While striving to win is important, CYBL Mighty Mites Division Coaches are expected to primarily focus on: fundamental baseball skills, teamwork and on creating a safe and fun experience for our Players.
SECTION A - PARTICIPATION:
1. Each Player must play a minimum of two (2) innings in the infield (except for health or disciplinary reasons).
2. A Player can only play one position for a maximum of three (3) innings UNLESS THEY ARE A TRADITIONAL CATCHER.
3. Coaches should rotate Players to allow them to learn each position, using sound judgement and safety precautions with skilled positions.
4. Roster batting is mandatory, meaning every Player bats (see SECTION C).
5. A minimum of six (6) Players are required to play a game. It is acceptable to borrow a Player from the opposing team if the Coaches agree.
6. If a team can only field six (6) Players, the other team can still field all their Players.
7. A team can play a maximum of five (5) Infielders, not counting the Catcher’s position: 1B, 2B, SS, 3B and Pitcher (no rover position). A Hybrid Catcher is allowed and would be the 6th infield spot (see SECTION B). PLAYERS CAN SHARE CATCHERS EQUIPMENT
8. A maximum of five (5) Outfielders are allowed to play at a time. Examples of defense breakdowns based on roster size:
SECTION B – CATCHING AND EQUIPMENT:
1. The Catcher’s position is optional to each Coach. If no Catcher is used, your Pitcher covers home plate so plays can be made at the plate.
2. Hybrid Catcher Rule: Each team can play the Hybrid Catcher. The Hybrid Catcher does not have to wear all catcher’s gear, just a batting helmet with a FACE MASK. For safety purposes, the Hybrid Catcher must stand off to the side and at the back of the Batter. The Hybrid Catcher does NOT catch or pick-up the pitched balls. The Assistant Coach gathers the balls and throws them back to the Pitcher. The Hybrid Catcher cannot move until the ball is hit and the Batter clears the Batter’s box. Coaches should train one or two Players to properly play the position. The defensive team may call a time out and quickly pull any Player from the outfield or infield to play the Hybrid Catcher position so there is an option to get an out at home plate. The Hybrid Catcher should be trained not to block the plate.
3. All catching equipment, must be worn when playing the Catcher position (different than Hybrid Catcher).
4. Catchers should only set-up behind home plate if they have the skill set to CONSISTENTLY catch the ball thrown by the Pitcher. If they cannot perform regular Catcher duties (catching consistently) then they should stand to the side (Hybrid Catcher) so they are not repeatedly struck by pitches that go past the Batter.
SECTION C - BATTING:
1. ALL roster Players will be listed in the batting line-up and bat for every game, except for health or disciplinary reasons.
2. Each Batter is allowed six (6) pitches to put the ball in play. If the Batter swings and misses the 6th pitch, that will be considered a strike out. A foul ball on the 6th pitch or later does not end the at bat.
3. No intentional bunting is allowed. Any hit ball into the field of play is considered a live ball, no matter how far the ball is hit.
4. Each half inning ends when one of the following criteria is met:
a. Three (3) outs have been recorded, or
b. The batting team has scored six (6) runs
5. Any Player that throws the bat after a swing (contact or no contact with ball) is given one verbal warning from a Coach. Every time the Player throws the bat after the initial warning will result in an automatic out. Only one warning per game per Player.
6. Batters must wear a helmet when batting and when running the bases. If the helmet comes off before the pitch, pause the game.
SECTION D – BASE RUNNING:
1. A mid-line will be marked between 1B/2B and 2B/3B and 3B/home plate.
a. If a Baserunner has crossed the halfway line between bases prior to the ball making it to the infield (see bullet 2), then the Baserunner may advance to the next base. If the Baserunner is prior to the mid-line when the ball returns to the infield, then they must return back to the previous base after completing the play.
2. The ball is considered in the infield once the ball is secured by an infield Player to stop Baserunners from advancing.
3. Overthrows BY AN INFIELDER to any base are not penalized with the Baserunners advancing to additional bases.
4. There is no maximum advancement of bases on a ball hit to the outfield.
a. Example: If a Batter hits the ball deep to the outfield, a home run can be obtained by the Batter if the ball never makes it back to the infield dirt and secured by the time the Batter gets to the halfway point between 3B and home plate.
