Ages: 6-7

Objective: The primary purpose of the Rookies machine pitch program is for children to learn baseball fundamentals and have fun. There are no team records, league standings, playoffs, trophies or championships.

Introduction: In the Instructional program, players learn to play baseball on a small field focusing on learning positions, fielding, throwing and hitting with machine pitch. All players should learn the standard nine positions defensively. Parent/players can expect initial practices and 1-2 games per week over the course of the regular season which extends from April to June. Games are used for instructional purposes. Two Managers and Coaches will be on the field of play. Runs and game scores are not counted. There are no division standings, playoffs or All-star tournament play at the end of the season for Instructional.

What is expected from Players?

• Players will learn the basics of the 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, and machine 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 develop throwing overhand with proper mechanics, building arm strength and accuracy.

What is expected from Volunteers & Coaches

• Parents need to complete a background check by Mid-March. Please check the Volunteer Page and utilize the Volunteer Form.  There is no cost for the back ground check.
• Parents Volunteers should participate in the League Safety Meeting and Coach preparation sessions.  Please check the League Calendar.
• Parent Managers and Coaches should learn how to run a good practice with drills.
• Parents on the field of play working with children, must have a back ground check.
• Parent Managers and 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GAME RULES: The Official Little League Rule Book will be used for the Caln LL programs, unless superseded by one of the special Caln Little League Rules.  No official games book or scores are kept and there are no league standings.  Games will be 1 hour long or 3 innings long, which ever comes first.

SEASON: The games will start in early April following Opening Day Ceremonies.  There will be a couple of practices prior to Opening Day. Rookie League players can expect to play at least 10 games, weather permitting. Practices will be once per week with one or two games per week.  Games are played mostly on Saturdays, with a weeknight game each week starting mid-May.

PLAYING UP: All registered players are assigned to the proper league program based upon their designated Little League Age. The important part of playing Instructional is to develop an appreciation for drills, rules and building upon repetition. Games are a reflection of how well the players are learning. Coaches will use the games for continuous instruction and reinforcement of learning good mechanics, good sportsmanship and work ethic.

PRACTICES:  Practice time will be organized so that all players are involved and moving.

ON THE FIELD COACHING: Coaches will be on the field to help coach the defense. The coach pitching and two base coaches may help the offense.

SCORES/STANDINGS: No official game score is kept during games, and there are no Rookie league standings.

POSITIONS: All players must be given the opportunity to play every position equally throughout the season. Coaches will let the players know that they will take turns playing infield and outfield during each game. No players will be on the bench during the game while their team is in the field.  Any boy playing catcher MUST wear a protective cup.  No Exceptions.

BATTING ORDER: All players present for the game must be in the batting order each inning. Each player should bat in his or her respective spot in the batting order.

AT-BATs: An at bat consists of 3 to 5 pitches from the coach.  If after the allotted pitches the player has not hit a ball into fair territory, they will hit off of a tee.  There are no strikeouts or walks.

INNING: A team's turn at bat ends once everyone in the lineup has hit and the last hitter hits the "Home Run".

OVER THROWS: On an overthrow of any base, runners may not advance. The batter-runner and runners will be awarded the bases that they were going to when the ball was thrown.

BUNTS/STEALS/LEADS: There is no bunting, stealing, or leading-off until the batter makes contact with the ball.

RAIN/CANCELLATIONS: Coaches are responsible for making a joint decision to play or cancel games due to rain or wet conditions.  League officials may cancel or postpone games if player safety is at risk.

RECOGNITION: If the team manager's wish to give the children a small token of accomplishment at the end of the season this small token must be agreed upon by the division VP and all teams must provide the same token.  There should be no individual MVP or similar type awards.

- updated March 2024