RAAA In-House Baseball 2019 Coaches’ Briefing

RAAA In-House Baseball2019 Coaches’ Briefing Matt Norris, Program Director Tyler Young, Rules & Umpires Director and Coordinator

Agenda • Rules • Weather Cancellations • Behavior • Umpires • Field Boxes & Equipment • Coaching Resources • Pitching

Send all questions and feedback on rules and umpires to RAAARules@gmail.com

Rules: Introduction • Rules are rules, not guidelines • Follow them to the letter • Don’t confuse ball players, coaches or umpires • Give us your feedback • 3 levels, allowing for age-appropriate options • Minors (Pre-K – 2nd Grade) • Intermediate (3rd – 5th Grade) • Majors (6th – 8th Grade)

Pre-game Conference • Both coaches & umpire • Before every game • Review ground rules • Set expectations • Shake hands

Rule Changes - Pitching These changes pertain to both Intermediate and Major Levels Once a pitcher has been removed from the mound they may not re-enter the game as a pitcher. Relief pitchers should be warmed up prior to entering the game. A relief pitcher is allowed a maximum of 5 warm up pitches. .In order to keep the game moving pitchers are allowed a maximum of 5 warm up pitches per inning.

Rule Changes – Pitching Continued Walks • Intentional walks are allowed. • Pitcher must pitch to the batter. • An inning cannot end on an intentional walk.

Rule Highlights - Intermediate • No new inning may start after 7:50pm • Inning is over after three (3) outs or once through the batting order, whichever comes first • Coaches announce when last batter is up • Uneven number of players: one team has 11, one team has 9. Team with nine bats 2 extra batters each inning. Batting order must be continuous. An inning cannot end on an intentional walk • Pitching Distance • 3rd Grade: 40 feet • 4/5th Grade: 46 feet (same as LY)

Rule Highlights (Stealing) - Intermediate • Runners may only steal 2nd and 3rd bases • No stealing of home is allowed, even on wild pitch or passed ball • 3rd graders may not leave the base until the pitch crosses the plate • 4th& 5th graders may not leave the base until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand

Rule Clarification Stolen bases and passed balls vs. overthrows and errors • It is only considered a steal when there is a legal pitch from the mound to the catcher • A passed ball or wild pitch is when a legally pitched ball gets past the catcher • Intermediate rules DO NOT allow a runner on third to take home on a legally pitched ball even if the result of the pitch is a passed ball or wild pitch

Rule Clarification Stolen bases and passed balls vs. overthrows and errors – (Continued) • If the catcher decides to make a throw other than to the pitcher – any base running after that is no longer considered stealing and home plate is no longer protected under the stealing rule • EXAMPLE: A pitch is made to the plate and the runner on 2nd base runs in an attempt to steal 3rd . The catcher makes the throw down to 3rd base, but the throw goes into left field. This is a throwing error and now the runner who stole 3rd is free to run home

Rule Highlights (Pitching) - Intermediate • 3rd Graders • 2 innings per game • Maximum of 3 innings per week • 4/5th Graders • 3 innings per game • Maximum of 5 innings per week • Week is Sunday - Saturday

Rule Highlights - Majors • No new inning may start after 8:10pm • Inning is over after three (3) outs or once through the batting order, whichever comes first • Coaches announce when last batter is up • Uneven number of players: one team has 11, one team has 9. Team with nine bats 2 extra batters each inning. Batting order must be continuous. An inning cannot end on an intentional walk • Pitching • Distance: 52 feet • 3 innings per game • Maximum of 5 innings per week (Sunday – Saturday)

Rule Highlights (Stealing) - Majors • Stealing of 2nd and 3rd bases are allowed • Players may only advance home on a wild pitch/passed ball • Players may not leave may not leave the base until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand

Stealing Bases • Stealing is part of baseball • Use it with discretion. If you are winning by a large margin, don’t steal. • What if the other coach says “We aren’t going to steal!”? • Another coach’s promise does not force you to comply. “Gentleman’s agreements” do not bind either party. Although it may be unsportsmanlike, I will not arbitrate any disputes over this type of situation

Rule Clarification Stolen bases and passed balls vs. overthrows and errors • It is only considered a steal when there is a legal pitch from the mound to the catcher • A passed ball or wild pitch is when a legally pitched ball gets past the catcher • Majors rules DO allow a runner on third to try to take home on a legally pitched ball if the result of the pitch is a passed ball or wild pitch. They may NOT attempt to steal home on a regular pitched ball that is successfully secured by the catcher

Weather Cancellations • RAAA In-House Baseball will now handle weather cancellations program wide. • A mass email will be sent as well as updates on our social media accounts. Our aim is to make a decision and send out communication by 4:30 • Once games/practices begin, it will become the responsibility of the coaches to convene with umpires to make a decision in the event of unexpected weather • There may still be individual fields that are unplayable. Coaches should do their best to get the field in playable shape. If cancellation is necessary, please get in touch with your team families as soon as possible

