Any boy who has or will reach the age of 9 or 10 years old on April 30th shall be eligible to play in the Minors division. A player review and draft process may be held to form teams or equalize skills across teams. It is recommended that players participate in the skills assessments for the best level placement before participating in Minors baseball. Players should be placed on teams according to their ability, not just their age. This is to give children the opportunity for continuous improvement, and since all children develop differently, proper placement is the best way to ensure kids are challenged and are having fun. It’s also needed to guarantee teams in each Division are competitive, fair, and balanced. The Minors level is both competitive and instructional, but with an instructional emphasis during the regular season. At the Minor baseball level all games will allow player-pitched balls with strikes and balls called. It is critical that coaches of this division provide sound training and good balance of playing time and position rotations for all players. HVAA utilizes one of the Hoosic Valley Central School JV or Varsity players to umpire to keep games impartial. At this level, the difference between an average player and a good player is the ability to consistently execute the required skills quickly.
Players in the Minors level should:
- Advanced TEAM concepts, including being on-time to practices and games, prepared to play baseball
- Advanced warm up techniques
- Where to make the play
- Covering bases and backing up positions
- Relaying the ball from the outfield to the infield
- Infield Fly Rule
- Proper footwork to field and throw quickly
- If applicable, correct pitching/catching mechanics, plate coverage
- How to rundown a base runner (pickle)
- Proper grip of the bat
- Batting stance (closed, open)
- Bunting
- Competence in the batter's box (positioning relative to pitching speed)
- Acceptable level of determining ball vs. strike
- Passing the bat through the strike zone
- Proper base running techniques including:
- Stealing after the ball crosses the plate
- When to tag up
- How and when to slide
- How to go back on a fly ball
- Sacrifice situations
- Always show good Sportsmanship on and off the field (no bad mouthing other players)
Game/Practice Days:
- TBD (30 days prior to HVAA scheduled opening day)
Fees: