RBBA Coaches Handbook

Home , Balk, Batting (cricket), Changeup, Count (baseball), Infield fly rule, Pitch (baseball)

The handbook is a reference of suggestions which provides: - Rule changes from year to year

- What to emphasize that season broken into: Base Running, Batting, Catching, Fielding and Pitching

By focusing on these areas coaches can build on skills from year to year.

Instructional – 1st and 2nd grade

Batting - Timing

Base Running - Listen to your coaches

Catching - “Trust the equipment” - Catch the ball, throw it back

Fielding - Always use two hands

Pitching – fielding the position - Where to safely stand in relation to pitching machine

Rookies – 3rd grade

Rule Changes - Pitching machine is replaced with live, player pitching - Pitch count has been added to innings count for pitcher usage (Spring 2017) o Pitch counters will be provided o See “Pitch Limits & Required Rest Periods” at end of Handbook - Maximum pitches per pitcher is 50 or 2 innings per day – whichever comes first – and 4 innings per week o Catching affects pitching. Please limit players who pitch and catch in the same game. It is good practice to avoid having a player catch after pitching. *See Catching/Pitching notations on the “Pitch Limits & Required Rest Periods” at end of Handbook. - Pitchers may not return to game after pitching at any point during that game

Emphasize-Teach-Correct in the Following Areas – always continue working on skills from previous seasons

Batting - Emphasize a smooth, quick level swing (bat speed) o Try to minimize hitches and inefficiencies in swings

Base Running - Do not watch the batted ball and watch base coaches - Proper sliding - On batted balls “On the ground, run around. In the air, stop and stare.”

Catching - Ideally you would like to have at least 3 players who can catch.

- Throwing back to pitcher consistently - Not reaching into the strike zone - Turning mitt over

Fielding - Know the situation – “What do I do if the ball comes to me?” - Vocalization by players on the field “TWO OUTS! PLAY’S AT FIRST!” - Using two hands to catch or field a ball - Identify and knowing cut-off men - Calling for the ball - Underhand toss for short distances

Pitching - This is the 1st year of player pitching and it is important to provide as much as opportunity to as many players as possible. Ideally you would like to have at least 5 players who can pitch.

- Proper mechanics – leg lift, arm back, elbow high, ball facing 2nd base, follow through - Proper grip – 3 (or more) fingers may be most appropriate due to hand size o Have pitchers experiment with finger locations in relation to seams - Consistency with each pitch

Pee Wees, American League – 4th and 5th grade

Rule Changes - Pitch count has been added to innings count for pitcher usage (Spring 2017) o Pitch counters will be provided o See “Pitch Limits & Required Rest Periods” at end of Handbook - Maximum pitches per pitcher is 75 or 2 innings per day – whichever comes first – and 6 innings per week. o Catching affects pitching. Please limit players who pitch and catch in the same game. It is good practice to avoid having a player catch after pitching. *See Catching/Pitching notations on the “Pitch Limits & Required Rest Periods” at end of Handbook. - Pitchers may not return to game after pitching at any point during that game - Bunting is permitted - Infield Fly Rule is applicable o Definition - an infield fly is any fair fly ball (not including a line drive or a bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second or first, second and third base are occupied, before two men are out. The rule is in place to protect against a team allowing a shallow fly ball to drop in with the intention of causing a force play at second and third or second, third and home. Otherwise, the team would be able to force out baserunners who had stayed put on a routine fly ball.

In these situations, the umpire will declare "infield fly" for the benefit of the baserunners as soon as it is apparent that the fly ball qualifies as an infield fly. The batter is out even if the ball is not caught, and the baserunners can advance at their own risk. If the ball is caught, the baserunners can attempt to advance as they would on a typical ball caught in the air.

Emphasize-Teach-Correct in the Following Areas – always continue working on skills from previous seasons

Base Running - Running through first base vs rounding. - Watching and listening to coaches’ instruction.

