YOUTH BASEBALL RULES 2016
YOUTH BASEBALL RULES 2016
T-Ball
Coach Pitch
Minors
Ages
5-6 Coed
Game Time
4 innings OR 1 hour
7-8 Boys 6 innings OR 90 minutes from scheduled start time
Forfeit Rule
No forfeits
No forfeits
9-10 Boys 6 innings OR 105 minutes from scheduled start time Team must have 7 players within 10 minutes of game start time
Pitcher’s Mound Distance
N/A
N/A
46 feet
Baseball Used
T-Ball
Safety Ball 5
Little League Baseball
Bats Used
Aluminum Official T-Ball Bats only
Aluminum Official Little League Bats only
Aluminum Official Little League Bats only
Umpiring
Coaches will umpire
Coaches will umpire
Scorekeeper
N/A
N/A
# of players on field
All players will be in the field each inning
10 players (standard infield, 4 in the outfield)
9 players
Offense :: 1 & 3rd Base Coach Defense :: 2 Field Coaches
Offense :: 1st & 3rd Base
Bunting
Offense :: 1 & 3rd Base Coach Defense :: 2 Field Coaches Not Allowed
Stealing Bases
Not Allowed
Not Allowed
Base Length
N/A
60ft
st
Coach Assistance
SOAR will provide an umpire for each game Each team is required to have a scorekeeper
st
Not Allowed
Bunting is allowed Stealing is allowed once the ball passes home plate. No lead offs or steal home on passed ball 60-70ft
SOAR EXPECTATIONS OF PLAYERS, PARENTS, AND SPECTATORS
Code of Conduct All parents, spectators, players & coaches are expected to:
Respect authority o You will not always agree with a decision but you are expected to show respect to all referees, coaches & SOAR staff. If there is an issue you need to calmly speak to SOAR leadership Be encouraging o This means that you cheer, not yell. You should be an encouragement to each child on the court regardless of the team they are on. Each child is here to compete, learn and grow and all involved should be an aid in that not a detriment. Be a good example o A child arguing with a referee is a learned behavior; don’t let them learn it from you. You are expected to be a good example to all on the court. What you do in moderation, the kids will do in excess.
Should you violate any of these expectations; the following disciplinary action will be taken at SOAR leadership’s discretion:
Warning & written documentation o For your first offense you will be given a warning by SOAR leadership and there will be written documentation Meeting with SOAR leadership o For a second offense there will be a mandatory meeting with SOAR leadership followed by a potential suspension at leadership’s discretion. If there is a delay in meeting with leadership you will not be able to be on the court until the meeting is held Meeting with SOAR leadership & extended suspension o For a third offense there will be a mandatory meeting with SOAR leadership. Leadership will also determine how long the suspension from the court will be. If there is a delay in meeting with leadership you will not be able to be on the court until the meeting is held.
SOAR Specific Rules: League Wide: 1. Players/Teams a. Teams are expected to play hard, play to win, and play with honor. b. Teams are expected to treat the officials, coaches, fellow players, and spectators respectfully. c. Players are expected to show sportsmanship in victory and defeat. d. Players are expected to have their uniform tucked in and should refrain from wearing jewelry. e. Players that receive skin lacerations that cause bleeding will be removed from the game and will not be permitted to return until a bandage has been applied, and the bleeding has stopped. 2. Coaches a. Coaches are expected to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of honor. b. Coaches are expected to treat the players, officials, fellow coaches, and spectators respectfully. c. Coaches are expected to refrain from challenging the officials’ calls. i. Coaches may get clarification of a rule; but only at the end of an inning. 3. Spectators a. All Spectators are encouraged to support & encourage the players. i. All Spectators are expected to refrain from discouraging the players. b. During game time, spectators should not speak directly to any coach, player, or official unless it is deemed necessary. c. Any spectator that is not upholding the expectations set forth by SOAR (at the discretion of the head umpire, and/or SOAR leadership) will be given one warning. i. If the spectator’s behavior continues, they will be asked to leave the facility. d. Anyone who is asked to leave the facility will have to meet with SOAR leadership before they are allowed to attend their team’s next practice or game. 4. Unsportsmanlike Behavior a. Players i. At the umpire’s discretion, a warning will be given to any player whose actions do not uphold the expectations set forth by SOAR. ii. On the second infraction, that player will be removed from the game. iii. Should the ejected player continue to be an issue, that player may be asked to leave the facility. iv. Any player asked to leave the facility must meet with SOAR leadership before their next game. b. Coaches i. At the umpire’s discretion, a warning will be given to any coach whose actions do not uphold the expectations set forth by SOAR. ii. On the second infraction, that coach will be ejected from the game iii. Any coach asked to leave the facility must meet with SOAR leadership before their next game/practice. 