LL minors (8-10 yo) softball coach. thinking of past rule mods in our district for minors, and what we should keep, modify, or add. want some feedback before I take it to our division rep and other coach
existing:
no D3K (keep)
no BB with bases loaded, offensive coach will pitch when 4 ball count is reached with bases loaded (keep) - probably need to formalize also rules on HBP with bases loaded, with permission of other coach, I left it up to batter. If girl was scared, she got base, and run scored. If girl wanted to hit, she could stay at bat (and of course pitch is a ball).
5 run limit per inning, except last two, then 10 or unlimited (keep)
no stealing when coach is pitching (keep)
suggestions for new rules mods
no continuation, if runner is more than halfway when pitcher gets ball in circle, they may advance. if they are less than halfway, they must return. last year we really had no one try continuation, but as our league and the league we did combined play with have shrunk significantly, we will playing more different leagues this year, some of whom had girls running on walks all the way to second. IMHO, this level in LL still needs to be about developing skills, focus on strategy in majors. just want to officially get it in rules.
when an attempt is made to throw out runner attempting to steal, no additional bases taken on overthrows/misses. I think last year I saw may be three throws to second all season, lots of coaches and pitchers yelling "HOLD IT". with our talent level, very little chance of making this play at this level, but I think we have to get them in the mindset of trying, but if say half of attempts will give offense extra bases, coaches will continue to yell "HOLD IT". Note, if runner from the base not being thrown to breaks on the throw, of course they may advance. That is not a steal based on the overthrow, that is based on good baserunning, to be encouraged.
no intentional walks - these girls need to hit. again, last year, we had a good group of coaches pretty much, but expanding our interleague this year to some leagues that in past have been very cutthroat at minors level (one coach made his own player cry one game)
Also pondering 4 inning limit for a pitcher in a single game. need to prod coahces to develop more pitching. don't care if they use ace pitcher 2-3 innings every game, but got to get other girls in the circle as well, and we have very few back to backs (so theorertically, with exception of maybe 2-3 games a year, coach could pitch one pitcher all game nearly every game).
Please provide feedback.
existing:
no D3K (keep)
no BB with bases loaded, offensive coach will pitch when 4 ball count is reached with bases loaded (keep) - probably need to formalize also rules on HBP with bases loaded, with permission of other coach, I left it up to batter. If girl was scared, she got base, and run scored. If girl wanted to hit, she could stay at bat (and of course pitch is a ball).
5 run limit per inning, except last two, then 10 or unlimited (keep)
no stealing when coach is pitching (keep)
suggestions for new rules mods
no continuation, if runner is more than halfway when pitcher gets ball in circle, they may advance. if they are less than halfway, they must return. last year we really had no one try continuation, but as our league and the league we did combined play with have shrunk significantly, we will playing more different leagues this year, some of whom had girls running on walks all the way to second. IMHO, this level in LL still needs to be about developing skills, focus on strategy in majors. just want to officially get it in rules.
when an attempt is made to throw out runner attempting to steal, no additional bases taken on overthrows/misses. I think last year I saw may be three throws to second all season, lots of coaches and pitchers yelling "HOLD IT". with our talent level, very little chance of making this play at this level, but I think we have to get them in the mindset of trying, but if say half of attempts will give offense extra bases, coaches will continue to yell "HOLD IT". Note, if runner from the base not being thrown to breaks on the throw, of course they may advance. That is not a steal based on the overthrow, that is based on good baserunning, to be encouraged.
no intentional walks - these girls need to hit. again, last year, we had a good group of coaches pretty much, but expanding our interleague this year to some leagues that in past have been very cutthroat at minors level (one coach made his own player cry one game)
Also pondering 4 inning limit for a pitcher in a single game. need to prod coahces to develop more pitching. don't care if they use ace pitcher 2-3 innings every game, but got to get other girls in the circle as well, and we have very few back to backs (so theorertically, with exception of maybe 2-3 games a year, coach could pitch one pitcher all game nearly every game).
Please provide feedback.