Minor Mite Convenor Sarah Rudge Phone: (c) 647-688-4023 Email: mmerudge@gmail.com Minor Mite Schedule Minor Mite practices will be held on Wednesdays commencing on May 4 th. Games will be played on Mondays commencing on May 30 th. ***If a practice or game needs to be cancelled I will email you. Please check your email frequently on game and practice days*** Be Prepared! All coaches are responsible to know which station they are to set up and how to run each station. Unless otherwise stated, all stations are referenced in the Learn-to-play (LTP) Level 2 manual. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to the convenor in advance. If you will be away, please let the convenor know who will be coaching in your absence in case they need to be contacted (rainouts, etc.). Outline of Practice Schedule 6:15pm 6:25pm 6:30pm 6:40pm 6:52pm 7:04pm 7:16pm 7:28pm 7:40pm Note: Coaches arrive and set up their designated station Coaches meet for brief pre-practice meeting All players line up in front of their coach and the designated coach will lead stretching and warm-ups Coaches will take their team to the station that they set up first by jogging to it. Coaches will take their team to the next station, according to the map, by jogging to it Next station Next station Next Station Sit with team and enjoy snacks, reviewing the practice. Talk to the parents. Recruit volunteers. Bond as a team and let everyone get to know you. Help clean up the station that you set up. One horn will be blown 2 minutes before it is time to switch stations. Two blows of the horn will indicate that it is time to change stations. Recruiting Volunteers The more parent volunteers that we have involved the easier it will make your job as coaches. You will know ahead of time what station you are in charge of setting up each week. Try to recruit the 1
number of volunteers required for your station ahead of time. For simplicity, we will ask the volunteers to stay with that station for the entire practice, rather that moving on to the next one. Warm ups At the start of the practice when the horn blows, please have your girls line up facing away from the path (so they re not distracted by their parents!) If your starting station for practice is on the north side of the path (Stations 6,7,8,9,10), please warm your team up on that side of the path, and if your starting station for practice is on the south side of the path (Stations 1,2,3,4,5) please warm your team up on that side. Again, all girls will face away from the path between the diamonds. All coaches will face them and, one at a time, one coach from each team will lead a warm up exercise. For the first practice, we recommend the experienced coaches go first. Encourage the girls to get loud and count out those reps! Let s hear those jumping jacks! Station Locations Unless otherwise stated, here are the locations for the stations: 8 Diamond 3 6,7 9,10 Diamond 2 Path 2 5 Diamond 1 1 3 4 Practice Station Concepts All of the practice stations are set up to focus on a particular area of the game. Most of the stations can incorporate more than 1 skill, so feel free to add on to the main drill in order to maximize the activity and learning of the girls. 2
Practice Starting Stations and Set-up Below is the starting station for each team. The team is also responsible for setting up the station! PRACTICE # AIM LOCK KINSMEN HALTON POOLS MASTER MECHANIC PLAY IT AGAIN CORE PRODUCTS No Frills WORLD MEATS INROADS INSURANCE hottubmovers.ca 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 3 2 3 4 5 1 7 8 9 10 6 4 7 8 9 10 6 2 3 4 5 1 5 3 4 5 1 2 8 9 10 6 7 6 8 9 10 6 7 3 4 5 1 2 7 4 5 1 2 3 9 10 6 7 8 8 9 10 6 7 8 4 5 1 2 3 9 5 1 2 3 4 10 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 12 2 3 4 5 1 7 8 9 10 6 13 7 8 9 10 6 2 3 4 5 1 14 3 4 5 1 2 8 9 10 6 7 15 8 9 10 6 7 3 4 5 1 2 16 4 5 1 2 3 9 10 6 7 8 17 9 10 6 7 8 4 5 1 2 3 3
18 5 1 2 3 4 10 6 7 8 9 Practice #1, #2, #3, #4 Station 1: Diamond 1 Diamond Orientation (see activity 2 below) Hand Signals LTP (p.15) Base Running Equipment Required: Full diamond set-up. (3 bases) Modifications: None 4
Station 2: Milton Girls Softball Association Far Right Field of Diamond 1 Hitting Station LTP Activity 4 Hitting Progressions (p.25) Equipment Required: 2 bats, 4 balls, 2 tees, 2 carpet bases (as home plates) HELMETS REQUIRED Modifications: The girls will be hitting away from the path. Teach girls how to position themselves at the base and how to swing the bat (begin with no ball). Attempt to pitch. Use the tees where necessary (Have volunteers ready to field the balls.) 5
