MAPs is for players 7-9 years old. This division is meant to introduce competitive baseball while players continue to hone their skills and understanding of the game. The division features youth umpires calling balls and strikes, scorekeeping and team standings. Teams change sides at 3 outs and 9 players play at a time in the field. Hardballs are used with a pitching machine and players get 5 swings to make contact or they are out. This is also the first division to introduce the catching position. Coaches are allowed on the field for part of the season to help instruct the developing players.
MAPs eligible players are required to participate in evaluations and the teams are drafted by the division managers. If a player aged 7 or 8 years old is not selected to a MAPs team, they will be placed in the Rookies division for further development.
The primary goals of MAPs is to teach players how to independently make outs on defense, understand basic base running principles (secondary leads, sliding) continue to develop proper fielding (ground balls and fly balls) techniques, and further develop live pitch hitting skills. Practices time will also teach players how to pitch off a mound and play catcher. You can expect 1 game per week and 1 practice.