👪 For Parents · Ages 9–10 · Season Guide
Sponsored by Robert James Restoration

Parent Guide
Glastonbury Minor League

Everything your family needs for a great season — what to bring, what to practice at home, how to cheer, and how to help your kid love the game.

5
Min/Day
0
Equipment Surprises
1
Rule: Have Fun
14
Week Season
At-Home Practice

5 Minutes a Day Makes a Big Difference

You don't need a full field or special equipment. These quick activities between practices build confidence and muscle memory — and most kids don't even realize they're "practicing."

⚾
Throwing & Catching
  • → Wall toss: Throw against a flat wall, catch the rebound. 2–3 minutes. Great for hand-eye coordination.
  • → Partner catch: Start close (20 ft), step back as they get comfortable. Focus on pointing the glove at the ball.
  • → One-knee drill: Both kneel on right knee, throw slowly back and forth — builds arm mechanics without leg distraction.
🏏
Hitting at Home
  • → Tee work: A batting tee + wiffle balls in the backyard is the #1 most valuable thing you can own. 10 swings = real improvement.
  • → Dry swings: No ball needed — just practice stance, load, and swing in the mirror.
  • → Soft toss: Sit on a bucket beside them, lightly toss underhand from 10–15 feet. The reps add up fast.
  • → Keep it short: 10–15 quality swings beats 100 sloppy ones. Stop before they're bored.
🏃
No-Equipment Activities
  • → Watch a game together: Even 20 minutes of MLB or Little League on TV. Ask "what's happening?" — they'll surprise you.
  • → Running the bases: If you're near a park, run the bases together. First to home wins.
  • → Reaction drills: Toss a tennis ball randomly and have them react. Builds first-step quickness.
  • → Talk about it: Ask one specific question after each practice: "What's one thing you learned today?"
💡 Most important thing: Keep it positive and keep it short. If they're having fun, they'll want to do it again tomorrow. The moment it feels like a chore, stop. A happy 5-minute session beats a miserable 30-minute one every time.
Equipment

What Your Player Needs

Here's exactly what to buy, what the league provides, and what's optional. Don't overspend — most of this lasts multiple seasons.

✅ Required — You Provide
⚾
Baseball glove
Youth 10–11" for infield/outfield. Worn on the non-throwing hand. Break it in before the season starts.
👟
Baseball cleats
Molded rubber cleats only at this age — no metal. Most sporting goods stores have youth sizes for $25–40.
👕
Team uniform
Provided by the league. Belt, baseball pants, and socks are usually included or purchased separately — check with the coach.
💧
Water bottle
Labeled with their name. At least 20oz. They will forget it. Remind them every single time.
🩲
Athletic supporter / cup
Required for all players regardless of position. Youth size available at any sporting goods store.
⚙️ Provided by Team
⛑️
Batting helmet
The team has shared helmets. Players are welcome to bring their own — must have an ear flap on the correct side for their batting stance.
🏏
Team bats
Shared bats for practice and games. Players may bring their own — youth bats should be USA Baseball certified, 27–29" for most 9–10 year olds.
⚾
Baseballs
All practice and game balls provided. No need to bring your own unless playing catch at home.
💡 Nice to Have (Optional)
→ Personal batting gloves (comfort, not required)
→ Batting tee for at-home practice ($30–60)
→ Batting bag to carry their gear
→ Sunflower seeds (dugout tradition 😄)
Game Day

Game Day Checklist

Print this and stick it on the fridge. Running through it the night before saves a lot of parking-lot panic.

🌙 Night Before
☀️ Day Of
Nutrition & Hydration

Fueling a 9–10 Year Old Athlete

Kids at this age don't need protein shakes or sports drinks. They need real food, water, and a snack that doesn't make them feel sick mid-game.

💧 Hydration First
→ Start drinking water in the morning on game days — not just at the field
→ Water is always best. Sports drinks are fine for long hot games but not necessary for most practices
→ A good rule: if their lips are dry, they're already behind on hydration
→ Bring at least 20oz, ideally 32oz on hot days
✅ Great Pre-Game Snacks
→ Banana or apple (easy carbs, easy stomach)
→ Peanut butter on whole grain crackers
→ String cheese + grapes
→ Small bowl of oatmeal (2 hrs before)
→ Granola bar (not the candy-bar kind)
→ Turkey and cheese on a small wrap
Aim to eat 1–2 hours before game time
❌ Avoid Before Games
→ Fast food or heavy meals right before
→ Sugary drinks (juice boxes, soda)
→ Chips and candy as a meal replacement
→ Eating nothing at all — low blood sugar = low focus
→ Big meals within 1 hour of game time
After the game: any real food is great. They've earned it.
Watch Together

YouTube Videos Worth Watching

Short, parent-friendly videos you can watch with your kid at home. They reinforce exactly what's being taught at practice — and give you both something to talk about. Click any title to open it on YouTube.

