Developmental baseball league where participants use a tee with a softer leather baseball. They will learn the basics of the game including hitting, base running, fielding, and team cooperation. This league is made up of 4-6yr old players and is an introduction to the game of baseball. WYB will provide a jersey, hat, helmets, and all the field equipment necessary to play. We only ask that each kid brings his own glove.
This is an instructional level of baseball. For many of your players, this is their first time playing or possibly interacting with the game on any level. Some of your players may be more advanced. The most important thing for the kids to learn is that playing baseball is fun. It is up to the coaches to decide how the game should be played. The level of game play should be addressed by the coaches before the start of the game. These rules may be modified at any time during the season to accommodate the learning of the players.
All players bat in every inning. One base maximum per hit, except the last batter of the inning when hitter can run all the bases. Everyone on base tries to score on the last hit. Players will run the bases even if they are thrown out at first. It is best to rotate the batting order so all players have their chance to hit a ‘home run’. It is suggested moving the bottom hitter to the top of the lineup each inning and keep the rotation all year.
All players take field on defense. Coach may decide positions for each child. It is recommend keeping a lineup where you move each player one position each inning to familiarize the players with the different positions on the field. For example, player at top of order hits first and plays position 1 (pitcher) for first inning. Second inning he/she plays position 2 (catcher). Third inning he/she plays position 3 (1st base), etc. Start the next game by continuing to move the players around the field (the player who was in position 3 at the end of the last game starts in position 4 in the next game).
There are no ‘forfeits’. If a team has too few players to field a complete team, play with however many players are present.
Innings are over when all players have batted on the team that was in the field first.
No inning may start after 60 minutes of playing time has elapsed. If there is no game after your game, you may play one more inning. Children of this age typically have short attention spans, and after an hour or so start to tune out. It’s best not to get to that point.
Helmets must be worn by all base runners, hitters and the ‘on deck’ hitter. Having a parent get the next hitter ready for you will speed the game.
The catcher must wear a batting helmet. The catcher will wear his/her own glove. Catchers are not positioned in the normal catcher’s box, but rather behind the coach assisting the hitter. Make sure the catcher is out of the hitting area before placing the ball on the tee for the next hitter.
Infielders will play at their respective positions. Outfielders will play about 30 feet behind the infielders. Pitcher will be positioned near the pitcher’s plate (rubber).
DO NOT MOVE FIELDERS CLOSER TO HITTER FOR SAFETY REASONS!!!
There is no need to line the field for tee ball. Chalk lines take place at the Rookie level, age 7-8.
Fielders should be encouraged to attempt to throw runners out at first base. For the last hitter of the half inning, attempt to throw the runners out at home plate.
The tee is placed on home plate. The coach will remove the tee to allow the base runner to touch home plate to score.
Hitters should be positioned so the tee is aligned approximately with the front foot (foot closest to field) when hitting. This allows the player to turn their trunk while swinging. The tee is not used correctly if the tee is aligned between the feet, like golf.
Practices are scheduled by the coaches. School diamonds tend to be best choices, as the park diamonds are usually being used by Little League Majors and Minors. Rookie League plays games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so those nights should be avoided if possible. Most of the school diamonds will be in use on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. It is suggested 2 practices prior to the season to get to know the kids and parents. Since this is an instructional league, there is no need to practice during the season, but you are certainly welcome to do that. One suggestion is to arrive one hour prior to the game to work in a practice.
Make up games are not required, however, rainout or re-scheduled games should be scheduled through the player agent or Vice President of Baseball. Scheduling through the player agent and VP avoids multiple games being scheduled at the same time on the same field and website constraints do not allow coaches to reschedule already scheduled games.
Please be sure to rake the base areas, the plate area and the pitcher’s mound area after your games. A parent should be able to help with that task. It only takes a minute or two and keeps the field safer for play.
Snack list. This is common, but not mandatory. If you’d like to have a snack for the players after the game, you can make a schedule or better yet, find a parent to coordinate that for you. A snack schedule is available on your team wall and has to be created by a parent of the team or the coach.
You’ll maybe get a player that doesn’t want to take the field or hit in an inning. Try to encourage them, but don’t force them. See rule 1. Players at this age get tired, feel sick, whatever. I don’t see any reason to push them too hard.
There should be a porta-pottie at the field. If there is vandalism or the porta-pottie is missing, please inform the league.
If there is any equipment missing from the sheds, please inform the league
Your schedules and rosters should be available on the website.
Please properly stow equipment and lock the shed after the game. Equipment may be stolen as a result of not locking the shed
