Farm League 2016 Rules

This Division is primarily designed for Children who are Little League ages 6, 7 and 8 ANDwho are in First and Second Grade. Farm will be divided into two leagues American and National leagues– first and second grades, respectively. Kindergartners who are Little League age 6 and have played one year of Little League Sponsored T-ball are eligible to play in Farm if and only if there is space available after the First and Second Graders are placed in the league. Parents of Little League age 6 players who have played a year of T-Ball may request to move their child to Farm. Such requests will be considered by the Commissioner and will depend on coach evaluations and available roster spaces.It is highly likely that these participants will spend three years in Farm (K-1-2), regardless of talent/experience. It is EXTREMELY RARE for a 2nd Grader to play in Minors (kid pitch).

  • No umpires assigned by the League. Coaches assume umpire responsibilities.
  • No official score is maintained
  • Coaches pitch to their respective teams with selective player pitching introduced in 2016 for 2nd Grade. 1st grade Farm is coach pitch.
  • Player Pitching requires the player to have practiced pitching and exhibited the ability to reach the plate from the pitching rubber (or slightly in front of the rubber)in a controlled fashion, with a batter in the batter’s box. Player pitching commences with the 3rd game of the season. Players are limited to 5 pitches perbatterand or no more than3 batters per inning. One player may pitch per inning and coaches provide the remainder of the pitching. A pitcher hitting more than one batter in an inning must be replaced with a coach. It is recommended that coaches convene beforehand, so that the player-pitcher faces strong hitters.
  • All players play in the defensive field. There are the 5 traditional infield position players, 1 pitcher and all others play the outfield. Every player must play at least one inning in the infield and coaches are strongly encouraged to ensure players have balanced playing time in the infield and outfield.
  • Outfielders should remain at least 15 feet behind the infield. This rule must be enforced for safety reasons to avoid children getting hit by throws in the infield. Outfielders should be encouraged to throw the ball into the pitcher, second or third basemen, as opposed to “running it in”.
  • A play is over when the ball is returned to the pitcher’s helper at the mound or the coach pitching. The ball need only be returned to the mound and does not have to be actually caught. Runners may advance if they are more than half way to the next base at the time the ball is returned to the mound.
  • After 3 outs, the bases are cleared but the team at bat REMAINS batting through the last batter (every player has their turn at bat). Once the final batter in the lineup has had their turn at bat the half-inning is over.
  • Only the batter currently batting should have a bat in their hand. No other players should be touching a bat.
  • Players receive6 live pitches, regardless of swings, balls or strikes. After 6pitches, if the batter has not put the ball into play, the batter shall hit off of a tee. If the batter opts not to use a tee, then that batter is deemed “out”.
  • There are no walks & no strikeouts
  • Hit by pitch rules are enforced in 2ndgrade Farm Division for Players Pitching. There are no hit by pitch rules for 1st grade.
  • All players bat each inning a continuous batting order is used.
  • A player must wear his or her batting helmet while either at bat or on base.
  • Any batter who throws his or her bat will be given a warning and then, if it happens again, will be called out.
  • Players leave base only when the ball has been hit and there is NO STEALING.
  • No base advancement on overthrows in Farm 1st Grade.
  • No base advancement on overthrows to first base in 2nd Grade Farm. Players may advance on overthrows to 2nd base or 3rd in 2nd gradeFarm.
  • No `last batter home run.’ Go until the play is over, holding kids up at the base when the ball is secured.
  • Tagging up on caught line drives/pop ups/fly balls is only allowed from third base.
  • Players should be taught & encouraged to slide whenever there is a close play (except for first base).
  • All players must remain IN the dugout, preferablyON the bench, during the game (unless they are in a defensive position in the field,at bat, on base or on deck). Wandering off to converse with parents/fans is highly discouraged.
  • The coach who is pitching is the umpire for that half inning, unless the coaches agree otherwise.
  • A team should have a minimum of 7 players to begin a game. Borrowing from the opponent is encouraged to make sure the game can be played.
  • A team should appear at the field,ready for play, at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start ofthe game.
  • The home team shall supply 2 new baseballs(RIF #5) for each game.
  • Games are three innings long or a maximum of 2 hours in length. If the game is fast and environment conducive, games can go beyond 3 innings, but NOT beyond 2 hours.
  • Home team bats in the bottom of the third, unless the 2 hour time limit is reached.
  • Rainouts are determined by home team coach. The home team is responsible for notifying the visiting team coach and marking the game as “cancelled” on the website to ensure all parents are notified. Games should be rescheduled by mutual agreement.
  • Farm coaches will be required to fill out evaluations on all players and share with the Farm Commissioner at the season, not to exceed one week after final game.

Information Classification: Limited Access