NOVICE (RALLYE CAP) (AGES 4 – 7)
General Information
The Novice (Rallye Cap) program is the first introduction into Dollard Baseball for both players’, parents’ and coaches. This program helps teach players the FUNdamentals of baseball in a fun and safe environment. The program is designed for young baseball players.
Goals
- Create a fun environment in which players and their parents are actively engaged together in the game of baseball.
- Develop fundamental motor skills, teach baseball skills, and basic rules to our players.
- Experience success with an emphasis on good sportsmanship.
- Promote increased self-esteem among Rally Cap players.
While Dollard Baseball will have facilitators there for the whole season, this is a Parent-Tot program. Parental participation is mandatory.
Program Overview
All Novice (Rallye Cap) sessions will begin with the main goal of having fun and developing a love for the game. Sessions will consist of a short practice/skill development segment and will always involve the players being split up to play a T-Ball or “Coach Pitch” game. Skills they will work on will include:
- Throwing, catching and fielding – a basic introduction to the concept and technique
- Hitting – at first off, a tee, but for the most part with coaches pitching. A pitching machine will be added as players progress to get them ready to advance to the next division.
- Baserunning – an introduction to the layout of a baseball field and how to run from base to base followed by work on actual technique, sliding and what to do in actual game situations
- Game situations – during all sessions actual games will be played, and as they play kids will be taught the basic rules and situational strategies of baseball
- Sportsmanship and safety – encouraging proper behaviour on the field including dealing with teammates and opponents, winning and losing and making sure everyone is safe
We are also introducing significant changes to our Rally Cap / Novice program for the 2026 season, while continuing to offer two distinct options:
- Once-a-week program for 4- and 5-year-olds (born 2021 and 2022)
- Twice-a-week program for 6- and 7-year-olds (born 2019 and 2020)
The 4/5-year-old program will remain unchanged. Sessions will continue to run once a week on Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and will still require a parent to be on the field participating alongside each child.
The 6/7-year-old program will see several important changes. Practices will move to Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In addition, the structure of the program on the field will be adjusted. Players will be divided into teams, and we will no longer require all parents to be on the field.
Instead, we will be looking for parent coaches for each team. Gabriel Martinez will be returning to coordinate and coach the program, and he will be joined by additional coaches who will assist with instruction during the sessions. The number of coaches will depend on overall registration numbers. Serving as a parent coach will not be overly demanding and will mainly involve assisting the on-field instructors. All parents, if not participating, should remain at the field to watch the sessions.
We are confident that these changes will help strengthen the program and provide a positive, age-appropriate experience for our youngest players.