🏏 Hitting — Watch Together
The 7 Best Youth Baseball Hitting Drills
YouGoProBaseball · Covers stance, stride, timing, and contact
Watch Together
How to Hit a Baseball (Step-By-Step)
YouGoProBaseball · Great starting point for beginners
Watch Together
Load, Stride, Swing — Hitting Fundamentals
Covers the three phases every swing needs
Watch Together
💪 Throwing & Catching
Four-Seam Grip & Throwing Release Drill
For 7–9 year olds · Covers grip and arm path basics
Watch Together
One Knee Throwing Drill
The exact drill practiced at every team practice
Watch Together
Coaching Beginner Baseball — How to Catch
ProSpeed Baseball · Step-by-step progression for beginners
Parent Preview
🧤 Fielding — Parent Preview
Ripken Baseball — Outfield Drop Step
Cal Ripken Jr. · How outfielders read and track fly balls
Parent Preview
The Infield Drill You Should Practice Every Day
Ground ball footwork and fielding position basics
Parent Preview
How to Teach Baseball Catching to 5–7 Year Olds
Great for understanding what your kid is learning
Parent Preview
📋 Understanding the Game
Cal Ripken Soft Toss From the Side
Great at-home drill to do with your kid, no special setup
Watch Together
Baseball Hitting Fundamentals
Clear breakdown of what good swing mechanics look like
Parent Preview
Cutoff Throws from the Outfield
Helps you understand what coaches mean when they say "hit the cutoff"
Parent Preview
💡 How to use these: Videos marked Watch Together are fun to watch with your kid — they reinforce what's being taught at practice. Videos marked Parent Preview are background for you so you understand what's happening on the field and can cheer for the right things.
Sideline Behavior

How to Be the Parent Every Kid Wants in the Stands

This isn't about rules — it's about what actually helps kids play better and enjoy the game more. Research on youth sports is clear: parental behavior on the sideline is one of the biggest factors in whether kids stick with a sport.

✅ What Helps
👏
Cheer effort, not just results. "Great hustle!" after a strikeout means more than silence. They notice.
😊
Smile when they look at you. Kids look into the stands after every play — good or bad. A smile says "I've got you."
🤫
Let the coaches coach. One voice giving instruction. Multiple voices create confusion and anxiety.
🚗
The car ride rule: Ask "Did you have fun?" and let them lead. Wait at least 10 minutes before any baseball talk.
🍦
Celebrate the small things. First caught fly ball, first hit, first time throwing to the right base — these matter enormously at this age.
⛔ What Hurts
📢
Coaching from the fence. "Keep your elbow up!" mid-at-bat overloads their brain at the worst possible moment.
😤
Visible frustration. Heavy sighs, head shaking, or walking away when they make an error. Kids are watching — always.
⚾
Immediate post-game critique. Walking to the car replaying every mistake is the fastest way to make them dread games.
🗣️
Arguing calls or criticizing other kids. Kids absorb everything. It teaches the wrong lessons about the game and competition.
📱
Being on your phone. They will notice when you're not watching. Put it down for 90 minutes — it matters to them.
The #1 thing research says kids want to hear after a game: "I love watching you play." Not "you played great." Not "you need to work on X." Just that. Try it after the next game.
What to Expect

Your First Practice — Minute by Minute

First practices feel chaotic for everyone — coaches, kids, and parents. Here's exactly what's happening and what your role is so you're not standing in the parking lot wondering what to do.

📅 Practice 1 Timeline — 105 Minutes
−20 min
Arrive & Check In
Players check in directly with the head coach — not dropped off and left. Have your kid walk up and introduce themselves. This sets the tone for self-reliance.
👪 Parents: set up chairs in the designated area, not behind the dugout or along the baseline.
0:00
Team Intro & Parent Meeting
Coach gathers everyone — players and parents — for a 5-minute intro covering philosophy, communication, playing time policy, and snack schedule. This is the only time parents are on the field.
0:05
Warmup & Stretch
Players jog, stretch, and do light dynamic warm-up together. Coaches are learning names and watching how kids move. If it looks loose and unstructured — that's intentional.
0:15
Partner Throwing
First real skill assessment. Players pair up and throw at close range. Coaches are watching mechanics, not distance. Your kid may be paired with someone much better or worse — that's fine and intentional.
💡 Watch for: does your kid look comfortable or anxious? Useful info to share with the coach privately after practice.
0:30
Stations (40 min)
Players rotate through 4 stations: hitting, fielding grounders, fielding fly balls, and base running. Each coach runs one station. This is the loudest, most active part of practice — it's supposed to look busy.
1:10
Team Defense & Scrimmage
Full team on the field running basic situations, possibly a short scrimmage. Players are being placed in positions — don't be surprised if your kid plays somewhere unexpected. Positions rotate all season.
1:40
Team Huddle & Done
Coach gathers the team, gives one positive takeaway, one thing to work on next time, and closes with the team cheer. Players are dismissed to parents.
🚗 Car ride rule: ask "Did you have fun?" Let them lead. No analysis today.
✅ What to Bring — Practice 1
Team uniform, bats, and helmets are not needed until games start.
💡 Common First-Practice Questions
My kid has never played before — will they be behind?
No. Every team has a wide range at this age. Coaches are trained to work with all levels simultaneously. Practice 1 is partly about figuring out where everyone is.
Can I coach from the sideline during drills?
Please don't — even if you know the game well. One coaching voice per skill is all kids can process. Conflicting cues, even well-intentioned ones, create confusion.
My kid is shy — should I stay close?
Stay visible but give them space. Kids regulate off your energy — if you look calm watching from a distance, they feel safe to engage with the group.
What if my kid wants to quit after the first practice?
It's common. First practices are overwhelming. Give it two more before making any decisions. Most kids who want to quit after Practice 1 are team leaders by Week 4.
After Practice 1: The coach will send a recap message within 24 hours covering what was worked on, one thing to practice at home, and what Practice 2 will focus on. Questions or concerns? Reply to that message — not during practice.
Glossary

Baseball Terms for New Parents

If your kid comes home talking about a "fungo" or an "error" and you nodded along — this is for you. No judgment. We all started somewhere.

⚾ On the Field
Infield — The dirt area inside the bases (1st, 2nd, 3rd, home). Positions: pitcher, catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, shortstop, 3rd base.
Outfield — The grass beyond the infield. Positions: left field, center field, right field.
The mound — The raised dirt circle in the center of the field where the pitcher throws from. At 9–10U it's 46 feet from home plate.
The count — Balls and strikes. "3 and 2" = 3 balls, 2 strikes (full count). 4 balls = walk. 3 strikes = strikeout.
Error — When a fielder makes a mistake on a play they should have made. Not the same as a hit — it's scored differently.
Fungo — A special long bat coaches use to hit grounders and fly balls during fielding practice. Not used in games.
Ground ball / Grounder — A ball hit along the ground. "He hit a grounder to short" = hit it to the shortstop.
Fly ball / Pop up — A ball hit high in the air. Fly balls go deep; pop ups stay in the infield.
Line drive — A ball hit hard and flat, not high. The best kind of contact for a hitter.
📋 In the Game
Innings — A game has 6 innings at this age. Each inning has two halves: top (visitors bat) and bottom (home team bats).
At-bat — Each time a player comes up to hit. One player can have 2–3 at-bats per game depending on the score.
RBI — "Run Batted In." When a batter's hit (or walk) causes another player on base to score a run.
Walk (Base on Balls) — When the pitcher throws 4 balls before 3 strikes, the batter gets to go to 1st base for free.
Strikeout — 3 strikes and the batter is out. Can be swinging (swung and missed) or looking (didn't swing at strike 3).
Double play — Two outs recorded on the same play. Very exciting when it happens. Also called "turning two."
Batting order / Lineup — The order players take their turns at bat. Set by the coach before the game.
Pitch count — How many pitches a pitcher has thrown. At this age, we track carefully to protect young arms. Max 75 per game.
Infield fly rule — A special rule to protect base runners. Don't worry about explaining this one to anyone.