CYO Novice

-INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE-Rules 2005

Fees per team: $TBD

A. Game Specifications:

1.Game Length/End

• 6 inning game; or when one team has a 15 run leadat the end of 3 1/2 or 4 innings, or any inning thereafter.No game is to go beyond 2 hours.

2.Bases

• Remain same as other CYO Leagues

3.Mound

• Pitching mound is 35 feet from home plate (before May 10, child pitcher can move up 3 feet)

4. Ball

• League will use an 11-inch Optic Yellow Dudley Ball.

5. Officials

• Home team to supply & pay officials. Proper protective gear required.

B. Offense

1.Stealing

• Under no condition is a runner permitted to steal abase.

• No leads.

• Time is called when the runner or lead runner isstopped by the defense.

• No infield fly rule

• No advance on a throw back to the pitcher

• One base on an overthrow, no exceptions! (teach girls to return ball to

pitcher ASAP). Of course, players can try to make a play on any advancing runner.

2. Batting

• All players bat in the order they are in the book, with a 10

batter maximum, per inning. No player should have to sit more than one

inning on the bench. Everyone takes turns sitting an inning if more than

10 players at game. Batting order remains whether player is on the field or benched.

C. Defense

1. Pitching

• Pitcher pitches and is relieved by coach (coach pitch) after 5 walks.

When the pitcher (child) is pitching, all ball andstrike rules apply with the umpire calling from behindthe plate.

• Liberal strike zone will be in forced, shoulders to knees till May 10, then more strict.

• The coach pitches until batter hits or strikes out. (no limit)

• Pitching circle is used to keep pitcher from creeping up when Coach is pitching. At no time can child pitcher be in front or to the side of Coach pitcher. She must stand behind and to the side of Coach pitcher.

• No one should be in front of the line between 1st and3rd except the pitcher, no exceptions. If the defensiveplayers are out of position, time will be called and theManager will be asked to move the Defensive Players.

• Coaches must pitch underhand and does not have to have contact with the rubber.

• If a batted ball hits the Pitching Coach, the ball islive. The Coach / Pitcher must make every effort to move outof the path of a hit ball. It is required that he/she move across the opposite foul line and into dead ball territory as soon as the ball is hit and remain there until time iscalled by the umpire.

• The Player / Pitcher must stay within a 2-ft. radius ofthe pitching rubber when a coach is pitching.

• All girls play defense and must be rotated in positions, as this is instructional.

• 2nd grade girls cannot pitch in this league. This is reserved for the 3rd and 4th graders who will have better skills and coordination.

2. Fielders

• Outfield players (4) must be on outfield grass, they cannot play in

infield. If the outfield grass is more that 15ft from the baseline, then place outfielders at approx. 15 feet from the baseline.

• There may only be 4 infielders and a pitcher allowedinside the base paths.

• 2nd grade girls cannot play catcher in this league. This is reserved for the 3rd and 4th graders who will have better skills and coordination.

D. Players

1. Grade

• Girls in 3rd or 4th grade will make the bulk of the team, the balance will be made of 2nd grade girls. Coaches must use their best judgement in placing 2nd grade girls (or smaller girls in grades 3/4) in positions that they are not prepared to play. Safety, instruction and fun are the main objects at this level.

2. School/Parish/Eligibility

a. A girl who attends their parish school may participate with their parish team.

b. A girl who attends a parish school other than their registered parish may participate with their parish team. However, once an individual establishes a preference, she may not play for another parish for the remainder of the scholastic year. Example: An individual may not play soccer for the parish she attends school and then play basketball for the parish in which she is registered.

c. If a public school student is Catholic, a registered member of the parish she is eligible to participate in the CYO sports program. However, if this student is a member of a particular sport in her school, she is not eligible for that sport in her CYO program.

d. If a private school student is Catholic, and a registered member of the parish, she is eligible to participate in the CYO sport program. However, if this student is a member of a particular sport in her school, she is not eligible for that sport in her CYO program.