Minors Baseball & Softball (Ages 9-10)
Minors Baseball and Softball is for boys and girls 9-10 years old who have graduated from Coach Pitch and are ready to take what they have learned during our instructional levels and expand on it in real game situations against teams from other communities. At this level our players and parents are exposed to the full Little League rules and we begin to play the game as it was originally intended. During minors players hit the ball that is pitched by a player from the opposing team and games last 6 innings or 1 hour and 45 minutes, whichever comes first. Game are played against little league teams from other communities and are usually twice a week. Teams will typically practice during the week in addition to playing games.
The Minor Division introduces parts of the game that were not covered or focused on at the lower levels. At this level outs are kept and once a team gets three outs the inning is over. Score is kept but once a team scores five runs in an inning it is over. Batters can walk or strikeout, runners can advance on errors, passed balls, etc. Fundamentals are still enforced but game strategy and game decisions become more of the focus. This division starts to get more advanced, coaches will start to create lineups and put kids into positions that best fit their skill set. Remember that only nine kids at a time can play in the field so coaches will start to rotate players in and out of the game but each will kid will play at least two innings in the field and get one at bat.
Players should be familiar with the following areas by the end of their Minors season:
- Players should continue to 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 continue to learn and understand 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 continue to learn how to run the bases using proper technique. Remember they need to touch the inside part of the base with their right foot as they go around the bases. They should also know when to advance beyond first base, how to tag up, what a force out means as a runner, not advancing in certain situations, etc. Coaches should start to introduce sliding and stealing as well at this level. Remember they cannot lead off or go until the pitch crosses the plate.
- Players should start to learn proper pitching mechanics. Start with the basic throwing mechanics and introduce all players to the stretch position as a pitcher. Teach them to come to a good set position and then start their wind up. All players should be taught how to pitch.
- Continue to develop a catcher. Now that they have a player pitching to them they need to work on proper set up, blocking the ball, what to do when a runner steals, how to cover home, etc.
- Players should continue to work on proper dugout behavior. Focus on the game while in the dugout becomes more important as the player moves up in divisions. Team communication on and off the field starts to become important at this level.
- Continue to understand the basic concepts of the game and build an understanding 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 Baseball Resources - www.littleleague.org/play-little-league/baseball
Little League Softball Resources - www.littleleague.org/play-little-league/softball