Definition

Noun: A child, typically between the ages of 8 and 12, who is a player on a team in a Little League baseball or softball organization.

Usage

The term "little leaguer" specifically refers to the young athlete participating in the organized youth sports program known as Little League. It is a proper noun that functions as a common noun when referring to any individual player.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The little leaguer practiced his swing every afternoon.
  • She was the first little leaguer from her town to make the all-star team.
  • The coach gave a pep talk to the little leaguers before the championship game.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used to evoke the culture, innocence, or community aspect of youth sports.
  • The photograph of the determined little leaguer became a symbol of hometown pride.

Variants and Related Words

• Little League (proper noun): The international organization that organizes youth baseball and softball leagues for children.
  • He has been a volunteer umpire for Little League for ten years.

Synonyms

• Youth baseball player
• Junior baseball player
• Peewee player (informal, for similar youth leagues)

Notes on Meaning

• The term is inherently age-specific and sport-specific, tied directly to the Little League organization. It is not used for players in other youth sports or for older/younger baseball players.
• While "Little League" is a trademarked name, "little leaguer" is commonly used in a general sense to describe any child player in such a youth baseball or softball system.

Noun

1. a player between 8 and 12 years of age who is a member of a little-league team