Eligibility

• Boys graduating from 1st and 2nd grades.

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Time Limit

• 4 inning games, no new inning after 1 hour

Outs and Batting Order

• All players bat first two innings with a maximum of 11 batters in any inning

• Teams with more than 11 players will start the next inning with batters after 11 and then go back to the top of the order, again only going to a maximum of 11 batters

• The next two innings are based on 3 outs like normal baseball, maximum of 11 batters or through the order

• Teams can choose to play an extra inning (both coaches must agree) if the first innings are quick and you have players' attention still

Fair Ball Definition

A batted ball is “fair” if hit between the lines and 5 feet in front of the home plate (a chalk line may be used to put a “fair line” to make sure it goes past a certain area to be considered fair.

Game Equipment

• Regular baseballs are to be used

• Players must wear helmets while batting, running the bases, and catching

Catchers Gear

• Recommended that the catcher only wear a catcher mask to speed up the game, they do not need full catcher gear but “they can choose to if they want”

• If the catcher plans on wearing full gear they must hit first in the inning (also have a courtesy runner if in 3rd inning or later in the game)

Base Running

• One base advancement on overthrow

• Runners must slide feed first only 

• Runners must stay on base until the ball is hit

Batting Rules

• Batters must take full swings (no bunting)

• A player who throws the bat in a manner that could hurt another player will be warned, if they continuously do it they will lose a turn at bat

• Before the last batter in the lineup comes to the plate let the other teams know

• The last batter is treated as if there are two outs, play stops when an out is made

•  Batters get approximately 6 good pitches to hit (taking a strike counts as a good pitch), a tee is brought out after that and they get two swings (this is to keep the game going)

• If the batter fouls off and makes 6 good swings use discretion to give him one or two more, the other kids are waiting to hit but we do want the kids to hit the live pitch

• If the tee is brought out and the ball is not hit into fair territory after two swings then the batter is out

 Defensive Positioning

• 9 players play in the field in normal baseball positions

• there must only be a catcher/pitcher/four infielders in the infield

• A minimum of three outfielders is not required; games can proceed with fewer

Pitching Rules

• The pitcher must keep one foot on the pitching rubber until the ball is hit

• The pitching coach should ensure the pitcher has a clear line of sight to the ball

•  If a coach is having a hard time throwing strikes please ask for help from the opposing coach

  Coaches

•  The coach who is pitching makes sure the  pitcher has a line of sight for the ball

•  An adult must be backed by the catcher and batter at all times

• Coaches are the umpires for these games

• Coaches are encouraged to be on the field with defensive players to help direct them and make sure they are paying attention

 
In the last 4 weeks of the season, we will allow kids to pitch to batters under the following guidelines. All other rules can be found on the Tri-County website.

 

1. Both coaches will pitch to the entire lineup in the 1st inning of the game

2. Starting in the 2nd inning a kid is allowed to pitch

3. 5 batter max or 20 pitches max per pitcher (whichever comes first). A kid may finish the batter if he starts under 20 pitches

4. 4 pitches max to each batter by the kid pitching (after 4 pitches by a kid, the coach gets to throw 4 pitches to the batter)

5. If the hitter walks or strikes out, the coach will then get to throw the batter 4 pitches. THERE ARE NO STRIKEOUTS! 

6. If a batter gets hit by a pitch the coach will take over immediately pitching 4 pitches to the batter. For example, If a kid is hit on the first pitch, the coach will throw the next 4 pitches. The pitcher may resume pitching against the next batter.

7. Absolutely NO PITCHING CHANGES IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INNING! 

8. 42 feet pitching distance. No mound is necessary but please have a pitching rubber available.

9. 8 pitches max per kid before the tee is used

10. Only 3 warmup pitches between innings. Have your pitcher and catcher ready when the inning is over! 

11. The coach on the field will call balls and strike.