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Sunday, February 8
Highlights to 2009 Little League Rule Changes
Regular Season Rule Change Highlights
Regulation IV (i) Note 3
NOTE 3: In Minor League, if a half-inning ends because of the imposition of the five-run limit in "Rule 2.00 - Inning," and a player on the defense has played for the entire half-inning, that player will be considered to have participated for three consecutive outs for the purposes of this rule. However, if the player has not played on defense for the entire inning, that player will be credited only as having played for the number of outs that occurred while the player was used defensively.
Regulation VI - PITCHERS
Number of pitches is based upon League Age - not playing division
17-18 year olds - 105 pitches per day
13-16 year olds - 95 pitches per day
11-12 year olds - 85 pitches per day
9-10 year olds - 75 pitches per day
7-8 year olds - 50 pitches per day
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI (c) for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning.
Note 1: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
Rest Requirements: District 4 leagues met prior to the season and determined that Option 2 would be used throughout the district for the 2009 spring season.
Option 2:
(d) Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 41 - 60 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 21 - 40 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Pitchers league age 17-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 51 - 75 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 26 - 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-25 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Rule 1.10: What is changed: Reduces the maximum diameter for a bat in the Junior League Baseball division from 2 3/4 inches to 2 5/8 inches. (Maximum diameter for bats in Senior League and Big League remains at 2 5/8 inches.)
Rule 1.11 (k) Note: (k) Casts may not be worn during the game. NOTE: Persons wearing casts, including managers and coaches, must remain in the dugout during the game.
Rule 3.03 Note (1): Added for clarification. NOTE 1: A substitute may not be removed from the game prior to completion of his/her mandatory play requirements.
Tournament Rule Changes
Teams: Senior League teams may roster a maximum of 16 players. Big League teams may roster a maximum of 17 players.
Participation In Other Programs: Removes the prohibition on participation in non-Little League programs for all divisions, but still provides the local league with the ability to remove a player who repeatedly misses games or practices.
4. PITCHING RULES – LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, 9-10 YEAR OLD, 10-11 YEAR OLD DIVISION, AND JUNIOR LEAGUE: What is changed: Increases the maximum number of pitches a pitcher could deliver, and then be allowed to become a catcher in that day; Removes the Senior League pitching rules from this section and places them with the Big League rule.
4. PITCHING RULES – SENIOR LEAGUE AND BIG LEAGUE BASEBALL: What is changed: Increased the maximum number of pitches a pitcher could deliver, and then become a catcher in that day; Added the Senior League pitching rules to this section.
Sunday, February 8
Statement Regarding Bats in Junior League Baseball
| Statement Regarding Bats in Junior League Baseball |
Beginning with the 2009 season, baseball bats with a diameter of 2-5/8 (two-and-five-eighths) inches are now the standard for all teenage baseball divisions (Junior, Senior and Big League).
Baseball bats with a diameter of 2-3/4 (two-and-three-fourths) inches are no longer permitted for use in the Junior League Division of Baseball. Previously, these bats could be used in Juniors, but not in Senior or Big League.
Background
A committee at USA Baseball is in the process of developing a standard for bats used in the Junior League Division. Currently, there is no standard in place as there is for bats in Little League Baseball (Majors) and below, and for bats used in Senior League and Big League.
(USA Baseball is the governing body for amateur baseball in the U.S. Little League Baseball is a member of USA Baseball.)
This step taken by Little League, and to be taken by other youth baseball organizations in the coming year or two, is a first step in that process and a way to prepare for the new standard. Eventually, for the Junior League age group, only bats with a diameter of 2-5/8 (two-and-five-eighths) inches will be manufactured to meet the new standard when it is ready for implementation.
(Note: The standard for bats in the Little League Baseball [Majors] Division and below is the Bat Performance Factor [BPF]. This is a measure of a non-wood bat's performance relative to wooden bats.)
In the Senior and Big League Divisions, the standard is the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR), with its "minus-3" requirement. The overall weight (in ounces) of a bat can be no more than three ounces below the overall length (in inches) of the bat. This mandate remains in effect in Senior and Big League Baseball divisions, but is not a requirement in Junior Baseball. |
| Additional Information for Little League Baseball (Majors) and Below |
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In effect for the 2009 season is the requirement that all non-wood bats used in Little League Baseball (Majors) Divisions and below shall be printed with a BPF of 1.15 or less.
This stipulation has been included in the Official Rules and Regulations for the past few years, leading up to 2009, so that leagues, parents, and bat manufacturers could prepare for it.
Most non-wood bats manufactured over the past several years for the age groups involved in Little League Baseball (Majors) and below have been permanently imprinted with the BPF. In fact, very few bats sold today with a diameter of 2-1/4 (two and one-quarter) inches are not printed with the BPF rating.
So, starting with the 2009 season, bats printed with a BPF higher than 1.15, or without a BPF printed (or not legible) on the bat, are not permitted in these divisions.
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Sunday, February 8
Coaches Newsletters
Sunday, February 8
Positive Coaching Alliance
The Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is an organization founded by Jim Thompson for the purpose of "creating a sports culture where kids love to play the game and choose to stay involved, where they look forward to practices and games as times when they will have fun, and where the joy they find in playing will last a lifetime."
Sounds simple? In today's society sports participants seem to be more focused on the scoreboard win than on the fun of learning the sport, creating lasting friendships and having fun which will ultimately result in the BIG win. Creating an atmosphere in which our children learn, have fun and become self-confident is not an easy job! It takes dedication on the part of adults - coaches, parents and youth association leaders.
