy, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
The teams that win the NK must participate in the European Championships with the same roster and, if they win there, proceed to the World Series in the United States. Therefore, players need to be available for these dates, so it’s important to keep this in mind when planning your summer holidays.
For the Senior Softball category, participation in the European Championships is organized slightly differently. Following a change by Little League International and a successful pilot in 2024, they will continue with this format. You can read more about it here.
Participation in the European Championships is entirely at the players’ own expense. Crowdfunding campaigns are often organized, with active involvement from the players themselves.
The winners of the European Championships go to the World Series in the United States at the expense of Little League International. For these teams, all costs are covered, and arrangements are made. More information about the international tournaments can be found on the Little League International website.
Once the dates for the 2025 international tournaments are announced, we will publish them here.