MAHTOMEDI YOUTH BASEBALL
2nd Grade Rules
1.Coaches are to provide an equal opportunity to each player to participate in every game. Equal opportunity is defined as allowing each player the opportunity to have an equal amount of plate appearances throughout the season. Playing time at infield and outfield positions should be divided as equitably as possible for all players on the team throughout the season. Equal play will be accomplished by the use of the “fair play” matrix which will be provided by the league. It is mandatory for all teams to adhere to the “fair play” matrix. If a player’s ability level jeopardizes the player’s ability to safely play a certain position (i.e. pitcher, catcher) the safety of the player should be the first consideration. In cases where the coach and parent have determined that it would be unsafe for a player to play a certain position every attempt should be made by the coach to switch with another player from the closest “safe” position (i.e. if it is unsafe for a player to play pitcher, coach should then switch the player to shortstop or second base, not an outfield position). Each player shall have the opportunity to contribute offensively and defensively to a team’s success. Under no circumstances should a player play the same position more than two innings in the same game. Be sure each player has the opportunity to play each position on the field.
2. Each team will field 10 players. Four of the players must be outfielders and play straight away (no short or shallow outfielders). Any team short of players may use players from the opposing team. These players will be the last outs from the opposing team.
3. Even though 10 players are on the field defensively, all players bat offensively.
4. All players must bat in the same batting order throughout the game. Roll over the line up from one game to the next.
5. Each team will have anadult/coach pitch (overhand pitching…. underhand should be discouraged) to their team. Coaches are encouraged to pitch from a kneeling position (one knee) in an effort to keep pitch “level” throughout the strike zone of the batter.
This coach/pitcher DOES NOT have to pitch from the rubber 46 feet away. He/she can move closer to home plate if that will make them more consistent. From this position, that adult/coach is the only umpire on the field and must call the game as fairly as possible. The coach acting as umpire may appeal to any of the other coaches who may be in a better position to make the call. The decision of the umpire is final. No protests will be allowed. In the event of a disputed call, the umpire and coaches are expected to work out a reasonable solution in a manner that exhibits good sportsmanship.
6. The team in the field may have a coach(es) in the outfield to assist the fielders. The coach is not to catch or chase batted or thrown balls for the players.
7. There will be a player playing the pitchers position. They may stand on either side of the coach but may not cross a line in frontof the pitchers rubber until the ball has crossed home plate.
8. Six pitches or three swinging strikes constitute an out. Foul balls do not count as the third strike, but count in the pitch total. The coach pitching has the option to call a bad pitch (WAY out of the strike zone) and a pitch that does not count against the batter, nomatter if the batter swings or not. The call must be made immediately by the coach that is pitching!
9. All players must play in the defensive position for at least four of the six innings. These do not need to be consecutive innings.
10. No player on a team will sit two innings before all players have sat one inning. Alternate which players sit one inning vs. two from game to game.
11. Free Substitution is allowed.
12. Catchers shall receive a courtesy runner if there are two outs or within three positions of the end of the batting order. The courtesy runner will be the last recorded out.
13. Six runs per inning limit. -"Six Run Rule". When a team scores its sixth run in any half inning, its half inning is over, regardless of how many outs at the time.Example: Team "B" in the bottom half of the first inning has its first six batters score six runs. The side is then out and you begin the top of the 2nd inning.
14. Runners may not leave their base until the ball has been hit into play. Runners may not steal or lead off base. First time caught will result in a warning. Second time caught is an automatic out.
15. There is no infield fly rule.
16. There is no bunting allowed.
17. Batted balls that hit the coach pitcher/umpire are ruled a hit and the batter and all runners move up 1 base. It is a dead ball.
18. On an overthrow of the play, runners can advance only 1 base. On any overthrows that remain in play, runners can advance at their own risk.
