2010 BCYouthSports Machine-Pitch Information

Black Creek Machine Pitch League is for boys and girls finishing first and second grade.  Players learn the basics of baseball, learn to hit a ball pitched from a machine, and begin to learn more about the sport of baseball.

Teams are divided evenly and play each other throughout the season.  Games are held on Wednesday nights at the Sebald (South) Ball diamond at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.  All teams are coached by volunteer parents.  Practice times are determined by the coach and team members.

Families are asked to provide one volunteer for two one-hour sessions in the concession stands opposite their child’s game. 

Our main objective as coaches and parents in Machine-Pitch is to help strengthen the children’s self-esteem, increase their understanding of teamwork and have fun while making new friends.  Through baseball we have the opportunity to develop the children’s athletic skills, encourage sportsmanship, all while teaching America’s pastime.  Have Fun!!! 

Rules of The Game

All players get equal playing time and we will keep score. Learning to be competitive and developing an understanding of winning and losing is important, but teaching the fundamentals, while having fun is the goal.

During the game two offensive (1^st and 3^rd base) and 2 defensive (between 1^st and 2^nd and near the shortstop) coaches will be on the field.  Please do your best to help both teams understand the basics of baseball:

• Running the bases correctly.
• Running through first on an infield hit.
• Proper defensive stance.
• Proper batting stance.
• Rules of the game.

When a situation occurs on the field, please take the time to explain to the players what occurred. This will help them to develop a greater understanding of the game.

• Games will consist of 5 innings or 50 minutes, which ever occurs first. (Remember if you start an inning and time expires, you still finish the inning)
• All players must be given the opportunity to play every position throughout the year. Let the players know that they will take turns playing infield and outfield during each game.
• No player will sit out defensively more than one inning.
• All players present must be in the batting order.
• An at bat will consists of a maximum of 6 pitches or 3 swings. Encourage the batter to be aggressive at the plate.
• The infield will consist of five players (1st, 2nd, 3rd, short stop, and pitcher).  The outfield will have the maximum of four players. The catcher will be filled by one of the defensive coaches to help the game move along.
• First and third base coaches will also act as umpires for those bases.
• The player pitcher should stand to the first base side of the mound.
• A maximum of two defensive coaches will be allowed in the infield.  One will act as the pitcher and will serve as the second base umpire.  The other coach will be the catcher and will act as the home plate umpire.
• A team must have 8 players present to start a game. Any team with less than 8 players will forfeit the game.
• The pitcher must stay behind the pitching unit until the ball is hit.  Infielders must be near the baseline, and the outfielders on the grass until the ball is hit.  Ball may be declared dead if it is hit while players are out of these positions.
• An inning will consist of one rotation through the batting order, or when the fielding team records 3 outs. Play stops after the last batter in the rotation COMPLETES play.
• No stealing is allowed.
• Runners may not lead off until the ball is hit by the batter.
• No bunting. Batters must attempt a full swing of the bat.
• Three swings is an out. A player who throws a bat may be called out.
• There is no infield fly rule.
• If a ball is hit to the outfield, the runners may continue to advance until the ball is thrown into the infield, the runner(s) get the base he is going to. (The ball doesn’t have to be in control).
• Runners should attempt to slide at all bases when played upon. Intentionally running into a fielder will be an out. No head first sliding.  
• When runners stop at any base, and the ball is in an infielder's hand, play has stopped.
• One base will be allowed on all over-throws.  Runners can be played on while advancing an over-throw.  Should an over-throw occur while advancing, no further advancement will be allowed. 

The “clean up”

• All teams are responsible for the garbage in their dug out and around the bleachers.
• The last team named on the schedule is the home team, has the 3rd base dugout.  This team is responsible for raking the diamonds after the game.

Practice Information

• An hour is typically the longest most of these players will make it through. 
• One practice per week is recommended, but not the requirement.
• Snacks are fun for the kids and helps with a good close to the practice.  Parents can be asked to sign up to bring a snack. 
• As the summer heats up please be sure all the players have plenty of water to drink.
• Please be respectful of the other coaches and field availability.  You can check the diamond schedules by clicking the link.  If you would like to reserve one of the diamonds please click here to let Todd reserve for your team.
• A sample practice template can be found here:
• http://www.qcbaseball.com/tools/PracticePlan.doc
• Organize practice time so that all players are involved and moving. Split the players into 3 or 4 groups. Ask the other parents to help. At this age hitting is the fun part of baseball, so teach your players the skills and give them plenty of chances to practice.
• Proper throwing motion is a very important skill to develop.  Click here for a good review of the techniques:
• http://www.gloveradar.com/htdocs/gr_rf.html
• Batting stance and swing should be taught early in the season.  Remember this kids may be used to hitting off a tee.  Click here for information on drills and pointers:
• http://www.baseballcorner.com/battingtips.asp
• Other good drills can be found here:
• http://www.qcbaseball.com/drills/baseball_drills1.aspx
• Be sure to practice game situations (what base to throw to when the ball is hit, how to round the bases, when to run/not to run, how to drop the bat after a hit, etc.)
• SAFETY FIRST!!!  Batters should be supervised.  All batters and base runners need to wear a helmet.  Try to group children with those of similar skills.