2010 Fall and 2011 Spring Reeds / Southwood / Reedy Creek

Community Rookie League Baseball Rules

 

 

  1. [Player eligibility]: Players must not be 9 years of age before May 1st of the current playing/school year (2011 for this Season)

 

  1. [Game length]: A game will consist of 5 innings or 1 ¼ hour unless there is a tie.  If the game is tied, play will continue until either time has expired, or through extra innings, a winner has been determined.
     
    From Article 11 of the Davidson County Babe Ruth League Boys Local League Rules for the Rookie Division…If a game is called for whatever reason before the five (5) innings or one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes time limit, for example rain, in order for a game to be official the home team must have scored more runs in three and one-half (3 ½) innings than the visiting team has scored in four (4) complete innings.  If the game is called before this for whatever reason then the game must be replayed at the beginning. If the required innings have been played, then the game is called during an inning without the home team having an at bat during that inning, then the game will be rescheduled at the next available game make up date and picked up at the appoint in the game.  Assuming the home team is behind and less than seven (7) runs.  If the home team is behind more than seven (7) runs then the game will become official.

 

  1. [Game conclusion]: A new inning will commence as long as there is more than or equal to 10 minutes left in the time limit. However, the bottom of that inning is not required if the Home team has the lead after the top of the inning has concluded.  If the Home team has 7 or less fewer runs than the Visiting team, the inning will be finished and at that time the game will be concluded.

 

  1. [Inning length]: An inning will consist of 3 outs or 7 runs per team at bat.

 

  1. [Minimum number of Players]: Each team must have at least 8 players or that team with less than 8 players will forfeit.  If playing with 8 players, the catcher will play in the outfield and a coach will catch for the team, however, the coach catching for the team cannot intervene once the opposing team has struck the ball.

 

  1. [Player playing time]: All players will play in the field and bat.  Will use basic 6-position infield, and remaining players should be positioned in the outfield at the grass demarcation.

 

  1. [Catcher’s gear]: Catchers must wear a helmet, mask, throat guard and chest protector at all times while behind the plate.

 

  1. [Baseball type]: A regular sized Babe Ruth baseball will be used.

 

  1. [Bat regulation]: 2 ¼” aluminum bats will be used with a 30” maximum.

 

  1. [Pitching]: Coaches will pitch to their teams with at least one foot within the pitching circle.  The first two (2) pitches will be “over-hand” style, with the exception that female batters may be pitched to “under-hand” style. The remaining pitches may be any style deemed necessary by the coach for the individual batter.  If a player has demonstrated the ability to hit “over-hand” pitches, that player must continue having “over-hand” pitches delivered for him to hit.  Once a batter has struck the ball the coach will immediately remove himself/herself from playing field.  The defensive pitcher must be wearing a helmet.

 

  1. [Batting]: Each batter can receive up to 5 pitches.  If the batter strikes the fifth ball foul or foul tips the fifth ball the batter shall receive another pitch until the batter either misses the ball or hits the ball in play.

 

  1. [Throwing bat]: Each team will receive 1 warning for throwing the bat.  After the warning is issued, every subsequent batter who throws the bat will be out.

 

  1. [Dead ball]: Any ball that is touched by a coach is ruled dead. The batter will bat again with no penalty of pitch.

 

  1. [Playable ball]: No bunting.  The ball must travel 6’ into fair territory.

 

  1. [Field coaching]: Only two defensive coaches will be allowed in the outfield, positioning themselves in the “grass”, where they must remain during play.

 

  1. [Ball rolling]: No rolling the ball in order to make a play. (Runner will be ruled safe.)

 

  1. [Throw away balls]: All runners may only advance one additional base during a throw-away occurrence at First Base. Runners will not be guaranteed the additional base and can be thrown out during the additional base attempt.  The defensive team may attempt to throw out an advancing runner and will not be penalized by an additional base awarding for additional throw-away balls while doing so.  (Umpire will make the call.)

 

  1. [Injured player]: If a player is injured, runners will advance to next base only. (Umpire will make the call.)

 

  1. [Base running]: No base stealing.  Runners must remain on base until ball is hit.  Runners off bases when pitch is made will be called out.

 

  1. [Helmets]: All batters and base runners must wear helmets at all times.

 

  1. [Calling “time”]: Once the defense has stopped all runners from advancing the Umpire will call “time”.

 

  1. [Assisting runners]: Coaches are not allowed to touch base-runners. Each team will receive one warning and any subsequent occurrence will result in the runner being called out.

 

  1. [Uniforms]: Uniforms for each respective team will be alike and all jerseys will be numbered.

 

  1. [Fielding a ball]: Infield players are not allowed to go to outfield and field the ball.  Outfielders must throw the ball in from the outfield.  If this rule is not obeyed all runners will advance one base.  If there was an out made by the illegal procedure described, the out is not counted.

 

  1. [Inning commencement]: The next inning has considered begun once the third out has been made in the prior inning and there is at least 10 minutes remaining in the time guidelines.  The umpire will indicate the commencement of each half on an inning.  First violation will result in a warning, and any subsequent violation will result in an out for the batting team.

 

  1. [Delay of Game]: Each team will promptly take their respective positions for each inning, top and bottom.  First violation will result in a warning, and any subsequent violation will result in an OUT for their team for every 30 seconds delayed if they are the batting team, or will result in a RUN against their team for every 30 seconds delayed if they are the defensive team.

 

  1. [Infield positioning]: A line will be placed on the infield side of 1st and 3rd base. This line will mark six foot from each base towards home plate.  All infield players must stay completely behind these perpendicular lines on the 1st and 3rd base lines while coaches are pitching balls to their respective team until the batter strikes the ball. The only exceptions are the pitcher whom must have both feet inside the pitcher's circle, which has a center point of 42’ from home plate and has a 12’ diameter, and the catcher whom must stay behind home plate until the batter strikes the ball.