WHLL Weather Policy & Game Decisions

The safety of our players, families, coaches, and volunteers is always our top priority. That said, Austin weather can be unpredictable and highly localized, so we follow a clear weather policy to ensure consistency across all fields.

Please assume games are ON unless lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius of the field.

Light rain or sprinkling does not automatically cancel games. Most of our fields are turf so games can continue safely during light rain. (Hatley is the only field without turf.)

It is also important to remember that Austin weather can vary dramatically across neighborhoods—rain in one area may mean clear skies just a few blocks away. Because of this, decisions should be made based on conditions at the field.

Rain Decisions

If there is torrential rain or unsafe field conditions, the two coaches present at the field should make the call together.

• These decisions should not be made earlier than 30 minutes before the scheduled game time.

• Both coaches must be present and agree on the decision.

Lightning Policy (Safety First)

If lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius of the field, the following policy must be followed:

• Play must stop immediately.

• Everyone should seek proper shelter.

  • Dugouts are not safe shelters.

  • Cars are recommended.

• The game is paused for 30 minutes.

•  Every new lightning strike within the 10-mile radius restarts the 30-minute clock.

•  Because our games are relatively short, if lightning occurs anytime after the 1st inning is complete, the game should simply be called and everyone sent home for safety.

Tracking Lightning

The league has historically recommended the WeatherBug app because it includes a 10-mile lightning detection feature, but any weather app may be used as long as it reliably tracks lightning strikes.

Again, while we want to always be playing baseball, our priority is always the safety of our players and families, and we appreciate everyone helping follow these guidelines so we can make consistent, responsible decisions across the league.

Western Hills Little League offers a wide variety of divisions for players ages 4-12 years old. Descriptions for each division are below. Your player's baseball division is determined by their Little League age, regardless of their grade.  Please feel free to reference the official Little League Baseball Age Chart A good rule of thumb to determine your players Little League Age is to determine how old they will be on August 31, 2026....this is your player's Little League Ague regardless of the date that they turned that age.  For example, a player who is currently 7 and turns 8 on August 15, 2026 is the same Little League Age as a player who turned 8 way back in October 2025. 

The T-Ball division focuses on learning the basics of the game in a fun and supportive environment. Batting is done exclusively off the tee. There are no tryouts, and players are assigned to teams by the division’s commissioner with some consideration given to keeping friends together, please see your registration confirmation email for the link to make coach/friend requests.

*Player jersey number requests will be taken during registration. First come, first serve so register early!

Teams Announced: Mid February
Practices Begin:  Mid February (Expect one practice per week)
Games Begin: End of February (Expect one game per week)
Season Ends: Early May
Field info: Joseph Field; Games on Saturdays

There are no evaluations for Tball.

In Coach Pitch, the players continue to learn more advanced rules of the game with a stronger emphasis on positions and increasing baseball knowledge of outs. When batting, coaches throw the batter up to five pitches. If unsuccessful, batters are required to hit from the tee.  There are no tryouts, and players are assigned to teams by the division’s commissioner with some consideration given to keeping friends together, please see your registration confirmation email for the link to make coach/friend requests.

*Player jersey number requests will be taken during registration. First come, first serve so register early!

Teams Announced: Mid February
Practices Begin:  Mid February (Expect one practice per week)
Games Begin: End of February (Expect one game per week)
Season Ends: Early May
Field info: Hatley 1; Games on Saturdays

There are no evaluations for Coach Pitch

In Machine Pitch 7,  players continue to learn more advanced rules of the game, which include a stronger emphasis on kids playing specific positions, though all kids are put on the field for defense with many kids in the outfield. When hitting, batters will hit off of a machine for up to 5 pitches and if unsuccessful, batters are required to hit from the tee. When a batter is out on the base paths, the batter is removed from the field, though no outs are recorded and no score is kept.  Each teams bat the entire lineup each inning. There are no tryouts, and players are assigned to teams by the division’s commissioner with some consideration given to keeping friends together, please see your registration confirmation email for the link to make coach/friend requests.

*Player jersey number requests will be taken during registration. First come, first serve so register early!

Teams Announced: Mid February
Practices Begin:  Mid February (Expect one practice per week)
Games Begin: End of February (Expect one game per week)
Season Ends: Early May
Field info: Koceruk Field; Games on Saturdays

There are no evaluations for MP7.

