Playing on the 46/60 Field Designed for Majors and Minors.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the Majors/AAA/Minors 46/60 programs is to develop players skills, maturity, knowledge of the game and learn how to play on teams.  The Majors Program for League Age 10, 11 and 12 players is a competitive program dividing the players across two Divisions.  The AAA/Minors Program focuses more on a relaxed level of play supported by player development.  All divisions focus on learning proper baseball fundamentals through drills, practices, repetition, hard work and commitment.  

INTRODUCTION: The 46/60 Major and AAA/Minor League Programs play on the Little League playing field called the 46/60 (46 foot pitching distance to home plate and 60 foot base paths). Player maturity, abilities, skill levels and interests are different.  The goal of the Majors program is to develop advanced skills and, while enjoyment is still promoted, the competitive aspect of the sport increases significantly. Games are played mainly at Carman and March Fields with an occasional game at Cloud & Little Oakbourne Field.

League Age 9 players are restricted to playing only in the Minors program.  Minimum playing time in the Majors is two defensive innings with one at-bat and Minors is three defensive innings with one at-bat.  Minors utilizes a continuous batting order. If you are uncertain where you want your child to play, please contact the Divisional Directors before the Majors tryouts to discuss. 

PLAYER EVALUATIONS: All players trying out for the Majors/AAA & Minors are required to attend player evaluation tryouts (see "Calendar") to be eligible to be drafted unless an alternate plan is approved by the Board due to unique conditions.  Players are evaluated for the purpose of allocating players to teams by a draft.  The Majors have their player evaluations/tryouts first.  The Major draft is held and players are selected to fill open positions on Team Rosters by the assigned Managers.  Returning players are not re-drafted in the Majors, so a player drafted at 10, will stay on the same team for three years and do not have to attend tryouts each year. Majors teams will comprise of 12 or 13 players.

AAA/Minors each hold a draft after the Majors each year. Minors teams will comprise of between ten to thirteen players. After player evaluations, drafts and selection, the rosters will be sent around to Managers by the Directors. 
 

PLAYING UP (MINORS ONLY): In the event there is division availability AND a parent requests a League Age 8 player to play in the Minors, ESLL will hold evaluations to determine if the player possesses the baseball skills and emotional maturity to handle ‘playing up’. 

Minimum requirements include:

• At least one (1) year of experience in the National League Instructional Division at ESLL or an equivalent program from another little league as determined by the ESLL Board.
• Player must attend in-person evaluation (Minors Director and league personnel to review and evaluate player’s ability). This may coincide with the Minors evaluation or be on a separate date.
• Player must demonstrate the ability to throw accurately and field a baseball consistently.
• Player must demonstrate the ability to consistently hit overhand pitched baseballs from 46 feet.
• Player must demonstrate the ability to throw accurately from the pitcher’s mound (46’).
• Player must demonstrate the maturity to take instruction from coaches at the level appropriate for League Age 9-11 players.

Provisions include:

• These cases will be infrequent and shall be limited to a small number of players each year.
• Eligibility will also depend on the overall registration volume at the Minors Level (League Age 9) to ensure adequate space and playing time for all eligible league players.
• The decision to allow a player to "play up" is at the sole discretion of the ESLL Board of Directors.

UNIFORMS: ESLL will provide jersey shirts and hats.  Parents can expect to purchase a baseball glove/mitt, a bat, white pants and plastic baseball spikes. 

BATS: Bats need to be approved for little league play.  Please check with the Director or your Manager  or access the approved bat list on Little League International web page for each year. Bats must include a USA Bat stamp for play in the Minors and Majors division.

FIELDS: Games are typically played at March and Carman Fields with some practices at Cloud and Oakbourne Fields.

What is Expected from Players?

• Players will learn the basics of pitching, hitting, throwing and fielding.
• Players learn the more advanced aspects of hitting, pitch selection, using the whole body in the swing.
• Players will learn defensive strategies. 
• Players will learn to mentally prepare themselves for what to do if the ball when it is hit to them.  
• Players will learn signals and follow coaching instructions.  
• Players will learn how to bunt, and the importance of sacrificing.
• Players will learn how to advance the base runner with hitting on the left or ride side of the field. 
• Players will learn by practicing drills, throwing around the bases, hitting off the "tee", fielding ground balls and pop-ups with cut-offs.  
• Players will learn to hit soft toss, front toss, coach pitch and kid pitch.
• Players will develop hand-eye coordination and bat swing-techniques without the fear of being hit by a pitched ball.
• Players will develop an awareness of fielding positions. They will learn how to block and knock the ball down.  
• Players will learn how to overcome the fear of the ball during pitching, hitting and fielding. 
• Players will learn positive mindsets and learn to overcome the anxiety of making errors.
• Players will learn to catch fly balls and throw to cutoffs.
• Players will develop throwing overhand with proper mechanics, building arm strength and accuracy.

What is Expected from Volunteers and Parent Coaches?

