OBJECTIVE
The objective of the league is to introduce the fundamental concepts of hitting, fielding, and teamwork to the boys and girls who participate. This should include the basic aspects of baseball such as positions, base running, throwing, fielding, and batting. The participants should also understand the basic rules of baseball when leavingthis league. In-season practices should be scheduled to facilitate instruction by the managers and assistant coaches.
The 4 & 5 year old league is designed for first year players and is primarily instructional. Whereas, the 5 & 6 year old league is still instructional but moves more quickly and develops more skills.
League Rules and Regulations
- Players must be four (4), five (5), or six (6) years of age to participate in the program. Only the Vice President of Baseball may amend this rule in extreme instances.
- Participants will be divided into teams of no more than nine (9) players.
- League Play will start and commence at the Commissioner's discretion.
Children in both levels of play will practice for at least two weeks prior to games starting.
Note: Parents may request that participants be placed with friends/neighbors at registration time. The league coordinator will attempt to honor all such requests. Requests made after teams have been formed will not be honored. The commissioner will create the teams by dividing the older players in each league evenly throughout the various teams.
- For 4 & 5 year olds, all hitting will be off of the “T” even if a player is able to hit off a pitch. This allows for correct swinging skills to develop. Incorrect habits formed now are tough to break at a later age.
- For 5 & 6 year olds, hitting will be off the tee or coach pitch depending on the child's skill level. The player will receive a maximum of five pitches. Coaches should pitch overhand to boys to allow for an easy transition to the older baseball leagues; coaches may pitch underhand to girls to allow a smooth transition to softball. After the five pitches, all hitting will be off the “T”.4 & 5 year old players will be called "out" but will remain on base to develop base running skills.5 & 6 year old players will be called “out” and remain on base to develop base running skills for the first three weeks of game play. Beginning at the fourth week of the game play, players will be called “out” and must leave base and return to the bench. This will allow players to transition to the older leagues of baseball or softball by being closer to the rules that are played in the older leagues.
- All players playing the first base position should wear a helmet with a faceguard.
- It is mandatory for the player in the pitchers position to wear a heart guard and a helmet with a mask.
- Rotation is essentially up to the individual coach, but all players must be given the opportunity to play the infield throughout the year.
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- The home team takes the field first with the visiting team batting first
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All batters must wear a safety helmet.
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The inning is over after all the players have batted once.
- There are no strikeouts and/or walks and score will not be tracked.
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All games end with the traditional handshake.
Responsibilities
- It is the home team's responsibility to cancel a game due to inclement weather.
- Games are rescheduled on a case by case basis by contacting the Commissioner of the league.
- Coaches are responsible for field prep, which includes grading and liming the field, getting equipment ready,
- placing the bases, etc. This also involves maintenance of the equipment bins and making sure all are locked and secure when closing the field after a game.
- The home team should arrive ½ hour before the game. The home team will have 15 minutes to warm-up on the field. The visiting team should arrive 15 minutes before game time and take the field 15 minutes prior to the game.
- From the batter's perspective, the home team will sit on the left side of home plate and the visiting team will sit on the right.
- All games will start with the Pledge of Allegiance..
- 4 & 5 year old games are three innings or 45 minutes long beginning with the start time. If there are no games scheduled after a game, the coaches may decide to play longer.
- 5 & 6 year old games are three innings or one hour long beginning with the start time. If there are no games scheduled after the game, the coaches may decide to play longer.
Note: When a team is batting, all players must sit on the bench with the exception of the batter and the player "on deck". A bench coach should be appointed to assist the players and monitor the bench. In addition, a player's parent or guardian should be present at each practice/game for safety reasons.