Playing on the 46/60 Field Designed for Majors and Minors.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the Majors/Minors 46/60 programs is to develop players skills, maturity, knowledge of the game and learn how to play on teams. The Majors Program for League Age 10, 11 and 12 players is a competitive program dividing the players across two Divisions. The Minors Program focuses more on a relaxed level of play supported by player development. All divisions focus on learning proper baseball fundamentals through drills, practices, repetition, hard work and commitment.
INTRODUCTION: The 46/60 Major and Minor League Programs play on the Little League playing field called the 46/60 (46 foot pitching distance to home plate and 60 foot base paths). Player maturity, abilities, skill levels and interests are different. The goal of the Majors program is to develop advanced skills and, while enjoyment is still promoted, the competitive aspect of the sport increases significantly. Games are played mainly at Carman and March Fields with an occasional game at Cloud & Little Oakbourne Field.
League Age 9 players are restricted to playing only in the Minors program. Minimum playing time in the Majors is two defensive innings with one at-bat and Minors is three defensive innings with one at-bat. Minors utilizes a continuous batting order. If you are uncertain where you want your child to play, please contact the Divisional Directors before the Majors tryouts to discuss.
PLAYER EVALUATIONS: All players trying out for the Majors & Minors are required to attend player evaluation tryouts (see "Calendar") to be eligible to be drafted unless an alternate plan is approved by the Board due to unique conditions. Players are evaluated for the purpose of allocating players to teams by a draft. The Majors have their player evaluations/tryouts first. The Major draft is held and players are selected to fill open positions on Team Rosters by the assigned Managers. Returning players are not re-drafted in the Majors, so a player drafted at 10, will stay on the same team for three years and do not have to attend tryouts each year. Majors teams will comprise of 12 or 13 players.
Minors each hold a draft after the Majors each year. Minors teams will comprise of between ten to thirteen players. After player evaluations, drafts and selection, the rosters will be sent around to Managers by the Directors.
PLAYING UP (MINORS ONLY): In the event there is division availability AND a parent requests a League Age 8 player to play in the Minors, ESLL will hold evaluations to determine if the player possesses the baseball skills and emotional maturity to handle ‘playing up’.
Minimum requirements include:
Provisions include:
UNIFORMS: ESLL will provide jersey shirts and hats. Parents can expect to purchase a baseball glove/mitt, a bat, white pants and plastic baseball spikes.
BATS: Bats need to be approved for little league play. Please check with the Director or your Manager or access the approved bat list on Little League International web page for each year. Bats must include a USA Bat stamp for play in the Minors and Majors division.
FIELDS: Games are typically played at March and Carman Fields with some practices at Cloud and Oakbourne Fields.
What is Expected from Players?
What is Expected from Volunteers and Parent Coaches?
GAME RULES: The Official Little League Rule Book will be used for the East Side LL programs, unless superseded by one of the following special East Side League Rules:
PRE-GAME PREPARATION & SET-UP, POST GAME CLEAN-UP
Both teams are in charge of field set-up, which is to include:
General Guidelines
Equipment and Uniforms
PLAYOFFS:
At the completion of the Major and Minor Program seasons, a post-season playoff will be held for each program. Majors do not play Minors teams. The winning team in each program will receive a trophy.
District wide All-Stars Tournament
In addition to Major and Minor Playoffs, one Major Division ten year old and one eleven year old All Star Team will be selected representing ESLL ending play in the Pennsylvania State Tournament. ESLL comprises one Charter covering the league boundary. One Major Division twelve year old All Star Team will also be selected from our respective geographic boundaries to represent ESLL ending play in the Little League World Series on the 46/60 field.
Players will be invited to participate in the All-Star program by the respective age level. The Major Director will convene a Managers Meeting whereby they will nominate their players and vote for who makes the two teams. Managers cannot vote for their own players. The players receiving the most votes are ranked according to division rules in the Majors Manual. If a player does not want to participate in All-Stars, please inform your Manager before June 15. If after that, a player can pull their name from the roster and the next player in rank order will be invited.
UMPIRING: Trained volunteer umpires enforce a combination of rules put forward by the Little League Charter and the Local ESLL Board and one parent from the home team is expected to umpire in the field for each game.
GAME RESULTS: Game scores and division standings are tracked. Managers and Directors can utilize the SportEngine app to report game results directly to the website.
NUMBER OF GAMES: There will be approximately fifteen to twenty regular season games, depending on the number of teams. Games are played two to three times per week and parents/players can expect one practice per week in the Majors and Minors program. Practices will start in March and regular season games will end in mid-June whereby playoffs and the Championship are then played. Games are at 6:00 on weekdays and various times on Saturday's. Arrival time is usually about one hour before game time for warm-ups. Saturday rain outs are typically played on the very next day, Sunday, or the following Sunday.
MINORS PROGRAM: These divisions are a place where boys can play baseball in a more relaxed atmosphere. Players at this level, many just as skilled at the Major League level, have the chance to further develop their level of play. These players are eligible (League age 10+) to tryout for the Major League Division in subsequent years and must be selected to play at that level by age 12.
COACHING: If you are interested in Managing or Coaching a team, please contact the respective Director. ESLL strongly recommends attending coaching and umpiring sessions to learn the rules and how to hold practices. Working with 9-12 year old young men and women requires clear communication, following rules and good discipline.