19. Balls thrown to the pitcher's mound or any other infield positionENDS the play. If the runner is between bases he advances/retreats to the nearest base. The pitcher/infielder DOES NOT NECESSARILY NEED CONTROL of the ball. If a batted ball is hit into the outfield runners may continue to advance as long as the ball is traveling away from home plate. Once an outfielder controls the ball and throws it toward the infield the runners should stop at the nearest base. Base coaches should anticipate the ball being fielded and error on the side of “conservative” when deciding whether or not to send a runner.
***Please discuss “End of play” definitions with the other coaches BEFORE the game. We all know that at this age group of kids, coaches can let the kids run all the time in an effort to draw a throw that 95% of the time will result in an error and the runner taking the extra base. PLEASE BE CONSERVATIVE and use good judgment when sending runner to the next base.***
20. Sliding at any base is allowed. If there is a play at home plate, the runner must slide. The runner cannot slide headfirst into home plate or the runner will receive a warning. Runner will be declared out if they repeat slide after receiving a warning. A play at the plate is defined as if the ball and the runner arriving in the vicinity of home plate at the same time. If the runner does not slide it is an automatic out. If the runner deliberately runs into any fielder it is an automatic out. Also, if a fielder deliberately blocks the path of a runner, then the runner is awarded the blocked base. Good judgment is required when the catcher is not near the plate and there is an accidental collision with the runner.
21. Base/Pitcher's mound distances are as follows:
Pitching rubber to back comer of home plate: 46 feet
Base distance: 60 feet
22. Bats, helmets, and equipment must be kept even with or behind the team benches.
23. No metal spikes are allowed.
24. All batters must wear a helmet (with a facemask optional). The base runners must also wear batting helmet. Catchers must wear skullcaps. A protective cup is strongly recommended for all players and especially catchers.
25. All players should stay on or near the bench area. NO PRACTICE SWINGS IN THE BENCH AREA!!!!!! Practice Swings are only to be taken in the on-deck circle.
27. No swearing or foul language from players or coaches will be allowed.
28. There will be no harassing of one team by another. This should be discouraged and replaced with the building of team pride for one's own team. The recreational aspect of the game is much more important than the win-loss record. Strive to win, but strive more to see that all players have an enjoyable season.
29. Alcohol or tobacco use is forbidden at all Mahtomedi fields by policy.
30. Regardless of the final results, if your team has a fun season, everyone comes out a winner.
31. Contact the 1st Grade baseball level director or inhouse director with questions or concerns.
32. During times of questionable weather parents should call weather hotline @ 651-407-2020 after 4:00. Players should plan on arriving at game time if game was not cancelled on weather hotline. Please refer to Mahtomedi Youth Baseball website for all rainout procedures. After 4:00 coaches work together to decide if a game should be played or resumed. In the case of lightning, play cannot resume until 15 after the final lightning strike.
The objectives for our 2nd grade program are:
- Build upon what was taught in 1st grade baseball
Basic base running..... (running past 1st and home....stopping or rounding at 2nd and 3rd....basic sliding)
Throwing.....hold the ball correctly....step toward your target and follow thru...... THUMBS DOWN!!!....No Short Arming
Catching....don't be afraid of the ball.
Hitting...... work with batting tee or soft toss at practices and before games.
- Begin to introduce the following:
Positioning.....Players know where to play for each position...... Each player begins thinking about their backup responsibilities.
Catching.....correct glove position on balls above/below the waist....MOVE TO THE BALL!!!.
Blocking ground balls with your body....infield and outfield.
Base running...... Watching/looking/listening for coaches while base running….Avoiding contact with fielders…..Sliding on close plays
Throwing to the correct base/cutoff man.
Hitting.....Get beyond being satisfied making contact....DRIVE THE BALL!!!!!!!
Understand the term “good sportsmanship”
Create a sense of team among the players….. Incorporate practice and team activities that build team unity …. Stress support of teammates after both good and poor plays
- Most of all....HAVE FUN!!!!!!.
- Did we mention FUN ?!?!?!?!?!?!?