Tee ball
T-ball is open to all 5 and 6-year-old first-time players. T-ball is an introduction to baseball focused on having fun while learning the fundamentals of baseball, teamwork, and sportsmanship. .
No previous skills or experience are required to register for T-ball
T-ball teams usually consist of 6-9 players depending on the year.
T-ball games last a maximum of 4 innings or 1 hour.
Each inning, every player bats using a semi-cushioned T-ball, and plays in the field. Players rotate positions in the infield/outfield. Teams are encouraged to change the batting order each inning (ex 1-10, then flip 10-1).
There will be a coach at home plate helping the batters line-up, etc.
Baserunners advance 1 base at a time- no advancement on over-throws.
Players who are “put-out” running the bases will return to the bench.
No scores are kept
Last batter of the inning will be announced and will run the bases accordingly- not just a “HR”.
Teams will typically have 1 practice and 1-2 games each week. The season, which begins in late April and ends in mid June, includes approximately 12 games.
Coach Pitch
Players range in age from 6 and 8 years old. In Coach Pitch, coaches teach fundamental skills: batting, throwing, catching, and base running, in a game environment. Players improve their understanding of how to play baseball. They learn more about baserunning, defensive situations, and rules-of-play.
Developmental Guidelines for Coach Pitch
Players who register for Coach Pitch should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
Knowledge of batting stance and grip
Knowledge of throwing motion
Knowledge of Proper fielding stance
Should be familiar with the basic rules-of-play
Players should be able to make semi-accurate throws
Players should be able to catch with a reasonable success rate
Players with little or no prior experience, or who don’t meet the developmental guidelines for Coach Pitch, should remain in T-ball.
Coach Pitch Division Details
Coach Pitch teams usually consist of 6-9 players depending on the year
Games last a maximum of 4 innings or 1 hour. Each inning, every player hits coach-pitched baseballs (soft core). Coaches pitch while taking a knee, from roughly 35 feet. Players do not strikeout, but hit from a tee if they have not hit after 5 pitches.
Each inning, every player bats using a semi-cushioned T-ball, and plays in the field. Players rotate positions in the infield/outfield. Coaches should consider safety in assigning positions (i.e. 1st base).
Teams are encouraged to change the batting order each inning (ex 1-10, then flip 10-1).
Baserunners advance 1 base at a time- no advancement on over-throws.
Players who are “put-out” running the bases will return to the bench.
No scores are kept
Last batter of the inning will be announced and will run the bases accordingly- not just a “HR”.
Teams will typically have 1 practice and 1-2 games each week. The season, which begins in late April and ends in mid June, includes approximately 12 games.
Rookie
The majority of the players in Rookie will be 7-8 years-old. Experienced 6-year-olds may be on Rookie teams if they meet all requirements. Rookie is a combination of Coach pitch and player pitch baseball. Even though kids have the opportunity to pitch, NOT every child will have the ability to pitch. This is the first level that will also introduce a catcher behind home plate. Rookie is played on a 60’ base path and 42’ pitcher’s mound distance.
Coaches will emphasize the advancement of players’ baseball skills. Players are taught to apply those skills and make their own decisions in live game situations. Rookie introduces live pitching from the players, as well as a hard baseball. Rookie is meant as a transitional league between Coach Pitch and “real baseball” in Minors.
Developmental Guidelines for Rookie
Players who register for Rookie should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
Ability to hit a baseball pitched on a flat line (not lobbed).
Ability to catch and throw a ball on a flat line.
Knowledge of all field positions and base locations
Players should not be afraid to catch a baseball or to have a ball pitched at them.
Players with little or no prior experience, or who don’t meet the developmental guidelines for Rookie, should remain in Coach Pitch.
Rookie Division Details
Rookie teams usually consist of 9-11 players depending on the year
Most children play in Rookie for two years prior to entering Minors.
Games last a maximum of six innings or 90 minutes.
The first 1-2 innings are Coach Pitch to guarantee each player gets a quality at-bat.
The first inning is the only inning where everyone is guaranteed to bat. All subsequent innings will be played with a 5-run rule or 3 outs.
Subsequent innings are pitched by “skilled” players- 4 walks per inning per pitcher. Each pitcher may only pitch 1 inning per game.
Teams observe continuous batting- the batting order includes all players on the team.
Players may be called out on strikes and half-innings end after three outs.
To develop hitting and fielding skills, at certain times batters will continue to hit from a coach pitcher after being walked by a player pitcher.
Players are rotated through infield and outfield positions every inning, although coaches may consider safety in assigning positions (i.e. 1st base and catcher).
Players share equal playing time- 10 players can play in the field, but if you have 11, you can choose to put 2 on the bench- no player shall sit out two consecutive innings.
Catchers are positioned behind home plate and catch “live” pitches.
