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Minor League Overview

SEASON INFORMATION

OVERVIEW (AGES 9-10 AS OF AUGUST 31 OF THE CURRENT YEAR)

The Minor League Division helps continue a player's transition to traditional baseball. The foundational principles of the Minor League Division are:

Develop fundamentally sound ballplayers and prepare them for traditional baseball.
Foster each player’s love for the game through encouragement and positivity.
Emphasize respect for coaches, teammates, umpires, and the opposition.

SPRING/SUMMER SEASON

DAYS:	MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY (3-4 practices/games per week)
TIME:	Generally between 5:15 & 9:30 p.m.
DATES (approx.)	April 15 – June 30

Minor League teams can expect to practice and play games 3-4 times per week.
Games will primarily be against other Hamel Minor League teams. Based on league enrollment, games may also be against neighboring Little League teams, which may require local travel (West Metro).
Teams will compete in an end-of-season (late June) Hamel Minor League tournament that coincides with the Hamel Baseball Jamboree. Weekend play is possible for this tournament.
In the case of inclement weather, the league will attempt to schedule make-up games on a best-efforts basis.

SUMMER/FALL SEASON

DAYS:	2 DAYS/WEEK (MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY)
TIME:	Generally between 5:15 & 9:30 p.m.
DATES (approx.)	July 15 – August 31

Minor League teams can expect to play games 2 times per week.
This season is focused on development and games will be against other Hamel teams only.
In the case of inclement weather, the league will attempt to schedule make-up games on a best-efforts basis.

LOCATION

Games and practices will be held at:

Hamel Legion Park Fields
- Quad Fields
- Lighted Field
Hunter Lions Field
Other fields near Medina pending field capacity

See the Fields page for more information on these locations.

Some games may be played on a field in another community during interleague play. Please refer to that community's league site for more details on the location of those fields.

REGISTRATION AND TEAM FORMATION

Season fees may vary year-to-year and will be listed in registration.

Age Requirements:
Minor League is for kids aged 9-10* as of August 31 of the current year.

*11-year-olds who are not sufficiently skilled to ensure their safety and further their development in Majors may be placed in Minors. 12-year-olds are not eligible for Minors.

Team Formation:
Evaluations are used to create balance among teams. The Hamel Athletic Club Board reserves the right to make changes to teams if team talent becomes imbalanced, or if coaches are not disseminated equally.

See the Evaluations page for more information.

The Minor League may be split, at the discretion of the Board, into multiple divisions to help ensure equal competition and quality of play between teams.

"Play with" requests will not be honored.

GAME PLAY

A progression of baseball skills will be taught in the Minor League. In practice, each player will be encouraged to experience each position, including pitcher and catcher. Coaches will continually evaluate each player's skills and skill development during the season to ensure they are put in a position to succeed in games.

Coaches will focus on the things that ALL players can control:

Showing up on time
Positive attitude
Respect for coaches, the opposition, umpires, and teammates
Willingness to learn
Giving their best effort
- Running hard on the base paths
- Hustling on and off the field
- Taking quality at-bats

RULES

Modified Little League rules are enforced in the Minors League (e.g. run limits, stealing, etc.). Rules are evaluated on an annual basis to ensure the best experience for the players. However, rules surrounding pitch counts and playing the position of pitcher and catcher will follow Little League rules to ensure player safety.

Pitch Count Rules:

An example of a Pitch Count Tracker is provided below and can be downloaded and used during games.

See the Little League website for the full list of pitching and catching rules. If you have any questions, please ask the Minor League Coordinator.

PITCH COUNT TRACKER

MINOR LEAGUE RULES

MINOR LEAGUE TOURNAMENT RULES (coming soon)

EQUIPMENT

In the Minor League, Hamel Baseball provides:

Baseballs (practice balls and game balls)
Catcher's Equipment
Team Jersey
Team Hat
First Aid Kit
Coach's Hat (rostered coaches only)
Coach's Shirt (rostered coaches only)

Players are required to supply their own:

Batting Helmet
Glove
Baseball bat (USA Baseball approved - "USAbat")
Baseball or athletic pants (white or gray preferred)
Baseball socks and belt (to match jersey if possible)
Athletic Supporter and protective cup (optional, but required to play catcher)
Rubber cleated baseball shoes or athletic shoes