Station 3: Far Left Field of Diamond 1 Power Ball throwing (see activity 4 below) Equipment Required: 4 softballs per team (8 softballs per loop) Modifications: Use the activity as a guideline. Have the girls practice the proper throwing technique. Refer to pages 86 and 87 in the LTP book. Station 4: Left Field of Diamond 1 6
LTP Activity 5 Pert Gert (p.22) - catching Equipment Required: 8 tennis balls Modifications: Use the activity as a guideline. Most of the girls will have never worn a glove let alone caught a ball with it. Spend some time on what hand the glove goes on and that you catch with the glove hand and throw with the other. Teach the girls that fingers go up when the ball is above their belly button and point down when the ball is low. (glove orientation techniques, LTP pg. 85) Station 5: Left Field of Diamond 1 LTP Activity 1 What time is it Mr. Wolf? (p.24) Equipment Required: 3 pylons one where Mr. Wolf stands, 2 to mark a line when the players line up 7
Modifications: This will be one HUGE game of Mr. Wolf!! Station 6: Diamond #3 Fielding and Positioning (combined with Station 7)(in the field) Equipment Required: 3 bases, 4 pylons (diamond set-up) Modifications: Line the girls up in the regular game positions. Before the ball is hit, help them identify where the ball is to be thrown and how to field the ball properly (i.e. monkeys and alligators). The opposing coach will be hitting and calling out the hits (e.g. single, double, or triple). Try to encourage their understanding of the game. Station 7: Diamond #3 Base Running (reference: Kill the Mosquito (p.25 in LTP)(combined with Station 6) Equipment Required: 3 bases, 4 pylons (diamond set-up) Modifications: Have the girls start to the side of home plate, and have the coach hit the ball to various spots on the diamond for the other team to field. Teach girls how to round the bases properly. Call out different hits for the girls to run (e.g. single, double, or triple) so the team in the field has to make plays at different bases. 8
Station 8: Milton Girls Softball Association Right Field of Diamond 3 Not in LTP Monkeys and Alligators (ready position and scooping up grounders) Equipment Required: 4 softballs Modifications: When the girls are ready to field, they should be loose with legs shoulder width apart and arms hanging low in front (like a monkey). When grounder approaches them, they side step to get in front of it with glove on the ground and top hand ready to cover it (arm motion is similar to alligator mouth). Have girls line up and roll grounders to each of them. Begin directly in front and then slightly to the side so that they are required to move (side step). Refer to page 89 in LTP. 9
Station 9 (At bat first): Diamond #2 Practice Game Equipment Required: Full diamond set-up (tee, 3 bases), 2 t-balls, 2 bats, 1 set of catcher s equipment **Helmets Required** Modifications: Prepare the girls for their first real game by playing a practice game. Station 10 (In field first): Diamond #2 Practice Game Equipment Required: Full diamond set-up (tee, 3 bases), 2 t-balls, 2 bats, 1 set of catcher s equipment **Helmets Required** Modifications: Prepare the girls for their first real game by playing a practice game. Practice #5, #6, #7, #8 Station 1: Diamond 1 Practicing positions not in LTP Equipment Required: 3 bases (no tee), 2 balls, 9 pylons as dividers to stand between and create zones for each player. Use chalk to mark the zones, if time permits. (see diagram 1) 10
Modifications: This exercise is to show the girls where to play and to teach them not to all chase the ball. For example, if the ball is going toward first base, the girl playing 1 st gets the ball, not the one playing 3 rd. See diagram 1 below. If the ball gets in their zone, they get it. Bat the ball into each zone and have the player field the ball. If time permits, have girls in the neighbouring zones to cover the player who is getting the ball by running in behind her. Diagram 1 Pylon Player Station 2: Far Right Field of Diamond 1 Hitting Station LTP Activity 4 Hitting Progressions (p.25) Equipment Required: 2 bats, 4 balls, 2 carpet bases (as home plates) HELMETS REQUIRED Modifications: The girls will be hitting away from the path. Each girl gets 5 good pitches, then rotate to next batter. (Have volunteers ready to field the balls.) Station 3: 11
