ROOKIE (8U)
To provide consistency for the players, please follow these rules throughout the season. They should be shared with coaches and parents, so everyone is fully aware. While the players are getting older, the emphasis is still on teaching and having fun. The rules have been designed to ensure that. They should be followed as written.
Lineup
· All players that come to the game will be included in the lineup.
· Late arrivals to the field should be added to the end of the existing lineup and the opposing manager should be told of the addition.
· A maximum of 10 players should be in the field – Pitcher,1B, 2B, SS, 3B, Catcher and 4 outfielders.
· Every player must be given the opportunity to play both outfield and infield during the season. No player should remain in the same position for the entire game.
Baserunning
· NO extra bases rewarded regardless of the number of overthrows on that play.
· Once the ball is attempted to be thrown back to the Pitcher or pitching coach the play is dead.
· No stealing will be allowed in this division.
· Tagging up will be allowed from any base in this division. A runner that leaves early may be called out upon appeal, ONLY IN AFFECT WHEN PLAYER PITCH IS OCCURRING.
· There are no headfirst slides.
· No Leading off any base.
· An inning ends when 5 runs are scored or 3 outs.
· No bunting will be allowed in this division.
· No player should be holding a bat until they are asked to walk to the plate for their at bat.
Other Rules
· Any call made by the Umpire stands and should not be argued. Always carry these rules with you and go over items of concern before the game.
· Time is out when the ball is back into the infield and a defensive player is clearly in possession of it or when the pitcher takes possession of the ball at or near the mound. Teach your players to call time out when they are able and please do not teach them to bait fielders into making unnecessary throws…not at this age!
· No Infield Fly Rule
· Time of Game - A full game is 6 innings. However, no inning will start after 1 hour and fifty minutes of play is completed.
· Time is declared by the third out of the defensive team.
Bat Information
All Bats Must Have the USA Logo and the barrel no larger than 2 5/8.
Pitching Rules
· The 7/8 Minors Division will use Modified Player Pitching rules – The Pitcher will throw until they have 3 strike or 4 balls.
Pitching
Coaches Pitch- Coach will need to have at least 1 foot touching the bottom of the mound No exception
Coach pitch- Coach will throw a max of 4 pitches or 3 swings unless or the Batter continues to foul off the last pitch. The batter will continue to bat until they stop swinging or stop making contact with the ball.
· Pitching Distance – 46 Feet (No Exceptions)
· Any player on a team may pitch.
· There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.
· A pitcher must be removed from a game if they hit 2 batters in an inning or 3 in a game.
· A third trip to a pitcher in any inning, or a fourth trip to the same pitcher during the game will result in the pitcher's removal from the mound.
· Pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers in the same game.
· During the game, pitchers can only warm up on the mound.
· The Coach must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit of 50 Pitches, Pitcher may remain in the game at another position Exception: If a pitcher reaches the 50-pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until that batter reaches base or is put out. Rest rules still apply. Pitcher Rest Rules – See Separate Pitch Threshold Rules Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following requirements:
· If a player pitches over 50 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed (only if the pitcher reaches 50 pitches and is still facing a batter)
· If a player pitches 36 to 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 21 to 35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
· If a player pitches 1 to 20 pitches in a day, no rest is required.
· A pitcher who has pitched 41 or more pitches in a day cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
· A player who has played in the position of catcher for four (4) or more innings that player cannot pitch for the remainder of that day.
· One (1) pitch constitutes an inning. Each team must carry a pitch counter to every game and supply an adult to record the pitch count. A manager or coach shall confirm the number of pitches thrown at the completion of every ½ inning. It is the responsibility of the Managers to record all pitch counts for their team.
Manager and Coaches – Only the manager and league approved coaches will be allowed inside the fenced area. All adults invited inside the fenced area by the manager must have completed and filed a volunteer form with the WBLL, NBLL and BSBWLL. Adult assignments are as follows:
When your team is at bat…
· One adult in the dugout always.
· One adult coaching first base.
· One adult coaching third base.
· Coaches are not permitted in the field of play.
*** No adult on the field should interfere with a playable ball in any way!