The Alpine/West-Menlo Little League has opened registration for Fall Ball. The fall season runs September through early November and is development program to allow players to develop baseball skills and have fun.

There will be three divisions of play for different age groups: Minors, Majors and Juniors.

The Minors division is for players age 8-10 for players with an interest in playing at the minors level in the spring of 2008 and is open to players from Minors & Pitching Machine leagues in the spring of 2008. Players will develop batting and pitching skills (34-45mph pitching). Defensive skills will be developed through balanced play in many positions and runners will practice stealing bases and sliding.

The Majors division is for ages 9-11, for players who would like to try out for Majors in the spring of 2009. The fall program will emphasize balanced play (players will rotate positions), pitchers pitch 2 innings or less, and batters will face 45-55 mph pitching.

Juniors fall ball is new for 2008, for players 12-14 who would like to continue to play ball after finishing majors. Juniors play will include 55-65mph pitching, pitching from the stretch, longer base-paths, 7 inning games and practice for leading-offs and pick-offs. Juniors baseball is will offer balanced play (3-4 innings play time) for all players, with an emphasis on development.

Registration for Alpine players is available through the league website at www.eteamz.com/alpine. The site includes additional information and FAQs about the Fall Ball and Little League programs.

The Alpine league includes the cities of Menlo Park (west of El Camino Real), Portola Valley and Woodside. Registration for the Menlo-Atherton (Atherton and Menlo Park, east of El Camino) fall ball program will open shortly (www.m-all.org).