• Equipment required for your child to participate in this division:▲
  • Youth softball glove, typically 10.5" to 11.5", preferably of soft leather
  • Plastic molded softball cleats
  • Helmet with face mask (optional)
  • Youth softball bat (optional), 1.15 BPF (USSSA), 2-1/4" barrel diameter
  • Softball pants, style per the recommendation of your child's coach

  EBYBS will provide your coach with helmets, game balls, and catcher's gear for the team, along with hats and jerseys for each player.

Coaches at this level have little to no experience in coaching. EBYBS will give each coach a guide instructing them on how to help your child develop these skills. 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. Not every child will be able to perform these skills at the 8U Rookies level by the end of the regular season. We suggest working with your child at home to help them develop these skills so they are prepared to move on to the next division.

• Throwing and Catching▲
  • Basics of throwing with their glove side in a straight line towards the target, attempting to reach the upper half of their target on each throw.
  • Stronger emphasis on accuracy over distance and playing catch rather than chasing balls around. Catch starting at a 10 to 12 foot distance and increasing up to 30 feet when possible.
  • Catching a thrown ball in a ready position with glove and throwing hands up at shoulder height and facing the player throwing the ball.
  • Knowledge of how to position glove based on location of the throw (above waist, at waist, below waist).
• Hitting▲
  • Basics of 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.
  • Stronger emphasis on a level swing through the strike zone. Coaches will do their best to set the pitching machine to have pitches cross the plate between the knees to slightly above the waist.
  • Knowledge of how to adjust swing location based on pitch location, rather than swing in one area regardless of where the pitch is located.
  • Understanding of how to use their hips and turn their back foot to assist in their swing rather than just using their arms to swing. This will help to teach them to generate more power as they move on to other divisions.
  • Preventing 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.
• Fielding▲
  • Basics of a proper stance for 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.
  • Knowledge on ways to get outs during games. Fielding balls and throwing to a base, touching the base while holding the ball, or tagging a runner.
• Running Bases▲
  • Knowledge on the proper sequence of base running (home to first, first to second, second to third, third to home).
  • Knowledge that they need to run to the base and stop to avoid being tagged out by the defense.
  • How to run through first base on infield hits.
  • Instructions to pay attention to base coaches for the possibility of running two bases on a big hit to the outfield.
  • Instructions to return to their base if a defensive player catches a fly ball to avoid a double play.

Download Official Local Rules for this Division

Download Quick Reference Rule Sheet