FALL RECREATION SEASON AKA FALL BALL
Flemington-Raritan Baseball offers a baseball season that runs from September through late-October or early November. Players from ages 4 through 15 are given the opportunity to experience play at the next level – or what they will encounter in the upcoming spring season. The Fall season is a significantly less competitive league format. There are no league standings or playoffs. The emphasis is entirely on learning baseball in a game environment.   Generally, there will be 1 game or practice during the week and 1 game on Friday or Saturday.

The Fall League has included teams and players from many surrounding towns both inside and beyond the Hunterdon County borders. 

Divisional Game Days (Subject to change based on enrollment):

Pitch Counts and Innings
Rookies: 40 pitches or 2 innings whichever is first
Minors: 50 pitches or 2 innings whichever is first
Majors: 60 pitches or 2 innings whichever is first
Seniors: 70 pitches or 4 innings whichever is first

2023 FRB DIVISIONAL GUIDELINES FOR BAMBINOS AND ROOKIES (Update in Progress)
Updated Sept 2022

These guidelines are provided to give parents, coaches, and players the framework for participation at this level. The Bambino and Rookie leagues of Flemington Raritan Baseball (FRB) serve 5, 6, 7, and 8 year old children in the community. 

Minors, Majors, and Seniors are governed by the rules of baseball.  See FRB Ground Rules for the Division Specific exceptions.

Safety & Conduct

This applies to all Divisions

1.        All catchers must wear a helmet, mask, shin guards, chest protector, and cup. Note: Catching is not introduced until the Rookie level.

2.        Bambino use “soft” safety balls only.

3.        All batters, base runners, and “on-deck” batter(s) practicing, in the field of play, or warming up, must wear helmets. If the child has a bat in their hands, they must have a helmet on. During games, only one on deck batter should have a bat in their hands.

4.        Metal cleats are not permitted. Rubber cleats are optional.

5.        No sunglasses are allowed unless prescription and properly secured. Sport goggles are recommended.

6.        Jewelry is not permitted.

7.        All players must remain on the bench, except “on-deck” batter(s) or as otherwise directed by a coach.

8.        It is recommended that head coaches and assistant coaches attend any league sponsored coaching clinics.

9.        Any coach or player using profanity will be ejected from the game and face possible suspension.

10.     Yelling and raising your voice is not an effective teaching technique. Coaches who yell at children will be warned and potentially removed from the game and  face possible suspension.

11.     Try to live by the 5:1 rule of positive comments to constructive points.

12.     It is the responsibility of each coach to have the team clean up the field and bench area after each practice or game.

13.     Player pitchers should stand no more than 6 feet in front of the mound for their safety. 

14.     A parent or designated guardian must be present at all sessions for Bambino & Rookies levels.

Bambinos

Teaching Objectives for players at this level should include:

1.        Proper fielding position stressing tripod position

2.        Proper throwing techniques stressing arm position and footwork

3.        Proper hitting stance stressing feet, hands and bat position using tee, soft toss and coach pitch.

4.        Introduction to infield positions

5.        Introduction to game scenarios stressing infield throws to first base

6.        Knowledge of first base foot work

7.        Base running: Running through 1st base on ground balls.

Season Format

        Sessions 1 to October 1st

1.        Practice Drill Sessions ½ of time and game/scrimmage the other ½ of time.  TBall ONLY until Oct 1st.

2.        Development of fundamental skills should be stressed.

3.        Conduct drills for a minimum of the first 40 minutes of practice followed by a 2-3 inning simulated game (see age specific rules).

       After October 1st till end of season

1.        Practice Drill Sessions ½ of time and game the other ½ of time.

2.        Coach Pitch up to 10 pitches or 5 swings per player, whichever is earlier, then hitting T is brought out

3.        Any play resulting in an out, the player will go to the bench. No strikeouts

4.        Development of fundamental skills should continue to be stressed.

5.        Conduct drills for a minimum of the first 40 minutes of practice followed by a 2-3 inning simulated game (see age specific rules).

