Hit and Areas of Focus

Areas of Focus Recommended Changes Benefits of ‐and‐Run Changes

. Reduce # of in game . Limiting the number of hitters per can keep the . Specific number of hitters per innings (e.g., 5 batters per inning) game moving by avoiding long innings that contribute to . Specific number of hitters per innings or three outs, whichever is slow Game Length reached first

. If defensive players (or and ) are in position no . Giving players incentives for improved pace of play more than 20 seconds after last recorded in previous inning, encourages a fun, quicker game and avoids unnecessary team will receive an extra batter in next offensive inning delays between pitches or innings Pace of Play . Batters must keep one foot in box at all times . Catcher from previous inning will warm up next pitcher until current defensive catcher arrives

. Adjust the starting Ball/Strike . Adjusting the starting count encourages to . No count, three swings per hitter (no walks) throw strikes (to avoid walks) and encourages batters to . Start with a count other than 0‐0 (e.g., 1‐1, 2‐2, 3‐2) swing at hittable pitches (to avoid ); adjusting Offense . If batter is BB/HBP, batter receives new at‐bat and starts the starting count also reduces the overall number of with a modified count (e.g., 2‐1) pitches thrown per player, promoting the goals of . Called strikes are automatic strikeouts Smart

. Defensive Positions: . Rotating positions gives players opportunities to try new . Younger players: 6 players with no outfielders positions and have more involvement defensively . Older players: 9 players must rotate positions every . Giving players incentives for defensive performance Defense inning helps to reinforce the important non‐ skills that . Defensive Bonuses: Teams receive bonuses for successfully are important to becoming a complete player fielding ground balls, pop‐ups, assists and proper technique Areas of Focus

Areas of Focus Recommended Changes Benefits of Hit‐and‐Run Changes

. Pitch Delivery . Coach pitching or a leads to more . Coaches pitch, side toss, or front toss with L‐screen hittable pitches, more batted balls and more action for . Pitching machine or hitting off tee offensive and defensive players . Coaches pitch if more than 2 BB/HBP combined in an . A softer ball can be less intimidating to younger players Pitching inning and encourage them to be more comfortable hitting or . Ball Type fielding . Foam ball, rubber ball, plastic ball, practice baseball, tennis ball

. Baserunners to Start Inning . Adding baserunners to start innings can increase run‐ . Start innings with different runners on base (first, first scoring, creates more diverse game situations and and second, bases loaded, etc.) increases players’ understanding of how to play in those Baserunners + . Change baserunner scenarios by inning (Innings 1‐2 = no situations baserunners, Innings 3‐4 = runners on 1st and 2nd base) . Discouraging base stealing allows younger pitchers to Base Stealing . Base Stealing focus on throwing strikes while encouraging base . Players are not allowed to steal bases stealing for older players creates a more interesting . Players are not allowed to advance on passed balls game

. Positioning . Putting the or coach behind the mound gives . Umpires: can be positioned behind mound or behind greater ability to interact with the players in the field home plate more frequently . Coaches: for younger levels, can be positioned behind . Coach timeouts allow coaches to provide immediate mound to allow for more frequent and immediate feedback to players and are a valuable teaching tool Umpires + teaching opportunities when used sparingly Coaches . Timeouts and Mound Visits . Coaches may receive a limited number of timeouts (e.g., two per game, no more than one per inning) that they can use offensively or defensively; mound visits would otherwise be eliminated