Batting - Emphasize hip rotation in swings - Bunting o Start every cage session with 3-4 bunts o Have players occasionally bunt in games

Catching - Throw to base being stolen as much as possible (this is good practice for catchers and fielders) - Proper foot placement, throwing motion - Flipping off mask on popups - Stepping over to throw around batters - Dropping to knees to block balls - Turning glove over

Fielding - Infielder movement on ground balls 4

o Who covers bag and goes where on ground balls - Infielders shuffle step and throw on ground balls - Fielder movement when batter shows bunt - Use “outfielders race to balls” as way to reinforce backing up - Outfielders backing up throws to bases - Outfielders throw the ball in quickly to cut-off man

Pitching - Working from stretch vs windup o Understanding when and why - Emphasize mixing 2 and 4 seams fastballs – not relying solely on one or the other. o Teach the grips and practice long-toss using these grips so your pitchers start feeling comfortable throwing with each type

4-seam fastball

2-seam fastball

Pee Wees, National League – 4th and 5th grade

Rule changes from Pee Wee AL: - Baserunners may steal home - Dropped (Uncaught) Third Strike applicable o Definition - the batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by an umpire is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied or (2) first base is occupied with two out.

To put the batter out, the defense must tag the batter or first base before the batter touches first base. Please note that an uncaught third strike does not result in a dead ball or stopped play.

- Balks are enforced. o Definition - A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher when one or more runners are on base. The rule is in place to prevent a pitcher from deceiving the baserunners.

A balk will be called when a pitcher who is on the rubber makes any motion naturally associated with his pitching delivery and does not actually deliver the ball, feigns a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw, or fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. Once a pitcher has swung his free leg back past the pitching rubber while in the process of his leg kick, he must then deliver the ball to the plate or to second base on a pick-off attempt.

A pitcher can also be called for a balk if he does not come to a complete stop between the time he enters the set position and delivers the ball, or if the umpire determines that the pitcher has tried to "quick-pitch" the batter in another way. Once in the set position, a pitcher can move his head but must keep the rest of his body still and two hands on the ball until he begins his delivery. It is considered a balk if the pitcher drops the ball while touching the rubber, even if the drop is unintentional.

Additionally, balks can be called if a pitcher intentionally delays the game. This includes throwing to an unoccupied base not in an attempt to put out a baserunner, making a motion naturally associated with his delivery while not touching the rubber, and feigning a pitch on or near the pitching rubber without having the ball.

When a balk is called, the ball is dead and all runners move up one base. However, the play proceeds without reference to the balk if the batter reaches first and all other runners advance at least one base.

Emphasize-Teach-Correct in the Following Areas – always continue working on skills from previous seasons

Base Running 6

- Clear understanding of ‘Dropped (Uncaught) Third Strike’ - Introduce some basic coaching signs

Batting - Clear understanding of ‘Dropped (Uncaught) Third Strike’ - Introduce some basic coaching signs

Catching - Clear understanding of ‘Dropped (Uncaught) Third Strike’

Fielding - Clear understanding of ‘Dropped (Uncaught) Third Strike’ - Turning a double play

Pitching - Clear understanding of ‘Dropped (Uncaught) Third Strike’ - Balks – clearly define what is and is not a balk. - Covering home on wild pitches - Introduce the changeup and mixing with 2 and 4 seam fastballs o Teach one or two grips, practice long-toss using these grips so your pitchers start feeling comfortable throwing with various grips

Permitted grips

Basic-Early Development-Small hand change up

3 finger change up across seams

3 finger with seams

4 finger grip

Circle change up

Vulcan change up

Midgets, American League - 6th and 7th grade

Rule Changes - Pitch count has been added to innings count for pitcher usage (Spring 2017) o Pitch counters will be provided o See “Pitch Limits & Required Rest Periods” at end of Handbook - Maximum pitches per pitcher is 85 or 3 innings per day – whichever comes first – and 9 innings per week. o Catching affects pitching. Please limit players who pitch and catch in the same game. It is good practice to avoid having a player catch after pitching. *See Catching/Pitching notations on the “Pitch Limits & Required Rest Periods” at end of Handbook. - Pitchers may not return to game after pitching at any point during that game - Bases increase from 60’ to 70’ - Pitching distance increases from 44’ to 50’ - Bat diameter permitted increases from 2 ¼” to 2 3/4”. - Leading is permitted without restriction - Stealing is permitted without restriction

