The Southdale U7 (formerly Rally Cap) baseball program is for boys and girls aged 5-7.
The regular season begins the first week of May and runs until the end of June.
- Monday and Wednesday game schedule, or a Tuesday and Thursday game schedule are available.
- Any additional practices are at the discretion of the individual team coach(es).
- A glove and helmet is all that is required.
- Players are provided with a jersey and ball cap, and the team is provided with ball equipment.
Small teams, big fun
The Rally Cap program itself follows the guidelines established by Baseball Canada. The goal is to provide the players with an active environment that is focussed on baseball skill development (hitting, running, catching, throwing, and general baseball knowledge) and most importantly, FUN. The teams are small, ideally 6 players per team, in order to maximize the involvement of each player.
Game time!
Games are 60 minutes in length, and 3 teams participate together during this 60 minutes.
- The time is broken into 3-20 minutes sessions. During one session, two teams will play a game while the third team has a practice. The teams then rotate.
- In one hour, the teams will each play 2-20 minute games and have 20 minutes of practice time.
- The games themselves are generally one inning long.
- One team will be at bat, and all of the players have the chance to hit during their team’s at-bat.
- A coach will pitch to the batter (generally from one knee, and overhand). If after 5 pitches the batter has not put the ball into play, a hitting tee is used for the player to hit.
- The batter and baserunners advance one base at a time.
- The other team is in the field playing defence. Fielders are encouraged to field, throw, and attempt to make a “baseball play” to their best of their abilities. Fielders will rotate positions every few batters.
- After everyone on the hitting team has had an at-bat, the hitting and fielding teams switch for the other team to have their at-bat.
Further details on the Rally Cap program can be found at Baseball Canada’s website.
You are important
The success of the program has been due to parents who have volunteered to coach and co-coach. Small teams have great benefits for the kids, but result in more teams which means a greater requirement for coaches. You do not require an extensive knowledge of the game to coach the kids.
The Rally Cap program is structured for the players, coaches and parents to learn and enjoy themselves. Practice plans, drills, and activities are provided for you and are very easy to follow.
Friend requests are welcomed, and will be facilitated if at all possible.