6U Rally Cap – Ladner Minor Baseball

6U Rally Cap Division Overview

LMBA would like to thank Baseball BC, BC Minor Baseball and the Richmond Chuckers for the information provided to our association in order to ensure a successful Rally Cap program.

The Grassroots program has been designed by Baseball BC and Baseball Canada to provide a safe and fun environment for players to learn the fundamentals of baseball. The Rally Cap program is one of many Grassroot programs developed by Baseball Canada using baseball initiation programs, as well as adding new ideas in order to create an increased interest in players.

The goals of the Rally Cap Program are to:

Create a fun environment in which children and adults are actively together in the game of baseball
Develop fundamental motor skills, teach baseball skills, and basic rules to our players
Experience success with an emphasis on good sportsmanship
Promote and increase self-esteem among Rally Cap children and adults
Recruiting new coaches and volunteers

The focus of the season will including developing and introducing the players to the 5 fundamentals of baseball:

Fundamental Movement Skills
Throwing
Receiving
Hitting
Base running

The Rally Cap Division will follow the 6 on 6 model in that the defensive teams will only field 6 players at a time, fielding only the infield positions. It has been proven that on average a player will get 4.5 fielding opportunities per game playing 6 on 6 and only 3 opportunities in conventional 9 on 9 baseball game. After 10 games, a player of 6 on 6 will go the plate an average of 45 times while after 10 game of traditional 9 on 9 a player will go the plate only 30 times

Rally Cap Level One is designed for first year t-ball players. This typically will include children who are 5 or will be turning 5 before December 31st, following the playing season.

Rally Cap Level Two is designed for second year t-ball players. This typically will include children who are 6 years old or will be turning 6 before December 31st, following the playing season.

Coaching and Umpire Registration is now open for the 2021 season

By ladnerminorbaseball | December 30, 2020

2021 Registration is now open!

By ladnerminorbaseball | December 3, 2020

2018 Opening Day a Success despite Mother Nature!

By ladnerminorbaseball | April 5, 2018

2018 Coaches Caravan a Huge Success in Ladner!

By ladnerminorbaseball | March 30, 2018

6U Rally Cap Division Wide Rules

1. Jersey’s and hats are supplied by the league must be worn to all games. It is mandatory that all players wear athletic supporters.

2. Base runners, batter, and on-deck batter must wear batting helmets with chinstraps properly attached. Players may wear running shoes or molded rubber cleats.

3. Each team is responsible to clean up their dugout area after the game.

4. The coaches are responsible to set up the field for games. After the last game coaches are to make sure all equipment used during the game is returned to the storage area and locked up. All equipment for Rally Cap will be furnished by LMBA.

5. Equipment is NOT to be used for any activity that is not a LMBA sanctioned event. Only the coaches and the executive will be given access to the equipment boxes.

6. Coaches are responsible for the behaviour of their team players, fans and parents during games and to make sure there is no abuse of the equipment. INAPPROPRITATE LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOUR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. It is the responsibility of the coach to notify the Division Manager of any major issues that occur at the ball park immediately following the game and/ or practice.

7. Games postponed due to rain will be considered a non-event, unless the Head Coaches involved wish to make them up at a later date and the Division Manager has approved it.

8. Coaches must switch players to different positions from inning to inning, alternating positions within the infield. Each player shall be given an opportunity to play every position BEFORE playing a position for the second time. i.e If in the first inning you play short stop, you can’t play there again until all other players have had the opportunity to play short stop. Should a player refuse to play a position, that will count as their turn.

9. For safety reason do not allow the players to “Dog Pile” on each other when making a play in the infield. Try to encourage each infielder to touch the ball. Players will lose interest rather quickly if the same player is always making the plays and they do not have the opportunity to touch the ball.

10. Each player is required to have a guardian at the field at ALL times. If the players parent is not able to remain for the entire game/ practice the coach MUST be notified as to who will be responsible for the player. This is NOT the coach’s responsibility.

Game Rules - 6U Rally Cap Level One

Game Rules - 6U Rally Cap Level Two

1. Each game will be a maximum of 4 innings with no new inning beginning after 60 minutes. Each game should end with a base race.

2. Each team must have at least one coach on the field of play at all times. Two coaches can be on the field when their team is in the defensive position. They may instruct their fielders, but must not interfere with play or touch them once “PLAY BALL” is called.

3. All players will be included in the batting order. A team’s turn at bat will consist of every player batting. After each game, a team will put its first batter to the bottom of the lineup for the next game.

4. The ball shall not be pitched by any player, Coach or Parent, but is to be hit off the tee, which shall be set as per the correct placement.

5. When hitting of the tee each hitter gets a maximum of 5 baseballs. If the fifth ball is not hit then the coach will roll the baseball into the field to allow the hitter to run the bases and for the defense to try and make a play. This rule is designed to keep the game moving.

6. After May 15th batters will move away from the tee and will begin hitting soft toss pitches from their coaches. If a batter cannot hit the ball after 4 pitches then he or she will be required to hit the ball off the tee; however, a batter will not move to the tee on a 4th pitch that is fouled off or called a dead ball. If the 4th ball is fouled off or called dead, the batter will receive one more pitch from the coach before moving to the tee. After five pitches the batter shall be given two opportunities to hit the ball off the tee. If the ball is not hit off the tee then the coach will roll the baseball into the field to allow the hitter to run the bases and for the defense to try and make a play.

7. The coach of the team up to bat should be situated near home plate. The coach may instruct the batter but cannot interfere with the batter once “PLAY BALL” has been called.

8. The ball must be hit into fair territory for the batter to advance. This would include any ball that is hit within the first and third base lines AND goes past the playing line.

9. There are NO OUTS in Rally Cap Level Two thus each runner will be called safe on each base.

10. Runners are not allowed to advance more than one bag at a time unless the ground rule double comes into effect.

11. Ground Rule Double – If the batter hits the ball in the air past the outfield line of cones, the batter will be awarded a double. All runners will advance one base on a ground rule double. All runners will advance one base on a ground rule double, unless the runner is pushed to advance two bases i.e. If there is a runner on first base, they would advance to third base. The umpire/ coach will call “GROUND RULE DOUBLE” allowing all the runners to advance. The play will then be considered “Dead”.

12. If a batter hits the ball on the ground past the outfield line of cones, the batter will be awarded first base only.

13.The last batter gets a “home run” in that they will be required to run all the bases.

14. The defensive team shall remain on the playing field until the last runner touches home plate.

15. There are no walks, no strikeouts, no base stealing.

16. For safety reasons a coach/ parent shall play first base during the games. The vast majority of children are unable to catch a ball that is thrown to them at this age. A player will stand beside first base to field the ball (on the ground) and will throw the ball back to the coach at the conclusion of the play By having a parent play first base it will encourage the other fielders to the throw the ball and not have to worry about hurting anyone.

17. After May 15th, you may put a player on first base instead of a coach or parent. Should you choose to put a player at first base it is imperative that they be able to catch a thrown ball and that they remain focused at all times. Rule 8 of the division rules does not apply to first base.

18. When the ball is hit players must throw the ball to first base. After each play is completed, first baseman must throw the ball to the coach who is at the tee/ plate.