Please feel free to ask for help from your Player Rep or anyone on the Board. We would like for each Manager and Coach to understand the Basic Philosophy of baseball, at these levels, as well as have an understanding on how to run a practice, running the drills and playing the game.

Rookie Managers and Coaches please review this section as it pertains to Rookies as well.

• Know all 9-field positions
• Know where fair and foul territory is
• How to run the bases (know where each base is)
• Know how to play safe – wearing helmets when at bat and running the bases, not holding a bat when “on deck” (there is no “on deck” area in this league)
• Introduction to hitting the ball off the “T”
• Introduction on how to throw a baseball
• Catching the ball
• The following drills can be implemented into the practices…
• Young players are unfamiliar with the game
• Your least experienced players need your best effort.

Players do not know the field...
For very young players, run them around the bases, in a relay fashion, having half the team on second and the other half on home plate. Using a baseball, as the baton, have the players run the bases back to their starting point. The first team to complete the relay race wins. Switch the players every time.

Alligator catching...
Have the players put their glove down close to the ground for grounders. Also, have them position the other hand on the heel of the glove. Otherwise, the ball may pop up and hit the player in the face.

Teach players to run through first base...
Position a coach five to ten feet behind first base, and just outside the base line, to give each player a high five as they run through.

Call the ball...
Teach players to call the ball while catching grounders; calling grounders makes it easier to teach them to call fly balls later in the season.

Assume all batters are going to throw the bat...
Place an object (i.e. a bat bag) down the first base line. Instruct all batters to carry the bat to that bag and drop the bat in the bag while running to first base.

Batting tips...
Repeatedly say, “Watch the ball until the ball hits the bat.” Hit the soft T Ball into the fence or net backstop so the batted ball does not interfere with the other infield / outfield stations.

Improving glove hand coordination...
Cut off the bottom of a plastic gallon milk container (each parent can supply one from home). Turn the jug so the handle of the jug is held by the glove hand of your player. Toss soft baseballs (provided by MYB) or tennis balls (supplied by others) to the player and have them catch the balls in the jug.
Whether the motion is scooping, slapping or stationary you are teaching position of the glove for catching the ball.

Teaching players to watch the ball...
Using a tee, draw a large black dot on the ball. Have the batter concentrate on hitting the dot and watching the dot until after their swing is complete. Using the tee helps to keep their swing level. They will get it - repetition is the key.
Improving throwing and catching...
Put the gloves down and use a tennis or rubber ball. Roll grounders to them and instruct the players to use both hands. Get the players used to using both hands, and then graduate to gloves. This drill may also be used to improve catching line drives or pop-ups.

Throwing
Have the player(s) make an L shape with their throwing arm (placing the glove hand under the elbow of the throwing arm), and have the Player concentrate on hitting the glove they’re throwing to with the ball. Having a focal point helps players understand the ball will go where they aim. Have them down on one knee with their throwing arm’s elbow on the raised knee to do this. Increase the distance between the players and run an “egg toss” scenario.

Controlling swarming...
As a pre-drill draw large circles in the infield dirt, and ask one player to stand in each of the circles and "guard their circle." The player to whom the ball comes closest to, or the circle the ball comes closest to, fields the ball. In the event the ball travels between two circles, or right down the middle, the player who jumps first gets it and the other has to back off.

Rookie Practice Stations 13 Players

STATIONS

1.5 HOUR PRACTICE

MINUTES: BATTING THROWING CATCHING POP UPS
0 - 15 1st GROUP OF 4 2nd GROUP OF 4 3rd GROUP OF 4 4th GROUP OF 4

15 - 20 WATER
20 - 35 4th GROUP OF 4 1st GROUP OF 4 2nd GROUP OF 4 3rd GROUP OF 4

35 - 40 WATER

40 - 55 3rd GROUP OF 4 4th GROUP OF 4 1st GROUP OF 4 2nd GROUP OF 4

55 - 60 WATER

60 - 75 2nd GROUP OF 4 3rd GROUP OF 4 4th GROUP OF 4 1st GROUP OF 4

75 - 80 WATER

80 – 90 RECAP

ROOKIES:
The objectives at this level are for each Player to be introduced to all the T Ball objectives as well as…

• How to hold a baseball, two and four seam
• Track the ball when batting at the plate
• How to run through first base
• How to run through first base, turning and looking towards second base
• Introduction to basic infield rotation – everyone moves on the pitch, depending on the base runners.
• Outfield fielding – getting the ball into second base. Not holding the ball
• The proper “Ready” position – Knees bent, glove down, between the legs, opened towards home plate
• Holding the bat – knuckles lined up, swing through the ball, squish the bug, chin down, Ike to Mike