Minors Division (age 9-10)

A player entering the "Minors Division" within the RASA softball program will now play under a more advanced rules-structure. These rules are quite similar to standard ASA rules and akin to the rules of play of other softball organizations, such that the players will be well prepared when participating in tournament-level play.

Our league will manage the introduction of these rule changes (see below) with the intent to develop the capabilities and competitiveness of the athletes, while still allowing the players to enjoy the sport and experience the fun of the game. Most players have advanced in age to where there is more focus on the skills required to play, but they still need to have fun while playing.

While the Minor's Division is just one of the mid-range divisions of play within the "COMMUNITY LEAGUE", many athletes within the program may already intend to continue to play softball as a primary sport. Of course, there will be a mix of some more serious players and less intense players within all levels of the community program, and therefore, even though teams will now play a few extra games against neighboring communities as an introduction to the advanced divisional play, the concept of a community program will remain.

RASA Minors Skills and Knowledge

NOTE: At this level, player pitching is introduced. Players will continue to develop skills through repetition. At this level, the ideas of competition, sportsmanship and respect for rules, umpires, opponents, teammates and self are becoming more important. Players are encouraged to do their best, listen to instruction and to learn how to correct mistakes in a supportive environment.

Skills

• Continue with development of throwing and catching skills. More accuracy is expected and throwing accurately for longer distances is expected.
• Continue with development of hitting skills. Because umpiring is introduced at this level, player need to learn the strike zone.
• Players learn to pitch for the first time. Not everyone will be taught to be a pitcher.
• Players will learn to bunt for the first time.
• Players will learn to take leads off of bases for the first time.
• Players who are catchers will learn to further develop skills.
• Players will learn about cutoffs and relays for the first time.
• Players will learn the importance of moving to where this ball is going to be before it arrives. This includes charging balls that are softly hit. It also requires anticipation and aggressiveness.
• Players should be taught the basics of sliding. This is the introduction of sliding. Although sliding is not required in games at this level, this is a good place to start teaching sliding. It is best to do this very carefully, on grass with no spikes, with girls wearing sweat pants or protection.

• Players will learn about the infield fly rule for the first time.
• Players will learn more about the situations in softball and develop better knowledge of force outs and tag outs.
• Players will learn the importance of getting the ball to the pitcher. This is the key to stopping the other team from running.
• Players, as base runners, will learn that, when the ball is in the pitcher’s circle, they must make a commitment to either go to the next bas or to go back to the base they have gained.
• Players will learn more about backing up throws.
• Third basemen will learn that the proper place to take ground balls during warm-up between innings is down the third base line between the pitcher and catcher. They must learn to stay out of the line of the throw of the pitcher.