coach pitch

U8 COACH PITCH - IN HOUSE LEAGUE, 1ST AND 2ND GRADERS

Grade at registration – 1st and 2nd, (older 2nd graders may opt to play up) *Teams are announced at the end of April/early May.


Goal: Our goal is to have fun while adding more elements to their game for continued development.

  • Focuses should be on expanding knowledge of hitting, base running, throwing, defense.
  • Introduction to the basics of pitching and catching.
  • Once the team has been introduced to the proper catching mechanics:
  • a player may choose to catch during a game and must wear OYS helmet, facemask, and chest protector.


League: this is primarily an in-house league. *Some possible participation from close neighboring communities. Travel would be very minimal.


Season: End of May-July. Coaches may opt for additional practices at the team's discretion and field availability.


Field Location: Oregon, Jaycee Community Park.


Coaches: Parent coach from a roster of players (training provided).


Equipment needed:

  1. Glove
  2. Softball/soccer cleats are recommended
  3. Helmets and bats available to use if you don’t have your own
  4. *Balls are provided (10” softie softball)


Game length: 60 minutes. No new innings started after.


Hitting: 5 pitches, if no hit, then hit off the tee. No walks.


Pitching: Coach or Assistant coach will pitch, and the coaches are also the “umps” (close call/tie goes to the runner).

  • Must wear a helmet to bat and run the bases.
  • If a player gets out, they go back to the dugout, (a change from t-ball in order to promote progression in learning the rules of the game.)
  • Play stops when the ball gets back to the pitcher.
  • The inning ends with 3 outs or once through the batting order.
  • Batting order stays the same for the whole game (but should change game to game.)


Fielding: players shouldn’t play the outfield two innings in a row if possible, rotate positions each inning. Can play with 4 in the outfield, and 1 player at the pitcher's position as the coach pitching will not field the ball. *Coaches are allowed on the field for defensive assistance and coaching.