• Parents need to complete a background check by mid-March.  Please check the Volunteer Page and utilize the Volunteer Form.  There is no cost for the background check.
• Parents Volunteers should participate in the League Safety Meeting and Coach preparation sessions.  Please check the League Calendar.
• Parent Managers and Coaches should learn how to run a good practice with drills. 
• Parents on the field of play working with children, must have a background check.
• Parent Managers and Coaches will be given a roster of players with contact information.  
• All player information is confidential and not to be given out to anyone or used for any other purpose than to afford team practices and games.

GAME RULES: The Official Little League Rule Book will be used for the East Side LL programs, unless superseded by one of the following special East Side League Rules:

• Pitching Counts per game are tracked by Managers and Coaches and will be record online or forwarded to the Program Directors.  
• ESLL follows the strict guidelines of the number of pitches thrown and the number of innings played by catchers.
• The Majors and Minors have Manager's Manuals distributed at the beginning of pre-season by the respective Director.  
• Please refer to any special rules in the Manager's Manuals.  

PRE-GAME PREPARATION & SET-UP, POST GAME CLEAN-UP

Both teams are in charge of field set-up, which is to include:

• Layout of foul lines and batter's box;
• Raking of base paths, batter's box, skin infield areas and pitchers mound;
• Placing of bases and removal of them at the conclusion of the game;
• Each team is to supply one (1) game baseball;
• Raking the field after the conclusion of the game;
• Ensuring all trash is removed from the dugouts and placed in the proper containers.
• In case of inclement weather during the day, both managers should be at the field early to prep it for the game.

General Guidelines

• It is expected that all Players receive at least 2 innings on defense and one at bat in the Majors.  In the Minors, Team strive to provide equal playing time both on offense and defense.
• The games will consist of 6 full innings regardless of score.  A regulation game is when four full innings are played.
• Generally, games will be played within two hours, but there are no limits technically.
• Evenings games should be called at dusk when visibility creates a hazardous situation.
• Managers and Coaches must be properly attired with Team Baseball Hat, League issued or matching team shirt, pants/shorts, baseball shoes with rubbers spikes (metal cleats not permitted)/sneakers. Cutoffs and sleeveless shirts are not permitted.
• Both managers at the field decide rain-outs. Every effort should be made to get the game in. Decisions should be made at the field unless a downpour is occurring.
• Makeup games must be scheduled through the League Director and held within two weeks of the scheduled game - unless approved by the Director.

Equipment and Uniforms

• A manager/team may not assess players a fee, or request payment for, any uniforms including, special hat, shirts, socks, etc., or equipment such as bats, helmets, etc., without expressed permission of the Board of Directors. All items purchased for team use are the property of East Side Little League and Little League Baseball.
• Player's names are not permitted on the back of the uniform shirt.
• Only uniforms supplied by the League are permitted. 
• Uniforms should not be worn in travel ball outside ESLL, unless approved for by the Director.
• All equipment must meet Little League, Inc., safety requirements.
   

PLAYOFFS: 

 At the completion of the Major and Minor Program seasons, a post-season playoff will be held for each program.  Majors do not play Minors teams.  The winning team in each program will receive a trophy.  

District wide All-Stars Tournament
In addition to Major and Minor Playoffs, one Major Division ten year old and one eleven year old All Star Team will be selected representing ESLL ending play in the Pennsylvania State Tournament.  ESLL comprises one Charter covering the league boundary.  One Major Division twelve year old All Star Team will also be selected from our respective geographic boundaries to represent ESLL ending play in the Little League World Series on the 46/60 field.  

Players will be invited to participate in the All-Star program by the respective age level.  The Major Director will convene a Managers Meeting whereby they will nominate their players and vote for who makes the two teams.  Managers cannot vote for their own players.  The players receiving the most votes are ranked according to division rules in the Majors Manual.  If a player does not want to participate in All-Stars, please inform your Manager before June 15.  If after that, a player can pull their name from the roster and the next player in rank order will be invited.

UMPIRING:  Trained volunteer umpires enforce a combination of rules put forward by the Little League Charter and the Local ESLL Board and one parent from the home team is expected to umpire in the field for each game. 

GAME RESULTS: Game scores and division standings are tracked. Managers and Directors can utilize the SportEngine app to report game results directly to the website.     

NUMBER OF GAMES: There will be approximately fifteen to twenty regular season games, depending on the number of teams.  Games are played two to three times per week and parents/players can expect one practice per week in the Majors and Minors program. Practices will start in March and regular season games will end in mid-June whereby playoffs and the Championship are then played. Games are at 6:00 on weekdays and various times on Saturday's. Arrival time is usually about one hour before game time for warm-ups. Saturday rain outs are typically played on the very next day, Sunday, or the following Sunday.

MINORS PROGRAM: These divisions are a place where boys can play baseball in a more relaxed atmosphere. Players at this level, many just as skilled at the Major League level, have the chance to further develop their level of play. These players are eligible (League age 10+) to tryout for the Major League Division in subsequent years and must be selected to play at that level by age 12.

COACHING: If you are interested in Managing or Coaching a team, please contact the respective Director. ESLL strongly recommends attending coaching and umpiring sessions to learn the rules and how to hold practices.  Working with 9-12 year old young men and women requires clear communication, following rules and good discipline.