ROOKIE LEAGUE 2017

Key Dates for the Season

May 6th- Opening Day; *must start and end games on time*; Coaches (or delegate to parents) must rake fields after the game). No switching fields to start a game early. NO EXCEPTIONS. Hard stop. Walk away from the field.

June?- Pictures. Details and online signupto come.

June 16th - All Star Game/Homerun Derby

June 17 – Saturday league games

July 7-9 - End of the Season Tournament

Schedules- Target is 12 games/season. 16 are scheduled plus there will be more at the end of season tournament. Thus, if a game is rained out, we will not make it up unless it causes a team to fall below the targeted minimum.

Fields - 60’ Basepath; 42’ Pitching Distance;

Umpires - The umpires do the best job possible however they will make mistakes. Many are young and are learning the job. Respect the umpires and understand that many calls are judgment calls. You can’t argue judgment calls, only application of the rule can be discussed with an umpire.Coach or parent heckling of umpires will not be tolerated.

Coaches Responsibility–Coaches are responsible for all their coaches, players and parents at the games. If a parent, player or coach is acting up at a game, the behavior should be addressed. Keep the back stop clear of fans. Any coach that is kicked out of a game by an umpire will be asked to step down. Parents and coaches should set a good example for the kids. All coaches are required do a background check and a concussion certification..

Game Rules:

  • 4 outfielders will be used instead of 3.
  • No stealing or taking a base on a passed ball.
  • No balks
  • 5 run limit per inning
  • No infield fly rule
  • No leading off
  • No dropped third strike
  • Strike zone: Knees to shoulders; one ball on either side of plate
  • 4 Balls 3 Strikes
  • 3 ½ or 4 innings (depending on whether home team is ahead) will be a complete game
  • 6 inning games or 1 ½ hour time limit, hard stop. Do not start another inning after 1 hour 15 minutes. The inning must start by 1 hour 15 minute mark. If you are unable to finish the inning, score will revert back to prior inning.
  • Rotate kids between infield and outfield – all kids should play all positions during regular season play
  • Forfeit: Play with 8 players or more; less than 8 is a forfeit.
  • No player should sit a second inning until everyone has sat out once. Equal playing time is expected.
  • Pitching:
  • This is a development league. During the regular season all players who are able to throw the ball the distance to the plate should pitch an equal number of innings over the course of the season. Exceptions must be agreed upon by coach and parents and communicated to League Director.
  • End of season seeding will be based partly upon pitching equality
  • Pitching is limited to the lesser of 2 innings per game or the maximum pitch count limit:
  • 50 pitches/day – finish current batter if the 50 pitch count is met
  • 21-35 pitches = 1 day rest
  • 36-50 pitches = 2 days rest
  • In determining whether pitchers have pitched an equal number of innings over the course of the season, a pitched inning must be at least 20 pitches (unless 3 outs are made before the 20 pitches). Extenuating circumstances (ie: injury) may be discussed with League Coordinator. The intent of this rule is to keep coaches from pitching a kid for 3 pitches and then pulling him out but counting it as an inning pitched.
  • If a pitcher delivers one or more pitch in an inning, he will be recorded as having pitched one full inning (keep in mind each player must have 1 inning of at least 20 pitches as noted above). The intent of this rule is to keep coaches from pitching a kid for 19 pitches and then pulling him saying he hasn’t pitched a full (half) inning under the 20-pitch inning rule so they can pitch him again before pitching someone else for purposes of making the pitching equal across the kids.
  • Catching: Same pitching limits apply to catching (don’t have a kid pitch and catch in the same game, follow the lesser of 2 innings per game/ maximum pitch/day limit and rest rules for pitchers)
  • Be smart about practices – don’t overuse their arms – can focus on technique without throwing balls
  • The batting order should be continuous. After the 3rd game, teams must have a set line up and start the 4th game where they left off in the line-up the game before. For example, if the 9th batter was the last batter of the game, the 10th batter will be your lead-off hitter for the next game.
  • No bat limit or regulations for league play.
  • Bunting is permitted, but must be used as part of a sound baseball strategy, not just because it's the best chance for a particular kid to make contact with the ball.
  • Overthrows: 2 bases max on anoverthrow, oneoverthrowmax per play
  • Home team will take 3rd base bench for all games.
  • Besides the specific rules listed, all leagues will follow the rules in the Cal Ripken/ Babe Ruth rule book.
  • Additional Playoff Rules:
  • Home team is determined by better seed at beginning of tournaments. No re-seeding throughout tournament
  • Batting order may be changed and reset after each game.
  • Pitchers innings/pitches thrown must be consecutive. Once a pitcher has been removed from a game, he may not re-enter as a pitcher.
  • After each game, all coaches must give the coordinator the score, pitcher’s name, jersey number and innings and pitches pitched. If a team fails to report within one hour, that team will forfeit that game. This will help the coordinators get updated brackets and pitching updates quicker.
  • The time limit is still in effect. The only games that we will play in full, regardless of time limit, isthe championship game, if daylight will allow.
  • If a game is tied after the time limit: The visiting team will place the last out from the prior inning on second base. The visiting team will have 2 outs. We will repeat this process for 2 innings. If we still have a tie. We will out runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs, for 2 innings. If the game is still tied, we may have to flip a coin.

Weather line: 763-494-5959 - The weather line will have information about games being cancelled after 4pm. If nothing is on the weather line, you must go to the field. At that time, the umpire will make the decision if the game will be cancelled. All coaches are responsible for communicating with their team about game and practice cancellations. The OMGAA website also has a Rain Status tab on the left hand side. It will be updated after 4:00 pm on game days.