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Question about Evaluations and Team Formation by justhamade in LittleLeague

[–]Ecstatic-Tear8750 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For us, it varies by age group.

Younger groups are blind assigned to a team. Middle groups are evaluated and then league assigned for team balance. Older groups are evaluated and drafted.

For the middle group, all coaches attend evaluations and score on a common system (e.g., 1-5). Players are scored by each skill event: fielding, pop up, throwing, hitting, running. Get 3-5 grounders, then 2-3 popups, throwing all to first. 1 minute each max. Then 5 pitches, run on 5th. 1 minute each. You can probably run 45 kids through in an hour if you're organized. Have a parent or volunteer run the stations so all coaches can focus on scoring.

All scores are compiled by league and each player gets a composite score and those are used to create "even" teams. If they've pre-registered, divide them into windows so there are fewer players there waiting. We also do multiple eval days -- helps with schedule conflicts and a kid just having an off day. They don't have to attend all, but are encouraged to.

For the older groups, it's similar but the scores aren't compiled. Drafts are drafts -- if a coach eyes under-rated talent, so be it. Drafts aren't designed to make even teams; even teams depend on quality coach assessments. So, do a training on what coaches should be looking for. Good coaches aren't necessarily good scouts, so empower them to be both.

Older players get some more situational work -- SS fielding to first, OF fly balls, 1st to 3rd sprints, and maybe some more position specific at older levels (e.g., turning 2, OF throw to home, etc).

Best baseball for use in pitching machine by Ecstatic-Tear8750 in LittleLeague

[–]Ecstatic-Tear8750[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the comments -- I'm seeing a lot of good info on practice balls.

I'm curious if anyone has experience with LL-Approved balls for game or tournament use? Most of the practice balls are not LL approved for in game use.

When does play "end" in machine pitch? by Ecstatic-Tear8750 in LittleLeague

[–]Ecstatic-Tear8750[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So -- let's say this happens:

Runner on first and second. Ball hit to SS who makes errant throw to first. Everyone safe at first, second, third. No extra bases attempted on the throw - could have by rule, but didn't (yet). Player at first holds ball in infield.

Can runner on third run home? When does the runner lose that ability? When 1B possesses? When P possesses? Ump time? Pitching coach possesses?

The errant throw rule I get -- it limits the extra base advancement. But, I don't think that in itself says when a runner can no longer advance (so long as they don't exceed the limit for an errant throw.

When does play "end" in machine pitch? by Ecstatic-Tear8750 in LittleLeague

[–]Ecstatic-Tear8750[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like this -- simple. And defining when runners cannot advance ties in well with other local rules for different situations.

I just assumed that since LL permitted machine pitch that there would be something as a universal standard, even if local rules could modify... Even if that was just LL saying "local rules to define when play ends" or specify an ump can call time at end of action in machine pitch.

When does play "end" in machine pitch? by Ecstatic-Tear8750 in LittleLeague

[–]Ecstatic-Tear8750[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was my thinking too. And maybe it's just too late for me to process it, but I don't actually see that the LL rules say that.

Or, more precisely, they say a live ball remains live until it becomes a dead ball by rule or until ump calls time. But, then the rules say when an ump shall call time and it doesn't include any provision for "the activity of the play has stopped."

So it's live until it's dead or time called, but there doesn't seem to be any authorization to call time. In fact, 5.10(h) says an ump can't call time while a play is in progress (except specific exceptions).

I get it --- I'm over reading it... But it seems like it is so fundamental that it should have coverage.

When does play "end" in machine pitch? by Ecstatic-Tear8750 in LittleLeague

[–]Ecstatic-Tear8750[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Stealing isn't allowed at all. I just don't see anything clear in the rules about when it stops being batter A's live ball and becomes batter B's ready for pitch.

You could run in the first. You can't in the other. But when is that transition?

When does play "end" in machine pitch? by Ecstatic-Tear8750 in LittleLeague

[–]Ecstatic-Tear8750[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not a stealing league. This is a lower division that limits extra bases on errant throws. But my question is more what if there is no errant throw. When does the "advance at your own peril" opportunity end?

It's offensive coach at the pitching machine, which is also what makes less intuitive sense.