Minor League Information
The Minor
League plays on the field at the Northeast corner of the concession stand, and
consists of players ages 9 and 10. In this league, the players have their first
chance to do the pitching. Because the pitchers are new to the mound, there is
no stealing until the ball crosses the plate, and runners may not lead off.
Players
moving up to Minor League from the Rookie are due for some important lessons in
the art of the steal and the pick-off. Because the pitchers are new, there
is a lot more action at the plate, with passed balls and wild pitches adding to
the score on both sides. This is the league where catchers really earn
their pay, and a good catcher behind the plate can make an entire season.
Pitchers and catchers can't do all the work, however, and that's why a fast
outfield and cohesive infield is still important.
Coming up
from Rookie, players, coaches and fans may be anticipating a fair amount of
in-the-park homers, but don't count on it. The hitters are better, but so
is the outfield, and the fence is longer. This is the first chance for a parent
to see one fly over, but it's the rare player who has the mass and the strength
at 10 to reach the fence on this field. In fact, only one home run has occurred
during the regular season in recent memory.
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 in the Concession Stand.