Far Left Field of Diamond 1 Catching Equipment Required: 4 softballs, 4 tennis balls Modifications: Get back to the basics of catching and glove positions. Start with no ball, then use tennis ball and move into the softball. Have them get the glove on the ball so that they are not afraid of it. Station 4: Left Field of Diamond 1 Take it Back (p. 37 in LTP) Equipment Required: 4 pylons (for boundary), a box of 20+ items (balls, etc.) Modifications: None 12
Station 5: Milton Girls Softball Association Right Field of Diamond #1 Throw Board Equipment Required: Target throw board (folding board with holes in it, in shed), 3 balls Modifications: Have each girl practice aiming and throwing at the board. Concentrate on proper throwing technique. Progressively move girls back further from targets. Station 6: Diamond #3 Fielding and Positioning (combined with Station 7)(in the field) Equipment Required: 3 bases, (diamond set-up) 13
Modifications: Line the girls up in the regular game positions. Before the ball is hit, help them identify where the ball is to be thrown and how to field the ball properly (i.e. monkeys and alligators). The girls on the batting team will be batting DOUBLES (i.e. outs can be made at 2 nd base or home plate). If an out is made at 2 nd base, the base runner will NOT be leave the field, and will run to home plate on the next hit. Station 7: Diamond #3 Hitting & Base Running (reference: Kill the Mosquito (p.25 in LTP)(combined with Station 6) Equipment Required: 3 bases, (diamond set-up) Modifications: The coach will pitch a maximum of 5 pitches to each girl (if the batter strikes out, the coach should go to home plate and throw the ball to the outfield, and the batter will run to second base). All hits will be considered doubles, so when the girls make a hit, they will ALWAYS run to 2 nd base and try to beat the play at 2 nd. If they get thrown out at 2 nd, they will remain on the bases to run to home plate on the next hit. Station 8: 14
Right field of Diamond #3 Pip, Squeak, & Wilbur (LTP pg. 29) Equipment Required: 4 balls, 4 carpet bases Modifications: Adjust number of players per group, as necessary. Station 9 (At bat first): Diamond #2 Practice Game Equipment Required: Full diamond set-up (tee, 3 bases), 2 softballs, 2 bats, 1 set of catcher s equipment **Helmets Required** Modifications: Prepare the girls for their first real game by playing a practice game. Station 10 (In field first): Diamond #2 Practice Game Equipment Required: Full diamond set-up (tee, 3 bases), 2 softballs, 2 bats, 1 set of catcher s equipment **Helmets Required** Modifications: Prepare the girls for their first real game by playing a practice game. 15
Practice #9, #10, #11, #12 Station 1: Diamond 1 near home plate Not in LTP Throwing and Aiming Equipment Required: 4 Balls per team (8 balls), 4 Hula Hoops (targets), bungee cords Modifications: Place the 4 targets hanging about chest height on the backstop. Have 2 girls line up in front of each target. Take turns aiming the ball at the targets concentrate on proper throwing technique. Progressively move girls back further from targets. Station 2: Far Right Field of Diamond 1 Hitting Station LTP Activity 4 Hitting Progressions (p.25) Equipment Required: 2 bats, 4 balls, 2 carpet bases (as home plates) HELMETS REQUIRED Modifications: The girls will be hitting away from the path. Each girl gets 5 good pitches, then rotate to next batter. (Have volunteers ready to field the balls.) 16
Station 3: Milton Girls Softball Association Far Left Field of Diamond 1 Ball of Fire (pg 43 LTP) Equipment Required: 2 carpet bases, 4 softballs Modifications: Have the bases approximately 35 feet apart. Station 4: Left Field of Diamond 1 Lead Me (p. 46 in LTP) Equipment Required: 6 softballs (need 1 for every 2 players) Modifications: None 17
Station 5: Right Field of Diamond #1 Throw Board Equipment Required: Target throw board (folding board with holes in it, in shed), 3 balls Modifications: Split the girls into two groups and have them line up in 2 separate lines, about 5 feet apart. Have a girl in Line A throw an underhand throw to a girl in Line B, then have the girl in Line B throw and try to get the ball through the Throw Board (trying to simulate a double play). Have the girls alternate lines. Station 6: Diamond #3 Fielding and Positioning (combined with Station 7) In the field first. Equipment Required: 3 bases, (diamond set-up) 18
