Summer Baseball/Softball

Summer Baseball/Softball

Summary of Important Rules-

DIVISIONS:

Tee-ball (Preschool and Kindergarten): All players bat, all players in field, outfielders on grass.

Coach Pitch Leagues (1st and 2nd grades): All players bat, all players in field, outfielders on grass.

Girls 3rd &4th and 5th &6th leagues: All players bat, 10 players in field, rotational substitution.

Boys 3rd & 4th League: All players bat, 10 players in field, rotational substitution.

Boys 5th & 6th League: All players bat, 9 players in field, rotational substitution.

Kids will play in their current grades division. In the event that a team doesn’t have enough players, kids will be allowed to move up to the next division. Moving down to a lower division is prohibited.

Playing time for Tee-ball and Coach pitch leagues:

All players will play the field. Tee-ball league players should limit the amount of kids surrounding the pictures mound to 4. Coach pitch league players should fill each infield position while remaining players will be placed in the outfield. No players shall sit the bench!

T-Ball OUTs: There are no outs in T-ball!

Coach Pitch OUTs: Runners will be called out and must leave the field. Outs will not count towards ending an inning.

Playing time for 3rd -6th grade leagues:

All players should have a chance to play every position. If they play the same position they will not learn what each position is responsible for. Players may not play the same position for more than 2 innings (except for pitchers). Rotate infield and outfield. Show them that every position is important. Teaching the entire game is what we are here for. Teach them each position and what their responsibilities are. This will make a complete player! A pitcher may not pitch 2 innings and then catch 2 innings for safety purposes in the same game. Likewise, a catcher may not catch 2 innings and then pitch 2 innings.

All players will take equal turns sitting on the bench while their team is in the field. If a team has two extra fielders, two different players will sit out EACH inning. There will be free substitution at every position and order of rotation is up to the coaches.

It is understood that the length of games may not provide enough innings to have every player sit out one inning.

No player may sit out twice in the same game until every other player has sat out at least one inning.

A coach may remove a player from a game for serious misbehavior on or off the field during the game being played. This does not include a failure to pay attention or to try hard. If a coach feels that this action is necessary, the committee or the supervisor of umpire’s should be notified.

Ball in Play

Tee-ball and Coach Pitch:

The ball shall be in play from the time of a hit until the fielder returns the ball to the coach.Players may only advance to an extra base if the ball is hit into the outfield. It will be understood that if a ball is overthrown past a fielding player, runners will not be allowed to advance.

Girls and Boys 3rd &4th League, Girls 5th & 6th League:

The ball shall be in play from the time of a hit until the fielders return the ball into the circle around the pitching mound. The pitcher or another player does not have to catch the ball in the circle for play to stop. When the ball is caught in the circle, the umpire will announce, “DEAD BALL”. Runners in motion at that time may advance to the next base or return to the last base touched at their own risk of being put out. Runners must make a final move or will be called out. If a play is made on a runner after the “DEAD BALL” call is made, the ball is again in play and runners may advance.

Boys 5th & 6th League:

Baseball rules will apply. The ball will be in play from the time of the pitch until the umpire signals the play dead. All thrown and batted balls, which remain inside the fences, will remain in play.

Ball leaving the field of play

Tee-ball and Coach Pitch-

“DEAD BALL”, players are prohibited from advancing.

3rd-6thLEAGUES:

All fields will have ground rules established.

When a batted ball leaves the field of play, the batter and runners will get two bases from their position at the time of the pitch.

When a pitched ball leaves the field of play, all runners will get one base from their position at the time of the pitch.

When a ball thrown by a fielder leaves the field of play, the batter and all runners will get two bases from their position at the time of the throw.

Umpires will make a loud “DEAD BALL” call at the time of the ball goes out of play and determine the proper position of runners.

Pitching Rules:

Coach Pitch League:

A coach from each team will pitch to his or her own players. Swinging strikes will be called but no walks will be issued. Each player will be allowed 5 strikes, after the 5th strike a tee will be used for the player to hit.

Boys and Girls 3rd & 4thLeague:

For the first 3 innings a coach from each team will pitch to his or her own team. Strikes will be called by the umpire but there will be no walks. In the 4th inning players will pitch. When a player is pitching and there are 4 balls called on the batter their coach will come out and pitch to the batter. The count will remain the same and the umpire will call strikes. (Example: The batter has 4 balls and 2 strikes on them. The coach pitches a ball and the player swings and misses then the batter is called out on strikes. If the coach pitches a strike and the batter does not swing they are called out on strikes). The batter may not walk. This will speed up the game and avoid all of the walks from beginning pitchers. No player may pitch or catch for more than 2 innings.

Boys and Girls 5th & 6thLeague:

No player may pitch or catch more than three innings in a game. Any pitcher throwing any pitches in an inning is considered to have pitched one inning for the purpose of this rule.

Base Stealing:

Tee-ball, Coach pitch and 3rd &4thLeagues:

NO Base Stealing is allowed.

Boys and Girls 5th & 6th Leagues:

Players must remain on the base until the ball has crossed the plate at which time they may steal any base. Players MAY NOT run to first base on a missed third strike.

Stealing home is prohibited.

Equipment Rules

All Leagues:

All batters, base runners, on deck batters, and players coaching bases will wear batting helmets. No player from the team at bat may be on the field without a helmet. Helmets must be worn into the dugout or bench area before being removed.

