Lathrop's youth sports run on a yearly calendar: basketball in winter, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball in spring, Junior Giants in summer and football in fall. The City of Lathrop runs most of the rec leagues, and Lathrop Little League and the Lathrop Jr Spartans run their own. Below is each league in the Lathrop listings, in season order, with a link to each one.
Winter: basketball
- Jr. NBA Basketball League: ages 5 to 13 in four divisions (5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-13), with an eight-game season and an official NBA reversible jersey. The season runs Jan 11 to Mar 13, 2027, with weekday practices after 5:00 pm and Saturday games at Scott Brooks Gymnasium. $140, and registration closes Nov 22.
Spring: baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball
- Lathrop Little League Baseball: ages 4 to 16, from Tee Ball and Farm up through Minor, Major, Intermediate 50/70, Junior and Senior. The 2027 season runs Feb 15 to Jun 30. $100 for Tee Ball and Farm, $185 for older divisions, and registration closes Dec 31, 2026.
- Lathrop Little League Softball: ages 4 to 14, with the same season dates and a $100 to $185 fee by division.
- Youth Soccer League: co-ed recreational soccer for ages 5 to 8, March through May. Registration opened in December last season.
- Youth Volleyball League: co-ed volleyball for ages 8 to 13, also March through May.
Summer: Junior Giants
- Junior Giants: free, non-competitive baseball and softball for ages 5 to 13, June through early August. Registration opens in April.
Fall: football and cheer
- NFL Flag Football League: co-ed flag football for ages 5 to 13, August to late October. Registration opens in May.
- Lathrop Jr Spartans Youth Football: full-contact tackle football in divisions from 8U to Varsity, placed by age on August 15. Practices start mid-July, Monday to Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Lathrop High School practice field, with Saturday games from late August. $500, including a $100 refundable deposit.
- Lathrop Jr Spartans Youth Cheer: cheer squads for the Jr Spartans teams on the same practice schedule. $1,000 for a first season or $925 returning, each including a $100 refundable deposit.
Year-round options between seasons
- Mini Movers: a five-week parent-and-child sports intro for ages 3 to 5 that rotates through basketball, soccer, T-ball, flag football, golf and multi-sport. $85.
- Teen Volleyball Drop-In: Mondays from 5:00 to 7:00 pm for ages 13 to 17, $5 a visit.
- Victory Football Club Youth Soccer: a competitive soccer club based in Lathrop and Manteca. Families can ask for a free training session first.
- Tennis runs all year at the city courts: Future Stars Tiny Tots Tennis for ages 4 to 7, Future Stars Junior Tennis for 8 to 17 and Youth Semi-Private Tennis Lessons for 5 to 17.
You can also browse every sports listing in Lathrop.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Lathrop youth sports registrations open?
Lathrop Little League's 2027 registration is open now and closes Dec 31, 2026. Jr. NBA basketball closes Nov 22. The city's spring soccer and volleyball leagues opened registration in December last season, Junior Giants opens in April and NFL Flag opens in May.
What is the cheapest sport for kids in Lathrop?
Junior Giants is free. Teen volleyball drop-in is $5 a visit, and Mini Movers is $85 for five weeks. The City of Lathrop also has an Activity Fee Assistance Fund for qualifying residents.
What sports can a 4 or 5 year old play in Lathrop?
Mini Movers takes ages 3 to 5 with a parent, Little League Tee Ball starts at 4, Tiny Tots Tennis starts at 4, and the Jr. NBA, Youth Soccer, Junior Giants and NFL Flag leagues all start at 5.
Where are Lathrop's youth games played?
City basketball and volleyball use Scott Brooks Gymnasium on 5th Street. Jr Spartans football practices and plays home games at Lathrop High School. Little League uses the city's baseball diamonds; check each league for field assignments.