New "Junior" Division for 2nd Graders Announced
Exciting news for 2nd Graders!
Based upon feedback from
the community and having the projected 2010 registration numbers to
support it, Skylands Girls Fastpitch is implementing a new JUNIOR
DIVISION this season! This division will be for 2nd
graders and is being designed to provide a level of play that
surpasses the Pony Division, align more with the traditional rules
of the game and better prepare the girls to play in the Minors
Division. We believe this new division will add a needed
boost of excitement as well as more appropriate challenges for our 2nd
grade players.
Please keep in mind that
this represents a fairly significant change in our program. We
believe we have addressed the bigger questions with this change but
are still fleshing out the details and appreciate your cooperation.
This is still somewhat a work in progress but in the interest of
getting this news out early, I wanted to share with you what we have
discussed/decided thus far. I hope you agree that this is a change
for the better for our 2nd graders. Should you have any
questions or concerns you can direct them to me and I will engage
the Board to address them.
Basic
Playing Guidelines: (not intended to be the complete set of rules
and subject to minor changes)
This is first and
foremost an Instructional League for players of all abilities
We anticipate that
there will be 3 teams made up of 2nd graders – Roster
size could come in at ~10 per team ensuring lots of
playing time.
All pitching will
come from a machine (manned by a Coach)
Normal infield positions will be filled and all remaining players
will be used in the outfield. Outfield being on the grass and at
least 15 feet behind the base lines or infield players. (versus
having all kids scattered around the infield like Pony)
Players will be rotated – goal is for each player to play at least 2
innings in the infield and 2 innings in the outfield every game
Each batter will
get a maximum of 5 (maybe 6 to begin with) pitches from the
pitching machine at each at bat to either hit the ball into play or
strikeout – 3 swings and misses is an out. The machine will be
adjusted to throw at appropriate speed and right down the middle.
There will be no called Balls and Strikes – swinging strikes only.
There will be no Catcher (Coach/Parent will man the backstop area)
No Walks
No Stealing
During any inning the batting team may score enough runs to catch up
to and pass by 3 the opposing team, then the other team comes to
bat. If already leading or a tie score, a team may score 3
runs before returning to the field (Subject to change)
We will keep games
score but not standings
Coach/Parent
umpires on bases
Player/Coach
Registration Info
All 2nd
graders will be reclassified from Pony Division to Junior Division
in the registration system UNLESS you already registered for the
Minors Division in which case it will remain Minors. If you’d
like to switch to the Junior Division based on this news send me an
email say so.
If you have a 2nd grade daughter and were registered as a
coach for the Pony Division you have been reclassified to Junior
No tryouts or skills evaluations or Draft for Junior Division - we
will form the teams.
2nd
graders aspiring to play up in the Minors Division will still be
allowed to try out for that (need to come to Skills Evaluation on
Feb 28th)
No Play up option to Junior Division for 1st graders
2nd Graders will be considered for play in the Pony
Division by special exception only (e.g. desire to be on same team
as their sibling - please send me an email with your reasons)
3rd
graders will be considered for play in Junior Division by special
exception only (e.g. desire to be on same team as their sibling -
please send me an email with your reasons)
Other Information
No additional cost
Schedule will remain the same – 10 game schedule
Game Day format will be similar to Pony Division and schedule with
30-45 minutes of practice immediately followed by a 1:15-1:30 game –
Your Mgr or Coach may schedule a practice or two
No Standings will be kept
No Playoffs
Your daughter will require a batting helmet with the face mask (we
began this last year in Pony). The league provides some helmets per
team but it is much preferred that players have their own personal
helmet. You can look into a personal
helmet if you don’t already have one. They’re readily available
on-line and at local sporting goods stores.
There is no action required on your part at this time other than to
let your daughters know of the change and help spread the word.