YOUTH TWINS NIKE RBI COACH PITCH SOFTBALL INFORMATION-8U Girls

The Legends League is sponsored by the Minnesota Twins Community Fund and is part of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program. Today we cheer for baseball and softball players such as Aaron Judge, DJ Sanders and the Twins Byron Buxton. We hear stories about Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Toni Stone, and Ernie Banks. Thanks to these talented players and their contributions to the sport during the early part of the 20th century, they laid the foundation for how baseball/softball is played today. These “pioneers” played a very important part in shaping the sport of baseball/softball. We are celebrating the legends of baseball/softball and sharing their stories throughout this year’s 8U coach pitch and pitching machine seasons. Good luck this season and have fun learning the history of the greatest game of all – Baseball/Softball!

Season Information:

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 Girls: Ages 7-8 or currently in 2nd or 3rd grade
  • Roster: Recommended 12 players per team
  • Teams must have 5 payers o play. Let's Play! If a team is short, share registered player

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: USA/ASA softball stamp
  • Ball Specification: 10 inch, optic yellow, softcore

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 must have a noticeable arc but does not need to meet the six-foot minimum requirement.

a. Kids will have the opportunity to pitch in the last 2 games of the season.

b. 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. The team on defense may play 10 fielders. The 10th player must play in the outfield.

7. All players will bat in order whether or not they have been or will be playing defense.

8. The batter will receive up to 5 pitches to attempt to hit the ball. If the Batter hits the ball, they become a base runner. If the batter doesn’t hit a ball within these 5 pitches, the batter returns to the bench.

9. All foul balls will be counted as a pitch. A thrown bat will be an automatic out.

10. Bunting, sliding into any base, leading off and stealing bases are not allowed.

11. A  base runner can advance one base on an overthrow or ball thrown out of play (exception: a base runner can only advance home on a batted ball).

12.  On a hit batted to the outfield, runners may not advance once the ball has been thrown back into the infield (once the ball crosses over the line between the outfield grass and infield dirt). 

13. A runner between bases when the ball is thrown back into the infield may advance to the next base at their own risk of being tagged out.

14. The team on defense is allowed one coach in the field of play, on the grass, during play. 

15. Coaches should remove unsportsmanlike players from the game.

 

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