Ages 7 - 8 Instructional
The primary purpose of the program is for the children to have fun playing baseball while learning the proper fundamentals. There are no team records, league standings, playoffs, trophies nor championships. If the individual team manager�s wish to give the children a small token at the end of the season they are welcome to do so. There should be no individual MVP or similar type awards.
The Official Little League Rule Book will be used for the East Side LL Instructional League, unless superseded by one of the following special East Side Instructional League Rules.
No official score is kept, and there are no league standings.
All players must be given the opportunity to play every position equally throughout the year. Let the players know that they will take turns playing infield and outfield during each game. Players must also equally share time on the bench. Rotating the players so that no player sits more than one inning at a time is preferable.
The defense should consist of three outfielders, four infielders, a catcher, and a pitcher.
All players present for the game must be in the batting order each inning. Each player is required to bat in his or her respective spot in the batting order.
An at bat consists of approximately six (6) pitches and there are no strikeouts. We will encourage the batter to be aggressive at the plate.
A team's turn at bat ends with 3 outs or 10 batters.
If a ball is hit to the outfield, the runners may continue to advance until the defense attempts to get the ball back to the infield.
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.
There is no bunting, stealing, or leading-off until the batter makes contact with the ball.
Two coaches may be on the field (in the outfield grass) to help coach the defense.
The coach pitching and two base coaches may help the offense.
Coaches are responsible for making a joint decision to play or cancel games due to rain or wet conditions.
Organize practice time so that all players are involved and moving. Split the players into 3 or 4 groups and use the station format. 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.
The Instructional League season begins in late March, with Saturday practices, and runs until the third or fourth weekend in June.
The season will start in early April following Opening Day Ceremonies.
Intermediate League players can expect to play 12-15 games, weather permitting. Practices may be once per week with one game per week.