Coach Pitch Baseball (Ages 6-8, CO-ED)
Coach Pitch is for boys and girls 6-8 years old who have graduated from Tee Ball and are ready to take what they have learned during Tee Ball and expand on it in real game situations. During Coach Pitch players hit the ball that is pitched either overhand our underhand by their coach and games last 4 innings or one hour and 15 minutes, whichever comes first. Games are played against other Houghton Lake teams and are usually twice a week. Teams do not usually hold very many practices during the season outside of games.
Coach Pitch is an instructional league similar to Tee Ball and that no score is kept but we do keep track of outs. Just like in Tee Ball each team bats the entire lineup every inning but batters are allowed to advance past first base on a hit. Coaches are reminded to not have their players continue to run after an error or overthrow as we are still trying to learn the basics of the game. If the batter or runner gets out during the inning they must return to the dugout but all batters will still hit even if three outs happen before everyone bats. All players will play in the field every inning and should play in multiple positions throughout the game. Coaches are permitted to be on the field with the players to help provide instruction and guidance. The rules of the game may be varied to accommodate the need for teaching. The primary goals of Coach Pitch are to build on what they learned during Tee Ball and continue to instruct children in the fundamentals of the game and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork.
Players should be familiar with the following areas by the end of their Coach Pitch season:
- Players should improve on their fielding and catching skills. Remember a good fielding position on the infield is knees properly bent and feet slight wider than their shoulders. In the outfield then are in a sprinters stance arms at the ready. Before the pitch is thrown all the players should be in a good set position and ready to field the ball. Players should begin to learn where to go with the ball in different situations, how to properly cover or back up bases, what a force out is, tag situations, not to block the base paths, etc.
- Players should learn how to run all of the bases properly using the correct techniques. Remember they need to touch the inside part of the base with their right foot as they go around the bases. They should also start to learn when to advance beyond first base, tag ups, what a force out means as a runner, not advancing in certain situations, etc.
- Start to develop a catcher and work on proper technique. Players should try to not catch from their knees and use the primary catchers' position. Glove hand should be out in front with your throwing hand tucked to the side.
- Players should start to learn proper dugout behavior. Focus on the game while in the dugout becomes more important as the player moves up in divisions.
- Continue to understand the basic concepts of the game and start introducing for complex parts of the game such as force outs, where to go with the ball, backing up plays, etc. Players should know where the proper fielding positions should be, how to properly run bases and know what to do when a ball is hit to them. By the end of season you should be able to stand at the mound with your team and give a player a position and have them go to it. You should also be able to start telling players what to do in certain fielding situations and have them understand.
Please remember that during the game please be supportive to the coach, players, and volunteers. Please ask the coach if they need help with anything. There should be plenty of helpers on the field to make sure the children understand the game. At the end of the day the main goal and objective of Houghton Lake Little League is to make sure everyone has FUN!
Little League Resources - www.littleleague.org/play-little-league/coach-pitch