Rookie League Rules - 2018 Season

Rookie League is to allow the players to learn thegame of baseball and have fun doing so. The league is not run for the benefit of the coaches orthe parents of the players. The rules stated below are intended to help carry out this purpose.

  1. Games last 55 minutes. Games start promptly. Please be respectful of the teams waiting to start a game if you are on the field. Please do not start an inning if insufficient time remains to finish within the scheduled time. There is no limit on the number of innings played.
  2. Innings end when the 3rd out is made by the defense or with the hit which includes the 6th run being scored (i.e., all runners who score on the hit that scores the 6th run of the inning will count).
  3. No base stealing.
  4. As soon as the ball reaches the infield from the outfield, all runners must stop at the base they are running to, even if the ball is overthrown. Do not take a base on an overthrow.
  5. Base runners should stay in the base path and fielders should not obstruct them. These calls are at the discretion of the nearest coach.
  6. Kids will not have a bat in their hands until it is their turn to bat. No on deck area. This is for safety reasons. Team parents should have a batting order at the beginning of each game.
  7. Helmets are always kept on the head when batting/running.
  8. Catchers must wear full catching gear.
  9. Throwing the bat – first time warning. Second time = automatic out.
  10. This is an instructional league. The season begins with coaches pitching (whichever way they wish, underhand, or overhand). The coaches will strive to develop pitchers among their players. The goal is to have players pitching within 2-3 games from the start of the season.
  11. Whether coaches or players are pitching, they are to pitch in order for the batter to hit the ball. Conversely, coaches encourage their batters to swing at all good pitches.
  12. No walks or strikeouts. Maximum 6 pitches per batter, then use the tee (please track the pitch count).
  13. A batter hitting off the tee is allowed a single hit only. Runners may not advance more than one base on a hit off of the tee.
  14. Teams may play up to 11 players in the field, but both teams should have the same number of players on defense. All players bat.
  15. No fielder can be closer to home plate than the pitcher-coach. Player-pitchers pitch from a distance of 35 feet from home plate.
  16. Offensive teams will provide the pitcher-coach and 1st and 3rd base coaches. Defensive teams will provide home plate umpire/coach, who will help with positioning their catcher and encouraging their pitcher. The defensive may also have a roaming coach to help position players in the field.
  17. The coach (either offense or defensive) nearest the play calls if safe or out.
  18. Unsportsmanlike like conduct from the players or coaches is unacceptable. Persistent problems will be referred to the coordinator and/or commissioner for corrective action.
  19. The HOME team at the first game will be responsible for set up of the bases (which are in the equipment locker), the AWAY team at the last game will be responsible for returning bases to the locker.

Have fun and help the children have fun. The main reason the majority of these children have signed up is to have fun. Your prime goal as a coach should be to facilitate fun and then teach about baseball and good sportsmanship.