10U illegal pitch

[JEL]

Originally posted by kellerumps
Since I'm on a roll tonight posting. Working a 10-U from time to time is a real joy. No pressure, No stress, Players learning how the play the game or better yet...Players STILL HAVING FUN playing the game.

No pressure, No stress? Well it SHOULD be that way, but I have had 2 ejections this year, both coming in 9/10 year age group! It seems that coaches tend to act more like Earl Weaver in that level.

It's been said before on this board that lower age coaches tend to mimic what they see on MLB games, and try to win at all costs rather than teach kids how to play ball.

In our local rec league, 9/10 is basically count the walks till you get 7 runs, switch sides and do it again! Few hits, fewer plays in field. Glad for the 12/8/6 run rule and 90 min time limit. I still enjoy 9/10 age bracket, but a steady diet of that is NOT conducive to becoming a better umpire!

[F.O.D. UIC]

To eliminate the "walkfest" that many rec leagues experience, we implemented a unique twist to the "kid-pitch" league of 9-10 yr olds.

Since the 7-8 yr old league is coach pitch, the pitchers that come to the 9-10 year old league are marginal at best. Therefore, we let the pitcher pitch, and, if he throws 4 balls to the batter, we do NOT let the batter take first base. We have the offensive coach enter the game, and assume the number of strikes to the batter. The coach may throw up to 3 pitches to the batter (depending on the number of strikes the player assumes), and if the batter does not put the ball in play by the third pitch, he is called out. If he fouls off the final pitch, he continues to get 1 additional pitch until he swings and misses, puts it in play, or lets it go by.

We feel that in this manner, pitchers will get the chance to pitch, batters the chance to bat and run (not drop the bat and walk to 1st, then walk to 2nd, etc.), and the fielders the chance to field, throw and catch. It seems to work pretty well, and coaches have become very fond of this change.