Eden Prairie Baseball Association

Goals

The goals for the EPBA 2nd Grade "Intro to Kid Pitch" program are:

Ensure that the experience is positive and fun for all players
Build on the basic fundamentals of baseball, teaching fielding, throwing, and hitting skills
Begin to introduce baseball strategy (i.e. back up, defensive positioning, cut-offs, etc.)

Games include 75 minutes of play including up to 15 minutes of warm-ups. No inning may start that cannot be finished within the 75-minute limit.
Bases are 45 feet apart.
No leading off or stealing.
Overthrows of any kind are limited to two bases on an overthrow. Advancing runners must stop when the fielding team returns the ball to the infield.
The defensive team may have up to three coaches on the field for instructional purposes. It is recommended that the offensive team have a batting coach and two base coaches.
Base coaches will make the calls at the bases. Players put out must return to the bench.
Coaches call rainouts and weather delays. Safety is the utmost. If rain exists, the coaches need to conference and determine if the game should be delayed or cancelled. If lightning is observed, the play is to be halted and the field cleared until no lightning is observed for 30 minutes before play can be resumed. Play can continue after the weather threat has passed. If it is obvious that the weather condition will not dissipate in a reasonable period of time, the game is to be called. Practices or games that are rained out may be rescheduled, if possible, with the commissioner is to be called.

The defensive team will have 6-9 players on the field. If you are short players, reduce outfield.
Players should change fielding positions each inning.
Coaches should provide equal playing time for all players, regardless of ability or desired position.
Coaches should provide equal time for all players pitching, regardless of ability or desired position. • Establish one pitching order for the entire season. EPBA recommends that this be completed in # order for simplicity and consistency. (i.e. If pitcher # 6 is the last pitcher of the game, pitcher # 7 starts off pitching the next game. The pitching order will then be continuous throughout the season.
A pitcher may throw a maximum of one inning per game. If the pitcher walks two batters, they are removed for the remainder of that inning.
Pitcher may throw up to 4 pitches per batter, followed by up to 3 coach pitches, for a total of 7 pitches per batter.
A hit-by-pitch is treated as a walk.
The batting team’s coach or parent will serve as the umpire.
Only one pitcher may pitch per inning. After a pitcher issues two walks, the coach will take over pitching for the remainder of that inning.

Establish one batting order for the entire season. EPBA recommends that this be completed in # order for simplicity and consistency. (i.e. If batter # 6 is the last batter of the game, batter # 7 leads off the next game. The batting order will then be continuous through the season.
If needed, the coach may use soft toss if the player is unable to hit off the pitcher or coach pitching.
Teams will switch from offense to defense every 3 outs.
A 5-run limit will be enforced each inning.
A batter who hits the ball beyond the outfielders is permitted to advance to home. All runners must stop advancing once the infield has control of the ball in hand.

Bring a bucket of balls to the mound to help keep the game moving.
If a batted ball hits the bucket, it is a dead ball and the batter is awarded a single.
No advancing on passed balls or errant pitches.
Keep game scores and records; email the results to the league commissioner after each game.
The end-of-year tournament will take place during the final week of the league.