There is no stealing (including past balls) or bunting in Rookie.
Baserunners may advance more than 1 base on “big” hits- only 1 base on an overthrow.
Coaches umpire Rookie games from behind the mound (Defensive teams coach). The coach should also help to facilitate the defense.
Coaches should be teaching the game to both teams! Not a win-all attitude.
Teams will typically have 1 practice and 1-2 games each week. The season, which begins in late April and ends in mid June, includes approximately 12 games.
Minors
Minors is the introduction to merit-based baseball. The majority of the players in Minors will be 9 or 10-years-old. Experienced 8-year-olds may be on Minors teams if they meet all requirements. Minors is played on a 60’ base path and 46’ pitcher’s mound distance.
In Minors players are introduced to more competitive play. Coaches continue to emphasize the development and use of good baseball mechanics for throwing, catching, fielding, and batting. Players also develop an increased understanding of how to play in different game situations. Minors provides a “real” baseball experience and prepares players for the higher level of competitive play in Majors.
Developmental Guidelines for Minors
Players entering Minors should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
Players should have command of the basic skills of fielding, catching, throwing, batting and base running. Players should also understand appropriate actions in game situations, such as when and where to make put-outs, how to run the bases accordingly, etc.
Players who don’t meet the developmental guidelines for Minors, should remain in Rookie for an additional season.
Minors Division Details
Teams are drafted (selected) by the Minors managers using information from Player Assessments and evaluations from prior year coaches.
Minors teams usually consist of 9-11 players depending on the year
Games last a maximum of six innings or 90 minutes.
Half innings end after 3 outs or 5 runs, whichever comes first.
Teams observe continuous batting- the batting order includes all players on the team.
Only “skilled” players will pitch- 4 walks per inning per pitcher. Each pitcher may only pitch 2 innings per game. Every player is encouraged to practice pitching.
Hitters may be called out on strikes (looking/swinging) and they may walk as well.
9 defensive players may take the field during each half-inning.
Players are rotated through infield and outfield positions every inning, although coaches may consider safety in assigning positions (i.e. 1st base and catcher).
Players share equal playing time- no player shall sit out two consecutive innings or 2 innings total until all players have sat out atleast 1 inning.
Baserunning- players made advance on a past ball- stealing is should be built in toward the end of the season.
Baserunners may advance more than 1 base on “big” hits- only 1 base on an overthrow.
Umpires are usually teenagers learning the game as well.
Scores and game results are kept.
Minor teams compete in an end of the season playoff tournament.
Coaches should be teaching the game to both teams! Not a “win-all” attitude.
Teams will typically have 1 practice and 1-2 games each week. The season, which begins in late April and ends in mid June, includes approximately 12 games.
Majors
At the Majors level, coaches increase the instructional focus on baseball strategies and tactics while continuing to reinforce the fundamental skills. Most players in Majors will be 11 and 12 years-old, although qualified 10 year-olds may also be drafted onto Majors teams if they attend the Player Assessments. Players are introduced to a 70’ base path and 50’ pitcher’s mound distance at this level. Leading, stealing and balks are now introduced as well as most baseball rules apply.
Majors teams are drafted by Managers using information from Player Assessments.
Developmental Guidelines for Majors
Players entering Majors should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
Players should have command of the basic skills of fielding, catching, throwing, batting and base running. They also understand appropriate actions in game situations, such as when and where to make put-outs, how to steal bases, how to tag-up on fly balls, how to execute cut-offs, etc..
Players who don’t meet the developmental guidelines for Majors, should remain in Minors for an additional season.
Majors Division Details
Players compete for positions and playing time, no player shall sit out 2 consecutive innings- defensive substitution is encouraged!.
Teams observe continuous batting- the batting order includes all players on the team.
“Real” baseball rules apply- bunting, stealing, balks, etc. (no slash bunting)
Games last a maximum of six innings.
Experienced umpires officiate at Majors games.
Scores and game results are kept- season standings are tracked.
Majors teams participate in an end of the season playoff tournament
Teams will typically have 1 practice and 1-2 games each week. The season, which begins in late April and ends in mid June, includes approximately 12 games.
Greater Keene Youth Baseball Softball Association offers multiple seasons each year:
Spring Ball (Late April - Late June), Fall Ball (Late August - Late September)
These time frames are approximate.
Spring Ball: Available to T-Ball, Coach Pitch, Rookie, Minors, Majors, and Softball (all levels)
Delayed Spring Ball: Available to Babe Ruth (We schedule our season to begin at the end of the school season)
Fall Ball: Available to Rookie, Minors, and Majors
Once you are registered for any season, please expect a delay in terms of receiving communication from a coach.
Behind the scenes we are determining registration numbers, forming teams, lining up volunteer coaches,
and doing our best to get the ball rolling!
We appreciate your patience!!