Gauging LL levels

Question
Are there any set teaching standards for each level of LL baseball.  Such as 6 yr. old Tee-ballers should be taught to throw and catch, or 10 year olds should be taught situational hitting.  I asked this question of Little League Baseball a few years back and received a nice but uninformative answer.  I think basic benchmarks for coaches to shoot for would be a help.  Thanks, Mark

Answer
Mark,

Great question.  In my opinion there are, and these standards are flexible.  Some kids are better athletes, some are more mature, some are physically bigger and stronger, and some are just plain smarter and able to digest more information.  On the other side, some are not.  So these standards should be in place and then adjusted somewhat to the individual at the ages below 10.  11 years old to me is about where the line is drawn and you start seeing kids who are going to be more serious players.  By 13, you will most likely know who the recreational players and who the "real" players are going to be.  By 15, high school, you see this for sure when players make their high school teams or are cut, and often quit playing altogether.

Here is a brief overview of what I think is important to teach at what age:

5-6 tee ball:  throwing, catching, grounders, which base is which, where and when to run, the foundation for a proper batting swing (no uppercuts in teeball), where to throw the ball.  I don't think this is too much.  Also: how to be a good teammate, good sportsmanship, attitude and how to have fun.

7-8 coach pitch: Obviously all the same, plus more hitting, fielding drills, grounders, popups, baserunning rules, catcher setup and catching pitched ball, fielding responsibilities.

9-10: Pitching mechanics, catching, all fielding drill stations, bunting, hitting drill stations, situational fielding, situational baserunning.  As far as situational hitting with a 10 year old, this would be great if they are to that level.  My opinion at this age is , "put it in play" and something good will happen.  Defense is the key from 7-10.  If you are looking to be a winning team and have "winning" kids, develop the best defense you can, because the other teams won't.  Even at the tee ball level 12 years ago, we would spend 3/4 of the practice time on defense.  Any kid can hit in teeball, and if they can't, work on it more, but not many kids can play defense at any level up to 10.  

I would explain to the parents that some kids are SS, some are 1B, and some are OF. OF is very important.  Move them around some, but not every inning.  Practice drills and fundamentals are most important to stress. Practice the stations for fielding and you can't go wrong.

Mike