Details on the Skill Challenges

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OPENING DAY SKILLS CHALLENGES BROUGHT TO YOU BY PERFECT GAME AND KC&BO! 

PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY! 

• SKILL CHALLENGES RUN FROM 4:00 PM - 7:45 PM, PAUSING FROM 5:45 - 6:45 PM, for the PARADE OF TEAMS & OPENING CEREMONIES
• Skill Challenges have dedicated TIME SLOTS, players MUST COMPETE during those time slots!
• REGISTRATION is not REQUIRED THIS SUMMER! 
• "PG SWAG" Prizes for the winners: an assortment of Hats, Shirts, Arm Sleeves, Head Bands, Wristbands, Stickers, etc.

A team representative MUST accompany players to the check-in table at each event.

The awesome folks at D-BAT Lewisville are once again running this fantastic event! The EXIT VELO CHALLENGE WILL BE LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE MAIN BASEBALL PAVILLION and the PG MERCH table in the concession area. (Look for the big red inflatable batting cage.)

Winning Players of each age group receive a pair of PG B.I.B. EYEWEAR! Unlock the 6th tool - "Believe in Baseball" Sunglasses - LIMITIED EDITION. (There will be one (1) winning player for each of the six (6) age groups in The Natty this summer.)  

COME ONE COME ALL, HOW HARD CAN YOU HIT THAT BALL!!! 

Rules: 

It is very straight forward; participants will get 6 swings from a tee. There is a rope strung across the cage that the ball flight from the tee must be above in order to count as a measurable swing. Any ball hit above the rope will have an exit velocity captured and displayed via a mounted radar gun inside the cage. The Radar Gun will be stationary for all participants. The highest Exit Velocity by age group will be displayed throughout the day on the white board next to the cage. Any hit ball that does not go above the rope will be counted as of the 6 attempts even though there is no velocity recorded.  The highest exit velocity by age group at the 7:45 pm cut-off will win a pair of the PG B.I.B. Sunglasses; courtesy of Perfect Game and KC&BO.

This event will run throughout the evening,  up until 7:45 PM, all prizes can be picked up in the concession area where the coaches check-in was. Participants are welcome to continue to improve their scores throughout the day until the deadline. This event will be SHUT DOWN during the PARADE of TEAM & OPENING CEREMONIES. Times are: 4:00-5:45 PM & 6:45-7:45 PM. (CLOSED DURING THE PARADE & OPENING CEREMONIES.)

This event is OPEN to ALL registered players from each participating Team!

Exit Velo participants may use their own bats, and should come prepared to use their own bats (demo bats may be supplied as inventory is available).

At the conclusion of the event, the winning players will be announced and then will need to report to the concessions area where coaches checked in to meet Carolyn and be awarded their prizes.

A team representative MUST accompany players to the check-in table at each event.

Teams consisting of four (4) infielders (1B, 2B, 3B and SS) will compete in this unique fielding competition.

Each Player from the Winning Team Wins a PG HAT & a PG Swag Item from the PG MERCH table in the concession area where the coaches check-in was.

! Compete for the chance to win PG MERCH! (There will be one (1) winning team of 4 players, for each of the six (6) age groups in The Natty this summer.)  

At the conclusion of the event, the winning players will be announced and then will need to report to the concessions area where coaches checked in to meet Carolyn and be awarded their prizes.

Times are: 4:00-5:45 PM & 6:45-7:45 PM. (CLOSED DURING THE PARADE & OPENING CEREMONIES.)

  RULES:  

• Each team must complete 8 different plays.  

-- 9U & 10U teams must complete a play to first base to score a point. (Field #1)

--11U thru 14U players must complete a double play to score a point.  (Field #5)

• Each play must be completed in under 5 seconds.  

• If the play is completed before the 5 second timer expires (a horn is sounded so everyone knows when the time is up), the team receives one point. 

• You can enter more than one team, but each team must have at least 3 members who have not participated with another team. (MAX OF 3 “teams” from any one team may be entered) 

• The team with the most points WINS! 

• In case of a tie, the teams go to a sudden death playoff to determine the winner!  SO, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LEADERBOARD!

