More than simply playing games, the mission of the Mount Mercy Fall Baseball League is focused on developing skills at all levels of our league.

General Information

• The 2010 Fall Baseball League is played at various fields in the Cedar Rapids/Marion and Waterloo/Cedar Falls metro areas (see Fields and Directions tab on left).
• To reduce conflict with school affiliated programs, there will be no practices between sessions.
• Mount Mercy College baseball players and coaches will serve as coaches, instructors, umpires and game administrators. Outside coaches may be part of a team sign up; if not, a Mount Mercy baseball player will be assigned to coach the team.
• All participants receive a Mustang Fall Baseball League t-shirt. Players provide their own bats, gloves, baseball pants, hat and helmet. 
• Schedules will be e-mailed and posted to this web site prior to the league opener.

Divisions & Recommended Grade Levels

Rookie (recommended for 5th and 6th grades)
•    INCLUDES Labor Day Fundamental Camp.  A total of 7 sessions with Labor Day devoted as a camp!
•    Pitching rubber 46 feet; bases 60 feet
•    All game sessions will be 2 hours in length starting at 1:00 or 3:30. (Approx. a 1/2 hour of pre-game and  1 1/2 hours of game.)
•    Games at this level will be played straight up - NO scripted situations.
•    Training Session to Include:

• Warm up
• Arm care and arm prep routines
• Throw routine
• Pre-game whiffle hitting
• Infield/Outfield (depending on skill/drill work, may not be taken every week.)

Single A (recommended for 7th and 8th grades)
•    Pitching rubber 50 or 54 feet; bases 70 or 80 feet
•    All sessions will be 3 hours in length starting at 12:30 or 3:30. (Approx. 1 hour of pre-game and 2 hours of game.)
•    Games at this level will be played straight up - NO scripted situations.
•    Training Session to Include:

• Warm up
• Arm care and arm prep routines
• Throw routine
• Specific skill/drill work
• Infield/Outfield (depending on skill/drill work, may not be taken every week.)

Double A (recommended for 9th and 10th grades)
•    Pitching rubber 60 feet, 6 inches; bases 90 feet
•    All sessions will be 3 hours in length starting at 12:30 or 3:30. (Approx. 1 hour of pre-game and 2 hours of game.)
•    Training Session to Include:

• Warm up
• Arm care and arm prep routines
• Throw routine
• Specific skill/drill work
• Infield/Outfield (depending on skill/drill work, may not be taken every week.)

•   Games will be scripted. In order to better develop game awareness, each game will involve various scripted situations. Games are focused on development and practice in different game situations.  Traditional baseball games include several different scenarios, each coming up possibly only once a game.  Our format will allow players to work these situations more extensively, possibly even for an entire inning.  For example, each inning will have a different situation that is mandated.  Rarely will an inning start with a 0-0 count, 0 outs and nobody on base.  Batters, pitchers, baserunners and defense will all have to make necessary adjustments for the situation presented.  This is an excellent way to train situational play! (See example below)

Triple A - Wood Bat (Recommended for 11th and 12th grades)
•    Pitching rubber 60 feet, 6 inches; bases 90 feet
•    All sessions will be 3 hours in length starting at 12:30 or 3:30. (Approx. 1 hour of pre-game and 2 hours of game.)
•    Wood bat only.  Composite wood bats will be provided or you may use your own.
•    Training Session to Include:

• Warm up
• Pre-game hitting warm up
• Arm  care and arm prep routines
• Throw routine
• Infield/Outfield

•   Games will be scripted. In order to better develop game awareness, each game will involve various scripted situations. Games are focused on development and practice in different game situations.  Traditional baseball games include several different scenarios, each coming up possibly only once a game.  Our format will allow players to work these situations more extensively, possibly even for an entire inning.  For example, each inning will have a different situation that is mandated.  Rarely will an inning start with a 0-0 count, 0 outs and nobody on base.  Batters, pitchers, baserunners and defense will all have to make necessary adjustments for the situation presented.  This is an excellent way to train situational play! (See example below)

Playing Dates, Times and Scheduled Rain Makeups

• Sunday August 29th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday September 5th (Labor Day Weekend) - NO FBL
• Monday September 6th (Labor Day) - Fundamental Camp (4th-6th grade) & Benchmark Program (10th-12th grade)
• Sunday September 12th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m. 
• Sunday September 19th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday September 26th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday October 3rd from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday October 10th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Saturday October 16th (rain makeup date - if more than one)
• Sunday October 17th (1st rain makeup date)

General League Rules

• Game rules will follow the standard rules for each age level.
  

• Game Length: Games will be 2 hours in length or 7 innings, which ever comes first.  Pitchers and defense will have no more than 60 seconds between innings – you will be timed!

• Pitch Limits: Pitchers will be limited to a maximum of 3 innings or 55 pitches per week.  No inning will be started after reaching 50 pitches. Pitchers will be able to finish off hitter if pitch limit is reached.

• Substitutions will be unlimited.

• Continuous batting order (where everyone hits) will be in effect.

Costs

   Rookie League Costs

• Individual - $125 per person.  To sign up as an individual fill out and submit the registration form or sign up online with a credit card (on this web site).  All individual sign ups will be placed on a team.

• Team - $1,250 per team (recommend 12-14 palyers per team).  To sign up as part of a team fill out the paper registration form and submit it in one envelope with all other team member's registration materials and fee.

   Single A, Double AA & Triple AAA League Costs

• Individual - $115 per person.  To sign up as an individual fill out and submit the registration form or sign up online with a credit card (on this web site).  All individual sign ups will be placed on a team.

• Team - $1,150 per team (recommend 12-14 players per team).  To sign up as part of a team fill out the paper registration form and submit it in one envelope with all other team member's registration materials and fee.

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• Registration deadline is Tuesday August 17th.  All registrations received after deadline are $165 per person.

• The cost of the 2010 Mustang Fall Baseball League covers the use of facilities, baseballs, team t-shirts, umpires, game administrators, coaches/instructors, and miscellaneous equipment such as tees, whiffle balls, etc.