OBJECTIVE: THE PURPOSE OF THE MINOR AAA PROGRAM IS TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP PLAYER SKILLS, MATURITY, KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME AND TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY ON COMPETITIVE TEAMS.
Introduction: In the Minor AAA program, players learn to play baseball focusing on learning positions, fielding, throwing and hitting and pitching. All players should learn the standard nine positions defensively. Parents/players can expect initial practices starting in mid-April followed by 1-2 games and 1-2 practices per week over the course of the regular season which extends from early May to late July. Depending on enrollment there may be playoffs and championships at the end of the season. Some players at this level may also be eligible to participate in an All-star tournament.
Minor AAA is available for League Age 9 and League Age 10 players on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at various scheduled times.
What is Expected from Players?
- Players will learn the basics of pitching, hitting, throwing and fielding.
- Players learn the more advanced aspects of hitting, pitch selection, using the whole body in the swing.
- Players will learn defensive strategies.
- Players will learn to mentally prepare themselves for what to do if the ball when it is hit to them.
- Players will learn signals and follow coaching instructions.
- Players will learn how to advance the base runner with hitting on the left or ride side of the field.
- Players will learn by practicing drills, throwing around the bases, hitting off the "tee", fielding ground balls and pop-ups with cut-offs.
- Players will learn to hit soft toss, front toss, coach pitch and kid pitch.
- Players will develop hand-eye coordination and bat swing-techniques without the fear of being hit by a pitched ball.
- Players will develop an awareness of fielding positions. They will learn how to block and knock the ball down.
- Players will learn how to overcome the fear of the ball during pitching, hitting and fielding.
- Players will learn positive mindsets and learn to overcome the anxiety of making errors.
- Players will learn to catch fly balls and throw to cutoffs.
- Players will develop throwing overhand with proper mechanics, building arm strength and accuracy.
What is Expected from Volunteers and Parent Coaches?
- All Volunteers (Managers, Coaches, Parent Helpers) need to complete an annual background check. There is no cost for the background check.
- Parent Volunteers should participate in the League Safety Meeting and Coach preparation sessions. Please check the League Calendar.
- Parent Managers and Coaches should learn how to run a good practice with drills.
- Parent Managers and Coaches will be given a roster of players with contact information.
- All player information is confidential and not to be given out to anyone or used for any other purpose than to afford team practices and games.
GAME RULES: The Official Little League Rule Book will be used, unless superseded by one of the following special Gates Chili Little League House Rules:
- Games are planned to be 6 innings with no inning started after 2 hours.
- 5 run limit per half inning, Unlimited runs in the last inning.
- If a team is up by 12 runs after 3 complete innings that concludes the final score and the game continues until the time limit is reached as an exhibition and no unlimited run final inning.
- Player pitch with pitcher allowed 3 consecutive walks per inning. After 3 consecutive walks offensive team coach pitches remainder of inning. Pitcher may resume the following inning. All advance on PB/WP and steals halts during coach pitch.
- Stealing is allowed for 2nd and 3rd base when the ball crosses home plate. No leading. A secondary lead/steal is allowed once the ball crosses home plate.
- Runner may not advance on Catcher return throw to Pitcher, including overthrow.
- Runner may advance at risk on a passed ball or wild pitch.
- No dropped third strike rule.
- No infield fly rule.
- Runner may advance at risk one base per overthrow on a ball in-play.
- Runner will be awarded two bases per overthrow from the time of the throw when made by a fielder on a ball thrown out of play.
- Sliding: Feet first into base. Head first allowed only when diving back into a base. Automatic out if headfirst slide and if fielder is waiting with the ball to make a tag, otherwise, there is no MUST SLIDE RULE per LL Rulebook 7.00(a)(3). Coaches should encourage sliding on close plays for safety reasons.
- Bunting is allowed.
- Continuous Batting Order with all players present for the game in the batting order each inning. Each player is required to bat in his or her respective spot in the batting order.
- No on deck batters on or off the field.
- 10 fielders allowed.
- There will be a volunteer plate umpire at this level.
- No Balk rule.
- Pitch counts and all Little League pitching rules will be strictly enforced. All player pitch counts will be recorded and communicated to the League.
- House rules are subject to change with adjacent Little League partnerships if needed due to low registration numbers.
PLAYING UP: GCLL does not allow players at this level to play up. All registered players are assigned to the proper league program based upon league age.
TEAMS: Registration will drive the number of teams. The Director will divide the census of players into teams of ten to thirteen players. Volunteer Managers and Coaches are then recruited if still needed. If you are interested in Coaching please register your child and yourself. On your registration, please note your interest in volunteering.
SEASON: The season will start in mid-April with games starting in early May running through late June. Minor AAA League players can expect to play 1-2 games and practice 1-2 times per week, weather permitting. Games and practices are held Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at various scheduled times.
EQUIPMENT: Players will be provided a T-shirt jersey and a baseball cap. All other equipment is the responsibility of the parent including, but not limited to, shoes/plastic spikes, glove, baseball pants and cup. It is required that male players wear cups at this level. The League will provide one baseball bat and four helmets per team but players may bring their own legal bat and/or helmet.
POSITIONS: All players must be given the opportunity to play every position equally throughout the season. Coaches will let the players know that they will take turns playing infield and outfield during each game. Players must also equally share time on the bench. Rotating the players so that no player sits more than one inning at a time is preferable. The defense should consist of ten fielders including a catcher and a pitcher.
RAIN/CANCELLATIONS: Coaches are responsible for making a joint decision to play or cancel games due to rain or wet conditions. An attempt will be made to make up games canceled due to weather.
RECOGNITION: Depending on enrollment there may be playoffs, championships and trophies awarded by the League. Coaches should focus on positive reinforcement throughout the season, games and practices. If the individual team managers wish to give the children a small party or token at the end of the season, they are welcome to do so. There should be no individual MVP or similar type awards.