50/70 LL division

[D62 blue]

we have started LL winter ball and for first time are playing the new experimental LL 50/70 division . just curious how many around the country LL'S that is , are trying this new division , and any comments from the group who may be working this level ?

d62 blue marc

[mstaylor]

Nobody around here has tried it.

[soapbox]

We have it by us and I like it. As a father of a 12 year old, it seems to give the kids the ability to learn the next stage of the game, but keeps them on a field that's got more realistic dimensions in making plays. From an umpiring standpoint, you are a little closed in on the diamond, but worth the sacrifice considering everyone can reach the bases with throws.

[Thunderheads]

It's funny to see "experiemental 50/70" ...

In the league I'm associated with, 8-9-10u kids play 46/65.

11 and 12 play 50/70, and 13 and 14 play 54/80 .....

46-60 is ridiculous for LL, imho.....:clap:

[ukce1861]

Nobody around here has tried it.

Same here.

[Ump29]

These seem similar to Baseball Canada.

Mosquito 10-11 yr 44/60 (no lead off)

Peewee 12-13 48/70

Bantam 14-15 54/80

Midget 16-18 60.5/90

This has been working fine for years

[semper_fi_72]

Don't know any leagues trying it.

Can't make it work on diamonds set up for 60' (when there is a grass infield.

Outfield grass would have to be removed to make infield deeper and mounds would have to be ripped out and move able mounds would have to be used.

Leagues don't have the money and the municipalities that own the fields sure are not going to pay for the modifications either.

[Rich Ives]

Don't know any leagues trying it.

Can't make it work on diamonds set up for 60' (when there is a grass infield.

Outfield grass would have to be removed to make infield deeper and mounds would have to be ripped out and move able mounds would have to be used.

Leagues don't have the money and the municipalities that own the fields sure are not going to pay for the modifications either.

Even if we did that we don't have the space to move the fences back. Very few leagues in our district would have the space.

[tjshanno]

our local LL has modified their fields so 50/70 can be used, but so far only use it for the 11/12 travel games. Mounds don't appear all that different, and only one of the fields has a fence. I think the larger field, and the use of "real" baseball rules better prepares the players to move up to the regulation field. From an umpiring perspective the only challenge is seeing the steal throw at second when working one man.

[Rich Ives]

I think the larger field, and the use of "real" baseball rules better prepares the players to move up to the regulation field.

Fell for this con did you?

[kylejt]

There are two "flavors" of 50/70 allowed by LL. One is 12-13 year olds, with big barrel bats. The other is 11-12, with 2 1/4" LL bats. For the later, it isn't a requirement to move the fences back. We've modified our field for the later, also. We'll see how receptive the parent are to it.

I've done some regular season PONY Bronco ball, at 50/70. Attaining first was a nearly automatic pass to second, with a really good possibility of going to third. Far from "real baseball", in that sense.

[HokieUmp]

There are two "flavors" of 50/70 allowed by LL. One is 12-13 year olds, with big barrel bats. The other is 11-12, with 2 1/4" LL bats. For the later, it isn't a requirement to move the fences back. We've modified our field for the later, also. We'll see how receptive the parent are to it.

I've done some regular season PONY Bronco ball, at 50/70. Attaining first was a nearly automatic pass to second, with a really good possibility of going to third. Far from "real baseball", in that sense.

But isn't that the same in LL? Maybe the LL players in our area just suck, but when I'm doing a "Majors" game, even if the runner is waiting until the ball passes the plate, he can still steal 2nd pretty easily. And 3rd's not a HUGE stretch.

[PeteBooth]

we have started LL winter ball and for first time are playing the new experimental LL 50/70 division . just curious how many around the country LL'S that is , are trying this new division , and any comments from the group who may be working this level ?

d62 blue marc

LL is "late to the party" Select travel leagues already have 50/70 in place for quite some time now. IMO, it makes for a better game. As far as umpire mechanics go it's the same as if you were on the BIG diamond.

IMO, just a hunch but perhaps ESPN / ABC is behind this somehow meaning eventually they want a "different" brand of ball for ratings as opposed to the current structure. LL is therefore, using this experimental program to some-day get ready for the switch when ABC says so.

Pete Booth

Edited October 1, 2010 by PeteBooth

[Nazrat]

LL is losing entire leagues to Nations and select baseball due to LL's unique baserunning rules and the dramatic change in field size from 12 year olds to 13 year olds. The 50/70 leagues are intended to ease the transition to the big field and allow for a more traditional brand of baseball than the Major League division of LL. It is a revenue question for Williamsport IMO as participation is growing in select teams.

[kylejt]

50/70 works for select, or travel, because the players are better. Catchers can throw out runners, and pitchers can hold them on. In my observation from the local PONY league, it doesn't work as well at the rec level. At the rec level you're looking for maximum participation, not just quality of play. Like it or not, it is what it is.

We'd all agree that the LL kids you see on TV have skills far beyond that of the little field. They all have "freaks" hitting 300 footers, and guys clocked at 75. But that's not indicative of what's being played during the regular season at 99.9% of fields around the country.

Around here, if a kid has skills, he's playing from Feb. through June on a LL team, and the rest of the year on a travel team.

[Nazrat]

I agree with your point re: player skills. However, in Southeast Texas, quite a few high quality players do not play LL at all as they perceive that they have a better experience and training in select ball. We lose a lot of our allstars to select baseball the following season due to this perception.

[FVBump]

LL is "late to the party" Select travel leagues already have 50/70 in place for quite some time now. IMO, it makes for a better game. As far as umpire mechanics go it's the same as if you were on the BIG diamond.

IMO, just a hunch but perhaps ESPN / ABC is behind this somehow meaning eventually they want a "different" brand of ball for ratings as opposed to the current structure. LL is therefore, using this experimental program to some-day get ready for the switch when ABC says so.

Pete Booth

I agree and have said this for the last couple of years. In our area, LL has declined in numbers for various reasons, with a big one being travel ball.