This league is for players with dates of birth between 9-1-2015 and 8-31-2017.  However, parents of 6 year olds must evaluate their child's skills very carefully and honestly to decide whether to move them up to the Rookie League. Those kids who may not be ready to play at this level are welcomed to remain in the T-Ball League for one more year to further refine their game.                                                        

GAME PLAY:
The Rookie League is intended to continue teaching kids the basic elements of baseball rules and fundamentals so that they can improve their skills and continue having fun. Coaches now toss up to 8 pitches to the kids.  If the batter is unable to put the ball in play, he or she gets a "walk" to first base.  If the ball is put into play, the batter either gets a hit and runs the bases or is called out and returns to the bench. 

Score is not kept in these games and there are no standings, post season play or trophies.

SCHEDULE:
The season is typically from mid-May through mid-July.  Practices may begin a week or two before the first game, depending upon the preference of the team coaches. We play 10 spirited games during the season, followed by a day-long tournament to crown the season's champs.  All games are on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at various fields within the Highland and Macalester-Groveland neighborhoods.  One practice is held each week on a day and time determined by the team coaches.   

EQUIPMENT:
All participants will receive a t-shirt and cap, and are expected wear them for each game.  Tennis shoes or rubber or plastic cleats required - metal cleats are not permitted.
 
TEAM FORMATION:
Team assignment is random, except that we will grant requests made in precise compliance with our HGRA Buddy Rule reprinted below.  We also attempt to cluster 3-4 girls per team in recognition that there usually are more boys than girls who register for Rookie ball.  The age limits are strictly observed – requests to move up will not be granted.  

COACHING:
We need coaches! Coaching is fun and rewarding, and you will be paired with an experienced coach if this is your first season "in the dugout."   

All teams play games on their designated nights and also practice once a week on a day and time selected by the coach.  We can not accommodate requests to change teams because the practice time is not convenient so please try your best to avoid making other commitments until you learn when your team practices.  All players will be advised of their practice date and time by May 1.

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PLAYING UP:
HGRA Baseball has created overlapping ages to permit players at the top of a league's age range to opt into the next highest league ("play up").  Parents of children who fit within the overlapping ages are asked to carefully evaluate their child's playing abilities and social skills to determine if the child is ready to play up.  Please do not make this choice based on non-baseball factors such as convenience, the desire to avoid scheduling conflicts, etc. HGRA reserves the right in its sole discretion to move children who are playing up back to the lower league if the child is not able to safely or effectively participate at the higher level of play.  

PLAYING DOWN:
Playing down to a lower age group is permitted only to accommodate a disability.  No exceptions are made to this.