5. Playing Time a. All players should play equal time over the season b. Coaches will attempt to rotate defensive players between the infield and outfield during the course of the game. i. Coaches should distribute defensive position assignments equally so that players get to experience multiple infield and outfield positions 6. Safety a. A player will be given 1 warning per game for slinging a bat. The next time, the player will be called out b. Batting helmets bust be worn by all batters and base runners c. Catchers shall have protective shin guards and chest protection on their person prior to the change of a new inning. Catchers are encouraged to wear a protective cup. d. Metal cleats will not be allowed in any division e. Protective batting vests are optional for players in all divisions except T-Ball and Coach Pitch 7. Rules not Stated a. Official Rules of Little League Baseball will apply to all situations that are not covered in these rules
SOAR Specific Rules: Coed T-Ball: 1. Game Time a. Games will be 4 innings OR 1 Hour b. A new inning should not be started if the “visitor” team is batting with less than 10 minutes until next scheduled game 2. Batting/Offense a. A team will bat all players each inning regardless of the outs recorded against them b. A player will be allowed as many attempts as necessary to cleanly hit the ball in fair territory i. Hitting the rubber tee solidly is not a clean hit c. If the batter, or a base runner, are called out they must return to the dugout/bench d. After the play is stopped, runners go to the nearest base e. We would like for all players to hit off of the tee. No pitches to players. 3. Fielding/Defense a. Players should be rotated through fielding positions as follows: i. 1st - RF - 2nd - RC - P - CF - SS - LC - 3B – LF b. After a ball has been cleanly hit, play is stopped when an infielder, who is in possession of the ball steps on a base, or holds the ball up. c. If a batted ball hits one of the coaches in the outfield, the ball will remain live.
Coach Pitch: 1. Game Time a. Games will be 6 innings OR 90 minutes from scheduled start time b. A new inning should not be started if the “visitor” team is batting with less than 10 minutes until next scheduled game 2. General a. For the first four (4) games, the focus will be more on learning without stressing the score. The last four (4) games, the score will be kept though focus is still on learning the game and not on the win. 3. Batting/Offense a. All players will bat once each inning b. Balls & Strikes will NOT be called c. No walks are permitted d. Batters have a maximum of five (5) swings to put the ball in play – if a batter is unable to put the ball in play in five (5) swings, he will be ruled out. e. Batters who are tentative to swing should be thrown a maximum of ten (10) pitches; the Pitcher Coach should warn the batter when there are only two (2) or three (3) pitches remaining. f. During the second half of the season, the following changes may be made: i. Inning ends after three (3) outs or 5 runs scored from the start of the inning. ii. If the batter drives in run #5 and the ball is still live, the runners may advance normally and may attempt to score iii. A maximum of 8 runs are allowed in a single inning iv. There will be no run limit in the 6th inning (or the last inning as designated by the coaches) v. A foul ball on the last strike cannot end a batters at-bat vi. Score will be kept g. At the conclusion of a batters at-bat, the catcher or coach will remove any stray balls in the batting box or running areas
4. Rotation/Sitting Out a. No player should ever sit out more than one (1) inning per game (if at all). Coaches should rotate players from position to position each inning allowing players to play four (4) different positions every game. Try to move players from outfield to infield and visa-versa whenever possible. Sub Chart will be available soon. 5. Fielding/Defense a. Each player must play at least 5 innings b. Play will be stopped when the ball is in possession of any defensive player in the infield i. Coaches should call “time” so that runners do not advance any more 6. Ball out-of-Play a. If the ball goes out-of-play (overthrown at first, third, or home) all base runners advance one (1) base beyond the base to which they are running.
