Grades 3 & 4 (usually ages 9 or 10 as of August 31st)
The Junior 10U League is a FUN division geared toward younger players with the emphasis of working on each players skills and introducing competition. This league meets twice a week beginning in April. The First half of the season each team will have one practice and one game and the second half each team will play two games per week.
The Season ends in mid June and every effort is made to coordinate the end of the season with the end of the school year.
Skills that are introduced, reintroduced and reinforced:
Proper batting stance and swing
Proper way to hold a softball
Proper throwing technique and throwing motion
Proper way to field and catch a ground ball; two hands
Proper way to catch a fly ball; two hands what is a ball
Proper way to run the bases
Recognizing and understanding all positions on the field
Playing all the positions on the field unless there is a safety concern
Understanding the strike zone; what is a ball and strike
Hitting off "live" pitching; girls pitch to each other (no coach pitch)
Introduction to the windmill pitching technique
Inrtoduction to proper techniques to become a catcher
Learn to become part of a team and understanding what is best for the team and not the individual player
Learning the basic rules of softball; 4 ball = a walk, 3 strikes = a strikeout, 3 outs ends an inning
Learning the difference between a force play and a tag play
Understand what "tagging up" means
Learning the proper way to take a lead
Learning to make "cut-off" plays and back up bases
Proper sliding techniques
Communication skills with fellow players, coaches and umpires
Being respectful of other players, coaches and umpires
Become accustom to playing with a regulation 11' ball. No "softies"
Learn what a home team and away team are; ie. who bats first