-- if you believe you are in contention or might be tied, check back in around 7:30 PM. Any tie-breakers will happen immediately at the conclusion of the event at 7:45 PM. 

Times are: 4:00-5:45 PM & 6:45-7:45 PM. (CLOSED DURING THE PARADE & OPENING CEREMONIES.)

A team representative MUST accompany players to the check-in table at each event.

Teams consisting of a five (5) person infield (Catcher, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B) will compete in a timed "Around the Horn Challenge" infield throwing competition.

Each Player from the Winning Team Wins a PG SHIRT & a PG Swag Item from the PG MERCH table in the concession area where the coaches check-in was! (There will be one (1) winning team of 5 players, for each of the six (6) age groups in The Natty this summer.)  

At the conclusion of the event, the winning players will be announced and then will need to report to the concessions area where coaches checked in to meet Carolyn and be awarded their prizes.

Times are: 4:00-5:45 PM & 6:45-7:45 PM. (CLOSED DURING THE PARADE & OPENING CEREMONIES.) On Field #8.

A maximum of 2 teams (from your team) can be entered in this event.
 

RULES: 

1. Teams will be comprised of 5 players to participate on Bakersfield Field 8. (Distances provided below.)

2. The challenge will start with all 5 players standing on their designated areas. The designated areas will be placed at the following player positions: 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, and Home Plate. (Official Scorer VERIFIES AGES and set the team/players at the correct distance: 70' for 9U-12U or 90' for 13U-14U.)

3. The challenge will start on the Catchers first movement (OR WHEN THE TIMER SAYS “ready, set, THROW”) and will end when the First Baseman catches the baseball for an out. 

4. The Catcher starts from a squatted position with a baseball in his mitt in his designated area. 

5. THROWS go from the Catcher to the THIRD BASEMAN, to the SECOND BASEMAN, to the SHORTSTOP, to the FIRST BASEMAN. 

6. Each player must remain in their designated area until the baseball is thrown directly to them, at which time they may move outside the designated area to catch the ball and throw the ball to the next player. 

7. The clock is continuous and does not stop until the First Baseman makes the final catch for an out. 

8. The OFFICIAL TIMER stands on the first base side of Home Plate to START the timer on the catchers first move, and to end the timer when the First Baseman catches the ball for an out. 

9. EACH TEAM RECEIVES TWO ATTEMPTS and their FASTEST TIME is RECORDED. 

10. If a ball is overthrown – that attempt ends with the overthrow. (Example: The baseball is thrown past the Third Baseman into left field and the Third Baseman is unable to immediately pick it up and throw it to the Second Baseman.) 

11. If the ball is bobbled – that attempt may continue. (Example: The Third Baseman bobbles the ball; it hits the ground and the Third Baseman immediately picks it up and throws it to the Second Baseman.) 

12. Each Age Group will have ONE (1) winning team. 

13. Each Member of the Winning Team will be awarded a prize from the tournament. 

14. You can enter more than one team, but each team must have at least 3 members who have not participated with another team. (MAX OF 3 “teams” from any one team may be entered)

15. The final participating teams must be checked-in 15 minutes before the event ends to be eligible to participate.

16. The following base path distances by age group will be used to establish the DESIGNATED AREAS for each player: 

· AGES 9U & 10U and AGES 11U & 12U: 70 feet bases 

· AGE 13U & 14U: 90 feet bases

17. In case of a tie, the teams go to a sudden death playoff to determine the winner!  SO, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LEADERBOARD!

-- if you believe you are in contention or might be tied, check back in around 7:30 PM. Any tie-breakers will happen immediately at the conclusion of the event at 7:45 PM.

Times are: 4:00-5:45 PM & 6:45-7:45 PM. (CLOSED DURING THE PARADE & OPENING CEREMONIES.) On Field #8

A team representative MUST accompany players to the check-in table at each event.

Winning Players Win a PG SHIRT & a PG Swag Item from the PG MERCH table in the concession area where the coaches check-in was! Compete for the chance to win PG MERCH! (There will be one (1) winning player for each of the six (6) age groups in The Natty this summer.)  