Modifications: Line the girls up in the regular game positions. The girls on the batting team will be batting SINGLES ONLY, but outs can be made at any base. If an out is made, the base runner will NOT be leave the field, and will advance to the next base on the next hit. Work with the girls on assessing the field situation before the play occurs, and try to get them to make double-plays, tag-outs, etc. Work on positioning and covering bases, using relay catches from outfield hits, etc. Station 7: Diamond #3 Hitting (combined with Station 6) At Bat first. Equipment Required: 3 bases, (diamond set-up) Modifications: The coach will pitch a MAXIMUM of 5 pitches to each girl (if the batter strikes out, the coach should go to home plate and throw the ball to the outfield, and the batter will run to first base). All hits will be considered singles, so when the girls make a hit, they will ALWAYS run to 1st base. If they get thrown out at 1 st, they will remain on the base to advance to the next base on the next hit. To make sure the fielding team gets lots of action, DO NOT pitch more than 5 pitches to a batter. Station 8: 19
Shark in Tank (p. 34 LTP) Equipment Required: 4 pylons (to mark boundary) Modifications: None Station 9 (At bat first): Diamond #2 Practice Game Equipment Required: Full diamond set-up (tee, 3 bases), 2 softballs, 2 bats, 1 set of catcher s equipment **Helmets Required** Modifications: In the interest of time, throw 5 pitches ONLY. If there isn t a hit by the 5 th pitch, have the coach throw the ball to the field and have the girl run. Station 10 (In field first): Diamond #2 Practice Game Equipment Required: Full diamond set-up (tee, 3 bases), 2 softballs, 2 bats, 1 set of catcher s equipment **Helmets Required** 20
Modifications: Prepare the girls for their first real game by playing a practice game. Practice #13, 14, 15, 16 Station 1: Diamond 1 Not in LTP Fielding Practice and Positioning Equipment Required: Full Diamond Set-Up Modifications: Have the girls assume the normal positions in the field. Starting at 3B, hit a ground ball and have the girl throw to 1B. Do this twice, and then do the same with the remainder of the players. After every girl has thrown the ball to 1B twice (first base player will pick the ball up and tag first), start back at 3B and have 3B throw to 2B, and have 2B throw to 1B for the double play. Do this once for each girl, and if you have enough time go through it once more. Station 2: Far Right Field of Diamond #1 Hitting Station LTP Activity 4 Hitting Progressions (p.25) Equipment Required: 2 bats, 4 balls, 2 carpet bases (as home plates) HELMETS REQUIRED Modifications: The girls will be hitting away from the path. Each girl gets 5 good pitches, then rotate to next batter. (Have volunteers ready to field the balls.) Station 3: 21
Far Left Field of Diamond 1 Pop Flies (refer to p. 87-88 in LTP) Equipment Required: 8 tennis balls, 8 softballs Modifications: Observe the teaching progressions in the book. Start with no ball (in the ready position) and progress to self-toss with a tennis ball, self-toss with a softball and move into coach toss. Station 4: Left Field of Diamond 1 Power Ball throwing (see activity 4 below) Equipment Required: 4 softballs per team (8 softballs per loop) Modifications: Use the activity as a guideline. Have the girls practice the proper throwing technique. Refer to pages 86 and 87 in the LTP book. Station 5: Right Field of Diamond 1 22
Hot Dog Tag (not in LTP) Equipment Required: 4 pylons (for boundaries) Modifications: One girl is it and when she tags someone, they have to lie down (she is a hot dog). In order for the girl to get back in the game, 2 girls have to lie on other side of her, forming a bun (hence, Hot Dog tag!). Take turns being it. Station 6: Diamond #3 Fielding and Positioning (combined with Station 7) In the field first. Equipment Required: 3 bases, (diamond set-up) Modifications: Line the girls up in the regular game positions. The girls on the batting team will be batting SINGLES ONLY, but outs can be made at any base. If an out is made, the base runner will NOT be leave the field, and will advance to the next base on the next hit. Work with the girls on assessing the field situation before the play occurs, and try to get them to make double-plays, tag-outs, etc. Work on positioning and covering bases, using relay catches from outfield hits, etc. Station 7: Diamond #3 Hitting (combined with Station 6) At Bat first. Equipment Required: 3 bases, (diamond set-up) 23
