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Bloomington Junior League Baseball Association

Novice (5-6)

Novice (5-6)

The playing age of each child shall be determined by the player’s age on April 30th of the current year. Further playing age information can be found in the By-Laws under Article II.

 

Mission Statement

 

The Purpose of the Bloomington Junior League 5 & 6 year old Novice Division is to provide a non-competitive introduction to the game of youth baseball. The objective is to develop a basic understanding of the simple fundamentals such as hitting, throwing, catching, and base running. It is the intent of our program to provide a positive and enjoyable environment where every child has the opportunity to develop their skills and enjoy the game of baseball regardless of ability.

The following ideas are helpful in understanding the BJLBA Novice division mission statement.

Character Development

 

Fair Play – A coach should promote the idea of fair play at all times. Team Unity – This is a first experience in a group or team activities for many children. A coach should stress group involvement to foster teamwork and a sense of belonging for all members of the team.



Self Confidence
 – Children possess different levels of skill and potential. One child may be able to hit a home run while another, at best, struggles to develop a swing. A coach should acknowledge each child’s accomplishments based on their potential and ability. Positive reinforcement develops self-confidence.



Fundamentals 
– Practice time at this age is best used on basic fundamentals of hitting, throwing, catching, and base running. Drills should be fun and challenging. With the aid of parents, skill stations of 3 or 4 players can provide much needed repetition and combat the boredom of a young attention span. Children should be encouraged to attempt proper defensive and offensive plays.



Strategy
 – Using basic plays to advance runners or throw them out.



Competitiveness 
– This division is an introduction to entry level skills and rules and is not intended to be competitive.



Enjoyment 
– Get the players excited about baseball and feeling they are an important part of the team.