Little League Alberta Launches 4-7 Age Division Pilot Program

Lethbridge, Alberta — Little League Alberta is excited to announce the launch of a two-year province-wide pilot program for players aged 4 to 7 beginning in the 2026 season.

This initiative represents a significant step forward in strengthening early-age participation in Little League programs across Alberta, with a focus on creating more flexible, accessible opportunities for young players and their families.

The pilot program will be administered in collaboration with Little League Canada and Little League International and supported through established governance processes, including oversight by the Charter Committee.

Expanding Opportunities for Young Players

The pilot will allow leagues across Alberta to work collaboratively in accommodating players aged 4-7 who are seeking participation opportunities beyond traditional league boundaries. Under the Regulation II pilot project, parents can choose which league they would like their child to play in. Siblings of any such player are also eligible to play in the chosen league.

Under the pilot framework:

• Leagues will be able to identify and register players aged 4-7 participating through parent request
• Requests will be processed collectively through the Charter Committee, streamlining administration
• A master list approach will replace individual processing, improving efficiency and consistency across the province
• Participation will align with existing Little League regulations while providing measured flexibility for program growth

This approach ensures that the integrity of Little League structure is maintained while responding to the evolving needs of families and communities

A Province-Wide Pilot with Jamboree Launch for 2026

Alberta is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative, with strong alignment across local leagues and clear provincial support for implementation.

A special launch of our new T-Ball awareness campaign will be part of an 11 day baseball festival in Lethbridge from May 21-31. The T-Ball event on May 29-30 will feature special activities for players, special appearances with celebrities and WCBL baseball action, engagement sessions for parents and coaches, and a Jamboree Saturday filled with games, contests, food, and especially FUN!! The Friday will feature autograph and picture sessions will Blue Jays legend Kevin Pillar!!

The 2026 season will serve as a pilot year, allowing Little League Alberta to:

• Special T-Ball Jamboree open for teams to register
• Evaluate participation trends
• Gather feedback from leagues and families
• Refine processes for future seasons

The results of the pilot will help inform potential long-term program enhancements within Alberta and may serve as a model for broader adoption.

A Strategic Focus on Early Development

Little League Alberta has identified the 4-7 age group as a critical stage for long-term player engagement, with research and participation trends showing that early positive experiences are key to retention and development.

“This pilot program and the Jamboree in 2026 is about meeting families needs where they are and making it easier for young players to get involved in the game,” said Kevin Kvame, President/CEO of Little League Alberta. “By creating flexibility and knowledge at the youngest levels, we are building a stronger foundation for the future of Little League across Alberta.”

About Little League Alberta

Little League Alberta is the provincial governing body for Little League Baseball and Softball, supporting community-based programs across the province. We are a founding member of the Alberta Amateur Baseball Council. As part of Little League International — the world’s largest youth sports organization — Little League Alberta is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and development-focused programming for young athletes. The organization emphasizes fun, integrity, teamwork, and community while offering pathways for players to advance from local play to provincial, national, and international competition.

Please direct any media contact to:

Kevin Kvame
President/CEO, Little League Alberta
Phone: 403-320-2025 ext. 101
Email: kkvame@littleleague.ca