Coaches at this level are experienced, but still need your help. If you are able to assist your team's coach in his or her quest to help the team develop these skills, then please do so. This league runs entirely on volunteers so the true strength of the league comes from parents stepping up to contribute in any way they can.
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- Displays strong throwing mechanics with their glove side in a straight line towards the target, glove foot stepping towards the target, and throwing arm properly positioned throughout the throwing motion and finishing across their body.
- Throws consistently hitting the receiver around the chest area.
- Strong emphasis on accuracy over distance and playing catch rather than chasing balls around. Catch starting at around 15 feet and increasing up to over 120 feet when possible.
- Catching a thrown ball in a ready position with glove and throwing hands up shoulder height and facing the player throwing the ball with a quick return back to their throwing partner.
- Able to position their glove to catch a ball based on the location of the ball (above waist, at waist, below waist).
- Fully demonstrating understanding of relays and cut-offs from the outfield to the infield.
- Demonstrating the correct form for 'crow hop' throwing over longer distances.
- Strong throws are made from each position, not high arcing throws.
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- Demonstrates a proper batting stance. Their feet square to the plate, about shoulder width apart, knees bent, their hands around shoulder height and slightly back, elbows relaxed, and their knuckles in line.
- Swings with a strong level swing through the strike zone.
- High level of ability to hit various types of pitches at various locations.
- Full use of their hips to generate power in their swing rather than just using their arms to swing.
- Avoids common bad habits, including pulling their head and/or front foot away from the plate while swinging, moving the back foot while swinging, and not swinging level.
- Executes bunts properly.
- Demonstrates strong discipline at the plate, swinging at strikes or pitches close to strikes.
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- Demonstrates strong fielding abilities with a proper stance and approach to fielding a ground ball. Their feet a little wider than shoulder width apart, with their butt down, eyes focused on the ball, and their glove and throwing hand down while slightly forward, ready to receive the ball and make a quick throw to the appropriate location.
- Full knowledge of all the ways to get outs during games, ie, force outs, tag outs, fly balls.
- Demonstrates strong ability to properly catch fly balls and pop flies.
- Able to identify the relays and cut-offs from the outfield and when to use them in certain base runner situations.
- Knowledge of the responsibilities of each position on defense.
- Knowledge and execution on backing up throws in most situations from most positions.
- Able to apply a proper tag to a moving runner.
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- Full knowledge on the proper sequence of base running and how to round the bases quickly (home to first, first to second, second to third, third to home).
- Able to run through first base on infield hits and 'round-and-look' on hits to the outfield.
- Able to follow guidance of base coaches in advancing from base to base.
- Properly tags up when appropriate and demonstrates how to go 'half-way' when appropriate.
- Avoids double plays on pop flies and responds properly to the infield fly rule.
- Able to demonstrate a proper primary and secondary lead.
- Able to read the pitcher's movements to steal and steals on wild pitches and passed balls from each base.
- Able to retreat to the base on pick-off attempts, running back or diving back.
- Understands when and how to advance to first base on a dropped third strike.