6.        Note: Practice only sessions should last approximately 90 minutes, at the coach’s discretion

Game Playing 

1.        Infielders will be limited to 5 players (no Catcher).   All infield positions will be covered. The remaining players will participate in drills and / or play the outfield.  No players should sit out. Depending on how many players/coaches are present, drills are strongly encouraged for the non-infield players.

2.        There will be no “building walls” in the infield. All non-infield players must be on the grass and cannot record a putout at a base, only an assist. 

3.        Two fielding coaches will be allowed on the field during the game. Coaches in the field will be considered part of the playing field and if hit by a batted ball, the ball remains in play.

4.        Players may hit off a tee at any time. When using the tee, the player may have as many swings as necessary to hit the ball. When a coach is pitching, the player may have up to five (5) swings to hit the ball. After five (5) misses, the tee must be used. Foul balls do not count as a miss. 

5.        All pitching will be done by the coach of the team batting. Until October 1st, play is TBALL only

6.        A single player pitcher should be used when a coach is pitching. The player pitcher must be in the mound area even when not pitching. Maintain a clear line of site for this player with the batter for safety purposes.

7.        If an out is made on a batter the batter will go back to the bench. If there are runners on base with two outs and the third out is made, the base runners will return to the bench and a new set of outs will be given to the batting team provided there are more players left to bat. 

8.        If each team has more than 8 players, it is recommended that the teams alternate hitting after every 4/5 batters to help keep the players interest.

9.        There are no strikeouts or walks.

10.     There is no: bunting, stealing, infield fly rule or tagging up.

11.     Sliding is permitted. Proper techniques should be stressed and practiced.

12.     Runners and batter may advance one base only. No advance on an overthrow. The ball is dead when a reasonable attempt is made to throw the ball back to the pitcher. Having a child run at this level without understanding why is confusing for the runner and the fielders.

Rookies

Teaching Objectives for players at this level should include:

1.        Understanding of the rules of the game 

2.        Introduction to fly balls

3.        Base running ( Making turns on balls hit past the infield)

4.        Introduction to Catching

5.        Introduction to Pitching

6.        Sliding technique

7.        Understanding of balls and strikes

8.        Introduction to umpiring

9.        Introduce “regulation” baseballs

Season Format

     Sessions 1-4

1. 45 minute Warm up / Practice Session.

2.  Simulated game/scrimmage with 9 players in proper position (extra players can round out the outfield or perform extra drills).

3. Games are NOT Umpired.

4. Coach Pitch ONLY with Catchers - 7 pitches then T or soft toss (coach's discretion) will be used.

5.  Half Innings consist of batting through lineups.  

     Sessions 4 to October 15th

1.  30 Minute Warmup

2.   Games are NOT Umpired

3.   Coaches should not be on the field

4.   Simulated game with 9 players in proper position (extras players can round out the outfield or perform extra drills.)

5.   Called balls and strikes (by coaches) –  NO walks and NO called strikeouts

6.   Half innings consist of 3 outs or after everyone has batted once

7.   No advancing on an overthrow

8.  Players pitch (optional at coaches discretion) – limited to 1 inning and 3 pitches per batter.

9.  If after 3 pitches from a Player, an at bat does not end in a hit and/or out (strikeout swinging or put out), the Coach will come in and throw an additional 3 pitches max to the batter.  If the at bat does not end in a hit and/or out, then the T or will be brought out.  Player resumes pitching to next batter.

9.    All other rules of the game apply

After October 15th through end of season

1.        Games are umpired

2.        9 players in proper position (extras players on bench.) Each player must take a turn sitting out on defense until all players have sat. Coaches will do their best to rotate players through all positions on the field and use their judgment on Pitching, Catching, and First Base.

3.        Called balls and strikes with strikeouts & walks.  Runners may advance one base on an overthrow.  

4.        Players pitch – limited to 2 innings (Monitor to keep the player around 40 pitches).  Coaches to use discretion by agreement -- may work in or return to coach pitch as needed to keep the game moving and kids interested.

5.        Half innings consist of 3 outs or until 4 runs are scored

6.        No stealing of bases is allowed.

7.        All other rules of the game apply

8.        Note: Be aware of pitch counts – switch pitchers after approximately 40 pitches, even if between innings.  Preference should be given to kids developed enough to throw from the pitcher’s mound.