Emphasize-Teach-Correct in the Following Areas – always continue working on skills from previous seasons

Base Running - Proper leading stance – feet apart, hands up and in front, ready to move in either direction - How far to lead – hold vs no hold on bag - Secondary lead – taking a couple more steps with the pitch - When to steal based on pitcher’s motion - Diving back to base – proper technique, calling time - Add more complexity to coaching signs

Batting - Dropped 3rd strike – teach/remind batters to run, when to run and where to run - Add more complexity to coaching signs

Catching

Fielding - Holding runners and returning to position - Backing up bases in case of missed throw - Backing up bases on pick off throws from pitcher – teach fielders who should be moving to back up in case of a pick-off attempt

Pitching - Holding runners – teach how to check base runners without balking. - Throwing to a base – teach the proper ways to throw to each base. - Dropped 3rd strike – teach/remind pitchers to cover home. - Pitching grips – straight change should be taught as a 3rd pitch after bot the 2-seam and 4-seam fastball can be thrown properly and consistently.

Midgets , National League - 6th and 7th grade

Rule Changes - Intentional walks permitted - Headfirst slides are permitted - Helmet cages are not required

Emphasize-Teach-Correct in the Following Areas – always continue working on skills from previous seasons

Base Running - Proper leading stance – feet apart, hands up and in front, ready to move in either direction - How far to lead – hold vs no hold on bag - Secondary lead – if no steal, taking a couple more steps - When to steal based on pitcher’s motion - Diving back to base – proper technique, calling time

Batting - Dropped 3rd strike – teach/remind batters to run, when to run and where to run

Catching -

Pitching - Balks – clearly define what is and is not a balk. - Holding runners – teach how to check base runners without balking. - Throwing to a base – teach the proper ways to throw to each base. - Dropped 3rd strike – teach/remind pitchers to cover home. - Pitching grips – straight change should be taught as a 3rd pitch after bot the 2-seam and 4-seam fastball can be thrown properly and consistently.

Juniors – 8th and 9th grade

Rule Changes - Pitch count has been added to innings count for pitcher usage (Spring 2017) o Pitch counters will be provided o See “Pitch Limits & Required Rest Periods” at end of Handbook - Pitch count 95 or 4 innings per day – whichever comes first o Catching affects pitching. Please limit players who pitch and catch in the same game. It is good practice to avoid having a player catch after pitching. *See Catching/Pitching notations on the “Pitch Limits & Required Rest Periods” at end of Handbook. - Pitchers may not return to game after pitching at any point during that game - Curveballs are permitted - Bases increase from 70’ to 90’ - Pitching distance increases from 50’ to 60’6”. - Bat diameter permitted decreases from 2 3/4” to 2 5/8”. - Bat weight/BBCRO requirement of -3 - No max batters per innings - Metal cleats permitted

Emphasize-Teach-Correct in the Following Areas – always continue working on skills from previous seasons

Batting - Heavier bats (-3). Help make adjustments with timing.

Base Running - Longer distance, emphasize running hard

Catching - Longer throws

Fielding - Longer throws, make strong throws

Pitching - “Just pitch”. Have patience and be encouraging as pitchers adjust to the longer distance and adjust to the mound. - Curveballs are permitted. Be cautious and teach the proper way to throw this pitch. Ensure your pitcher is physically developed enough to throw a curveball. Please search online for “youth curveball” for many articles and resources addressing concerns and proper mechanics.

Standard curveball grip

Seniors – 11th grade

Rule Changes No rule changes from Juniors

Emphasize-Teach-Correct in the Following Areas – always continue working on skills from previous seasons

Batting

Base Running

Catching

Fielding

Pitching