PCA is dedicated to accomplishing their mission by:
- Replacing the "win-at-all-cost" model of coaching with the "Double-Goal Coach" who strives to win while using sports to teach life lessons.
- Teaching youth sports organization leaders how to create positive role models
Little League Baseball, Inc. began their partnership with PCA in early 2006. The program is now available to the more than 2.6 million Little League participants! Stephen Keener, President and CEO of Little League International had this to say: "Positive Coaching Alliance's Double-Goal Coach method affords Little League International the opportunity to enhance its educational material for our adult volunteers, so they can present the most well-rounded, healthy and positive experience regardless of skill level."
PCA has such notable athletes on their Board of Directors as:
Summer Sanders - Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
Bart Conner - Olympic Gold Medalist in Gymnastics
Nadia Comaneci - Olympic Gold Medalist in Gymnastics
Kerri Strug - Olympic Gold Medalist in Gymnastics
Ruthie Bolton - Olympic Gold Medalist in Basketball
Donna de Varona - Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
Joy Fawcett - Olympic Gold Medalist, US Women's National Soccer Team
Notable coaches on PCA's Board of Directors include:
Jerry Kindall - Head Coach (ret.), University of Arizona Baseball; Senior Advisor, USA Baseball
Phil Jackson - PCA National Spokesperson; Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers
Bill Walsh - Head Coach (ret.), San Francisco 49ers, Head Coach of three Super Bowl Champions
What each of these exceptional athletes and coaches say is the key to winning is creating athletes who want to excel, who want to learn and who want to give it their all. That is accomplished through positive reinforcement and focusing on giving your best effort all the time.
Become a Double-Goal Coach by taking the online course offered on their web site: www.positivecoach.org
Become a Second-Goal Parent by taking the online course offered on their web site: www.positivecoach.org
Sign up to become a Positive Coaching Alliance member and receive their newsletters by going to their web site: www.positivecoach.org
Positive Coaching Alliance is part of the Department of Athletics, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
Handout: Double Goal Coach
Sunday, February 8
"Honoring the Game"
One of the most important components of the Positive Coaching Alliance's guide to accomplishing their mission to "transform youth sports so sports can transform youth" is teaching players to "Honor the Game." Parents, managers, coaches and players should establish and enforce Respect for the following elements of ROOTS :
Rules: Respect for the Rules means honoring the “intent of the rules” not just the letter of the rules.
Opponents: Respect for a worthy opponent. You Honor the Game when you recognize that a worthy opponent is a gift that forces you to play to your highest ability.
Officials: Respect for the officials – even when you disagree. Professional sports are there for your Entertainment, Youth sports are there for the Education of the players.
Teammates: Respect your teammates and never do anything that would embarrass your team. You are a representative of your team both on and off the field. “A team only exists when every member understands how his actions affect every other member.”
Self: Self-respect is the bottom line for a high-functioning mature individual. “A person with a strong internal moral compass works hard to avoid doing anything to dishonor the game because it shows disrespect for himself.”
Handout: Honoring the Game
Sunday, February 8
"Redefine What it Means to be a Winner"
"Everyone looks at the scoreboard. . . . What's different with athletes who are primarily task-oriented is that they have other ways to keep the boat afloat when thengs don't tilt in their direction." -- Joan Duda, Chair of Sport Psychology, University of Birmingham (UK)
Take a look at your definition of a winner. Is it simply the person or team who scores more points on the scoreboard? Or is it perhaps the person or team who puts forth the best effort and plays the best game? Is it a meaningful win when the seasoned veterans put more points on the scoreboard than the novices who just started playing the game?
When you ask someone how the game went, the answer is invariably the score of the game rather than a comment on how that person actually did that day. Again, we are defining people by the score and not by the effort put forth. We've lost sight of the accomplishments made by those involved in the game.
Focusing on the scoreboard definition of winner involves the following 3 elements:
- Results: How you played is not as important as the score at the end of the game. This often results in a person or team being labeled a "loser."
- Comparison with others: Once again, it's the score at the end of the game that defines whether you are a "winner" or a "loser" in comparison to the person or team you just played.
- Avoiding mistakes: Does making fewer mistakes than your opponent will make you come out a winner?
A growing number of people in the athletic world are finding that this focus on the scoreboard results in more anxiety for the athletes, which limits their performance.
PCA's approach is to institute the "ELM Tree of Mastery."
E is for Effort - putting forth one's best effort should be rewarded and recognized for the gift that it is.
L is for Learning - creating a desire to learn and master the fundamentals of the game results in more desire by the individual to practice.
M is for Mistakes - making mistakes is beneficial to the learning process and is not something to be feared.
Redefining the definition of "winner" results in more self-confidence, more effort by the athlete and a better person all the way around.
Handout: ELM Tree of Mastery
Sunday, February 8
"Filling the Emotional Tank"
We all experience "bad" days - days when nothing seems to go right. How does that affect an athlete's ability to perform? What would happen to that athlete if his coach and teammates were to "fill his emotional tank" with a little extra attention and kind words?
Kids with "Full Tanks" listen better, behave better and they perform better. It takes practice to say the right things!
A few "tank fillers":
- Praise - Make specific and truthful comments about what the player is doing right.
- Appreciation - Tell your player that you appreciate their efforts
- Positive Recognition - Recognize the positive contributions a player makes
- Listening - Take time to really listen to your players
- Non verbal clues (body language) - Smile, nod your head - even when the game is going badly for your team (You get better results with honey than with vinegar!)
Handout: Filling the Emotional Tank
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