Minors: 1. Game Time a. Games will be 6 innings OR 105 minutes from scheduled start time b. A new inning should not be started if the “visitor” team is batting with less than 10 minutes until next scheduled game 2. Batting/Offense a. All players must bat in sequence regardless of whether they played in the field b. A team will bat until there are 3 outs i. The winning team may only increase their lead by 5 runs in an inning. The exception to this rule is that any runs driven in by the play that scores the 5th run will count (which means the maximum runs is 8) 1. If the batter drives in run #5 and the ball is still live, the runners may advance normally and may attempt to score 2. Example: If you start an inning 10 runs down, you can score 15 runs, if you are leading by any margin at the start of an inning, you can only accumulate 5 more runs. c. There will be no run limit in the 6th inning (or the last inning as designated by the umpire) d. The batting order must change each game i. Each player must have the opportunity to bat at both the front of the lineup (1st – 4th batter) and the end (7th – 9th batter) 3. Fielding/Defense a. No player may pitch more than 4 innings per game i. Once a pitcher is replaced on the mound, he cannot return to that position during the game (even if they have not yet reached the 4 inning limit) b. No player may play the same position for more than 3 innings with the exception of pitchers and catchers which cannot play these positions more than 4 innings b. Play will be stopped when the ball is in possession of any defensive player in the infield and the runners are prevented from advancing i. The umpire will call “time” so that runners do not advance any more 7. Stealing a. Players may only leave the base to steal once the ball crosses Home plate i. Teams get two(2) stolen bases per at bat ii. Leading off the base is not allowed iii. Runners cannot steal on a passed ball by the catcher or wild pitch 8. Dropped 3rd Strike a. If a catcher drops the 3rd strike, the batter is still out 9. Infield Fly a. The infield fly rule will not be called
T-Ball
Coach Pitch
Minors
Ages
5-6 Coed
Game Time
4 innings OR 1 hour
7-8 Boys 6 innings OR 90 minutes from scheduled start time
Forfeit Rule
No forfeits
No forfeits
9-10 Boys 6 innings OR 105 minutes from scheduled start time Team must have 7 players within 10 minutes of game start time
Pitcher’s Mound Distance
N/A
N/A
46 feet
Baseball Used
T-Ball
Safety Ball 5
Little League Baseball
Bats Used
Aluminum Official T-Ball Bats only
Aluminum Official Little League Bats only
Aluminum Official Little League Bats only
Umpiring
Coaches will umpire
Coaches will umpire
Scorekeeper
N/A
N/A
# of players on field
All players will be in the field each inning
10 players (standard infield, 4 in the outfield)
9 players
Offense :: 1 & 3rd Base Coach Defense :: 2 Field Coaches
Offense :: 1st & 3rd Base
Bunting
Offense :: 1 & 3rd Base Coach Defense :: 2 Field Coaches Not Allowed
Stealing Bases
Not Allowed
Not Allowed
Base Length
N/A
60ft
st
Coach Assistance
SOAR will provide an umpire for each game Each team is required to have a scorekeeper
st
Not Allowed
Bunting is allowed Stealing is allowed once the ball passes home plate. No lead offs or steal home on passed ball 60-70ft
SOAR EXPECTATIONS OF PLAYERS, PARENTS, AND SPECTATORS
Code of Conduct All parents, spectators, players & coaches are expected to:
Respect authority o You will not always agree with a decision but you are expected to show respect to all referees, coaches & SOAR staff. If there is an issue you need to calmly speak to SOAR leadership Be encouraging o This means that you cheer, not yell. You should be an encouragement to each child on the court regardless of the team they are on. Each child is here to compete, learn and grow and all involved should be an aid in that not a detriment. Be a good example o A child arguing with a referee is a learned behavior; don’t let them learn it from you. You are expected to be a good example to all on the court. What you do in moderation, the kids will do in excess.