Any player who releases the bat in a dangerous manner, i.e. “throws the bat”, (whether intentional or not) will be warned by the umpire. If that player does it again during that game, he or she will be called out immediately.

No player in any league will intentionally throw a bat, helmet, glove, or any other piece of equipment in anger or disgust. This rule will apply on the field of play and in all team areas. The team of the offending player will receive a team warning. Any further such action by any player on the warned team will result in that player being removed from the game. This includes trying to take out a player when sliding into a base. With a thrown bat it is to the umpire’s discretion whether or not to call the batter out for throwing their bat after the team has been warned.

It is highly recommended that all players wear their uniform shirts during the game. Any player who pitches must wear their uniform shirt. No pitcher may wear anything of white apparel, which is not part of the team uniform.

Batting Limits

ALL LEAGUES:

Innings #1 – 5 will end when the team at bat has made 3 outs or scored 5 runs.

Inning #6 or last inning due to time limit will have unlimited runs.

No new inning may start after 7:00 or 9:00. In this case the unlimited last inning will be if an inning is started after 6:50 for the first game or 8:50 for the nightcap. This must be determined at the beginning of the last inning so both teams are aware of the situation, otherwise it is 5 runs only.

Speed of Play

It will be understood that games will start at scheduled time. Teams need to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the game. All teams (3rd-6th grade) will need to start with a minimum of 8 players at game time. If a team minimum is not met and the game is delayed until the minimum is met, a team penalty will be imposed, this will be deemed a LATE TEAM PENALTY. The late team penalty will be a 1 ball and 1 strike count for the entirety of their game. This penalty will ensure that games start on time.

All Leagues:

5th & 6th grade league coaches may visit the mound to talk with a pitcher one time per inning.

On a second visit to the mound, the pitcher must be replaced.

Pitchers will be given 5 warm-up pitches before the first inning and when entering the game for the first time. After the first inning or appearance, pitchers will be given 3 warm-ups pitches between innings.

Please have player positions ready for each inning so we can be sure to get as many innings played before the time limit.

All teams must have someone ready to warm-up the pitchers and help catchers put on their equipment.

Ball sizes

T-Ball- Softie baseballCoach Pitch- Soft core baseball

3rd/4thBoys- Baseball3rd/4th Softball- Size 10

5th/6th Boys- Baseball5th/6th Softball- Size 11

7th/8th Boys- Baseball7th/8th Softball- Size 12

Pitching Distance

3rd/4th Boys- 43 foot3rd/4th Girls- 35 foot

5th/6th Boys- 48 foot5th/6th Girls- 38 foot

7th/8th Boys- 54 foot7th/8th Girls- 40 foot

Coaches

Each team must designate 2 coaches to the umpire prior to the game. These are the only 2 coaches who are allowed onto the field. One of these coaches must be 18 years of age or older. The 2nd coach may be anyone who has completed the 9th grade.

Points of emphasis for Coaches

Area Recreation Club have always relied upon volunteer coaches as the foundation of a quality program. We continue to do so. Coaches are teachers and role models for our young people and we appreciate your time and efforts. There are a few things that we would like to emphasize about our program this summer and we need the help of coaches to do so.

Purpose

Our program has two primary purposes. The first is to have a safe, healthy recreational program for all of our youth. The second is to help youngsters to learn to play the games ofbaseball and softball properly and well. Please help parents and youngsters keep these goals in mind.

Teaching the Game

Our coaches do an excellent job teaching the games of baseball and softball to our youth. We encourage all coaches to continue teaching proper fundamentals to all players at all times. If coaches need assistance, experienced coaches from the high school level are available to answer questions.

Coaches as Leaders

Our coaches provide a positive role model for many of our youth. Coaches also have much responsibility in seeing that the games are played in a sportsmanlike manner. Their actions during a game influence both the players and the fans watching the game. With this in mind, we ask that coaches refrain from yelling at umpires during the course of the game. Games will not be delayed while the director or a committee member is sought to overrule an umpire’s decision. The director should be notified of the possible error and she will take appropriate action as soon as possible.

Of course, all judgment calls – ball or strike, safe or out, in play or out – should be left up to the umpire and supported by the coaches, even in cases of obvious error.

Our young umpires need support and the chance for development as much as do young players. They will make errors in judgment and in interpreting the rules. We have provided more training than in the past and are encouraging them to be more professional and assertive in their duties. The committee asks coaches to be supportive or their efforts. Your efforts will serve as a positive role model for both players and fans.

If an umpire does not understand or apply rules properly, or if an umpire does not conduct himself or herself in a serious professional manner, the supervisor should be notified immediately. He will see that proper action is taken.

Coaching Demeanor

We expect that all coaches will:

-deal with youngsters in a positive manner.

-make clear to their players their expectations about players’ behavior both on the field and in the team areas.

-refrain from shouting in anger at umpires or players.

-give all players the opportunity to play a number of different positions, keeping each child’s safety in mind.

-allow a player to pitch if they ask.

-communicate openly and positively with youngsters and their parents.

-refrain from smoking since there is no smoking on school property.

LET’S HAVE ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!!

Revised: May 9th, 2018-Gary Jorissen, Hart Rec Commissioner