Rule Changes for Club Little League Baseball SA Season

B. J. Phillips Time Magazine 1981

Club Little League 2008/09 Baseball SA (BSA) along with the Australian Baseball Federation (ABF) conducted a review of our initial season of Australian Little League. Baseball SA sought the views and advice of; Ron Harvey – State Director of Coaching BSA Grant Weir – National Manager Game Development ABF Peter Gee – Southern Adelaide All-Star Head Coach

Club Little League 2008/09 Based on these discussions and his experience at coaching this grade for the past 4 seasons Paul Chandler – Baseball SA Development Manager put forward a number of recommendations to the Board of Baseball SA for implementation this coming season – 2008/2009

Club Little League 2008/09 It is very important to note that all recommendations have been made with the following in mind ; “To aid in the development and enjoyment of the games major shareholders – the players”

Club Little League 2008/09 Major Change – Age Cut Off Date for Club Little League – directed by Australian Baseball Federation “Players eligible to participate in Club Little League must be Under 12 years of age at 31 December in the season of competition”

Tournament Little League 2008/09 Tournament Team Selection – again directed by the Australian Baseball Federation “Players eligible to participate in State and National Little League Tournaments must be 12 or 11 years of age as at 1 May in the year of the Little League World Series” This means your tournament teams will contain a number of players participating in their first year of Under 14 Club Baseball. No games qualification required for Tournament Team Selection.

Club Little League 2008/09 To assist clubs with this please refer to the Baseball SA Youth Age/Division Matrix Season 2008/09 (the reverse is for Season 2009/10)

Club Little League 2008/09 Baseball SA Club Little League Competition to have 2 divisions Major League – Division 1 Ron Macbeth League (players aged 11 & 10 as per matrix) Minor League – Division 2 Ron Chandler League (players aged 9 & 8 as per matrix)

Club Little League 2008/09 Major & Minor Divisions Both Division’s to use the 8.5 inch Baseball – no change from season 2007/08 (Tournament Teams will use the Full Size Baseball) 60 ft base paths (no change from season 07/08) 46 ft pitching distance (no change from 07/08) Bats not to exceed 2 ¼ inch in diameter (no change from 07/08) Base runners cannot leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and reached the batter ( no change from 07/08) Maximum 5 runs per innings to apply (no change from 07/08)

Club Little League 2008/09 Major Division Only To mirror the rules of the Little League Championships 6 innings games played to a result (110 minute maximum) All players in the team must take part in the game for a minimum of 3 defensive outs and 1 at bat 75 pitch limit to apply

Club Little League 2008/09 Minor Division Only 4 completed innings (90 minute maximum) No scoring on a pass ball – encourages the batter to hit the ball New pitcher every innings and only able to pitch in one innings per game All players in the team must take part in the game for a minimum of 3 defensive outs and 1 at bat

Baseball SA Little League State Championships Proposal for 2008/09 To be played at Softball Park – West Beach 14 & 15 February 2009 (to be confirmed) Invite our Regional Teams – Mt Gambier & Riverland to participate along with the Northern & Southern All- Star Teams. Minimum of 4 games to be played by each team.

Baseball SA Little League State Championships Proposal for 2008/09 The leading metropolitan team and the leading regional team to be South Australia’s representatives at the National Little League Tournament. Baseball SA families to “billet the country athletes” Baseball SA to rotate this Tournament to the regional centres – i.e. 2009/10 Riverland, 2010/11 Mt Gambier (would not expect the country centres to billet the visiting athletes - Baseball SA to investigate “cost sharing”)

Baseball SA Little League State Championships Proposal for 2009/10 Baseball SA to actively support the Eyre & Yorke Peninsula with a view to have a team from this region compete in Little League State Championships in season 2009/10 (Team selected from Pt Lincoln, Whyalla, Port Augusta & Port Pire)

Club Little League 2008/09 Development Suggestions Use the success for our South Australian Teams (Southern Adelaide All-Star and your own Mt Gambier) to help with recruitment. Level Playing Field (all regions restricted in size) “That’s the difference with Little League; it’s not about the strongest and most talented players in that country. It’s about community. It’s about grass roots.” Play Ball Backpack – for all new club registrations!

Club Little League 2008/09 Coaching Tips/Suggestions Stance for No-Lead Stealing – both Major and Minor Division. Pass Ball coverage – Unable to score from pass ball in Minor however still need to teach pass ball coverage. 1. Catcher to turn and chase ball 2. Pitcher to cover home plate 3. All infielders to move in towards home plate to back up throw.

Australian Little League Player Pledge I WILL PLAY FAIR AND STRIVE TO WIN BUT WIN OR LOSE I WILL ALWAYS DO MY BEST

Australian Little League Parent/Volunteer Pledge I WILL TEACH ALL CHILDREN TO PLAY FAIR AND DO THEIR BEST I WILL POSITIVELY SUPPORT ALL MANAGERS, COACHES AND PLAYERS I WILL RESPECT THE DECISIONS OF THE UMPIRES I WILL PRAISE A GOOD EFFORT DESPITE THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME

Cal Ripken, Jnr – Member of MLB’s All-Century Team

Ernie Banks Chicago Cubs Infielder

Paul Chandler Development Manager Baseball SA 2007