5. Feet-first sliding is permitted (except into 1st base). Plays may be made at home plate. If there is a play at home, the Baserunner is required to slide to avoid a collision. It is not acceptable for the Baserunner to run over the Catcher or Pitcher on a play at the plate.
6. Fences have been installed at ~120’ from home plate. If the ball is hit on the fly over the fence, that is a home run.
a. Coaches and/or players should raise hands if the ball goes under the fence or bounces over the fence, which is then deemed a ground rule double. All Baserunners in front of the Batter would advance two bases from where they started (example: Baserunner on 1st base would only advance to 3rd base).
b. If the ball lands fair and goes past the fence down the 1st base or 3rd base line, it will be treated as a ground rule double.
7. No stealing or lead offs are permitted.
8. Baserunners must tag on a fly ball.
9. Infielders must clear the base paths for the Baserunner unless attempting to make a play on the Baserunner.
a. If a defensive Player obstructs a base forcing the Baserunner to slow down, then obstruction can be called by the offensive Coach and that Baserunner would be given then next base. Base Coaches from each team can make this call.
i. Coaches need to teach their Players not to stand on top of a base or block base paths preventing a Baserunner from running to or through it.
10. Batting team Coaches (Pitcher, 1st Base Coach and 3rd Base Coach) make the calls at each base for outs.
a. Any close or disputed calls will result in the Baserunner staying on the base.
SECTION E – PITCHING:
1. The Pitcher’s mound has been set at 30’ and is the location the Pitcher must pitch from. If a hitter is struggling from that distance, the Pitcher can move to ~20’ on the 5th and 6th pitches. Pitchers should only move up if absolutely needed. The Pitcher can pitch from a greater distance if they choose.
2. Overhand pitching is required.
3. The Pitcher will have three (3) baseballs in their glove to start. The three (3) balls will be pitched consecutively to the Batter. If the Batter has not hit the three (3) baseballs then the baseballs are thrown back or returned to the Pitcher by the Catcher.
4. Each batter gets six (6) pitches, so we are throwing two (2) batches of three (3) pitches.
5. The Pitcher may not interfere with the play of the defensive team. The Pitcher may defend himself/herself from a batted ball but must drop a defensively caught line drive immediately.
6. Pitchers should give a courtesy verbal warning to the opposing team’s players when a strong Batter “BIG BAT” is up to the plate and should instruct the Player in the Pitcher position to play back an extra 5-10’ as a safety precaution.
SECTION F – DEEFENSE:
1. There is no infield fly rule.
2. Pop-ups hit in the infield:
a. A Baserunner cannot tag and advance to the next base on an infield fly ball that is caught by an infielder in the infield.
b. A Baserunner must advance if the situation calls for it if the infield pop-up is dropped. (Infield fly rule does not apply in this division).
3. A Baserunner can advance at their own risk one base if an infield pop-up is dropped. Example: Baserunner on 2nd base with no outs. 1st Baseman drops the pop-up. The Baserunner on 2nd can advance to 3rd.
4. Outfielders cannot “squeeze” into the infield to act as additional infielders.
5. Outfields cannot make plays at the bases (i.e. they cannot field the ball in the outfield and tag any base for force outs, or tag runners). They must throw the ball to the Infielder to make the play at the plate.
SECTION G – COACHING:
1. Two defensive Coaches may roam the outfield to assist and instruct the defensive team.
2. Two offensive base Coaches at 1st and 3rd can support the Pitcher with instructing and advancing baserunners, and to make calls at the plate.
3. One defensive Player will field the Pitching position. The Player must be positioned near the Pitcher (Coach) until the pitch crosses home plate.
4. If a Player catcher is not played (see Section B), then a Coach Catcher should be played to keep the pace of game moving.
5. Teams line-up at the end of the game to congratulate the other team
6. Award a game ball to a new kid each game – can write name, date, team played and score and MAKE A BIG DEAL OF IT!
7. SAFETY – NO PRACTICE SWINGS OUTSIDE OF THE FIELD OF PLAY (HAVE TEAM MOMS OR ASSISTANTS WATCH THE BENCH)
8. SAFETY – IF A CHILD IS HURT, THE GAME STOPS AND KIDS TAKE A KNEE UNTIL THE COACH/PARENT HAVE ASSESSED THE SITUATION. FIRST AID KITS ARE LOCATED AT THE CONCESSION STAND. IF INJURY IS DEEMED TO BE SERIOUS, CALL 911 EMERGENCY.
