Minor Program

Age: 11-12 or grades 5 through 6

Philosophy:  This program is instructional in nature.  The league coaches hold practices two weeks before the season starts.  Players do all the pitching, but only three innings, pitchers can windmill.  Batter gets three strikes swinging or called, and/or five balls.  Teams bat no more than 10 players per inning, three outs or 10^th batter put out or walk.  Batters can bunt and lead off, but there is no stealing. Teams play with 10 players in the field.  12-inch softballs are used.  Batters must wear helmets and catcher must wear catcher’s equipment.  Home team must provide the umpires.

Season:  The season runs from the middle of June to the end of July.  The season runs for 6 weeks and plays twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 p.m.  Games have a 1-½ hour time limit or 6-innings.  A picnic is held at the end of the season for the Brewers, Cardinal, and Minor Leagues where a game is played first.  A family pot luck, with hot dogs and drinks, is furnished by the Commission.

Team Composition:  The program director and coaches select teams based on school areas when possible.  Teams from West Middleton and Sauk City and Black Earth are in this league so some travel is involved.