Divisions
| Minor League | | American League | | National League | | Junior League | | | | Minor League | The Minor League is for 7 and 8 year old players. It will operate at a beginners level. There will be strong emphasis on basic fundamentals including throwing, catching and hitting. Scores and standings will not be kept as the goal of the league is not to teach competitiveness. Instead teamwork, repsect for players and coaches, and dicipline will be stressed in the league.
The league will operate with 9 defensive players in order to begin the teaching of defense correctly.
During the course of any game, no player will sit for more than one consecutive inning and for no more than a total of two innings per game. The league will run under a continuous batting order ensuring that all players will bat even if they are not in the field that inning. You can review all of the rules on the rules page.
Players will be allowed to try different positions at the discretion of the manager. This is especially true for positions that might be particularly dangerous including pitcher and catcher.
| | | | American League | The American League is for 9 and 10 year old players. It will continue to be an instructional league but it will operate with increased competitivness from the Minor League. Scores and standings will be kept. Personal development, increased self esteem, learning to play as a team, and learning how to practice and work hard are all goals of the league.
Players may or may not play every position. During practices, managers will evaluate each child's ability and determine which positions each child can safely play. Each player will be given a chance to try each position they are interested in during practice, but it will be at the manager's discretion where the children play during the game. All players will have a chance to play both the infield and outfield during a game. This does not mean that every child will see an equal amount of playing time in the infield and outfield. All managers will do their best to provide fair and equitable playing time for all while having the team perform competitively.
| | | | National League | The National League is for 11 and 12 year olds. It will operate with increased competitiveness from the American League. While the competitivness is increased with full-scale play and strategy, an emphisis will also be placed on teamwork, effort and fundamentals.
In the National League it is very important for all players to attend practices and have a positive attitude. All players will play equal to or greater than the time that he/she sits.
Upon entering the league, players should pick 2-3 positions that they want to play and then be evaluated during practices and games to determine which positions are best suited for them. The manager will perform the evaluation.
The team concept will be emphasized all the time. Situations will be taught where teammates have to work together to execute strategy. In the interest of safety and competitivness, the players identified by the manager as the "stronger players" will most likely be placed in the skilled positions.
Players are expected to have a basic baseball knowledge. They should have already been exposed to the fundamentals and have the ability to catch and throw the ball properly. Players should have good arm strength with accuracy, base running basics and good mechanics in the batters box.
| | | | Junior League | The Junior League is for 13 and 14 year old players. Players should expect to play a 30 game schedule with travel to other communities both during the week and weekends. Travel during the week is primarily to Huntley, Hampshire and Marengo.
This league is fully competitve. Playing time is directly proportional to the skills of the players as determined by the manager. Each player is required to play a minimum of 3 defensive outs or 1 official at bat during a game. Positioning of the players will be based on player ratings from the previous year and the manager's discretion.
As in all other Woodstock Little League divisions a strong emphasis will be placed on safety, sportsmanship, fundamentals and teamwork. The Junior League is highly competitive and knowledge of the game should be very high. The next step for the Junior League is High School baseball. Players coming into the Junior League should be prepared to play competitive, pre High School baseball with lead offs, full stealing, signs and pitchers must prepare themselves by learning to pitch from the stretch to hold runners.
Practice starts the beginning of March. Games start mid April and go through he end of June.
|
|
|
