Major League Information
The Major
League plays on the field at the northwest corner of the concession stand, and
consists of players at ages 11 and 12. By the time a player gets to the
Major League, his skills and abilities developed in Minor are benefiting from
his increased size as a preteen. The rules have changed to reflect their
capability, and so has the size of the field.
Pitchers
and catchers are still playing their game of chess with the batters, but now
the pitches can be sent down the middle more often, and with amazing
speed. The better pitchers can now place the ball, and some can pull off
consistent curve balls and breaking pitches. Once again, a quick catcher
is needed behind the plate.
Pitchers
don't have all the advantage in Major. Batters who struggled in Minor
because of the inexperience of the pitchers, now have a chance to whack those
strikes to the outfield. Some of the boys will be strong enough to hit it
to Lincoln Street with the right pitch. The home run club in Major is
usually a small one, however.
Unique to
the Major League is the choice to play on 60' long base paths or 70' long base
paths. Since the 70' trail was introduced in Cal Ripken League a few
years ago, SSYB has used 70' bases in the Major League. Because both trails are
available in the post-season, the choice will be made whether the 11- or
12-year-old all-star teams will play 60' Trail or 70' Trail based on a number
of factors, not the least of which is what the competition is doing.
The
difference in rules between the 60' and 70' trails is mostly in stealing and
leading off. In the 60' trail there is no leading off, and runners may
not steal until the ball crosses the plate. In the 70' trail, stealing
and leading off is allowed as in official baseball rules. There are many
exciting plays on the bases in the Major League, so a strong infield can really
make a team.
Games are
governed by the Official Baseball Rules promulgated by Major League Baseball as
modified by Cal Ripken League. Rulebooks are available for each coach and
there's a copy for review in the Concession Stand.