League Objectives:
- Develop basic baseball skills for all participants. Examples: Fielding, base running, hitting, throwing.
- Foster a positive environment where sportsmanship and self-esteem building come first.
- Score is not kept-Emphasize team play and skill development without focusing on winning or losing.
Players:
- 8U Open: Ages 7-8 or currently in 2nd or 3rd grade
- Roster: Recommended 12 players per team
- Teams must have 5 payers to play. Let's Play! If a team is short, share registered players.
Weather/Field Conditions:
- Weather / Field Condition Cancellations: MPRB staff will contact coaches via email at least 1
hour prior to game time. Coaches are responsible for notifying players. If you have questions,
call the host site one hour before game time on weeknights or after 9am on Saturdays.
- Coaches along with facility staff will be responsible for making weather related decisions during
games.
- Lightning: Once lightning has been spotted or thunder has been heard, all MPRB athletic
activities will be delayed for 30 minutes by the official, staff or coach on site. Games/practices
may be re-started after 30 minutes after last lightning strike is seen and/or last rumble of
thunder is heard. The official, staff, or coach will determine if a game will be cancelled.
- Rainout games are not rescheduled.
- Rainouts will be called at the game site at least 1 hour prior to game time, games will be called off
if lightning sighted.
Equipment:
- Players should wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the weather outside.
- Players should have their own labeled glove and water bottle.
- Metal cleats are not allowed.
- Bat Specification: Max Barrel Size – 2 ¼”, Length – Unlimited (-13 recommended), Stamps of
Approval – USSSA mark or 1.15 BPF stamp -13 differential. Bats that are between 26” and 29”
depending on the size of the player. Ball Specifications: Incrediball- soft core - size 3
Playing Rules
1. No runs or standings will be kept.
2. Games: One inning will consist of each player on both teams getting a turn at bat. Game times are 55 minutes.
3. Batting Order: The batting order shall include all players in uniform. Late arrivals will be added to the bottom of the order. If for any reason a player needs to leave the game that player’s position in the order will be left blank.
4. Pitcher: Coach Pitch will use a coach-pitcher. The coach-pitcher will pitch to their own player from the 35-foot pitching rubber. The pitch may be thrown overhand or underhand, standing or
kneeling. Kids will have the opportunity to pitch in the last 2 games of the season. Kids who
choose to pitch will have a maximum of 3 outs or 1 inning, whichever comes first.
5. Participation/Substitution: Players must play a minimum of (2) complete innings (6 outs) in the field.
6. Teams should have 5 players to play. Teams may exchange players.
7. The team on defense may play 10 fielders. The 10th player must play in the outfield.
8. All players will bat in order whether or not they have been or will be playing defense.
9. The batter will receive up to 5 pitches to attempt to hit the ball. If the Batter hits the ball they become the base runner.
10. If the batter doesn't hit a ball within these 5 pitched, the batter returns to the bench.
11. All foul balls will be counted as a pitch. A thrown bat will be an automatic out.
12. Bunting, sliding into any base, leading off and stealing bases are not allowed.
13. A runner can advance one base on an overthrow or ball thrown out of play (exception: runner can
only advance home on a batted ball).
14. On a batted ball to the outfield, runners may not advance once the ball has been thrown back into the
infield (i.e., once the ball crosses over the line between the outfield grass and infield dirt). A runner
between bases when the ball is thrown back into the infield may advance to the next base at his own risk.
15. The team on defense is allowed one coach in the field of play, on the grass, during play.
16. Coaches can and should remove unsportsmanlike players from the game
17. During the final two games, kids interested may pitch for up to 3 outs if Coaches decide they are
ready.
Additional Notes
- All volunteers must be background checked.
- All coaches must be certified through their home park and shall comply with the rules and
regulations as stated in the bulletin.
- The MPRB does not discriminate based on disability in the admission or access to, or treatment
or employee in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be
provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all MPRB services, programs and
activities.
- If anyone believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color,
gender, national origin, age, or handicap, he or she may file a complaint alleging discrimination
with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S.
Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240