Should you violate any of these expectations; the following disciplinary action will be taken at SOAR leadership’s discretion:
Warning & written documentation o For your first offense you will be given a warning by SOAR leadership and there will be written documentation Meeting with SOAR leadership o For a second offense there will be a mandatory meeting with SOAR leadership followed by a potential suspension at leadership’s discretion. If there is a delay in meeting with leadership you will not be able to be on the court until the meeting is held Meeting with SOAR leadership & extended suspension o For a third offense there will be a mandatory meeting with SOAR leadership. Leadership will also determine how long the suspension from the court will be. If there is a delay in meeting with leadership you will not be able to be on the court until the meeting is held.
SOAR Specific Rules: League Wide: 1. Players/Teams a. Teams are expected to play hard, play to win, and play with honor. b. Teams are expected to treat the officials, coaches, fellow players, and spectators respectfully. c. Players are expected to show sportsmanship in victory and defeat. d. Players are expected to have their uniform tucked in and should refrain from wearing jewelry. e. Players that receive skin lacerations that cause bleeding will be removed from the game and will not be permitted to return until a bandage has been applied, and the bleeding has stopped. 2. Coaches a. Coaches are expected to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of honor. b. Coaches are expected to treat the players, officials, fellow coaches, and spectators respectfully. c. Coaches are expected to refrain from challenging the officials’ calls. i. Coaches may get clarification of a rule; but only at the end of an inning. 3. Spectators a. All Spectators are encouraged to support & encourage the players. i. All Spectators are expected to refrain from discouraging the players. b. During game time, spectators should not speak directly to any coach, player, or official unless it is deemed necessary. c. Any spectator that is not upholding the expectations set forth by SOAR (at the discretion of the head umpire, and/or SOAR leadership) will be given one warning. i. If the spectator’s behavior continues, they will be asked to leave the facility. d. Anyone who is asked to leave the facility will have to meet with SOAR leadership before they are allowed to attend their team’s next practice or game. 4. Unsportsmanlike Behavior a. Players i. At the umpire’s discretion, a warning will be given to any player whose actions do not uphold the expectations set forth by SOAR. ii. On the second infraction, that player will be removed from the game. iii. Should the ejected player continue to be an issue, that player may be asked to leave the facility. iv. Any player asked to leave the facility must meet with SOAR leadership before their next game. b. Coaches i. At the umpire’s discretion, a warning will be given to any coach whose actions do not uphold the expectations set forth by SOAR. ii. On the second infraction, that coach will be ejected from the game iii. Any coach asked to leave the facility must meet with SOAR leadership before their next game/practice. 5. Playing Time a. All players should play equal time over the season b. Coaches will attempt to rotate defensive players between the infield and outfield during the course of the game. i. Coaches should distribute defensive position assignments equally so that players get to experience multiple infield and outfield positions 6. Safety a. A player will be given 1 warning per game for slinging a bat. The next time, the player will be called out b. Batting helmets bust be worn by all batters and base runners c. Catchers shall have protective shin guards and chest protection on their person prior to the change of a new inning. Catchers are encouraged to wear a protective cup. d. Metal cleats will not be allowed in any division e. Protective batting vests are optional for players in all divisions except T-Ball and Coach Pitch 7. Rules not Stated a. Official Rules of Little League Baseball will apply to all situations that are not covered in these rules
SOAR Specific Rules: Coed T-Ball: 1. Game Time a. Games will be 4 innings OR 1 Hour b. A new inning should not be started if the “visitor” team is batting with less than 10 minutes until next scheduled game 2. Batting/Offense a. A team will bat all players each inning regardless of the outs recorded against them b. A player will be allowed as many attempts as necessary to cleanly hit the ball in fair territory i. Hitting the rubber tee solidly is not a clean hit c. If the batter, or a base runner, are called out they must return to the dugout/bench d. After the play is stopped, runners go to the nearest base e. We would like for all players to hit off of the tee. No pitches to players. 3. Fielding/Defense a. Players should be rotated through fielding positions as follows: i. 1st - RF - 2nd - RC - P - CF - SS - LC - 3B – LF b. After a ball has been cleanly hit, play is stopped when an infielder, who is in possession of the ball steps on a base, or holds the ball up. c. If a batted ball hits one of the coaches in the outfield, the ball will remain live.