Up to 3 players may compete from each Registered Team.

Rules:

All players (all ages) will compete in a timed running challenge from home plate to home plate, as if they had hit an inside the park homerun! (BASE PATH DISTANCE will be 70-foot bases. Practice accordingly if entering this event.

At the conclusion of the event, the winning players will be announced and then will need to report to the concessions area where coaches checked in to meet Carolyn and be awarded their prizes. In case of a tie, the players go to a sudden death playoff to determine the winner!  SO, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LEADERBOARD!

-- if you believe you are in contention or might be tied, check back in around 7:30 PM. Any tie-breakers will happen immediately at the conclusion of the event at 7:45 PM.

Times are: 4:00-5:45 PM & 6:45-7:45 PM. (CLOSED DURING THE PARADE & OPENING CEREMONIES.) On Field #6.

A team representative MUST accompany players to the check-in table at each event.

Winning Players Win a PG HAT of their choice & a PG Swag Item from the PG MERCH table in the concession area where the coaches check-in was! Compete for the chance to win PG MERCH! (There will be one (1) winning player for each of the six (6) age groups in The Natty this summer.)  

Up to 3 players may compete from each Registered Team.

Rules:
1)    Warmup Required. Competing Player must supply a warmup partner.

2)    Each player will have a total of 5 throws in the competition.

3)    Distances:

a.     9U/10U throws from 40' (flat ground) 

b.     11U/12U throws from 50’ (flat ground)

c.      13U/14U throws from 60' (mound) 

4)    Fastest Pitch (from the 5 throws) will be recorded

At the conclusion of the event, the winning players will be announced and then will need to report to the concessions area where coaches checked in to meet Carolyn and be awarded their prizes. In case of a tie, the players go to a sudden death playoff to determine the winner!  SO, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LEADERBOARD!

-- if you believe you are in contention or might be tied, check back in around 7:30 PM. Any tie-breakers will happen immediately at the conclusion of the event at 7:45 PM.

Times are: 4:00-5:45 PM & 6:45-7:45 PM. (CLOSED DURING THE PARADE & OPENING CEREMONIES.) On Field #7.

Coaches Fungo Challenge - THIS EVENT IS A CROWD AND PLAYER FAVORITE!

• The Winning Coach (1 Champion) Win a PG SHIRT & HAT of their choice from the PG MERCH table in the concession area where the coaches check-in was!
• Open to registered Coaches from The Natty only.
• One Coach per team may participate.
• Scheduled on Field 5, from: 7:30 - 8:00 PM  to wrap up the night! (after the players FungoMan challenge wraps up on Field 5).
• Coaches will  hit fungo to targets that will become increasingly more difficult until we have a winner.
• The winning coach will be announced and and interviewed LIVE on the field (field #5)!

The Parade of Teams is once again sponsored by Over the Plate Umpires.

The Parade of Teams is a celebration of and for the players that LOVE THIS GREAT GAME!

It also features our traditional HAT TOSS after the National Anthem is played!

Pin Trading at Bakersfield Park
We don't schedule a specific time and place for pin trading, as we have found the kids much more enjoy "trading on the fly"; on Opening Day Friday at Bakersfield Park, before and after the Skills Events, and at the Parade of Teams, etc. A lot of PIN TRADING will happen at the "NATTY LIVE" Fun Zone!

Tailgating at Bakersfield Park
If you've been here before, you know to come early and claim a great spot for the day! Gates will open at 3:00 PM and all parking is first come, first served (no saving spots). The main parking lot will fill up early! Come out and MAKE THIS A GREAT OPENING DAY EXPERIENCE FOR THE KIDS!

Regarding Grills - personal grills must be confined to the parking lot area. Please do not bring grills into the ballfield areas, it's too much of a safety hazard and the Town of Flower Mound will not allow it.

Regarding RV's - while RV's are welcome on GAME DAY's, we are simply to FULL on Opening Day to accommodate RV's at Bakersfield Park. RV's must park at the overflow lot on both Opening Day Saturday's. Thank you for understanding!

LET'S MAKE THIS THE GREATEST DAY IN YOUTH BASEBALL!