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Rookie Rules/Drills

KNOW YOUR RULES AND MINIMUM PLAY REQUIREMENTS

Rookies Minimum Play Requirements:

  1. Each player MUST play a minimum of 3 defensive innings and 2 of them MUST be in the infield. THEY MUST BE COMPLETE INNINGS. NOT FOR JUST ONE OUT. 
  2. All players shall be in the batting line-up.

The Rookie Game Planner (pictured above) assists managers in meeting the minimum play requirements. Here is how to use it:

  1. Write the date, time, field the game was played on, and the opponent's team name on the sheet and keep for your records. This will protect you if someone accuses you of not following the minimum play requirements.  
  2. Write in the batting order.
  3. Write in where you would like players to play under "Game Plan".
  4. Once a player completes their first defensive inning in the infield write down what inning they completed it under Minimum Play. 
  5. Once a player completes their first defensive inning write the inning under "Innings Played".
  6. During the game write in where everybody played during the game under "Actual Position Played During the Game"

Five Goals for the 7-to-9 Age Group

1. Learning the Basic Rules

  1. Force outs
  2. Tagging up
  3. Base Running
  4. When you don't have to run
  5. Not running into or past teammates on the base paths
  6. Balls and strikes. 

2. Throwing Mechanics

  1. Introduce the four-seam grip
  2. Point the front shoulder, step, and throw
  3. Introduce the concept of generating momentum toward the target and following the throw.

3. Catching and Fielding

  1. Thrown and hit balls
  2. Fingers up versus fingers down
  3. See the glove and the ball
  4. Use two hands
  5. Forehands and backhands
  6. Introduce the underhand flip
  7. First-base fundamentals
  8. Crossover and drop steps

4. Hitting

  1. Choosing the right bat
  2. Proper grip
  3. Hitting pitched balls
  4. Introduce drill work (Tee Work, Soft Toss, Short Toss)

5. Positional Play

  1. Learn the positions and the areas each player should cover
  2. Cover the base when the ball is not hit to youBasics of cutoffs and relays