Newington Little League Intermediate Coaches Meeting

1. Newington Little LeagueIntermediate Coaches Meeting 2011

2. Table of Contents • Purpose of Intermediates • Key Documents • Key Dates • Practice & Game Schedule • Coach Responsibilities • Game Rules • Commissioner Contact Information

3. Purpose of Intermediates • Continue to develop and/or polish fundamental skills learned at lower levels • Develop new skills and knowledge based on increased competition and regular Little League rules • Further development of pitchers & catchers • Prepare players for playing in Majors • Have Fun!

4. Key Documents • Volunteer Background Check Form • Team Roster • Coaches Contact List (see website) • Little League Rule Book • Division Rules • Safety Information Packet – from Safety Clinic • Practice Schedule • Game Schedule - TBD

5. Key Dates • March 28th – Practices Start (weather permitting) • April 23th*** – LL Opening Day, Pictures, & Games Start • May 15th – Rock Cats Day • May 28th – Memorial Day Parade (games in PM) • June 11th – Season Ends • June 13th – Playoffs Start • June 18th – Championship Game • TBD – Safety Clinic – all Little League coaches • TBD – Equipment & Uniform Pickup ***Opening Day Ceremony and Pictures may be moved to 4/30

6. Practice & Game Schedule Overview • Practice/Game Times Mon - Fri will be 5:30pm • Practice/Game Times Saturday will be 9am and 11am • Additional practices can be coordinated with Commissioner • Reschedule games should be coordinated with coaches and Commissioner

7. Fields • Badger Field - Walsh Ave • McCusker Field (Anna Reynolds) - Fenn Road • Wallace School East Field – 71 Halleran Drive

8. Coach Responsibilities • Safety • Equipment • Helmets, Balls, Bats, Bases, Catchers Gear, First Aid Kit, Score book, pitch counter • Uniform Distribution • Players get Hat, Shirt, and Pants • Players must provide glove and cleats (recommended) or sneakers • Getting additional Assistant Coaches (if needed) • Rain Outs and Rescheduling Games • Communicating with other coaches and commissioner • Calling or Emailing players/parents • Keeping players/parents informed of team/league activities • Updating Website - www.newingtonll.com • Coach, player, parent contact info • Scores • Pitch counts • End of Year Party/Awards

9. Rain Outs/Rescheduling Games Rain Out Guidelines • If it is raining at all outside (unless a light sun shower on a relatively sunny day), call the game. • If it has rained overnight, try to stop by field early if possible. Contact the Intermediate Commissioner before noon if you can’t check the field. If field is too muddy or there are big puddles, call the game. • Call the other coach by 5:00pm at latest and decide • Communicate to your team Rescheduling Guidelines • Commissioner will provide Master Schedule • Look at available days (will be on website), talk to other coach, agree on primary & secondary makeup date • Contact Commissioner re: agreed upon date • Commissioner will update Master Schedule and communicate to all coaches.

10. NLL Website – Managers www.newingtonll.com To Login • Click on yellow lock icon • ID = First Name Last Name (e.g., Mike Johnson) • Password = manager Access/Responsibilities • View Roster • Maintain Player/Parent/Coach profiles • View Practice & Game schedules • Post Bulletins to Team Home Page • Email Team • See Website Directions for Managers on Documents page of website for additional guidance.

11. Intermediates Rules Highlights • Game Set Up • All games start at 5:30pm – tell players to arrive between 5:00pm and 5:15pm • No new inning shall start after 7:30 PM • Games last 6 innings (target is 4 innings during week and 6 on weekends) • Volunteer umpires (parent, assistant coach) must be used • Chest protector and mask available as OPTION for behind the plate umpiring. • Rules • Kid Pitch - LL pitch count rules must be STRICTLY followed • 3 outs or 5 or more runs to switch sides. Whichever occurs first • Stealing is allowed (no leading, leave base once ball reaches batter) • Can advance on passed ball/wild pitch, but can only score once per half inning • Playing Time • All players hit in order • Only 9 players in field • Players should play at least half a game • Scores & Statistics • Scorebook should be kept by manager or assistant coach • Verify pitch counts EACH half inning and verify all player changes for pitchers • Scores are kept and must be updated on website after each game • Pitch counts must be updated on website after each game • Option available for many other stats to be kept on website *** Consistency with rules is the key to success ***

12. Intermediates Rules Highlights Continued… • LL Pitch Count Rules • “Days Rest” is based on a Calendar DAY of rest, NOT 24 hour (day) of rest • 21st pitch = 1 day rest, 36thpitch = 2 days rest, 51stpitch = 3 days rest, 66thpitch = 4 days rest. However; total pitches are also have per day limits based on age • Pitching limits per day: 8 year old = 50 pitches, 9 & 10 year olds = 75 pitches, 11 year olds = 85 pitches • After you input your pitch counts to the website, it will automatically calculate the next available day for each pitcher on your roster. A pitcher’s report is then available for viewing. • Players Are Available For Majors • If a Major’s team looses a player to resignation or an extended injury, the Major manager and Player Agent will select a player from the Intermediate level • Only 10 & 11 year old players are eligible to be moved to the Major level • Player Injury • Report injuries to the player agent, currently… • Rich Fairwood @ 860-665-0009 • Dug Out Protocol • Players and coaches only • no warm up swings or holding bats until ready to enter the field • Keep kids inside the dugout except when on deck or double deck *** Consistency with rules is the key to success ***

13. Clinics & All Stars • Clinics to be held Wednesdays at Badger for all Intermediate players • Players encouraged to attend • “off” team (i.e. team without game during week) is expected to attend in lieu of a separate practice • No Intermediate All Star Game (playoffs instead) • Opportunities for Summer baseball • Tournaments (e.g., Forestville, Yalesville) – 9/10 year olds • Inter-town summer league – 9/10 year olds

14. Coaching Tips • Keep practices interesting • Run multiple drills simultaneously – use assistants • Use language kids can understand and remember • Try out different drills • Be Creative • Get help if needed (other coaches, internet, commissioner) • Choose wisely when deciding which fielder plays 1st base. Attentiveness should be a major factor • Have Fun

15. Commissioner Contact Information Name John Brunetti Address 62 Ralph Ave. Newington, CT 06111 Phone Call First Cell: (860) 805-4210 Home: (860) 665-7479 Work (860) 667-5854 Email Jbrunetti@cox.net