Coach Pitch: 1. Game Time a. Games will be 6 innings OR 90 minutes from scheduled start time b. A new inning should not be started if the “visitor” team is batting with less than 10 minutes until next scheduled game 2. General a. For the first four (4) games, the focus will be more on learning without stressing the score. The last four (4) games, the score will be kept though focus is still on learning the game and not on the win. 3. Batting/Offense a. All players will bat once each inning b. Balls & Strikes will NOT be called c. No walks are permitted d. Batters have a maximum of five (5) swings to put the ball in play – if a batter is unable to put the ball in play in five (5) swings, he will be ruled out. e. Batters who are tentative to swing should be thrown a maximum of ten (10) pitches; the Pitcher Coach should warn the batter when there are only two (2) or three (3) pitches remaining. f. During the second half of the season, the following changes may be made: i. Inning ends after three (3) outs or 5 runs scored from the start of the inning. ii. If the batter drives in run #5 and the ball is still live, the runners may advance normally and may attempt to score iii. A maximum of 8 runs are allowed in a single inning iv. There will be no run limit in the 6th inning (or the last inning as designated by the coaches) v. A foul ball on the last strike cannot end a batters at-bat vi. Score will be kept g. At the conclusion of a batters at-bat, the catcher or coach will remove any stray balls in the batting box or running areas
4. Rotation/Sitting Out a. No player should ever sit out more than one (1) inning per game (if at all). Coaches should rotate players from position to position each inning allowing players to play four (4) different positions every game. Try to move players from outfield to infield and visa-versa whenever possible. Sub Chart will be available soon. 5. Fielding/Defense a. Each player must play at least 5 innings b. Play will be stopped when the ball is in possession of any defensive player in the infield i. Coaches should call “time” so that runners do not advance any more 6. Ball out-of-Play a. If the ball goes out-of-play (overthrown at first, third, or home) all base runners advance one (1) base beyond the base to which they are running.
Minors: 1. Game Time a. Games will be 6 innings OR 105 minutes from scheduled start time b. A new inning should not be started if the “visitor” team is batting with less than 10 minutes until next scheduled game 2. Batting/Offense a. All players must bat in sequence regardless of whether they played in the field b. A team will bat until there are 3 outs i. The winning team may only increase their lead by 5 runs in an inning. The exception to this rule is that any runs driven in by the play that scores the 5th run will count (which means the maximum runs is 8) 1. If the batter drives in run #5 and the ball is still live, the runners may advance normally and may attempt to score 2. Example: If you start an inning 10 runs down, you can score 15 runs, if you are leading by any margin at the start of an inning, you can only accumulate 5 more runs. c. There will be no run limit in the 6th inning (or the last inning as designated by the umpire) d. The batting order must change each game i. Each player must have the opportunity to bat at both the front of the lineup (1st – 4th batter) and the end (7th – 9th batter) 3. Fielding/Defense a. No player may pitch more than 4 innings per game i. Once a pitcher is replaced on the mound, he cannot return to that position during the game (even if they have not yet reached the 4 inning limit) b. No player may play the same position for more than 3 innings with the exception of pitchers and catchers which cannot play these positions more than 4 innings b. Play will be stopped when the ball is in possession of any defensive player in the infield and the runners are prevented from advancing i. The umpire will call “time” so that runners do not advance any more 7. Stealing a. Players may only leave the base to steal once the ball crosses Home plate i. Teams get two(2) stolen bases per at bat ii. Leading off the base is not allowed iii. Runners cannot steal on a passed ball by the catcher or wild pitch 8. Dropped 3rd Strike a. If a catcher drops the 3rd strike, the batter is still out 9. Infield Fly a. The infield fly rule will not be called
