Registration for our 40th Spring Season continues online and at our assessments Saturday, January 21 at Camino Ruiz Park. Please see our 2012 Spring Flyer for details.
Youth Baseball vs. Little League???
At registration the question is often asked: "What is the difference between Youth Baseball and Little League?" We believe both programs are led by parent volunteers wishing to provide a positive experience for the children of the community. But there are some significant differences in rules and philosophy:
- Kid pitch vs. Machine Pitch: In most Little League programs, kids pitch as early as 7-8 years old. We believe most kids at this age do not yet have the gross motor skills development to pitch correctly (to avoid future injury) and to throw strikes consistently. Games are often slow due to excessive walks, causing kids to lose attention and interest. When kids do not have the gross motor skills needed to learn proper pitching mechanics, bad habits are usually formed at this age that often lead to injuries which do not show up until later (high school) years. Youth Baseball plays "machine pitch" through 8 years of age to provide a more consistent and engaging game experience and to protect the arms of the kids.
- Full Baseball vs. Limited Running: In Youth Baseball, kid pitch starts at 9 years old -- as does leading off and stealing. This allows the pitcher to learn the balk rule, holding runners on and throwing over to bases. Catchers learn why good footwork is important and how to lead the defense. Infielders and outfielders alike learn how to work together to defend against the running game. Most Little League players, through "Majors" (12 years old) cannot leave a base until after the ball crosses the plate. Pitchers thus do not have to "hold runners on," pick-off plays are not taught and good footwork on the part of the catcher is less important. Little League is experimenting with a "Pilot" division where 11-12 year olds play full baseball rules. This is a move in the right direction, but is an experience we believe should begin as soon as kids are able to pitch.
- Progressive Field Dimension: Most Little League games are played on a diamond with 60' base paths and 46' from mound to plate. There is much in the news about composite bats being considered dangerous, but we believe the danger is less in the bat and more with having 12 year olds pitching and hitting a mere 46' feet from each others. In Youth Baseball, 9-10 year olds play on a 60' base path/44' from mound to plate. 11-12 year olds move up to 70'/48'; 13-14 year olds to 80'/54' and 15 and up to the regulation 90'/60' 6" dimensions. This progresses players up to dimensions which are more consistent with their age and eases the transition to the regulation field in high school.
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| 40 YEARS OF MMYB! PLAY BALL! |
| Mira Mesa Youth Baseball is located in San Diego CA. MMYB provides a safe atmosphere while teaching the game of baseball to boys and girls, ages 4-17, in Mira Mesa and other communities surrounding Black Mountain in San Diego. |
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TODAY! TODAY! TODAY!
Today, May 19, from 11am until close, Chili's Mira Mesa at Mira Mesa Blvd. and Lusk Blvd., you can enjoy a great meal and drinks and Mira Mesa Youth Baseball will get a share of the proceeds! (This even includes drinks... but be good, now!) Click here to download the flyer. You can print this out, or just download it to your smart phone and show to the server.
Come out to Chili's all day today... Bring the family, bring the team! Support Mira Mesa Youth Baseball! |
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CLICK HERE to view Mother's Day Promotional Spa Offer!!!
Offer Ends May 12th so hurry!
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2012-2013 Board of Directors Nomination Forms Available
We are accepting nominations for the 2012-2013 Board of Directors. Nomination forms are available here and at the Snack Bar. PLEASE NOTE! A nomination must include a valid phone number for the Nominee to allow the current Board to confirm the Nominee's willingness to server on the Board.
The Annual Election will be held on Saturday, June 9th at the Annual Picnic, from 9am to 12 noon. Voting is open to all adult parents/guardians of children in the league or adult volunteers.
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| Meet the MMHS Marauder Varsity Baseball Team! |
| 12 of the current Marauders are MMYB Alumni! |
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| ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS |
Mira Mesa Youth Baseball offers baseball programs
for children 4-16 years old in the following divisions:
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- Shetland Lower (T-Ball) for 4-5 year old players.
- Shetland Upper (Machine Pitch) for 5-6 year old players. Parents may register 5 year old players in either the lower (T-Ball) or upper division at their discretion. There is no leading off or stealing and half innings are limited to 5 runs.
- Pinto for 7-8 year old players: Machine pitch at slightly faster speed than Shetland. There is no leading off or stealing and half innings are limited to 5 runs.
- Mustang for 9-10 year old players: Kid pitch begins and full baseball rules are implemented (except for collisions at the plate, which must be avoided). The "little boy" (or girl) learns to play baseball as a "young man" (or lady).
- Bronco for 11-12 year old players: Metal cleats may be worn, and players are expected to play as young men (and ladies). We begin playing "high school prep" baseball at this level to prepare the players for the high school game.
- Pony for 13-14 year old players. We continue the preparation for the high school game.
- Colt for 15-16 year old players. Where a player does not make the cut on his (or her) high school squad, but wants to continue working on their game, the Colt division plays on the full regulation field.
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| LEAGUE VALUES |
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In the conduct of the affairs of the League it will be demonstrated that we value:
- the health, safety and welfare of the children of our community. As an affiliate of Pony Baseball we will seek to uphold the spirit of the PONY acronym, standing for “Protect Our Nation’s Youth.”
- the game of baseball, its history and traditions. We will strive to teach our children the fundamentals of baseball in the execution of the game and in the respectful attitudes shown toward teammates, members of the opposing team, umpires, coaches, parents and other adults.
- competition in a constructive environment. While we will teach our children to play to win when taking the field, we will strive to make each game a constructive learning experience regardless of the outcome. We will set and enforce upon adults and children alike clear boundaries of sportsman-like conduct both on and off the field.
- our local high school baseball programs. Mira Mesa Youth Baseball expressly seeks to establish itself as a premier feeder league for the baseball programs of high schools within our geographical boundaries. Our League will be run with the express goal of ensuring that any child who decides to try out for their high school baseball team will be fully prepared for the experience.
- our fields. We will strive to maintain first-class baseball fields to ensure the safety of the players and the integrity of the games.
- our local youth sports programs. Where possible, Mira Mesa Youth Baseball will support our counterpart programs for youth sports like (but not limited to) football, basketball and soccer.
- our larger community. Mira Mesa Youth Baseball will seek to maintain strong community relationships through cooperation with the Mira Mesa Recreation Council and participation in various activities in the larger Mira Mesa community.
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