Players:
The day before the game eat well, and get to bed early.
Get your gear ready the night before the game - Uniform (hat, socks, jersey, pants) glove and bat, helmet and cup (head and nut protection). Bring a ball.
Bring a bottle of watter, and a sweatshirt if it looks like it will be cold.
Be sure your name is on everything you bring. If not, ask the coach for a pen and know how to spell your name.
Know what you bring. Be sure you have all your gear when you leave after the game.
Check the schedule and arrive at least an hour before game time.
There is no eating in the dugout.
When you go out on the field bring a ball to throw around.
Listen for the ump to call "balls in", then "Batter up".
At the begining and end of the inning, and all times you are on the field you run to your position.
Parents:
Kids are responsible for uniforms and gear, and having it all ready for game day. Please help them with the uniforms.
Practice is one hour before game time. The earlier you get there the more you practice.
For practice days (not game days) batting order is order of arrival.
Parents are not permitted on the field or in the dugout - league rules.
When we play the field:
When we take the field we run to our positions and start throwing around.
Everyone will likely get to play the position they want at some point. Whatever position you play, know how to play it. If you don't know ask.
When the batter is in the box, get in ready position and watch the pitcher. Be in a position where you can see the batter.
Know the count and the outs, and where the runners are on base. Don't worry about the score.
Know what to do when the ball is hit: charge the ball if it is hit to you, or cover the bases and backup the infield. Outfielders keep singles from becoming home runs.
When you throw, throw hard and on target - make it easy for your teamates to catch.
Balls hit to the outfield must be stopped and relayed to the cut off man. That will be the Second Baseman on the right side of the field, or the Shortstop on the left side of the field
Catcher is always looking for the steal.
Look to make double plays.
Know how to get a runner out in a pickle - if there is one runner each fielder is backed up.
Check the runner(s) to end each play. The runners must touch the base and wait for time to be called.
Until the ump calls time out the ball is in play. Runners can advance and fielders can make an out if the runner is caught off base. The ump willnot call time, and therby end the play until the fielder is walking with the ball to the mound, and the runners are checked at base.
once the batter is in the box and the pitcher is on the rubber the ball is live.
For the infield, the runner has the baseline. Fielders cannot be in the runner's path. The exception is the fielder with the ball, to tag out the runner.
Hitting:
Before you swing the bat be sure no one is near you.
If you are leading off the inning listen for the ump to call "Batter up", shortly after "Balls in".
Find your stance: Feet apart, weight on your back leg, elbows and bat up,
Watch the pitcher, and from the moment youcan see the ball watch it all the way to the bat.
Pay attention to what the ump is calling - know when to swing, and when to hold up.
Know what to do when running - If there is no one behind you or if you are forced. When you get a hit know if you should run through first or make the turn. Know if you can stretch a hit to extra bases or hold up.
You can veer a little in the base line to avoid the ball or the tag.
Don't forget:
Rules of the bat: Never swing if anyone is near you or might approach. Never get close to anyone with a bat.
Listen to the ump, "Balls in", "play ball", "batter up". Look and listen for the call.
Coordinate as a team.
Always be looking and listening - to your coaches, the ump, and the opposing teams coaches.
Never criticize. We are all getting better with each practice and game. We treat each other as we wish to be treated, like able competent players. We are allconstantly trying to improve ourselves.