This event will include the Golden Arm (throwing), All IN (throwing), Pass the BATon (base running) and Bunting Challenge (bunting); all which will test your team’s baseball fundamentals.
Teams compete against each other to earn points in each of the four events. Teams will have their points tallied from each event to determine the winner in each age group. Fundamentals Team Challenge Champion Medals will be awarded to one team per age group. 15 minute time slots will be allocated for each team on a single field to complete all three skills challenges. This will allow teams the opportunity to coordinate their festival activities around their designated skills time. If your team would like to participate in the Fundamentals Challenge, you will need to pre-order on our tournament home page (to guarantee your team's spot - limited spots available) purchase a team package for $300.00 (if team spots are available). The tournament entry fee doesn't include participation.
Team Participation for the Fundamentals Challenge includes: 3 players for the Golden Arm , 9 players and 1 coach for All IN , 6 players for Pass the BATon and 3 players for the Bunting Challenge.
Event Descriptions
Golden Arm
Three players will test their throwing accuracy by throwing from different age appropriate distances. All participants will be given two attempts at each throwing distance to throw a total of 6 balls at a target to earn team points. Points will be awarded for throws making contact with a target as follows:
Ten (10) pts for a throw going in the target hole without bouncing
Five (5) pts for a throw going in the target hole with bouncing
Three (3) pts for a throw hitting the target without bouncing
One (1) pt for a throw hitting the target that bounces first
The length of the throws will be based upon the age grouping:
9U & 10U: 46ft, 80ft, 120ft
11U & 12U: 50ft, 90ft, 130ft
13U & 14u: 54ft, 100ft, 145ft
All In
All nine position players and their coach will participate in a competition that measures a team’s ability to hit the cut-off man and throw the ball around the infield. Each player must touch the ball by following the designated throwing sequence, described in the illustration below.
The pitcher is the only position player that is not required to touch the baseball. However, the pitcher will play a pivotal role in backing up any over-throws encountered during play. In the event of an over throw, the pitching position is allowed to retrieve the ball and return it to play by throwing it back to the mis-throw’s designated target position. The contest begins with a coach hitting a ball from home plate towards the left fielder. The left fielder then throws the ball towards home, hitting the cut-off man, and initiating the throwing cycle. Time will start once the coach makes contact with the ball. It will stop after the catcher retrieves the throw from the first baseman and swipes home plate with the ball in his glove. Teams will have two attempts to record their lowest time.
The team with the single lowest time will receive the most points. THROWING SEQUENCE Coach Hits Ball --> Left Fielder --> 3rd Baseman --> Center Fielder --> 2nd Baseman --> Short Stop --> Right Fielder --> 1st Baseman --> Catcher (Home Plate) Pass the BatOn
Six players will test their base running ability in a relay-style competition by racing from Home Plate to 2nd Base, and 2nd Base to Home Plate.Three players will begin at Home Plate and three others will start from 2nd Base.The race will be a continual process with home base runners passing a miniature bat to runners at 2nd Base and 2nd Base runners passing the miniature bat to runners at home.The race will be completed once the final runner crosses home plate with the miniature bat in his hand.
Bunting Challenge
Three players will test their bunting skills by bunting for accuracy. Participants will be given 8 pitches or 5 bunts (whichever comes first). Participants will attempt to bunt into a grid mapped on the field with designated points. All balls must be fair to score points.
