Age: 8-9 (Minors)

Objective: The purpose of the Minors program is for players to have fun playing the game of baseball while learning proper fundamentals and playing for a team. Individual statistics and team records are not maintained, yet developing players will involve learning from the outcome of play.

Introduction: In the Minors Division, players will learn in a more baseball-like atmosphere, introducing them to pitching, hitting kid-pitch, learning foundational rules of the game and understanding more detailed aspects of each position in the field. All players should learn the standard nine positions. Parent/players can expect 1-2 games, and one practice, per week over the course of the regular season. The Minors program participates in the 8U and 9U District-wide All-Star programs after June 15th.

PLAYER EVALUATION: Players are evaluated for the purpose of helping the VP and Coaches balance teams. Teams will comprise of eleven players. After player evaluations, the Minors VP and Coaches will meet to establish teams. Head Coaches will then notify parents with rosters and schedules.

UNIFORMS: Caln Little League will provide jersey shirts, colored socks and hats. Parents can expect to purchase a baseball glove/mitt, a bat, white pants and plastic baseball spikes. Protective cups are required in the Minor B division. Batting helmets are provided, but parents are welcome to provide their son with a Little League approved helmet.

BATS: Bats need to be approved for little league play. Please check with the Director or Head Coach - or access the approved bat list on Little League International web page for each year. Bats for little league play must be no larger than 2 5/8" barrels and made from aluminum alloy, composite or wood.

FIELDS: Practices and games are typically played at the fields located behind the Caln Elementary School or Scott Field.  Click here to view field layout.

What is expected from Players?

• Players will learn the basics of pitching, hitting, throwing and fielding.
• Players will learn the ready step, prepared to field the ball, learning what to do if the ball is   hit to them
• Players will learn how to be coached and to be a member of a team.
• Players will learn by practicing drills, throwing around the bases, hitting off the "tee", fielding ground balls and pop-ups with cut-offs.
• Players will learn to hit soft toss, front toss, coach pitch and kid pitch.
• Players will develop hand-eye coordination and bat swing-techniques without the fear of being hit by a pitched ball.
• Players will develop an awareness of fielding positions.
• Players will learn to catch fly balls.
• Players will develop throwing overhand with proper mechanics, building arm strength and accuracy.

What is expected from Volunteers & Coaches?

• Parents need to complete a criminal background check and state child abuse certification by Mid-March. Please click the Safety tab to learn more. There is no cost for the background check and child abuse certification.
• Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches should learn how to run a good practice with drills.
• Parents on the field of play working with children, must have completed a criminal background check and child abuse clearance.
• Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches will be given a roster of players with contact information.
• All player information is confidential and not to be given out to anyone or used for any other purpose than to afford team practices and games.

GAME RULES: The Official Little League Rule Book will be used for the Caln LL programs, unless superseded by one of the following special Caln Little League Rules:

• There are no win and loss records kept in the Minors Division.
  
• We have adopted a continuous batting order (rule 4.04).
• Each half inning is completed after 10 batters have batted or three outs have occurred, whichever comes first.
• Pitchers 8 years old or younger are only be allowed to pitch 50 pitches per day, with a minimum three days off before being allowed to pitch again.  Pitchers 9 years old are only allowed to pitch 75 pitches per day, with a minimum three days off before being allowed to pitch again.
• No pitcher is permitted to pitch three consecutive days in a row.
• There is no bunting allowed.
• There are no walks.  Once 4 balls occur to the batter, the team's coach will come in and finish the at-bat until the player has 3 strikes or puts the ball in play.
• There are no assigned umpires for a Minors Division game.  A team's coach will umpire from behind the mound.
  

Pre-Game Preparation & Cleanup

Both teams are in charge of field set-up, which is to include:

• Layout of foul lines and batter's box;
• Raking of base paths, batter's box, skin infield areas and pitchers mound;
• Placing of bases and removal of them at the conclusion of the game;
• The league will supply two (2) game baseballs per game;
• Raking the field after the conclusion of the game;
• Ensuring all trash is removed from the benches.
• In case of inclement weather during the day, both Head Coaches should be at the field early to prep it for the game.
• Postponement of a game due to inclement weather is at the discretion of both teams coaches, unless the league board cancels all games in all
  

General Guidelines

• It is expected that all players receive equal playing time with at least one inning in an infield position.
• The games will have a 1 hour and 30min time limit or 6 full innings, regardless of score, whichever occurs first (1hour 30min time limit or 6 innings).
• Evenings games should be called at dusk when visibility creates a hazardous situation.
• Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches must be properly attired with Team Baseball Hat, League issued or matching team shirt, pants/shorts, baseball shoes with rubbers spikes (metal cleats not permitted)/sneakers. Cutoffs and sleeveless shirts are not permitted.
• Both Head Coaches at the field decide rain-outs. Every effort should be made to get the game in. Decisions should be made at the field unless a downpour is occurring.
• Makeup games must be scheduled through the League VP.

Equipment & Uniforms

• A Head Coach/team may not assess players a fee, or request payment for, any uniforms including, special hat, shirts, socks, etc., or equipment such as bats, helmets, etc., without expressed permission of the Board of Directors.
• Player's names are not permitted on the back of the uniform shirt.
• Only uniforms supplied by the League are permitted.
• Uniforms should not be worn in travel ball outside Caln LL.
• All equipment must meet Little League, Inc. safety requirements.

All-Star Tournament Selection Process

At the end of the regular season, which corresponds with Little League International's calendar, each eligible baseball and softball division has the opportunity to participate in the District 28 and Little League International sponsored All-Star tournaments. Players must be invited by their respective division VP or Head Coaches to participate in the All-Star program.

The division VP will convene a head coaches-only meeting whereby they will nominate their players and vote for who makes the All-Star team.  Head Coaches cannot vote for their own players. The players receiving the most votes are ranked and then selected.  If a player does not want to participate in All-Stars, they should inform their Head Coach immediately following the invitation to participate.  If a player declines to participate, the next player in rank order will be invited. The Little League President will choose the All-Star managers. Either the Little League president or Sr. Player Agent must be present at the time of team selection tom be official.