Continental League (Machine Pitch / Minor)
Commissioners - Chris Naegele and Tom Dooley
The Continental League is primarily for 7-year-old players with experience in the Rookie League (and those 8-year-old children not assigned to the National League).
A pitching machine is used to pitch to the batters.
The Continental League acts like a “bridge league” between the skill building of coach pitch and the full-up baseball rules of the National League (9-year-olds). I may be biased but it has always been my favorite league to watch as there is so much growth for the players over the course of the year. When we say modified rules there are so many to go over but to give you an idea we modify things such as players can only run to one base if the ball is hit in the infield (just like coach pitch), no stealing, no team rankings until the playoff and no bases on an overthrow so that all players are encouraged to make a throw and try to make a defensive play.
One of the challenges we face is ensuring our 7-year-olds build their skill while also ensuring our 8-year-olds are ready to move up to kid pitch by the end of the year. In regards to hitting each player is given 6 pitches from the machine. If they get three strikes on those 6 pitches they are out or if they fail to swing at the 6th pitch they are out. Although it can be frustrating at first especially if a player hasn’t seen a machine yet they adapt quickly and we also want them to realize that striking out is all part of the game and even players like Bryce Harper strike out half the time they are at the plate. Our coaches do a great job of teaching all the players that it’s okay to swing and just as okay to strike out. By the end of the season, most players are consistently making contact with the ball and making great plays on the field.
As far as practices go every team is allotted at least one practice session a week (along with one weekday and one Saturday game). Many coaches will also try to add an extra practice each week when able and although it is in the planning stages, we hope to add some “clinics” run by myself and some other coaches so that every coach can get exposure to every player.
Depending on the number of teams, each team will play 2-games a week: one on a weeknight and one on Saturday. Weeknight games start at 5:45 pm through April, and 6:00 pm in May and June. Saturday games are usually 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm (times subject to change).
There are post-season playoff games to determine a league champion.