BEECH GROVE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL

Spring Baseball

Spring baseball is a recreational program open to all genders and all abilities, ages 4-16. Registration typically opens around the end of November. Practices typically begin at the end of March and the season runes from the end of April through mid-June. Minors and Majors divisions will have an end of season tournament. Each team will play a minimum of 12 games, not including tournament play. The majority of play will be against other teams in our league. Majors will also play against other leagues in our District.

Divisions included in Spring:
Tee Ball
Tee Ball is a non-competitive program focused on fun, fitness, and fundamentals where players ages 4-5 are first introduced to the basics of baseball. Games are two innings and every player gets to bat and play defense in both innings.

Rookie-Instructional
Rookie Instructional is an extension of our Tee Ball division. It is a non-competitive division for beginner level or less experienced ball players, ages 5-7. The focus is on having fun while learning the basic rules of the game and building their skills. This division is coach pitch and scores are not kept.

Minors AA
Minors AA begins the more technical stage of learning for ages 7-8. The focus continues to be on having fun, good sportsmanship and teamwork, while building on their skills and introducing competitive play. AA introduces player pitch and games will be a mix of coach and player pitch.

Minors AAA
Minors AAA is for ages 9-10, where players will continue building their technical skills and understanding of the game and engaging in more competitive play. AAA is entirely player pitch.

Majors
Majors is for ages 11-12, where players will improve and refine their skills and engage in higher level competition. While most Majors games will be played at Hartman Park, our Majors division does engage in interleague play with other leagues in the district so some travel will be expected.

Juniors

The Junior division is for players ages 13-14. The Juniors season will start in early June, after the school baseball season has ended. Juniors will travel to play against other Little Leagues in our district. Home games are played at South Grove Elementary or Sarah T Bolton Park. The Juniors schedule is managed by the District 7 Administrator.

Seniors

The Senior division is for advanced level players ages 14-16. The Seniors season will start in early June, after the school baseball season has ended. Seniors will travel to play against other Little Leagues in our district. Home games are played at Sarah T Bolton Park. The Seniors schedule is managed by the District 7 Administrator.

**Players age 8 and 10 may be considered for the next level of play if they are deemed capable and ready at the Skills Assessment and subsequently drafted up during team drafts. These moves must be approved by the players parent/guardian, the Player Agent and the President. Players not drafted up will be drafted into their current age division

District All-Stars

All-Stars is a post-season tournament for a select group of players, age 8 and up. Players are selected based on their ability, eligibility and availability. The expectation for all-star players is to be available throughout the entire season. Most teams practice 5-6 times per week leading up to at least one tournament. Tournaments typically take place in July, but may begin in late June.

How are teams created?
Throughout the spring season, all players will be continually monitored and assessed by the regular season coaches as well as the Board of Directors. After about 2/3 of the spring season is complete, coaches will be asked to nominate 4 players from their team for All-Stars. Those players will be considered and up to 14 players per team will be agreed upon by the Player Agent, President and All-Star Manager. A coach nomination does not guarantee a spot on the team.

Attributes considered when making player selections include:
1. The players physical playing ability and mental attitude with respect to the game
2. Commitment/attendance throughout the regular season
3. Sportsmanship, attitude and coachability displayed throughout the regular season

Eligibility:
+ First year All-Stars must provide their original birth certificate. COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, NO EXCEPTIONS
+ Must have participated in a full season with BGLL and played a minimum of 8 games
+ Must provide acceptable proof the player lives within or attends school within the league boundary
+ If the player requires a waiver to play for BGLL, they may not be eligible for tournament play until their second year. This is determined by the Little League Charter Committee in Williamsport, PA during the waiver process. Their decision is final.

Availability:
Participating in All-Stars is a privilege that is not afforded to all players. Each player selected is vital to the success of the team. Therefore, potential conflicts such as involvement in other summer sports, vacations, camps etc will be considered.

Fall Baseball

Fall Ball provides an opportunity for players to continue developing skills gained during the regular season, and gain more experience in preparation for the next season. Fall Ball is non-competitive.

If your player was in Rookies, will be a “baseball 8” next spring and therefore moving up to Minor AA, they will need to learn how to hit live pitching from another player. In Fall Ball, the player will move up with other kids of appropriate age, hit live pitching, and have the opportunity to learn pitching mechanics.

*NOTE: for those players that will be “baseball 10” next Spring - you will register for Minor AAA for fall. Which 10 year olds will be moved up to Majors next year will be determined at next year's Assessment and Drafts.

Our goals for the Fall Ball Program:

Focus on player development and having fun
Allow players to learn and practice the skills they will need for next spring, giving more repetition, more experience and more detailed instruction
Allow players to try new positions
Reinforce good sportsmanship and teamwork

We will also use Fall Ball as an opportunity to coach our coaches. We will provide education on positive coaching strategies and drills they can use to run practices and build a strong team in the spring season.