Noll/Soll Little League

Depending on where you live, it’s either Albany or NOLL (North Oakland Little League). Not sure why you saw that Albany is only older kids - both leagues start at 5 years old with Tee-Ball! Check with Albany again. Perhaps you live in South Berkeley and so are out of their inclusion zone? We’ve actually done (and coached) both leagues and (in short) they’re great. It’s Too soon to sign up for the spring, however. 

North Oakland/South Oakland Little League (NOLL/SOLL) offers Fall Ball, which is usually more low-key than spring baseball and might be good for a beginner. I don't see a ton of info on their website, but you can sign up here through 8/20/21 (https://secure.sportability.com/spx/Leagues/League.asp?LgID=48594) or email info [at] nollsoll.com for details. Some Little League options are dependent on residency, so you might also want to check out what San Leandro Little League (sanleandrolittleleague.com) is offering if Oakland isn't available to you. Sometimes local park & rec departments will have classes, too. 

I don't know much about Berkeley Rec league, but I do recommend Little League in Oakland, known as North Oakland/South Oakland Little League. Many Berkeley kids play, and they form all Berkeley teams for the younger divisions. For a 5 year old, t-ball is most appropriate. Keep in mind that you will just see what resembles baseball until your child gets older. The motor skills needed to throw, catch, and hit develop differently for kids and some will struggle mightily at the early stage. The key at 5 is to have fun, relieve child (and parent) anxiety about getting hit with the ball, and start learning some basics about how to throw and catch. Check out. www.nollsoll.com.  Registration for the upcoming season should be starting soon.

I don't have any experience with the Berkeley Rec league, only NOLL/SOLL (going into my 8th year and 3rd kid there), but for t-ball I don't really think it matters where you go - at that age, they're still learning to run to first base and not third (really!) when they hit the ball and things like that.  If it's convenient and fun, go for it. Bonus points if you can be with some buddies from school.  I think for NOLL/SOLL you have to be in kindergarten to play t-ball, so you might end up doing a year of rec anyway if you want to play next spring. If you want to play official Little League, it's based on your home address (although you can sometimes get an exception if you attend a school in the boundaries of a different league) - NOLL/SOLL has boundary info and maps here: http://www.nollsoll.com/faq/#48, and I imagine Albany LL has something similar on their website.  Have fun!