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house league rules

Rookie Ball Rules

 1.All games will start at either 6:15pm or 8:15pm.
  
2.No new inning shall begin one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes after game start. Absolute curfew is one (1) hour and thirty (45) minutes after game start time.  The umpire will announce the time of the first pitch which will be treated as the official start time.
   
 

3.

The base distance for Rookie Ball will be sixty-five (65) feet with the pitching machine at a distance of forty-four (44) feet from home plate.
   
 4.Each team shall have a starting line up of not less than seven (7) players to constitute a legal game.  In the event that neither team can field seven (7) players, a loss shall be assessed to both teams.  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.
   
 5.Three (3) complete innings will constitute a legal game.  All games will be played within the game time limit to a maximum of 7 innings.
   
 6.Each batter shall receive a maximum of five (5) pitches.  If the batter does not hit a fair ball within the five (5) pitches, the batter is called out.  If the batter fouls the ball on the fifth (5th) pitch, he/she will be called out.
   
 7.The defensive team’s infield shall consist of a catcher, first, second and third basemen, a shortstop and 2 pitchers.  The outfield shall consist of a left fielder, right fielder and two (2) centre fielders.
   
 8.If the ball hits the pitching machine, the ball pail, the coach, or if the ball bounces and remains in the circle, the ball is dead and the hitter gets one base.
   
 9.Pitchers must stand adjacent to the pitching machine outside the safety circle and behind the line marking the safety release point.  Pitchers cannot move from the line until the ball is hit.  Pitchers must wear approved helmets on the field with chinstraps secured.  Pitchers may not reach into the circle to field a ball.  If this occurs, the umpire will rule dead ball. 
   
 10.The pitching machine speed will be set prior to the start of the game.  It is up to the coaches in conjunction with the umpires to set the speed.
    
 11.The speed of the pitching machine cannot be altered except at the end of a complete inning and only at the discretion of the umpire.  His/her judgment is final.
    
 12.Managers/coaches will operate the machine for their own players when they are the offensive team.
   
 13.Teams will play 10 batters or 5 outs, whichever comes first.
   
 14.The last batter rule is in effect and the coach shall inform the umpire when the last batter comes to bat.  Failure of the coach to do so will result in a replay.   “Last batter” will then be announced to the defensive team.    All players with last batter status, including runners on base when the last batter is up, are forced out at home plate.  No play may be made on the base paths of the bases.  Home plate must be touched by only the catcher with the ball in his/her possession.  The catcher Must be wearing his/her protective equipment.  Only the pitcher is allowed to assist in the home plate area. 
   
 15.If the last batter’s ball is caught in the air, he/she is considered out and base runners must tag up to advance bases.  If the last batter’s ball hits the pitching machine, the ball will be called dead and he/she will re-hit.
   
 16.Base-runners cannot lead off and must remain on the base until the ball is hit.  If a runner is off his/her base when the batter hits the ball off the tee, the runner is called out.
   
 17.Batters cannot walk or bunt.  Bunts are automatic outs.  There are no passed balls or wild pitches.
   

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