A child starting T-ball at the age of 5 will play 8 seasons before finishing Majors at the age of 12. Most players will repeat 3 divisions. We recommend repeating Rookie (machine-pitch), Minors, and Majors. See examples of teaching objectives and expected level of play by division below:
Rookie (T-Ball) | Position names and locations, basic fielder assignments, base running basics, batter's box orientation, batting stance/grip, direct downward swing plane, basic catching zones and glove position (forehand/backhand/high/low), fielding grounders, proper ball grip, proper throw, playing catch correctly |
Star (Coach-Pitch) | Improve T-Ball concepts, force outs vs. tag outs, intermediate base running and decisions, intermediate fielder assignments, basic load in synch with live pitcher (gentle coach-pitch), defensive situational awareness |
Farm (Machine Pitch) | Improve Farm concepts, comfort with hard ball, machine-pitching (more velocity and distance), catching fly balls/basic outfield skills, moving to field ground balls, extra base hits and base running/sliding, pitch selection, catcher position and safety, cutoffs/relays, tagging up |
Minors | Improve Rookie concepts, comfort hitting live pitching, secondary leads/steals, reading passed balls and batted balls, improve cuts/relays, intermediate catcher skills, proper tagging of runners at bases, reading signs, managing at-bats, basic pitching mechanics and grips (2-seam, 4-seam, changeup), basic outfield play, hierarcy of positions, handling winning and losing |
Majors | Improve Minors concepts, comfort with fast pitching and hard hit balls, advanced rules (infield fly, interference, obstruction, rundowns, first and third defenses, situational hitting, hitting breaking balls, bunting mechanics, intermediate outfield play, hitting for power, pitching command |
Managers and Coaches will receive further guidance at our Coaches Clinic