PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
South Charlotte Recreation Association provides Machine Pitch as our third level league for our players. Machine Pitch is intended for players aged 7-8 years as of 4/30/2022, but younger players may play in Machine Pitch. Due to our desire to keep teams reasonably competitive, we have a player draft at this age group and we cannot guarantee all requests. If you have any questions, please contact Machine Pitch Coordinator,
Sport Fee: $250 Fee includes Uniform (Jersey, Hat, Belt), field rental and maintenance, lights , umpires and Trophies for Post Tournament 1st and 2nd Place teams. Participation awards are no longer provided.
All games will be at the Olde Providence Park Baseball fields.
EQUIPMENT
SCRA Provides: Jersey, Hat, and a Belt.
Required equipment: Bat, batting helmet, baseball glove, baseball pants, protective athletic cup (for male players). While SCRA does not REQUIRE helmets to be equipped with a protective facemask, the league recommends such equipment.
Recommended equipment: rubber cleats (no metal cleats allowed)
SEASON
Practices will begin shortly after evaluations. Until games begin, teams can expect to practice 1 time during the week (after 5:30 pm) and once on a weekend. On Sundays, no event will occur before 1:00 pm. Once games begin, teams could have a game during the week (6pm) and one on weekends (typically Saturday). There could also be a practice on Sunday afternoon.
If a weekday game gets rained out, the make-up game could be played on Friday evening.
If a Saturday game gets rained out, the make-up game could be played on Sunday afternoon.
COACHING:
We are always looking for eager parents who are interested in coaching! The more coaches we have, the better the experience of the players. If you are interested in coaching, please contact Machine Pitch Coordinator,
| Overview |
| Primary Ages |
7-8 |
| Primary Focus |
Hitting a machine-pitched ball, understanding baseball rules, outs, runs, etc. Bunting is introduced. |
| Base Distance |
60 Feet |
| Pitching Distance |
Machine will be set at 46 feet. |
| Rule Restrictions |
No lead-offs or stealing. |
At Machine Pitch, players continue to develop the skills they learned in T-Ball and Coach Pitch, as well as the following new skills:
| Batting |
| Head |
- Tracking pitched ball, whether ball or strike
|
| Bunting (Sacrifice) |
- Pivot feet (DO NOT FACE PITCH SQUARE)
- Slide top hand to top of bat grip
- Move both hands up or down to ball
- “Catch” ball with bat head
|
| Fielding |
| Catcher |
- Remove mask on pop-ups and passed balls
- Block ball with equipment
- Throws to 2nd and 3rd bases
|
| All |
- Backing up throws
- Defending against the bunt
- Double plays (fly and ground balls)
|