SECTION H – THE GAME:
1. The Home team will occupy the 3rd baseline / The Visiting team will occupy the 1st baseline – please observe this and explain to your players’ parents to avoid arguments.
2. Bases will be set at 50’.
3. There are no bat restrictions in this division.
4. Each game will be six (6) innings in length. Both Coaches can agree to a last inning if the game will be less than six (6) innings. A new inning cannot be started after the game has gone for 90 minutes. Coaches must mark the start of game to adhere to the 90-minute rule.
5. A game is considered complete after 3.5 innings. Less than 3.5 innings then the game starts over when the game is made up.
a. Both Coaches will work together to agree on a date for a make-up game and will confirm field availability with the Commissioner.
i. The email should be addressed to [email protected] with “RESCHEDULE” in the subject line.
6. Each team will have a scorekeeper to record start time and to keep score at each game.
a. The batting team is responsible for announcing when six (6) runs have scored to end the side, if three (3) outs were not recorded.
b. The Home Team is the official scorekeeper, but both teams should keep score and reconcile any discrepancies during or at the end of each game. The Home Team Head Coach is responsible for e-mailing/texting the Commissioner (Dave Frak) with the final score of the game with the team names. Example: TeamA X – TeamB X
c. A team cannot score more than six (6) runs in an inning during the regular season
i. Keep track of your REGULAR SEASON RECORD on the cover of the scorebook.
d. In the Playoffs(all rounds), a team will be allowed to score an unlimited amount of runs in the last inning of the game..
e. All teams will play 10 - 12 regular season games and that record will determine your playoff seed.
7. Playoffs and All-star selections will be made as we approach the end of the season. Each Head Coach will have the opportunity to nominate three (3) players to participate in the All-Star game.
SECTION I – SKILLS, DRILLS and OTHER:
1. Each Coach has autonomy on how to best deliver instruction to their team and should stress the fundamentals of Baseball. But here are some fundamental skills and drills for new Coaches:
a. Baserunning Drill – running hard from base to base. Overrunning 1st, stopping on 2nd or 3rd (when appropriate), and sliding home.
b. Baserunning Skill – holding a base on a pop-fly with no or one out. Running on anything when there are two outs, rounding bases.
c. Baserunning Skill – body facing the Pitcher, heal on the bag and the other foot extended in the direction of the next base.
d. Infielding Skill – covering the gaps, keeping the baseline clear for runners, return to start positions once the play is dead.
e. Infielding Skill – ready positions, knees bent, on toes, eyes on the batter “baseball ready”.
f. Infielding Skill – asking individuals throughout the game “where is the play” to draw their attention back to the game.
g. Infielding Drill – double play - runner on 1st, ground ball to 2nd baseman, SS covers base then to SS and 2nd baseman covers base.
h. Infielding Drill – ground ball hot potato ~ 15 feet apart.
i. Fielding Skill and Drill – mitts in the dirt on ground balls, using the “gator” technique to secure and quickly extract the ball.
j. Fielding Skill – catching above the waist - mitt in the overhand position, catching below the waist, mitt in the underhand position.
k. Fielding Skill – Side stepping - repetitive fly balls to the outfield, plays at second.
l. Throwing Drill – play catch with follow through all the way to opposite leg/knee.
m. Hitting Skill – holding the bat tight, feet parallel to the plate a bat’s lengths back from opposite side of plate, shoulders square, bat back in comfortable position, knees bent, hard level swings!
n. Hitting Drill – repetition, practice swings, reset their stance to observe the Hitting Skill above – constant feedback
SECTION J – CORE PRINCIPLES:
Work Hard: Coaches will be expected to dedicate their time to the kids and the same is expected for the kids. It is important that we foster strong work habits that, will not only show in their development as a player, but also as a young adult.
Be Respectful: All participants are expected to respect teammates, coaches, umpires and parents at all times, on and off the field. We need to create an environment of respect for all.
Have Fun: Don't lose sight regarding the reason that we are all out here for. We want our children to be competitive but we must realize that this is a recreational sport and it is important to ensure that we are having fun and create a love for the game. This is very important for parents as well as coaches - make it fun for the kids and do not get caught up at winning at all cost.