AAA baseball is the bridge between non-competitive coach-pitch ball (Rookie AA) and full-rules competitive ball (Minors/Majors). This is the first level where kids pitch all innings. Balls and strikes are called by youth umpires, scores are kept, and the season ends with playoffs and the crowning of a championship team. All players bat in the batting order, and all players are required to play a minimum of 4 innings on defense. Maximum innings restrictions for pitchers ensures that many different boys on each team will get the opportunity to pitch. All 9-year-olds must register for AAA, although it is possible that a small number of 9s may be called up to play Minors if necessary based on the number of players registered for Minors. All 8-year-olds must register for Rookie A or AA. If additional players are needed for AAA to fill out teams, a small number of 8s will be called up to play AAA based on try-outs and coach evaluations. AAA teams play two games per week, on Saturday mornings/afternoons and one game during the week, and typically also have one practice per week.