Minor AA division is the first "Upper Division". Upper division kids tryout for placement to a team. Kids are drafted by coaches to teams. AA games are real baseball games, with minimal coach interaction on the field. Kids are exposed to pitching for the first time and batters are exposed to kids pitching for the first time. There are walks and strikeouts, pitch counts, steals, and everything else that makes baseball fun.

Having fun while playing baseball is still the most important aspect of the Minor AA division. The CCLL wants each player excited about playing the game and eager to return for another season.

Minor AA games are real baseball games. Kids get to pitch. Players are exposed to pitch counts, walks, and strikeouts. Runners are allowed to steal. Umpires are provided. Records are kept (wins/losses).

Innings are three (3) outs or four (4) runs scored to retire the side, whichever comes first. The four-run limit does not apply in the last declared inning.

The game is played with nine (9) players in the field and all players are included in the batting lineup.

Game scores are recorded and teams standings are kept.

Your mission as a coach is to develop each individual on the team. Winning at the expense of development is not acceptable. Below are the minimum set of skills we expect players to have by the end of the Minor AA season.

• Master ability to always throw with the 4-seam grip
• Consistently use proper throwing mechanics: "Ready, Break, Throw" (YouTube Throwing Drill)
• Able to play catch with a teammate
• Developing strength to throw across the diamond (e.g., Third Base to First Base)

• Consistently gets into ready position
• Consistently able to get in front of a ground ball
• Consistently uses proper footwork when fielding a ground ball: "Right, Left, Catch; Right, Left, Throw"
  (YouTube Video Explaining Groundball Footwork Fundamentals)
• Consistently able to field ground balls in rhythm
• Consistently able to throw to correct base
• Ability to catch a fly ball
• Ability to receive a thrown ball
• Know the fielding responsibilities on a baseball diamond
• Learning backup responsibilities on the baseball diamond
• Learning cutoff responsibilities on the baseball diamond
• Ability to anticipate the next play (i.e., before the pitch, know where you should go with the ball if it is hit to you)

• Consistently uses proper hitting fundamentals to hit a pitched ball
• Does not throw the bat
• Know what a pitch count is (balls vs. strikes) and that three strikes is an out and four balls is a walk
• Learning to recognize a strike zone
• Learning how to avoid a bad pitch or how to get hit by a bad pitch safely

• Consistently runs through 1st base
• Consistently uses ready position on the base (one foot on, one foot off)
• Learning situational running (e.g., to tag up on caught fly balls or line drives, running on a force, always running with two outs)
• Learning how to steal a base on a pitch (e.g., know when foot can leave the base on the pitch)
• Learning what a secondary lead is on the basepath
• Learning how to slide feet first into the base

• Learning proper pitching fundamentals
• Always use a 4-seam fastball
• Learning to backup first base on appropriate plays
• Learning to cover home plate on passed ball with runner on third base

• Learning different catcher stances (e.g., primary position and secondary position for when runners are on base)
• Learning how to setup in the catcher stance (e.g., appropriate distance from the batter, do not reach into swing patch, and keep throwing hand out of harms way)
• Learning fundamentals to block a bad pitch
• Learning ability to recognize a runner stealing a base and make appropriate throw

• How to be a good teammate (e.g., Do not laugh at others when a mistake is made; encourage each other; be patient while others are learning)
• Able to handle adversity (baseball can be hard and the results of the play won't always go your way)
• Know the difference between a force out and the requirement to tag a runner out
• Know dugout etiquette (e.g., Cheer for your team; do not jeer at the other team; know your spot in the lineup and be ready for your turn at bat, batter in the hole retrieves the bat)
• Learning situational calls like batter interference and catcher interference and how to avoid those calls

Practice is necessary to develop players' skills. Coaches should hold one or more practices a week throughout the season in addition to games.

At this level, appropriate practice duration is 60-90 minutes. Below are practice plan templates to help you have a fun and productive practice.

• CCLL Practice Plan Template - Minor AA, Minor AAA, and Majors divisions