Rookie Baseball Rules, 2010

Our main objective as coaches is to help develop the children’s athletic skills, teach teamwork, encourage sportsmanship, as well as to teach the game of baseball. Most importantly, is for the children to have fun and enjoy playing the game.

At the Rookie level all players get equal playing time regardless of the score. Learning to be competitive and developing an understanding of winning and losing is very important, but teaching the fundamentals is our goal.

Basic things to teach:

• Running the bases correctly.
• Running through first on an infield hit.
• Proper defensive stance.
• Proper batting stance.
• Proper throwing motion.
• Game situations (what base to throw to, etc.)
• Rules of the game.

When a situation occurs on the field, please take the time to explain to the players what occurred. This will help them to develop a greater understanding of the game.

1. Games will consist of 6 innings or 1 hour 30 minutes, which ever occurs first. No innings started after 1 hour 20 minutes. (Remember if you start an inning and time expires, you still finish the inning) If at time limit or game is tied after 6 innings of play, California rule will go into effect:
• Visiting team will start with last batter on 2nd base with 1 out and finish top half of the inning(6 run maximum) Home team will start with last batter on 2nd base with 1 out and finish bottom half of the inning(6 run maximum or until game is decided). If game is still tied repeat above process until game is decided, there are no ties.
2. All players must be given the opportunity to play every position throughout the year. Let the players know that they will take turns playing infield and outfield during each game.
3. No player is allowed to play the same infield position (Pitcher, Catcher, 1st, 2nd, SS, or 3rd) more than 2 innings in a game. This rule is not in effect for any inning played under the California rule.
4. No player is allowed to play the infield positions (Pitcher, Catcher, 1st, 2nd, SS, or 3rd) more than 3 consecutive innings. This rule is not in effect for any inning played under the California rule.
5. No player is allowed to play the infield positions (Pitcher, Catcher, 1st, 2nd, SS, or 3rd) more than 4 total innings in any game. This rule is not in effect for any inning played under the California rule.
6. No player will sit out defensively more than two innings.
7. All players present must be in the batting order.
8. An at bat will consist of a maximum of 6 pitches or 3 swings. If a batter fouls off the 6th pitch, the batter will continue to receive an unlimited number of pitches until the batter has put the ball in play, swung and missed (struck out), or does not swing at a pitch. Encourage the batter to be aggressive at the plate. The pitching machine must be used at all times.
9. The infield will consist of six players including the pitcher and catcher. The outfield will have the maximum of four players.
10. The pitcher should stand on either side of the 46’ pitching rubber (farthest from the batter), and inside of the pitching circle. This will be behind the pitching machine, and the coach running the pitching machine.
11. A maximum of three defensive coaches will be allowed on the field. Two defensive coaches will be positioned in the outfield (in the outfield grass), with the 3rd defensive coach positioned behind the catcher.
12. Have an adult behind the catcher to help with missed balls and act as the home plate umpire. This individual is also responsible for ALL fair and foul calls.
13. A team must have 8 players present to start a game. Any team with less than 8 players will forfeit the game.
14. An inning will consist of 6 runs scored by the team batting or when the fielding team records 3 outs. Play stops after the 6th run is scored in an inning. If additional runs are scored while the fielding team is trying to stop the play, those runs will not count. The 6th inning will be played, assuming time allows regardless if the losing team has the chance to win the game or not. (if a team is winning by more than 6 runs.)
15. No base stealing is allowed.
16. Runners may not lead off until the ball crosses home plate.
17. No bunting. Batters must attempt a full swing of the bat.
18. There is no infield fly rule.
19. If a ball is hit to the outfield, the runner(s) may continue to advance, at their own risk until the ball is controlled by an infielder who is positioned in the infield.
20. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, a dead ball will be called. All base runners and the batter may advance one base.
21. Thrown balls that hit the pitching machine will also result in a dead ball and the runners may advance one base only.
22. Runners should slide at all bases when played upon. Intentionally running into a fielder will be an out. No head first sliding unless returning to a base.
23. On an overthrow at any base, runner(s) may continue to advance at their own risk to the next base. If the defensive team challenges the runner(s) advancing to the next base, and another overthrow occurs the runner(s) may again continue to advance at their own risk to the next base. If the ball is controlled by any infielder and a play is not made on any advancing runner(s) those runner(s) are only allowed to advance one base.
24. Organize practice time so that all players are involved and moving. Split the players into 3 or 4 groups. Ask the other parents to help. At this age hitting is the fun part of baseball, so teach your players the skills and give them plenty of chances to practice.
25. The last team named on the schedule is the home team, and has the 3rd base dugout. The home team is responsible for setting up the pitching machine as well as putting away the pitching machine at the conclusion of the game. In addition the home team is responsible for the raking the diamonds, shutting off the lights and locking the job boxes.
26. All teams are responsible for the garbage in their dug out and around the bleachers.
27. Winning team must email in the score to vostersj@gmail.com No later than Friday of each game week. Scores not submitted in time will be counted as a loss for tournament scheduling.
28. Each team must keep a scorebook for their own team, not just a tally of the runs scored.
29. Coaches are asked to verify the score with the opposing coach at the conclusion of each inning.
30. Assuming there is only one umpire, the umpire will be positioned between 1st and 2nd base, and has all calls at those two bases. Umpires should work hard at proper positioning and angles for all calls involving those bases.
31. All fair/foul calls will be made by the home plate umpire (defensive coach helping behind the plate). All calls at 3rd base will be made by the 3rd base coach (offensive coach at 3rd base.)

Let’s have fun this summer.
Any questions in regards to the rules please call:
Chuck Neumann at 830-0650