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

Divisions & Recommended Grade Levels

Rookie League (recommended for 3rd – 6th grades)
•    Pitching rubber 46 feet; bases 60 feet
•    Training Session: Camp format
Camp format will include a variety of age appropriate skill building in all areas of baseball including hitting, defense, baserunning and pitching.

Single A (recommended for 7th and 8th grades)
•    Pitching rubber 50 or 54 feet; bases 70 or 80 feet
•    Training Session: Introduce a variety of drills
          Sampling of areas covered:
 

• Proper Hitting Tee set up and practice
• Arm Prep and Arm Care
• Front toss variations are reasons why
• 4 corners Drill
• Defensive Stations
• 2 Tee Drill
• Walk Through Tee
• Various throwing drills

Double A (recommended for 9th and 10th grades)
•    Pitching rubber 60 feet, 6 inches; bases 90 feet
•    Training Session:  Skills competition
          Sampling of areas covered:

• Hitting Tee Challenge
• Home to 1B times (before and after)
• Momentum Leads from all bases
• OF/INF/C Accuracy Test
• Timed Defense
• Highlight Plays

Triple A (recommended for 11th and 12th grades)
•    Pitching rubber 60 feet, 6 inches; bases 90 feet
•    Wood bat only.  Composite wood bats will be provided or you may use your own.
•    Training Session: Functional strength and agility – what is it like to be in a college baseball program (deliberate practice)
          Sampling of areas covered:
 

• Pro Agility Test
• Home to 1B times (before and after)
• Bridging technique and exercises for functional strength
• Chain, rope and tire work
• Movement Prep & Arm Prep
• House Core

All sessions will be 3 hours in length starting at 12:30 or 3:30.  The first hour is devoted to the particular focus of the division while the remaining 2 hours is for one game (pregame infield will NOT be taken every week).  In order to better develop game awareness, each game will involve various scripted situations (examples might include: all batters start with 1-2 count, number of outs in an inning, starting with runners on base, etc.).

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.

Playing Dates, Times and Scheduled Rain Makeups
 

• Sunday August 30th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Monday September 7th (Labor Day) from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday September 13th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday September 20th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday September 27th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday October 4th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday October 11th: Championship (qualifying teams only) OR first rain date
• Sunday October 18th (final rain date)

Rules
 

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

• 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!

 

• 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.

• Qualification plans for 7th Sunday: top 2 teams (by winning percentage) in each division will play in the championship Sunday.  Ties will be broken by starting at the top and working down the following list until tie is broken.

1. Results vs. common opponents starting at top of division working down.
2. Least amount of runs allowed vs. common opponents starting at top of opposite division working down.
3. Least amount of total runs allowed.
4. Coin flip.

Costs
$115 for individual sign up
$95 to sign up as part of a team
The cost of the 2009 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.