About LMLL’s Rookies Division
Field and Time - 2010 Update. Due to lack of field space LMLL have extended the time of play for the Tee and rookie Divisions. Tee Ball will now play from 9-11 and 11-1, while Rookie will play from 1-5. The alternative to this change, would have been to cut nearly 200 players from the league.
The Rookies Division is an instructional, non-competitive baseball season for players age 5-6.
Who can play? Rookies division is for boys and girls who are 6 years old as of April 30th this year. Players of all abilities are welcome.
When are games and practices? Once per week on Saturday mornings, from 9-11am. There is an individual team practice session from 9-10am, then a game with another team (at the same field) from 10-11am. The season starts in early April and runs until the end of the (LMSD) school year in mid-June.
Where are games and practices? Rookie Division games and practices are held at several fields in Lower Merion Township, principally Penn Wynne Park, Gladwyne Elementary School Field, Polo Field, and Harcum College Field. See the Field Locations link on the tabs at left for directions. A detailed schedule will be emailed by your player’s team coach before the season starts in April.
What do you do in practices? Coaches introduce and teach players the main baseball fundamentals: proper throwing mechanics, proper stance and hitting fundamentals, basic fielding skills, above-the-waist catching, and base running. We emphasize having fun together as a team, learning positive sportsmanship, and developing players’ confidence in their athletic abilities.
How do games work? The Rookie Division season starts with three games of tee-ball, which we find is valuable for this age group at the start to teach and reinforce proper batting skills. Beginning in week 4 and continuing through week 10, Rookie games are coach-pitch, overhand-style. Every player gets a chance to bat once in each inning; innings change after a team’s full lineup bats. Fielders throw hit balls to the appropriate base, and legitimate fielding outs retire a runner/batter. Games are three-to-four innings, which takes about an hour. No score is kept (all games are a tie, :-).
What do we need to bring each Saturday? Players need: (1) a baseball glove, (2) water bottle, (3) team shirt, and (4) team baseball cap. The team shirt and cap are distributed at the first team meeting. Players should wear clothes for running (shorts in hot weather are fine), and sneakers or cleats (optional) for footwear; no Crocs or sandals. Players are welcome to bring their own baseball bats, but that is by no means necessary.
What about drop offs? At this age group, each player must have a parent (or other responsible adult, e.g., neighbor, grandparent, nanny, etc.) present for the duration of the practice and game.
When will I learn what team my player will be on? Parents will be contacted (via email) by the player’s head coach by the last week in March, who will provide field schedule information, team name and other players on it, and any additional logistical information. Please be sure we have your preferred email address when you register online.
Do we need to be township residents? Lower Merion Little League is limited to residents of Lower Merion Township and the Borough of Narberth.
Where can I find additional information? We have a Frequently Asked Questions page about our Spring Season baseball programs, on the tabs at left. In addition, general inquires may be directed to the league at
. Rookie Division inquiries may be directed to the Rookie Division Commissioner, whose name and email address are listed on the League Contacts tab at left.
Game times are subject to changes due to field availability
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rev. mww 03/07/2009
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