NOTE: All of the following information regarding playing time and positions in all divisions can be altered by the coaches based upon the players attitude, effort, practice and game attendance, and respect shown to opposing teams, teammates, coaches, umpires, etc.

7u Division (Coach Pitch)

• Developmental division with an emphasis on teaching the boys the basics of the game of baseball. 
• Expect an equal amount of playing time on the field over the course of the season.  
• All players should have opportunities to play all the positions over the duration of the season. The exception to this would be that for safety reasons, players that have difficulty paying attention consistently, the coach may choose to not put them in the pitching, catching, or 1st base positions. These positions consistently have more in game action in this division than others and the players must be able to focus on the batter hitting the ball at them, or having a ball thrown to them.  
• Games are 1 hr. from first pitch (usually 2-3 innings)
• Expect to play ~10-14 games/season.

9u Division

• Very developmental in nature
• Expect an equal amount of playing time on the field over the course of the season.  
• Boys in this division should learn to play each position on the field except for pitcher, catcher, and 1st base.
  
  • PITCHING: Boys who may want to pitch in games are highly encouraged to attend as many pitching instruction opportunities as possible.  This includes clinics offered by Underwood Optimist Club and/or Underwood Highschool Baseball Coaches/Players, participating in team practices focused on pitching, and/or completing outside training at home or with an instructor. Coaches will determine if the player shows enough ability and understanding of complete pitching mechanics to allow them to pitch in games without being detrimental to the player’s self-confidence. Expect to have ~5-7 pitchers on a team.  
  • CATCHING:  This is arguably the most important position on a baseball team.  Boys who want to catch should start working on the skills of this position and catching for the teams’ pitchers early in the process to get used to wearing all the protective gear and catcher’s mitt (if chosen to use).  Generally, a 9u Division team may have 2-4 catchers.  
  • 1st BASE:  Boys who want to play this position need to be aware this position will have significant in-game action and will require player to demonstrate an ability to follow the game and receive throws from any position on the field
    
• Games are 1 hour 40 minutes from first pitch (generally 3-5 innings)
• Expect to play ~14-18 games /season.
  

11u Division

• More competitive environment.  WIBBL requires teams to keep score and report scores to WIBBL for regular season standings and for seeding in the post season WIBBL tournaments. While winning is great for team spirit and morale, it is important to still focus on developing each of the players on the team.
• Players should expect to play a fair amount, but playing time will not always be fully equal amongst all players.  Coaches will begin working with players to focus on up to ~3-4 positions based upon each player’s skill set.  
  • INFIELD POSITIONS:  If a player is unable to throw a ball from 3rd base to 1st base, the coach may choose to not allow that player to play third base until their ability has improved to complete the fundamentals of the position.  If a player wants to play 1st Base, he must be able to prove to the coaches that he can catch a reasonable amount of the on target throws made to them and/or show ability to attempt to stop/block throws that are not on target.  
  • PITCHING:  Boys who may want to pitch in games are highly encouraged to attend as many pitching instruction opportunities as possible.  This includes clinics offered by Underwood Optimist Club and/or Underwood Highschool coaches and players, participating in team practices focused on pitching, and/or completing outside training at home or with an instructor. Coaches will determine if the player shows enough ability and understanding of complete pitching mechanics to allow them to pitch in games without being detrimental to the player’s self-confidence. Expect to have ~5-7 pitchers on a team.
  • CATCHING:  This is arguably the most important position on a baseball team in the 11u Division.  Boys who want to catch should start working on the skills of this position outside of practices and catching for the teams’ pitchers early in the process (off season pitching practice sessions, winter camps, and team practices) to get used to wearing all the protective gear and catcher’s mitt.  Additionally, the player should be able to catch pitches, block balls, make throws to 1st base on dropped 3rd Strike calls, reasonably throw down to 2nd and 3rd base on a steal, and hustle for past balls to backstop.   Ideally a team would have 2-3 catchers.  
• Games are 1 hour 40 minutes from first pitch (5 innings max).
• Expect to play ~16-20 games/season

13u Division (through age 14 if not in 8th grade)

• More competitive environment.  WIBBL requires teams to keep score and report scores to WIBBL for regular season standings and for seeding in the post season WIBBL tournaments. While winning is great for team spirit and morale, it is important to still focus on developing each of the players on the team.
• Playing time may not be equal over the duration of the season based upon skill levels. Coaches will continue to focus on development of each player in ~1-3 positions based upon each player’s skill set.
  • INFIELD POSITIONS:  If a player is unable to throw a ball from 3rd base to 1st base, the coach may choose to not allow that player to play third base until their ability has improved to complete the fundamentals of the position.  If a player wants to play 1st Base, he must be able to prove to the coaches that he can catch a reasonable amount of the good throws made to him and/or show ability to attempt to stop/block throws that are not on target.  
  • PITCHING:  Players who may want to pitch in games are highly encouraged to attend as many pitching instruction opportunities as possible.  This includes clinics offered by Underwood Optimist Club and/or Underwood Highschool coaches and players, participating in team practices focused on pitching, and/or completing outside training at home or with an instructor. Coaches will determine if the player shows enough ability and understanding of complete pitching mechanics to allow them to pitch in games without being detrimental to the player’s self-confidence. Expect to have ~3-5 pitchers on a team.
  • CATCHING:  This is arguably the most important position on a baseball team in the 13u Division.  Players who want to catch should start working on the skills of this position outside of practices and catching for the teams’ pitchers early in the process (off season pitching practice sessions, winter camps, and team practices) to get used to wearing all the protective gear and catcher’s mitt.  Additionally, the player should be able to catch pitches, block balls, make throws to 1st base on dropped 3rd Strike calls, reasonably throw down to 2nd and 3rd base on a steal, and hustle for past balls to backstop.   Ideally a team would have 2-3 catchers.  
• Games are 1 hour 50 minutes from first pitch (6 innings max).
• Expect to play ~18-22 games/season