14U Rec Softball

Goals

We are looking to reinforce the skills and knowledge from Softball 12U with additional focus on:

1. Individual Skills

   1. Pitching mechanics, including picking off base runners and understanding the balk rules.

   2. Play behind the plate for catchers and understanding the balk rules for catchers.

   3. Identifying where pitches were located in the strike zone grid and evaluating which zone they hit best.

   4. Strategies for batting.

   5. Bunting.

   6. Stealing bases.

2. Team Skills

   1. Communicating where critical plays may occur.

   2. Relay plays.

   3. Defending against stealing.

   4. Picking off runners by both the catcher and the pitcher.

3. Understanding the game

   1. More situational baseball. For example close game, ahead with 2 outs with a runner on 3rd.

   2. Understanding which plays are best before each pitch.

Time Frame

Spring Season  - April through mid July

• Team assignment is by draft.  Players will practice together and be evaluated by the coaching staff for team placement.  We are looking to find the team which will provide the most playing time for each player.  Players develop by playing, not sitting on the bench.

• Practices:

  • Players who make their school team should consult with the coaches about their school practice/game schedule so our coaches can plan for their absences. 

  • We offer weekly indoor skill sessions from late January - early February though March.  Check our website for details.  We encourage all Rookie age players to come out and get ready for the upcoming season.

  • Team practices start early April.  

  • We schedule three practices a week.

• Games start late May, after the school season.  There are usually 3 or 4 games/practices a week.

• The regular season ends late June/early July.

• League tournament is held just after the regular season.

Tournament Team

We put teams into the Babe Ruth Tournament Trail, and the team may participate in other local tournaments.

Fall

This season is for players rising from Majors to Junior Babe Ruth and returning players who will play Junior Babe Ruth the next Spring season.

FAQ

1. What night will we practice, my child has another activity on xxxday.  You let us know about the nights that work best in the "Special Requests" section on our registration page.  While we will do our best to avoid conflicts the players team is determined by draft.

2. Equipment You Must Provide

   1. Baseball Glove.

   2. Shoes -Cleats are recommended at this level, they must be plastic. Metal cleats are not allowed!

   3. Grey baseball pants.

3. Equipment We Provide

   1. Team shirt and hat.  We require baseball pants at this level. Please get grey pants to everyone with baseball pants match.

   2. Batting helmets.  Each team has enough helmets for all base runners and the batter. If you want to get a baseball helmet please make sure it fits your child well.

   3. Bats, each team has a selection of age appropriate bats.  If you are thinking about getting your child a bat please click here for more information on how to pick an appropriate bat for young children.  We recommend using the team bats for a couple practices to see which size works best for your player.  Remember young children grow quickly, but they don't put a lot of wear and tear on their equipment. Since they may out grow a bat in a year or two, so it might be a good idea to check with friends who have older players who may have out grown their equipment.

   4. Catcher's gear.  Each team will have at least one complete set of catcher's gear.  Catching is now a special position so catchers should consider getting catching gear, but talk to your coach about their thoughts on appropriate equipment.