Modifications: The coach will pitch a MAXIMUM of 5 pitches to each girl (if the batter strikes out, the coach should go to home plate and throw the ball to the outfield, and the batter will run to first base). All hits will be considered singles, so when the girls make a hit, they will ALWAYS run to 1st base. If they get thrown out at 1 st, they will remain on the base to advance to the next base on the next hit. To make sure the fielding team gets lots of action, DO NOT pitch more than 5 pitches to a batter. Station 8: Right field of Diamond #3 Charging the ball and tagging (not in LTP) Equipment Required: 4 balls, 2 carpet bases Modifications: Place the two bases 35 ft apart (i.e. from home to 1B). Split the girls up into two groups and have 1 group on each base. One group will be home, and the coach will roll/bounce/throw the ball along the base line and the runner from home will try to get to 1B. The girl on 1B will charge the ball and try to pick it up to tag the runner. After all the runners from home have gone, switch the groups. Station 9 (At bat first): Diamond #2 Practice Game Equipment Required: Full diamond set-up (tee, 3 bases), 2 softballs, 2 bats, 1 set of catcher s equipment **Helmets Required** Modifications: In the interest of time, throw 5 pitches ONLY. If there isn t a hit by the 5 th pitch, have the coach throw the ball to the field and have the girl run. Station 10 (In field first): 24
Diamond #2 Milton Girls Softball Association Practice Game Equipment Required: Full diamond set-up (tee, 3 bases), 2 softballs, 2 bats, 1 set of catcher s equipment **Helmets Required** Modifications: Prepare the girls for their first real game by playing a practice game. Practice #17, 18 (August 24th and August 31st) Skills/Champ Day 2016 Minor Mite Diamond 3 6 7 8 9 10 Diamond 2 Path 5 2 Diamond 1 1 3 4 Stations 2 & 8 - GOLDEN BAT Each player gets 3 pitches from coach 25
Points: Milton Girls Softball Association Coach s to ensure balls at appropriate height All hits must be fair balls to count for points Within semi-circle line = 1 pt Semi circle line to bases = 3pts Bases to grass = 5 pts Outfield grass = 10 pts Golden Bat Equipment Required: 6 balls, 2 bats, **Helmets Required** Modifications: Set up 2 stations each girl will get 3 swings. Prepare them for this event. Station 5 - Throw Board, Station 10 Hoops Throwing distance: Throwing location of 15, 20 & 25ft away from catcher board Points: Into backstop board hole = 5 pts Backstop board direct = 3 pts Backstop board roll = 2 pts Overthrow = 1 pt Golden Glove Throw Board Equipment Required: Clown throw board, distances of 10, 15, 20 feet marked out Modifications: Have each girl throw 3 balls from each distance. Work on distance and accuracy. Prepare them for this event. Stations 3 & 7 - Longest Throw Player stands at throw line Distance is measured in 5 ft increments. Each player gets 3 throws Points: 1 point for each increment i.e. 5 ft = 1pt 15ft = 3pts 26
Golden Glove Longest Throw Equipment Required: 6 t-balls Modifications: Have each girl throw 3 balls work on distance. Prepare them for this event. Stations 4 & 9 - Grounders Player stand line shall be 25 ft away from person throwing the grounders. 3 balls per player Points: Catch into glove = 5 pts Stop ball in front of player = 3 pts Total Team points of combination of Throw Board and Grounders and Longest Throw Golden Glove Grounders Equipment Required: 2 lines indicating 25 foot distance Modifications: Roll 3 grounders to each girl one in front, one to the left, one to the right. Try to get them all to stop it in their glove. Prepare them for this event. Stations 1 & 10 - SPEED DEMON All players run the bases once Timed event Start at home plate Finish at marked finish line adjacent to home plate Volunteer to time using stop clock.25 secs added to time for each missed base Distance measured for Mite Division. 27
Points: Times kept for each player, scores to be added as a team event by averaging out team time. Speed Demon Equipment Required: 3 bases Modifications: You are preparing your team for this event. This is your practice. Do what is required. Stations #4 - Fun Choose a fun drill or activity that your team enjoyed from the season Team Choice Equipment Required: 4 pylons for boundaries Your team chooses to play their favourite of hot dog tag, leap frog tag, frozen tag, what time is it Mr. Wolf? 28