Division Expectations Overview

MISSION STATEMENT

Langley Baseball is dedicated to empowering athletes through resilience and sportsmanship, providing optimal opportunities for our youth to develop their skills and passion for the game. We prioritize respect for others and respect for the game itself, fostering a fun and safe environment where players can thrive. Additionally, we commit to developing coaches and umpires who inspire and guide our youth, ensuring a positive and enriching experience for all.

DIVISION EXPECTATIONS

Blastball Philosophy & Objectives:

Langley Baseball operates a Blastball Division for the purpose of introducing boys and girls to the game of baseball. The focus at this level is to promote fun and enjoyment in an entirely non-competitive environment. Great steps are taken to ensure that the child achieves success on a small scale, whereby skills can gradually be introduced and mastered in future years. Parent participation on the field is mandatory for this age group to ensure all players have success. There are 2 x 30 min games held per week with a 30-minute practice prior to every game (one weeknight and one on the weekend), all held at City Park, and a year-end Jamboree is held in June.

Key Initiatives:

a) Learning to throw and catch
b) Learning safety
c) Introduce basic game rules
d) Introduce basic fielding and hitting
e) Introduce team play and sportsmanship
f) Tee is used to hit during all innings
g) Bat entire line up each inning
h) There are no strikeouts
i) Dragon race at end of game

T-Ball (5 - 6 Year Olds) Philosophy & Objectives:

Langley Baseball operates two T-Ball Divisions for players aged 5 and 6 to further introduce boys and girls to the game of baseball and progress towards the full game. The focus at this level remains to promote fun and enjoyment in an entirely non-competitive environment. Great steps are taken to ensure that the child achieves success on a small scale, whereby skills can gradually be introduced and mastered in future years. In TBall 1, like in Blastball, although players are encouraged to get outs defensively, all players still bat through the lineup each inning and base runners continue to stay on base and learn to navigate the basepaths. In TBall 2, to further the development of base running and defensive IQ, outs are recorded and innings end on 3 outs or at the run limit established in the rules. There are 2 x 1-hour games held per week with a 30- minute practice prior to every game (one weeknight and one on the weekend), all held at City Park, and a year-end Jamboree is held in June.

Key Initiatives:

a) Learning to throw and catch
b) Learning safety
c) Introduce basic game rules
d) Introduce basic fielding and hitting
e) Introduce team play and sportsmanship
f) Tee is used to hit until May 1st; after May 1st, coach pitches 3 balls. If all 3 pitches are missed, tee is brought back in for player to hit from
g) Bat entire line up each inning (Tee Ball 1 Only)
h) There are no strikeouts
i) Catching Position/Gear Introduced in Team Ball 2 (No Catchers in Tee Ball 1)
j) Dragon Race at end of game

7-year old’s Philosophy & Objectives:

This is the first year players move to the full Little League Diamond with 60 foot basepaths. This level continues to function in a less-competitive environment where the goal is to promote an environment of fun and enjoyment first. No score or statistics of any kind are kept during the season but a fun playoff/jamboree style format is run at the end of the season to add some competition. Coaches are again expected to play all players in all positions regardless of their individual skill levels. Our objective is to expand the player's understanding of game rules, basic position recognition and to introduce base running concepts. There are 2 x 1½ hour games per week on Saturday and Sunday and 1 Practice during the week, and a year-end Jamboree is held in June. The first opportunity for summer play starts at this age group.

Key Initiatives:

a) Expand on proper throwing and catching techniques
b) Expand on proper hitting concepts and stances in batter’s box
c) Working as a team and sportsmanship
d) Developing positive player attitudes
e) Defensive play is introduced
f) Positional play is introduced
g) Catcher involvement increases
h) Fair Play Rules in Effect for Defensive Innings.
i) Slinger Pitching Machine is Used. Coach Pitch is used if Player doesn’t hit
j) No one strikes out (Players use a tee if they don’t hit the pitched ball)
k) Dragon Race at end of game
l) The first opportunity for advanced summer play occurs at this level

8 Year old’s Philosophy & Objectives:

At this level of baseball, for the first time, a competitive situation is introduced as score keeping begins. All players will continue to play a variety of positions throughout the year. The emphasis is placed on teaching and advancing a player’s baseball skills and knowledge of the game through various drills. There are 2 x 2- hour games held per week (one on Saturday and one on Sunday) and 1 practice per week on a weeknight. Post-season play is available in the summer and all players are eligible to tryout.

Key Initiatives:

a) Expand on proper throwing and catching techniques
b) Expand on proper hitting concepts
c) Working as a team and sportsmanship
d) Developing positive player attitudes
e) Pitching fundamentals are expanded on
f) All players on field for 3 innings per game (minimum)
g) Base Running
h) Catching of ground and fly balls
i) Positional fielding techniques and coverage
j) Slinger Pitching Machine is used for all games. If a Player doesn’t hit, Coach Pitch is used as a secondary attempt until May 1st.
k) Players can strike out at this level
l) Dragon race at end of game
m) Opportunity for advanced summer play

MINORS (9-12 year old’s) Philosophy & Objectives:

The players placed in this division are diverse both in terms of age and skills, and will be open to all 9-year-old players, 10-year-old players (pending evaluations), 11-year-old players (pending evaluations) and some 12 year old players (if new to baseball/pending evaluations). A full competitive game of baseball is played (6 innings, with 3 outs). Pitching and catching skills are introduced and/or improved at this level. Stealing is introduced. Fair and equitable playing time for all players is to be maintained. All games will have umpires, and parents are all expected to keep proper scores and pitch counts. The schedule will consist of at least 2 games each week and at least 1 practice a week. Players will be expected to show up 45+ minutes before scheduled game times to properly warm up. Team standings will be recorded and used to seed teams during playoffs at the end of the regular season. Tryouts for postseason teams are open to all players from this division. This division also hosts a Mother’s Day in-house tournament. (All Minors teams will have a berth in the tournament and teams will be responsible for all tournament duties)

Key Initiatives:

a) Expand on proper throwing and catching techniques
b) Expand on hitting techniques
c) Develop position specific defensive skills
d) Expand on pitching skills and techniques
e) Reinforce proper base running and sliding skills (Stealing is also introduced at this age)
f) Illustrate the importance of good communication between players and coaches
g) Develop positive player attitudes
h) Learn to work as a team and encourage good sportsmanship

MAJORS (10-12-year old’s) Philosophy & Objectives:

Majors is the highest level of play for this age group. The Majors division is divided into Major A and B levels. Players are required to attend evaluations to play in these divisions. Players who don’t make a team within these divisions after evaluations will still have a spot reserved for them in the Minors division.

A full competitive game of baseball is played (6 innings, with 3 outs). All games will have umpires, and parents are all expected to keep proper scores and pitch counts. The schedule will consist of at least 2 games and at least 1 practice a week. Players will usually be expected to show up at least an hour before scheduled game times to properly warm up. Team standings will be recorded and used to seed teams during playoffs at the end of the regular season. Tryouts for postseason teams are open to all players from this division.

Key Initiatives: