6U Rally Cap – Coaches Information Page

Welcome Coaches

Thank you for your time, commitment, and support of Collingwood Baseball.

Our 6U Rally Cap program gives our youngest athletes (born in 2020) a fun, safe, and positive introduction to baseball. It runs alongside the House League season but is not a formal Hourse League division. The focus is on learning and funnot competition.

2025 U6 Coordinators:

• Jackie Maughan

• Lisa Abaza

You can contact the Coordinators directly through SportsHeadz.

Program Overview

• Program Length: 9 weeks

• Session Duration: 1 hour

• Season Start: Late May

• Format: 2 teams share each diamond

• Structure:

  • Some weeks: Skills Stations (rotation-based)

  • Some weeks: Game Nights (modified, age-appropriate gameplay)

Teen volunteers run the stations whenever possible. When volunteers are unavailable, coaches and parent helpers will step in to run drills.

Skills Station Nights

Each station runs for 12 minutes. Teams divide into two groups and rotate through the four stations.

1. Left Field – Tennis Ball Catching Station

Equipment: 10 tennis balls

Focus:

• Ground balls

• Waist-high catches

• Overhead tracking
  
  Notes:

• Use two lines

• Prioritize repetition over perfection

• Celebrate effort and small wins

2. Centre Field – Throwing Mechanics

Equipment: Net + 6 rubber balls

Teaching Points:

• Step toward the target

• Arm extension

• Glove pointed at the target

• Over-the-top throw
  Goal: Develop safe, age-appropriate throwing form.

3. Right Field – Hitting Station

Equipment: Wiffle balls, foam/plastic bats, tennis rackets, 2 "home plates"

Structure:

• Start in a circle reviewing stance and swing

• Move to two hitting lines

• Players take turns hitting wiffle balls

• Return to end of the line after each turn

Tip:
Use tennis rackets for players who need help building confidence.

4. Infield – Running Bases Circuit

Equipment: Bases, 1 tee, 6 balls

Structure:

• One line along the fence

• Each hitter runs to first, next player advances runners, etc.
  
  Goal: Teach movement, direction, and base order in a fun way.

End-of-Practice Wrap-Up

Use the final 5 minutes to gather both teams:

• Recap what they learned

• Celebrate effort

• End with three cheers

This builds teamwork and helps reinforce positive habits.

Game Night Format

The goal is fun, participation, and learning, not competitiveness.

Field Setup

• A coach/helper MUST play 1st base (safety)

• No pitcher or catcher positions

• All players get to play infield and outfield positions

• Extra players go to the outfield

Gameplay Guidelines

• Every player hits each inning

• Encourage throwing to 1st or stepping on the bag

• If a player is out, they return to the dugout

• Final batter runs all the bases (“home run”)

• A coach acts as the back catcher to gather balls

Equipment

Each team receives a bag containing:

• 5 helmets

• 1 bat

• Bases

• Soft base set (drills)

• 1 batting tee
  Equipment is stored in the shed.

Your Impact

The success of our 6U program depends on coaches like you.

Thank you for helping make baseball fun, safe, and memorable for our youngest players!