|
|
|
|
ROOKIE BALL RULES:
DIAMOND LAYOUT:
a) The base lengths are 65 feet.
b) The pitching machine is placed at a distance of 44 feet from home plate.
c) A safety circle shall be marked off around the pitching machine
d) The home team is responsible to set-up and take down the pitching machines for the game. Set-up is to be completed 10-15 minutes prior to game time at a speed that is acceptable with the visiting team.
PLAYING RULES:
a) GAME TIME: All Rookie Ball games start at 6:15 pm or 8:15pm.
b) No new inning shall begin one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes after game start. ABSOLUTE curfew is one (1) hour and forty five (45) minutes after game start time during regular season. The umpire will announce the time of the first pitch which will be the official start time.
c) Each team may field a maximum of 11 players as follows: 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman, shortstop, left fielder, right fielder, catcher, TWO PITCHERS, and TWO CENTRE FIELDERS. The minimum number of players required for a legal game will be 7. In the event that neither team can field 7 players both teams will be assessed a loss. Any player arriving late shall be placed at the bottom of the batting order. The player will be allowed to play in the game no matter what inning it is.
d) No player shall play an outfield position more than one inning in a row and a player may play a specific infield position no more than twice per game not two innings in a row with the exception of the catcher who in the interest of speeding up the game may play an entire game as catcher.
e) Pitcher must stand on either side of the pitching machine outside of the safety circle and behind the release-point of the pitching machine. The pitcher(s) must wear a batting helmet.
f) Each team shall designate one adult to operate the pitching machine for their at bat. This person will be completely neutral while serving in this capacity. He/she may not coach or otherwise instruct, or interfere with the defensive plays. Any interference will result in the batter being called "out" and the runners returned to their respective bases. In the case of being the third out, the side is retired.
g) The speed of the pitching machine will be set PRIOR to the start of the game. It is up to the coaches in conjunction with the umpire to set the speed.
h) The speed of the pitching machine can NOT be altered except at the end of a complete inning and only at the direction of the umpire.
i) Each batter shall receive a maximum of five (5) pitches. If the batter does not hit a fair ball, the batter is out. If the batter fouls the ball on the fifth pitch, he/she will be called out.
j) Batters cannot walk or bunt. (bunts are automatic outs)
k) A hit batsman does not advance.
l) Base runners cannot take lead-offs, attempt to steal or steal bases, and cannot leave the bases until the ball is hit. (Penalty: the runner is out)
m) If the ball is hit to an infielder, runners will advance only one (1) base. If the ball is hit to an outfielder, runners may advance until the ball is returned to an infielder and "TIME" is called by the umpire. If runners are between baes when "TIME" is called, the umpire shall return them to the last occupied base or allow them to advance to the base they are running towards at the descretion of the umpire.
n) If a batters hit ball hits the pitching machine, or the operator in the safety circle, or bounces into and remains in the safety circle, THE BALL IS DEAD. A single base hit is awarded to the batter and the runners advance one base only if forced.
o) The pitcher may not enter the safety circle around the machine at any time. If they do while in the act of fielding a batted ball, the play shall be called "DEAD" and the batter shall be awarded first base and all other runners will advance only if forced.
p) Outfielders must play on the grass behind the baseline.
q) Each team must provide a scorer - the WINNING team is to hand in the game sheet.
r) If for any reason, a pitching machine is not available for the games or it becomes disabled during the game, then a coach will pitch in place of the machine.
s) One (1) coach is allowed in the outfield for the defensive team. The coach can not physically assist players or affect the play. If he does then the umpire will treat the situation the same as spectator interference.
t) A teams turn at bat is over when it accumulates Three (3) outs.
Division Specific Rules:
T-Ball
Jr. Rookie
Mosquito
Peewee
Bantam/Midget
|
|
|
|
|
