7 & 8 Year Old Softball - Instructional Machine Pitch
League Ages 7-8
The machine pitch level uses the Louisville Slugger Ultimate Pitching Machine. The goal of this division is to have fun while developing proper fundamentals of throwing, catching, hitting, and fielding while starting to incorporate defensive rotations and strategy. Batters get 5 pitches to hit off the coach operated machine.
Please check the Softball League Age Chart to confirm player's "league age".
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Minimum Age Requirement
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Your child must turn 7 years of age on or before December 31 of the current year in order to register for the regular Spring season.
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Season
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Practices begin early March. Regular Season games run Mid-March to end of May. Playoffs run the first two weeks of June.
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Practice
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There is 1 weeknight practice each week. Weeknight practices start around 5:30 - 5:45pm and typically last and hour and a half.
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Games
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Teams play 1 week night game AND 1 Saturday game.
Weeknight games generally start at 5:30 PM.
Saturday games are usually scheduled in the morning.
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Uniforms
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HLL provides a shirt, pants, and socks.
Parents must provide athletic shoes. Rubber cleats are optional.
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Playing Equipment
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Parents must provide ball glove, water bottle, and bat. Batting helmets are required to have the face shield.
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Team
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Teams usually consist of 12 to 13 players, a volunteer manager, two volunteer coaches and a volunteer team parent.
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Volunteer Work/Fund Raising
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HLL is an all volunteer organization. We need everyone’s help! Parents are needed to support HLL through fundraisers.
Click here for more information on HLL volunteer opportunities.
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Division Director Machine Pitch
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Please contact Tanya Shelton [email protected] with any questions about Machine Pitch Softball.
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Instructional Machine Pitch Softball - FAQ’S
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Q: Do you keep score and are there umpires?
A: Yes. Every manager maintains a scorebook. League standings are kept to determine a regular season winner and to determine playoff games. There is a home plate umpire.
Q: On what size field does this division play?
A: The diamond is 60-foot and the pitching distance is 35 feet while using an 11 inch ball.
Q: Can I Manage or coach a team?
A: Yes, if positions are available. If you would like to serve as a manager or coach, then please note that on your child's spring online registration. All manager and coaching positions will be approved by the HLL Board.
Q: Will my child get to play all the time?
A: No, not all the time, but no player sits twice until all have sat once. All players are to split their time between infield and outfield.
Q: Can I request a carpool or have my child play on a team with their friends?
A: Not unless they are drafted on to that team. In this age group, player's skills are evaluated in a skills assessment. Then a draft is held to create fair and balanced teams.
Q: Can my child play up?
A: Parents may request that their child play up one division level. However to play up, a player must attend both the higher and lower division’s assessment and be drafted to the higher division. If they are not drafted to the higher division, they must accept playing in the lower division. All player assignments are ultimately determined by the Player Agent and President.
Q: Is my child eligible for an All Star or Tournament team?
A: There are tournament teams at this division level. Please see our All Stars link for more information.
Q: What are the volunteer requirements?
A: HLL is an all volunteer organization so there are many ways to volunteer. Help is always needed with registration, team parenting, assisting with pictures, opening day and fun day activities.
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