SKILLS CHECKLIST:  Continue to develop the skills from “T-ball”, trying to improve technique in all the skills.

1. Learn to approach ground balls, catch, set and make a strong throw to the appropriate base.

2 Learn to catch a pop up/fly ball, set and throw to the appropriate base.

3. Learn how to hit a pitched ball with a quick level swing, DROP the bat and run to first base, looking to take the extra base if instructed to do so by the 1st base coach.

4. Introduce the catcher position and instruct players to be aggressive with all balls hit in front of the plate.

5. Develop pitching skills.

All games will start promptly at their designated times.

There is a 1½ hour block for all games.  The first 10 minutes will be practice/warm ups.  It is important that all games end on time, please time your innings accordingly.  Please use all of the allotted time.

ALL players present at the game shall occupy an active spot in the batting order. Players who arrive late will be inserted at the end of the lineup.

No pinch-hitting or alteration of the batting order is permitted

ALL players MUST remain in the dugout while their team is batting. There is NO on deck.

The half inning will end when a team bats all the way thru their line-up.  The last player in the line-up does NOT run the bases.

UMPIRES:

Umpires will be introduced starting week three. While balls and strikes will be called, players will not officially strike out or walk as a result of four pitched balls. Outs on the bases, including plays to first base or force outs at second or third will be called by the umpire. Violent, abusive or loud criticism of the umpires must be avoided.

PITCHING:

Weeks 1 & 2: Coaches will pitch to their own hitters.  All pitches should be overhand from a reasonable distance. (Coaches may want to pitch on one knee to better simulate a realistic pitching plane. A six-foot coach pitching to 4-foot player causes the ball to come to the plate at a steeper than normal angle than if a player's peer were pitching).

 An emphasis should be placed on teams hitting in a quick fashion.  There is a 10-coach pitch count per batter.  After 10 pitches the batter will take a walk. Should the Coach hit a child with a pitch it will be ruled a dead ball and the child will not walk.

Weeks 3 – 8: Coaches will look to involve player pitching AFTER the first 2 weeks of the season as long as the flow of the game is not disturbed. A player pitcher can only pitch a maximum of one (1) inning. Coaches should attempt to rotate pitchers to give all players an opportunity to pitch.

Player will pitch a maximum of 5 pitches per batter. There are no walks unless a batter is hit by pitch from player pitcher then the batter is awarded 1st base. After the player that is pitching has pitched five pitches, the umpire shall call time. The coach will take over to keep the flow of the game moving.

The coach that is now the pitcher will have a maximum of 5 pitches and after the 5th pitch the batter will walk. Coach will then have player pitcher pitch to the next batter.

If a player is pitching in a game, Coaches should avoid having that player participate as a catcher in any game that week. Coaches should plan ahead as to the pitchers and catchers they will use in a game.

No stealing or bunting

On an overthrow to 1st there is no advancing of any base.

You can go to 2nd on a clean double.

Every player will play in the field.  Positioning of the players is at the discretion of the coach and must take into account the safety of the players at all times.

No more than 6 infielders are allowed ( 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, P, C). Outfield can be split up according to the number of players remaining on each team.

Coaches should rotate catchers every inning. All catchers must wear protective gear to include a face mask, chest protector, knee/shin guards and protective cup (male only). The home plate umpire will ensure that the catcher is wearing all required protective gear before play can begin.

Coaches should stand behind catcher to help retrieve balls and keep the flow of the game moving.

Coaches are allowed free substitution.  This means that any player may be taken out of a fielding position and then later re-inserted into the same or different fielding position.

Do NOT bring outfielders into the infield when a weak hitter is at bat.   

If a player is ruled out on the base they need to return to the dugout.  Coaches should perform “reward defense”.  Players should be rewarded for great plays and great effort.  It is not all about winning.

Discussion with coaches is part of the game, but violent, abusive or loud criticism must be avoided. If spectators engage in such activity, the coach should ask the person(s) to stop their behavior.  If the behavior persists, the coaches are entitled to halt play and ask the person(s) involved to leave the area.  If they do not leave, then the game may be declared a forfeit.

Only coaches (who have completed background check) and players are allowed in the dugout or team area during a game.  All parents should remain in the spectator area.  Parents should not be coaching from the side it only confuses the children.

EACH TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEARING TRASH FROM THEIR DUGOUTS AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

THE HOME TEAM SHOULD RAKE THE MOUND AND PLATE AREAS.