In Machine Pitch 8, games are played like real games except there is a machine instead of a pitcher.  Both outs and runs are tracked and an umpire is use to call outs on the base paths.  Hitters can strike out if they miss on swings though there are no walks.  There are mandatory player evaluations, and teams are formed via coach led drafts.

*Player jersey number requests will be taken during registration. First come, first serve so register early!

Every MP8 player must attend evaluations, EVALUATIONS ARE MANDATORY.  All players will make a team, these evaluations are not "try-outs" and there are no "cuts".

Mandatory Player Evaluations: Saturday Feb 7th, 2026 - There is no makeup day. Email [email protected] if this does not work for your player. 
Teams Announced: Mid February
Practices Begin:  Mid February (Expect one practice per week)
Games Begin: After Spring Break (Expect two games per week)
Season Ends: Early May
Field info: Bishop Field; 2 Games Per week: Wednesdays + Saturdays

In Minors 9,  kids pitch baseball begins.  Both balls and strikes count!  The focus is on getting kids more knowledgeable about how to play the game. There are mandatory player evaluations, and teams are formed via coach led drafts. 

*Player jersey number requests will be taken during registration. First come, first serve so register early!

Mandatory Player Evaluations: Saturday Feb 7th, 2026 - There is no makeup day. Email [email protected] if this does not work for your player. 
Teams Announced: Mid February
Practices Begin:  Mid February (some Coaches may choose to hold 2 practices per week before Spring Break))
Games Begin: After Spring Break (Expect two games per week)
Season Ends: Mid May
Field info: Bishop Field; 2 Games per week : Tuesdays + Saturdays

In Minors baseball, players continue to learn more about where to go with the baseball .  Kids also work to improve on pitching and hitting the ball. There are mandatory player evaluations, and teams are formed via evaluation level and coach led drafts.

*Player jersey number requests will be taken during registration. First come, first serve so register early!


Mandatory Player Evaluations: Saturday Feb 7th, 2026 - There is no makeup day. Email [email protected] if this does not work for your player. 
Teams Announced: Mid February
Practices Begin:  Mid February (some Coaches may choose to hold 2 practices per week before Spring Break))
Games Begin: After Spring Break (Expect two games per week)
Season Ends: Mid May
Field info: Bishop Field; 2 Games per week: Mondays + Saturdays

In Minors AAA baseball, players focus on improving their skills with minimal coaching during each play. There are mandatory player evaluations, and teams are formed via evaluation level and coach led drafts.

*Player jersey number requests will be taken during registration. First come, first serve so register early!

Mandatory Player Evaluations: Saturday Feb 7th 2026 - There is no makeup day. Email [email protected] if this does not work for your player. 
Practices Begin: Mid February (Expect one practice per week) (Some coaches will choose to hold 2 ppractices per week until Spring Break)
Games Begin: After Spring Break (Expect two games per week)
Season Ends: Mid May
Field info: Bishop Field and/or Joseph Field; 2 Games per week: Wednesdays and Fridays - No Weekend Games
Every player must attend evaluations, EVALUATIONS ARE MANDATORY.  All players will make a team, these evaluations are not "try-outs" and there are no "cuts".

In Majors baseball,  all players age 12 yo (along with a few 11 yos) continue to learn more advanced rules of the game with a stronger emphasis on positions and increasing baseball knowledge. There are mandatory player evaluations, and teams are formed via evaluation level (11 yo) and coach led drafts.

*Player jersey number requests will be taken during registration. First come, first serve so register early!

Mandatory Player Evaluations: Saturday Feb 7th, 2026 - There is no makeup day. Email [email protected] if this does not work for your player. 
Practices Begin: February (Expect one practice per week) (Some coaches will choose to hold 2 practices per week until Spring Break)
Games Begin: After Spring Break (Expect two games per week)
Season Ends: Mid May
Field info: Joseph Field; 2 Games Per Week: Mondays and/or Tuesday and/or Thursday. *No Saturday games*

Every player must attend evaluations, EVALUATIONS ARE MANDATORY.  All players will make a team, these evaluations are not "try-outs" and there are no "cuts".