Pitching Machine vs Coach Pitch

Here's how we do it and it works out pretty well.

7 y/o-coach pitch.

8 y/o-Machine pitch first 1/2 season. Kid pitch 3 innings last 1/2. Kid pitch 4 innings last 3 games. any ball hitting the machine is a dead ball and the runners advance 1 base. No stealing.

9 y/o-Kid pitch all season stealing 2b and 3b, but only 1 ata time. That way the C's can get aggressive throwing without worrying about overthrows.

10 y/o and up-Stealing 2b, 3b, and home. Basically LL majors rules (even though we are Babe Ruth).

The thinking is to get the kids aggressive at the plate at 8 while still introducing live pitching. At 9, develop the pitchers more and by 10, "Play Ball"!!!