"Minor" is probably the wrong name for this division as "Major" baseball is being played.
The AA Minors Division is for boys ages 9 to 10. In this level kids develop the necessary skills to eventually move up to the AAA Minors Division. It uses a 60-foot baselines and 46-foot pitching distance from the mound to the plate. This is a live pitching division.
The AA Minors Division is the division where full Little League rules are introduced. The level of baseball is getting fantastic and it's a blast for parents as this is what we all dream of when we become parents. The snack becomes less important and the baseball becomes more of a passion for the kids. Playoffs are such a fun experience and many of the kids will have become the best of friends. You can also expect to see your first out-of-the-park homerun which will be something the kids and parents will never forget.
The AA Minor Division introduces walks and any base is fair game for stealing. The mound moves back four feet from where it is in the Farm Division which gives hitters more time to see the ball and that's reflected in the higher scores. Fundamentals are still enforced but game strategy and game decisions become more of the focus. The division starts to get more advanced, so all kids still play in the infield every game, but they start to find their natural positions and play more in those spots. At this age we also start the international tournament and World Series which can be the experience of a lifetime.
Minor games are played on our Minor field and sometimes the Major field which at times can feel like playing at a little Chase Field. Come down and take a look for yourself.
8-year-olds may play Minors based on Skill Evaluation Ranking only. All players are drafted onto teams every year. This division typically plays twice a week, normally one game during the week Monday - Thursdays and usually every Saturday.
Team practices vary depending on field availability and Coach's schedule.
During the pre-season (mid/end of September) teams typically practice twice a week. Once the season starts there are usually practices once a week based on field availability.
Practice start times vary from 4:30PM to 7:30PM and are selected by the coach. Usually Minors teams practice at 6PM on weekdays.
Minors players are guaranteed 6 outs of play. Minors bats continuously through the line-up.
Skill Goals
- Develop batting skills through proper stance and determination of pitches to swing at.
- Develop fielding skills (infield and outfield positions, making the play at the correct base, backing up plays at the plate and in the field).
- Develop base running savvy (when to run and listening to the 1st and 3rd base coaches).
- Develop proper sliding technique.
- Develop tracking skills for catching fly balls.
- Pitchers learning proper throwing mechanics.
- Develop good sportsmanship and respect for umpires.
- Continued focus on good sportsmanship and team play!
- Batting skills development including bunting, pitch selection and reading signals from Manager/Coach.
- Increased development of catchers (signals, blocking, pass balls, making the throw from home to second, good throws back to pitcher on the mound and when pitcher is covering home plate) as importance of position increases at this level.
- Pitching emphasis on good mechanics, injury prevention (ice), and development of pitching variety (fastball, change-up, location).
- Develop base running skills for situational play.
- Fielding emphasis on getting behind the ball and setting up the throw, getting ball to the correct position for the out or to keep the runners from advancing.
- Arm strengthening through practice (long toss).