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The Menlo Atherton Little League (MALL) and Alpine/West-Menlo (AWMLL) Fall Ball program (“Fall Ball”) is a developmental league that provides an opportunity to play baseball in an organized fashion during the fall season. In Fall 2008, MALL/AWMLL will operate three Fall Ball leagues:
Fall Ball Divisions |
Minors / AAA** |
Majors |
Juniors |
2009 Spring Season |
Plans to play Minors/AAA |
Plans to tryout for majors |
Too old for majors! |
Minimum requirement* |
Has played 1 year in Pitching Machine |
Has played 1 year in Minors or AAA |
Has played Minors/AAA or Majors as a 12-year-old |
Little League Age*** |
8, 9, 10 in 2008 season
9, 10, 11 in 2009 season |
9, 10, 11 in 2008 season
10, 11, 12 in 2009 season |
12, 13, 14 in 2008 season
13, 14, 15 in 2009 season |
Born on or after |
05/01/1997 |
05/01/1996 |
05/01/1993 |
Born on or before |
04/30/2000 |
04/30/1999 |
04/30/1996 |
*Note: Exceptions will be made only for players who will play baseball for the first time. Eligibility to play
Majors is at the discretion of the Majors coaches and Fall Ball coordinators (applies to ages 9 and 10).
**Note: The Menlo-Atherton "AAA" and Alpine "Minors" divisions are equivalent (kid-pitch for ages 8-11).
***Note: Little League age does not follow the calendar year but is based on player age after May 1st.
The goal is to provide a fun experience for the players, help them develop and refine their baseball skills, and to encourage their enjoyment for the game. Note that playing Fall Ball at the Majors level does not guarantee that a player will be drafted into Majors in the following year.
The number of teams may vary depending upon player interest, and field availability. Players will be accepted into the league based on their registration date (“first come, first served”) and based on the number of volunteer coaches. A wait list will be generated after teams are filled.
The leagues will play games in a fall season from early September through early November. Teams will be competitively balanced and games will be “serious”, but not extremely competitive. Standings will not be maintained and a league champion will not be declared.
Players who join Fall Ball will be asked to make a commitment to participate in most of the Fall Ball practices and games – however, it is recognized that some Fall Ball players may participate in another sport during the fall season (e.g., soccer, football, etc.). Conflicts will to be managed between the player and their Manager. Practices will take place on weekdays with games on Saturday.
Registration Fees for Fall Ball are $100 per player, which includes a uniform jersey and cap. Additional details about the Fall Ball program and operations are listed below.
2008 Fall Ball Information:
1. |
Number of Teams (MA + Alpine) |
10-12 Majors teams
8-10 AAA/Minors teams
2-4 Juniors teams
Teams will play within their league and, in addition, a few games against similar teams from nearby Little Leagues. The number of teams may vary. |
2. |
Team Size |
12-14 players per team |
3. |
Team Composition |
The goal is be to provide balanced teams. The Fall Ball coaches and organizers, with player evaluation materials, will compose team rosters.
Major’s team coaches may designate players from their spring team to be included in their Fall Ball roster. |
4. |
What to Expect |
Minors: players pitch, balanced play (rotate positions), 35-45mph pitching, stealing bases, 6 inning games, sliding, development is key.
Majors: balanced play (rotate positions), no score-keeping, pitchers pitch 2 innings or less, 45-55 mph pitching, focus on development & fun.
Juniors: 60-70mph pitching, 90' base-path & 60'6" to mound, 7 innings, leading-offs, pick-offs, players: 3-4 inning min., serious/development play. |
5. |
Game Schedule |
8-10 games in the fall season
Saturday games (an option for Minors/AAA is Sunday or Monday games):
- September 6[Majors], 13, 20, 27
- October 4, 11, 18, 25
- November 1, 8
Minors/AAA Fall Ball Weekend Tournament
- November 15-16
Pitch-count rules: pitch 1 game/day, 1-20 to pitch next day, 50 max.
Weekday practices (and maybe some weekday games)
Skill Clinics
- Pitching: Dates TBD
- Batting: Dates TBD
Canceled games (for rain or any reason) will not be made up. |
6. |
Rules |
Majors and Juniors will play by spring LL rules.
Minors/AAA division will play a variation of spring rules:
- the complete roster will be used in the batting order
- 4 run limit per inning, no walks home, no stealing home
- players may leave and re-enter games in the field without restrictions
- pitchers will be limited to 2 innings per game (or 50 pitches)
- games will be limited to 2-hours in length
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7. |
Scores & Standings |
No standings will be maintained and no league champion will be declared. (Minors will have tournament the final weekend.) |
8. |
Umpires (TBD) |
Fall Ball will be played without umpires.
- Note: the league may use the fall season for umpire training.
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9. |
Uniforms |
Each player will receive a baseball shirt and hat as part of their registration fee for Fall Ball. Pants, socks, belts, cleats, cup, glove, etc. are to be provided by the player. The league will provide catcher's gear. |
10. |
Practice Schedule Details |
Teams will be formed and practices will begin the week of September 1st (the 2nd week of school).
- Teams will be assigned a practice slot on one weekday (Monday through Friday). Practice times & locations are to be announced.
- Teams will have ~3 practices before the season begins (e.g. minors will practice two weekdays and once on Saturday, Sept. 6th).
- In addition, skill training events for hitting, pitching, catching, etc. may be scheduled (TBD).
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11. |
Fields TBD
(Practice & Games) |
Minors/AAA: Burgess, La Entrada, McCovey, Willow Oaks, St. Josephs, Oak Knoll, Portola Valley Town Center, Kelly, Holbrook-Palmer (spring)
Majors: Burgess, La Entrada, Ford Field, Barkley (spring)
Juniors: Burgess, Flood Park, Nealon Park, Woodside Priory |
12. |
Residence and Registration
Required:
* Registration
MA: use form
AWM: online
* Medical Release
* Check/Payment |
Registration
- Fall ball registration opens in July and ends on August 25, 2008. Note: all Juniors players to register through the AWMLL website.
- Registration fees are $100 per player.
Menlo-Atherton
AAA & Majors: register using the Menlo-Atherton Fall Ball signup form.
Juniors: use the Alpine online registration process
Residence: Atherton & Menlo Park (east of El Camino)
Alpine/West-Menlo Little League
Minors, Majors & Juniors: register online at www.eteamz.com/alpine/
Residence: Portola Valley, Woodside & Menlo Park (west of El Camino) |
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