Field Dimensions and Information

• The distance between each base is 60 feet. 
• The pitching machine will be 46 feet from home plate. 

Game Procedure and Rules

• All games tied after 6 innings or time limit will play extra innings to determine winner 
• No new inning will begin after 1 hour 15 minutes. Game time limit will be 1 hour 30 minutes. A hard stop if in the middle of an inning, score reverts to end of last inning 
• An inning consists of 3 outs, or until five runs are scored
• Coaches will be expected to make out and safe calls on the bases and make fair/foul decisions. If there is a disagreement get together and make the call that is most likely correct. Please make an attempt to keep the game flowing with minimum disagreements.
• A defensive coach may also be in the outfield to help ensure players are in the correct position and paying attention to play for safety reasons.

END OF PLAY RULE!

• Runners may continue to advance when the ball is hit to the outfield and the outfielder holds the ball. The outfielder must throw the ball to a position player in the infield for the play to stop. Once the infielder has control of the ball in the infield no additional bases will be allowed. Base runners may continue to advance while plays are being made at other bases. (see above).
• If the batted ball does not leave the infield and there is an overthrow of a base in an attempt to put out that runner, that runner may not advance past that base.
  • Note: For both of the above rules the intent is to teach kids proper baseball plays and reward players for putting the ball into play. We do not want to punish teams for trying to make the proper play and continuing to be run on when the play is incomplete.
• If a Coach determines that a batter has thrown his/her bat, a warning will be given to the batter. If warned player throws bat again, batter will be called out.   ·
• Stealing is NOT ALLOWED. There will be no stealing or leading off.    
• The runner must always slide into home if there is a play at the plate. "Runners must always slide into home if there is a play at home plate. First infraction, runner is given a warning. Second infraction to the same runner, runner is out. Coaches - Best practice is to always have runners slide into home.  ·
• All batters and base runners must wear batting helmets.   ·
• Fielders must stay out of the baselines. 
• Catchers must wear a protective skull helmet and mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin pads, and cup protector. Catchers do not have to use a catcher’s mitt.
• There is no infield fly rule.
• Parents are not allowed on the field during play.
• A courtesy runner (the last player to be put out on the batting team) will be allowed for a player injured in the game, of if a base runner will be the catcher next inning and there are 2 outs.
• Good sportsmanship must be shown at all times. Negative comments are not allowed. 

Pitching Machine Rules

• The pitching machine will be 46 feet from home plate, and set at 40 M.P.H. for all games. The machine location and arc setting may be adjusted during a game when both coaches agree. This is only to be done to allow pitched ball to hit the strike zone. 
• The pitching machine will be used for the entire game. A designated coach will “feed” the pitching the machine. NO CHILD WILL EVER FEED MACHINE!   ·
• Each batter will receive 5 pitches. If a ball is not hit into play after 5 pitches, the batter is called out. If the 5th pitch is hit and caught in foul territory, runners may not advance. If the 5th pitch is foul and not caught on a fly, the batter shall get one more pitch.   ·
• In no case shall a batter get more than 6 pitches.
• If a batted or thrown ball strikes the machine or “feeder”, a dead ball will be called. A dead ball means runner moves to first and any runners on base impacted by the advancing runner move one base. For example, if there is a runner on first, they would advance to second, if there is also a runner on second, they advance to third, etc. However, if there is no runner on first, but runner's on other bases, the other base runners are not impacted and do not advance.
• The defensive team will have a fielding pitcher within a 5 foot radius of the pitching machine to handle fielding duties.

Player Participation and Position Rules
 
 

• All players must play in the field equally, both infield and outfield.   ·
• No player may sit on the bench a 2nd inning until all players have sat 1 inning.   ·
• All players must play an entire inning in the infield prior to the end of the 3rd inning. Players must be put in a rotation to share time as equally as possible in the infield and outfield.
• A defensive substitution may only be made because of an injury.   ·
• The defensive team will use up to 10 players: 6 Infield Positions (Pitcher, Catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, and Short Stop) and 4 Outfield Positions (Left Field, Left Center, Right Center, and Right Field). Players on the infield must play their positions, and the pitcher must have one foot on the dirt around the mound where the pitching machine is set up until the ball is hit. The outfield players must remain at the edge of the outfield grass.   ·
• In order to play a game each team must have at least 8 players from their roster. 

REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A LEARNING LEVEL FOR BASEBALL.

DON’T GET SO CAUGHT UP IN WINNING THAT RULES ARE “BENT”.

IN ADDITION TO TEACHING BASEBALL, YOU ARE SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR THE KIDS.

Additional Rules and Guidelines

•  Metal spikes are not allowed. Players must use plastic molded cleats or tennis shoes.   ·
• The maximum diameter of the bat is to be no more than 2 5/8 with a USA Bat Sticker  ·
• Shorts are not allowed. Players must wear pants or baseball pants so they do not get hurt by sliding in shorts.

 
MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE FUN!