Why Play Clairemont Hilltoppers?

As part of the oldest and largest youth sports organization in history, Clairemont Hilltoppers Little League is proud to be a “Little League,” for for almost 80 years the most respected and recognized brand in all of youth sports. Now entering our 68th year, Clairemont Hilltoppers is both the longest-running youth organization in Clairemont, and also its only Little League program. Over 20,000 boys and girls have passed through the Hilltoppers program since 1957.

We had almost 400 kids playing ball in our 2023 season, and we continue to find new ways to bring fun, safety, competition and life lessons to every child who joins our program.

Here are just a few of the reasons for our growth and popularity:

• We offer divisions for kids of every age. Any child who will be 4-years-old by August 31, 2024 is eligible to start in our T-Ball program. And, while many leagues end at 12 or 13 years-old, Clairemont Hilltoppers offers teenage divisions in the 13-16 age groups.

• Reasonable costs. With many families facing economic challenges, we make a commitment to make Little League affordable for all. Our registration fee is just $55 (until December 31) – lowest of any youth sports league in town. We also ask participation in our fundraiser, selling candy bars. You can make a buyout to avoid that, but if you sell the candy, the fundraiser has a net cost to you of nothing, and you really can place your child in a full season of Little League for a net of just $55!

• Developing neighborhood and community relationships. With families having busy lives, and sending kids to schools and activities in other parts of town, it's sometimes difficult to get to know neighbors. At Clairemont Hilltoppers, though, it's all about Clairemont. All our players live or go to school within the community. We advertise in our community. Most sponsors are in the community. The bonds that develop as kids and parents make friends in their neighborhood often last for a lifetime.

• Safety, training and education priorities. Little League has always been the leader in safety, and Clairemont Hilltoppers believes in that model. All of our managers and coaches are taught to make the safety of our children the number one concern. From our leaguewide ASAP Safety Plan, to mandatory background checks for every league volunteer, to continuing training programs for our coaches and umpires, our league will never take shortcuts on keeping our players out of harm's way. 

• The Little League World Series. Certainly no event in youth sports is more recognized around the world. Each year, ABC and ESPN televise over 100 games in Little League All-Star tournaments. This exciting summer tradition gives Little League exposure to kids in every part of the country and around the world. In addition to the World Series in Williamsport, championship games in all of the teenage and softball divisions are also televised. Excitement has been high in San Diego recently, as several recent World Series teams have come from our area. You can't get to the Little League World Series unless you sign up for Little League! 

 • Great fun activities for our parents. We strive hard to bring fun beyond just the practices and games... and some of it is for the adults. Every year we have a great fundraiser dinner & auction at a local restaurant, an adult coed softball tournament, a trip to a USD game, a poker tournament, Little League Day at a Padres game, and more. 

We know that families have lots of choices when it comes to their kids' activities. If you choose to join us at Clairemont Hilltoppers Little League, please know that we will be doing everything we can to make that the best decision possible!