Pinto — Ages 7- 8
In the Pinto Division, the emphasis is on the players, those graduating from Shetland and also for
those new to PBSF and organized baseball, to learn the fundamentals of the game in an organized yet fun and forgiving setting. It is "coach-pitch", with regular hard baseballs used during games. The teams field 10 players (4 outfielders) at a time, while the batting order consists of all team members.
Before the season starts there is an evaluation to assess each player's skill level and in order to form evenly-balanced teams. This is not a try-out; barring extreme safety issues, all players will be placed on a team. Priority for placing players on teams will be to create balanced teams, and not to satisfy requests to play with friends. Piedmont Baseball believes that the ability to join a team and discover one’s role is an important life-lesson that transcends baseball, and the coaches are trained in creating a welcoming inclusive team dynamic for everyone.
Pinto is the level in which mild competition is introduced while still focusing first on having fun. Players will experience success (scores are tracked in the second half of the season) and failure(strike outs count) in a supportive environment as Piedmont Baseball believes that managing the
emotions of both success and failure are an important component of a young child’s personal development.
Expected Skill Level at Beginning of Season
At this level, players need not be experienced, but they are expected to want to participate and show a willingness to learn.
Team Commitment
- Practice—One 1.5-hour practice per week.
- Games—One 6 inning game per week consisting of a 45 minute pre-game warm-up and approximately 1.5 hours of game time.
- All practices and games are scheduled to take place in Piedmont.
Playing Time and Position Rotation
- Players will play at least one infield and one outfield position each game.
- No player shall sit out 1 defensive inning more than any other player on the team.
- For their safety, players will be required to show an ability to protect themselves before being
asked to play First Base or Pitcher’s Assistant.
Skill Building Goals—The overall season goals are to 1) Have fun! and 2) prepare the player for the next divisional level (Mustang). This includes:
- Learning the basic rules of baseball, including positions, baserunning, ground-outs, force-
outs and fly-outs, and home vs away dynamics. - Demonstrating infield and outfield "ready" positions, and what to do when the ball comes to them.
- Fielding grounders and fly balls properly, with a focus on fielding and throwing form for both accuracy and arm-health
- Having success at playing catch for balls at all stations on the catching “wheel” for both short and long throws.
- Showing proper batting stance, swing mechanics, and pitch selection.
- Executing appropriate baseball running skills, including running through 1st base, following base coach instruction, proper sliding, holding up on fly balls, and avoidance of running into tags. Stealing bases is not allowed.
- Demonstrating teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect for all players, coaches and umpires.
- Demonstrating Optimism and Grit.
- Learning the importance of Teamwork and how to fill the various roles on a team in a supportive way.
Overlay Team
To provide the option for a higher level of competition without changing the nature of the Piedmont league, a small number of second year Pinto players are invited to participate on a Piedmont’s U8 tournament team over the Summer. Invitations from the league to play on the Overlay Team will be made mid-season and are based primarily on Pinto evaluations which take place before the season begins. The Overlay Team does not conflict with any regular Piedmont league games and only players participating fully in the spring season can participate.