The Minor League Division helps continue a player's transition to traditional baseball.  The foundational principles of the Minor League Division are:

• Develop fundamentally sound ballplayers and prepare them for traditional baseball.

• Foster each player’s love for the game through encouragement and positivity.

• Emphasize respect for coaches, teammates, umpires, and the opposition. 

Spring/Summer Season:

• Minor League teams can expect to practice and play games 3-4 times per week. 
• Games will primarily be against other Hamel Minors teams.  Based on league enrollment, games may also be against neighboring Little League teams, which may require local travel (West Metro). 
• Teams will compete in an end of the season (late June) Hamel Minors tournament that coincides with the Hamel Jamboree.  Weekend play is possible for this tournament.

Summer/Fall Season:

• Minor League teams can expect to play games 2 times per week. 
• This season is focused on development and games will be against other Hamel teams only.

Games and practices will be held at

• Hamel Legion Park Fields:
  • Quad Fields
  • Lighted Field
• Hunter Lions Field
• Other fields near Medina pending field capacity

See the Fields page for more information on these locations.

Some games may be played on a field in another community during interleague play. Please refer to that community's league site for more details on the location of those fields.

Season fees may vary year-to-year and will be listed in registration.

Age Requirements:
Minor League is for kids aged 9-10* as of August 31 of the current year.

*11 year olds that are not sufficiently skilled to ensure their own safety and further their development in Majors may be place in Minors.  12 years olds are not eligible for Minors.

Team Formation:
Evaluations are used to create balance among teams.  The Hamel Athletic Club Board reserves the right to make changes to teams in the event that team talent becomes imbalanced, or if coaches are not disseminated equally.

See the Evaluations page for more information.

The Minor League may be split, at the discretion of the Board, into multiple divisions to help ensure equal competition and quality of play between teams.

"Play with" requests will not be honored.

A progression of baseball skills will be taught at the Minors level. In practice, each player will be encouraged to experience each position, including pitcher and catcher.  Coaches will continually evaluate each player's skills and skill development during the season to ensure they are put in a position to succeed in games.  

Coaches will focus on the things that ALL players can control:

• Showing up on time
• Positive attitude
• Respect for coaches, the opposition, umpires, and teammates
• Willingness to learn
• Giving their best effort
  • Running hard on the base paths
  • Hustling onto and off the field
  • Taking quality at-bats

Modified Little League rules are enforced in the Minors League (e.g. run limits, stealing, etc.).  Rules are evaluated on an annual basis to ensure the best experience for the players.  However, rules surrounding pitch counts and playing the position of pitcher and catcher will follow Little League rules to ensure player safety.

Pitch Count Rules:

An example of a Pitch Count Tracker is provided below and can be downloaded and used during games.

See https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/pitch-count/ for the full list of pitching and catching rules.   If you have any questions please ask your league coordinator.

At the Minor League level, Hamel Baseball provides:

• Baseballs (practice balls and game balls)
• Catcher’s equipment
• Medical Kit
• Team Jersey
• Team Hat
• Coach's Hat (rostered coaches only)
• Coach's Shirt (rostered coaches only)
• Little League patches

Players are required to supply their own:

• Batting Helmet
• Glove
• Baseball bat (USA Baseball approved - "USAbat") https://www.hamelbaseball.org/bat-information
• Baseball pants (gray preferred)
• Athletic Supporter and Protective Cup
• Rubber-cleated baseball shoes 
• Belt and Socks (to match jersey if possible)

NOTE: Please write your child’s name on all personal equipment.

See the Tournament Team page for more information.