Midlothian Amateur Baseball Association

Midlothian Amateur Baseball Association

2014 U-5U-6U Baseball Rules

The primary goal of MABA is to provide a baseball learning experience that is also fun. It is important that each player has the opportunity to learn and improve his/her skills in all the fundamentals of baseball (batting, throwing, fielding, base running and understanding the game) in each practice and game situation.

Coaches in these divisions are in charge of teaching good sportsmanship and the basic skills of baseball.

Remember, other teams players are future classmates, friends and teammates.

The rules stated herein compliment USSSA official regulations and playing rules for baseball and are designed to promote the purpose of this league.

ALWAYS PROMOTE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP.

No eating of food, snacks, gum chewing allowed during the games/practices.

These divisions will consist of children who are 4, 5, and 6 years of age as of the following May 1.

MABA joined the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) in the Fall of 2013.

MABA is linked to the Best Southwest Baseball association. 4U-5U-6U will NOT be linked under BSB. We will play this division “in house”. We have enough teams to hold our own league/season.

USSSA plays a “pure age” division. Meaning, that all 4 year olds will play together. All 5 year olds will play together, etc., etc. The exception to this is that a player can play in an older division at the players parents request. They can play “up” a maximum of 2 years. No evaluation needed.

GREEN FIELD LAYOUT (T-Ball field)

-50’ bases

-Foul lines will be painted from home plate to both foul poles. Line is considered fair. Lines will not be painted on the dirt portion of the field.

-Fair Ball Arc: the first arc (from home plate) painted from foul line to foul line. If a batted ball does not cross this line, the ball is considered foul. The line itself if considered fair.

-Safety Arc: the second arc (from home plate) painted from foul line to foul line. NO DEFENSIVE PLAYER CAN BE IN THIS AREA PRIOR TO THE BALL BEING HIT BY THE BATTER. Once the ball is hit, any player can come into this area to field the ball.

-base path lines will be painted from 1st base to 2nd base and to 3rd base to help guild runners and educate infielders to stay clear of the base paths to avoid collisions.

-rubber batter’s box mats (to show feet positioning and to help align the batter to the tee) are optional. They are stored in the lockbox and are available for both practices and games.

GAMES

Time limits: 4U—50 minutes 5U/6U—60 minutes

No on field warmup between games. Once the previous teams have cleared the dugouts, the new teams should be ready to pay. Try to stay on schedule. Once time has expired, GAME IS OVER. We need to start the new game on time.

No score will be kept. Discourage anyone (fans, coaches, parents, etc.) from keeping score.

Each team will bat the entire roster. If a player arrives late, add him/her to the bottom of the order. If a player has to leave or for any reason cannot bat, skip the player without penalty.

Home team will occupy the 1st base dugout and play defense first. Home team is responsible for prepping the field (i.e. putting out the game bases, getting out the tee, catchers gear (6U only), raking as needed, etc.). Field will be lined by someone else. After the last game, the home team is responsible for putting all equipment back into the lockbox and locking it up, and raking the field one last time.

Visitors will occupy the 3rd base dugout and will bat first.

Game balls will be provided by the league. Send someone to the concession stand to get two balls. After the game, leave the balls on the field for the next game. Teams do not get to keep the game balls.

Bats: USSSA requires that all bats used in USSSA games have the stamp of approval on the bat. We will NOT be enforcing this rule, but if you decide to go play any outside tournaments that are USSSA sanctioned, it will be enforced.

6U Modified T-Ball: 6U will be playing a modified version of t-ball. If you choose to, you may pitch (either overhand or underhand—from the pitchers rubber) a maximum of 3 pitchers to your batter. If he/she hasn’t hit one of the pitches, you must place the ball on the tee, and the batter has 3 attempts to hit the ball. If he/she hasn’t hit on the 3rd attempt, the batter is called out. Foul balls on the last attempt do not extend the bat. Use a coach to back up the catcher during the coach pitches to hurry the game. If you chose not to coach pitch, the batter will have 6 opportunities off the tee.

Free substitution on defense. Allow players to play several positions. Safety is a major consideration.

Keep to the batting order on offense.

No: -bunting -stealing -walks -hit batters -infield fly rule -lead offs -pick off plays -hidden ball tricks

-running over or collisions while running bases

-umpires (except 6U) -throwing bats after hitting ball (1 warning issued by coach, then called out )

-on deck batters -swinging bats in dugout --chaos/disorder in dugout

-batboys, batgirls, etc. -others allowed dugout (siblings, parents, friends, etc.)

COACHES

Offense. There must be a coach at first base, third base, at the batter, and a dugout coach. All coaches must stay out of the way and not interfere with play. Coaches cannot touch players during a play.

Defense. Two coaches are allowed on the field during defense. One is allowed on the infield, positioned just in front of second base, off line between second base and home plate to assist infielders. Approximate positioned where an umpire would be. The other coach can be in the outfield to assist outfielders. All coaches must stay out of the way and not interfere with play. Coaches cannot touch players during a play.

SAFETY ISSUES

-all batters/runners must wear helmets. Face guard are not required.

-all players must me in uniform, including caps

-no “on deck” batters allowed. Only player allowed to have a bat in their hand is the batter. No bench players are allowed to hold a bat. If they hold a bat, they will swing it. If they swing it, good chance they will hit someone. Dugout coach or team mom will police this.

-any player is subject to ejection, at the discretion of their own coach for intentionally throwing equipment, fighting, foul language, tantrums, etc. please teach responsibility, consequences of actions, following rules, etc. This may be the only instructions of this kind the child receives.

-if the player strikes out, the player IS out and must return to the bench. This MUST be taught and enforced.

-if the defense gets a player out, the player must return to the dugout. It is important for the players to understand the concept of being called out. They need to understand that sometimes they get out, and it is NOT their fault. Sometimes, the other players make an awesome play. Like a wise baseball manager/coach once said, “there is no crying in baseball”. Emphasize this.

--NO HEADFIRST SLIDING WILL BE ALLOWED. Runners are automatically out. No exceptions. This is a safety issue.

-runners are allowed to run outside the base paths to avoid a collision, but are not allowed to run outside the base paths to avoid being tagged out. Teach them the difference. Teach the defensive players that the base paths belong to the runners. All base paths will be painted white.

-if the defense makes a 3rd out of the inning, clear the bases of runners and continue batting the rest of the order.

DEFENSIVE TEAM

-all players will play defense every inning. Play a normal infield, including pitcher. Catcher is optional (except 6U). Play the rest of the players in the outfield. Feel free to move players around as needed. All players should play infield positions, unless there is a safety issue. If so, discuss with parents.

-no protests or forfeits allowed. If an issue develops in the game, work it out with the other coach, or call for the Board Member on Duty, or call the Commissioner.

-if you use the catcher position, the catcher must wear the helmet/facemask/throat protector and be stationed against the backstop, out of the way a thrown bat, etc. 6U will use a catcher in full catchers gear and be stationed in regular catchers position. 6U needs to get ready for 7U to be played in the Fall.

-infielders must position themselves behind the Safety Arc. When the ball is hit they may come forward to field the ball. X’s will be painted on the grass to indicate infield positions. These are suggestions and are used strictly as guidelines.

-on overthrown balls at first base, no runners may advance.

-outfielders must be positioned behind the base path (not in the infleld). X’s will be painted on the grass to indicate outfield positions. These are suggestions and are used strictly as guidelines.

I’m sure I’m missing something. If I am, please let me know and will alter these rules. If I edit/change these rules, I will alert all coaches.