Behavior • We do this for the kids, not ourselves • Kids will act as you act; be a role model • Be a “Double Goal Coach” • Strive to win • Teach life lessons • Coaches are responsible for players & parents • Report incidents to Program Director within 24 hours: inhouse-baseball@rosemount-aaa.org

Umpires • Boys 9th Grade and up • Paid positions; based on seniority • Tyler Young: Umpire Coordinator • raaaumpire@gmail.com • Show respect; and ensure parents do as well • Let them do their job • Discussions can take place at home plate • Coach from each team is present • Don’t expect a reversal • Keep it short (less than one minute) • Remain calm

Field Boxes & Equipment • Investment in new field boxes & equipment • Combo locks on yellow field box • Front panel, below handle to open the box • Combo is 2018 • Still using large green field boxes at RMS Upper/Lower and Winds due to amount and size of field equipment needed (combo is 2018) • Usetarps and cinder blocks after games to cover pitcher’s mound and home plate and put away bases • Chalk: Send me an e-mail when only one full bag remains; don’t wait until it’s all gone.

Field Boxes & Equipment • Help us keep registration costs low: • Always lock the field box when you leave; check to ensure the lock is locked; spin the combo • Tees: • Make use of them, regardless of age group • Collapse fully and gently place in field box • Do not set anything on top of tees • Ensure you have all team equipment in your bag before you leave • If you find equipment left behind, lock it in the box when you leave and contact the program director to find the owner

Coaching Priorities

Interact with Parents • Introduce yourself • Tell them your goals for the team • Set your expectations of them • Ask for help at practices / games

Develop ALL of Your Players • Find one thing to develop for each player • Equal practice time • Use fielding matrix • Develop your pitchers • Cannot force players to pitch or catch

Make a Practice Plan • Do this before practice • Stick to it • 3-4 skills/drill per practice • Split teams into manageable groups • Resources • Coach Swansson’s sheet – test your players • Our website: http://rosemount-aaa.org/program/inhouse-baseball/ • YouTube • Other coaches

Sample Practice Plan 1 • Warm up (stretches, throwing progression) • Run to burn off energy (game/race) • Split into 3-4 groups and rotate • Hitting drill • Fielding drill • Pitching drill • Sliding drill • Situations on the infield with runners • End the practice with something FUN!

Sample Practice Plan 2 • Warm up (stretches, throwing progression) • Run to burn off energy (game/race) • Verbal Instruction (topics vary) • Fundamental drills, in stations when possible • Focus on key skills of hitting, throwing, catching • Try to get a lot of reps, and make games of it • Game simulation activities with hitters/runners • Coaching comments and motivation

Practice Plan Takeaways • Work on core baseball skills • Do some one-on-one coaching • Keep all the kids moving and engaged • DO NOT have one kid with a bat and the rest of the team in the field • Use your coaches and parents

Pitching Check out: http://m.mlb.com/pitchsmart/

Pitching: General • You are going to need pitchers; develop them • Make sure that pitchers are given plenty of opportunity to stretch and get warm • If someone wants to pitch, let them pitch • Cannot make someone pitch • Most kids are not conditioned for throwing a lot • Resources on our website: http://rosemount-aaa.org/program/inhouse-baseball/

Pitch Count Overview • Track pitch counts to protect the players • Guidelines and tools are available • Increase parental awareness; ask for support

Pitch Count Guidance

Pitching: Rest Day • Days of rest are in calendar days • Midnight to midnight • Time of day pitching occurred is irrelevant • Examples: • A pitcher throws 30 pitches on Monday, therefore they should rest 1 calendar day per the guidelines. They take Tuesday off, and can pitch again on Wednesday. • A pitcher throws 60 pitches on Monday, therefore they should take 3 calendar days off. They should take Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday off and can pitch again on Friday within the limits of the pitch count cap.

Pitch Count: Tracking • Pitches per inning and game are more important to monitor than total pitches in a week • Monitor all of it; it provides context • Adequate rest must be emphasized • Remove a pitcher when they reach the limit, or if they’re close

Pitching: Safety • Safety of our athletes is our top priority! • If a pitcher is showing signs of fatigue and their form is starting to break down, take him out • Avoid having pitchers play catcher on the same day they pitch • Players may play catch or play fielding positions on rest days • If not experiencing any physical pain or discomfort • Do not pitch on their own during rest days

Pitching: Conditioning & Mechanics • Stress proper throwing mechanics; correct problems • Warm up to throw, don’t throw to warm up • When mechanics break down, it is time to rest • Do not encourage players to play through pain • Encourage physical conditioning to avoid injuries

THANK YOU FOR COACHING!ENJOY THE SEASON! Questions on Rules & Umpires: RAAARules@gmail.com

RAAA In-House Baseball 2019 Coaches’ Briefing