Machine Pitch - 7 & 8 Year Old Softball
League Age 7-8
The machine pitch level uses the Louisville Slugger Ultimate Pitching Machine. The goal of this division is to have fun while developing proper fundamentals of throwing, catching, hitting, and fielding while starting to incorporate defensive rotations and strategy. Batters get 5 pitches to hit off the coach operated machine.
Please visit the Little League Age Calculator to confirm player's league age.
| Minimum Age Requirement | - Your child must turn at least league age 7 in order to register for the regular Spring season.
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| Season | - Practices begin early March.
- Regular Season games run Mid-March to end of May.
- Playoffs run the first two weeks of June.
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| Practice | - Practice is one night a week typically starting around 5:30 - 5:45 pm and lasting 1 1/2 hours.
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| Games | - Teams play 1 weeknight game AND 1 Saturday game.
- Weeknight games generally start at 5:30 PM.
- Games played on Saturday are usually scheduled earlier in the day.
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| Uniforms | - HLL provides a game shirt, socks, and visor.
- Parents must provide sneakers (rubber cleats not mandatory but helpful).
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| Playing Equipment | - Parents must provide ball glove and water bottle.
- Batting helmets are required to have the face shield.
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| Team | - Teams usually consist of 12 to 13 players, a volunteer manager, two volunteer coaches and a volunteer team parent.
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Machine Pitch- 7 & 8 Year Old Softball - FAQs |
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| Q: Do you keep score and are there umpires? |
| A: Yes. Every manager maintains a scorebook. League standings are kept to determine a regular season winner and to determine playoff games. There is a home plate umpire. |
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| Q: On what size field does this division play? |
| A: The diamond is 60-foot and the pitching distance is 35 feet while using an 11 inch ball. |
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| Q: Can I Manage or coach a team? |
| A: Yes, if positions are available. Prospective managers must complete an online application. If you would like to serve as a coach, then please note that on your child's spring online registration. All managers and coaches must be approved by the Huguenot Little League Board of Directors. |
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| Q: Will my child get to play all the time? |
| A: No, not all the time, but no player sits twice until all have sat once. All players are to split their time between infield and outfield. |
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| Q: Can I request a carpool or have my child play on a team with their friends? |
| A: Not unless they are drafted on to that team. In this age group, player's skills are evaluated in a skills assessment. Then a draft is held to create fair and balanced teams. |
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| Q: Can my child play up? |
| A: Parents may request that their child play up one division level. However to play up, a player must attend both the higher and lower division’s assessment and be drafted to the higher division. If they are not drafted to the higher division, they must accept playing in the lower division. All player assignments are ultimately determined by the Player Agent and President. |
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| Q: Is my child eligible for an All Star or Tournament team? |
| A: There are tournament teams at this division level. Please see our All Stars link for more information. |
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| Q: What are the volunteer requirements? |
| A: Huguenot LittleLeague is an all volunteer organization so there are many ways to volunteer. Help is always needed with registration, team parenting, assisting with pictures, opening day and fun day activities. |
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