ROOKIE RULES – 2021
Beginner Program. The First Opportunity for organized sports. Introduction to basic skills and team concepts of hitting, running, fielding, and throwing are taught. Emphasis is on teamwork and fun. League is non-competitive and winning is played down. No score recorded, no win-loss record kept. There specifically developed rules which all for maximum playing time and experience for all.
COMMISSIONER
[email protected]
FIELD SPECIFICATIONS
FIELDS USED:
North Harms, South Harms, SE Crosier, NW Crosier, North Oswego, Lake Hastings, Watson School
GAME DAYS: Monday and Wednesday
PRACTICE/GAME TIME: 6:30 to 7:05 p.m. Practice
7:15 to 8:00 pm Game
BASE PATH: 50 feet apart
FOUL ARC: 15 foot from tip of homeplate – A Hit ball must go past this line to be fair.
PITCH: Coach pitch/tee ball combination If after 4 pitches a player does not hit a fair ball. A batting tee is used after 4 pitches. Coach pitches no closer than 25 feet.
BATTER’S BOX: None
COACH’S BOX: None
HOME TEAM BENCH: Third Base side
SCOREBOARDS: None
FIELD PREP and CLEANUP: Home team is responsible for setting up and cleaning up field.
EQUIPMENT - Home Team is responsible for getting out and putting away equipment each night
BASEBALLS: 5 S RIF ball
BATS: 2 ¼” maximum diameter, Little League approved
TEE: Yes, if ball is not hit after 4 pitches
BASES: Flat, thrown down
SHOES: No metal Cleats
SHIRT: Provided as part of registration fee
HAT: Provided as part of registration fee
GREY PANTS: Not required
HELMETS: Players must wear when batting, on deck or running
ROSTER
TEAM MAKE-UP: Try to put teams by School attended, neighborhood, age and coaching availability
ROSTER SIZE: 7 to 9 depending on registrations, no more than 10
NUMBER OF BATTERS: Full roster bats each inning
NUMBER OF FIELDERS: Complete roster or 10 players
REQUIRED FIELD PLAY: No player may sit on bench more than one inning. If they do not start, they must start the next game.
INFIELD/OUTFIELD ROTATION: Recommend Infield – 2 innings minimum, Outfield – 1 inning minimum
POSITION LIMITS: Recommend 1 inning at any position
SUBSTITUTION: Free substitution
COACHES: Parents are encouraged to take the field to help players
FIELD COACHES: Yes, parents/siblings help and take field with player
BATTER COACHES: Yes
UMPIRES: Parents, base and plate
GAME REGULATIONS
COMPLETE GAME: 3 innings
TIME LIMIT: 45 minutes
WARM-UP: No warm up on field
BAD WEATHER/WET FIELDS: Both coaches of teams playing make decision at game time if fields are playable Coaches will make the decision to stop games in progress. If lightning is with in five (5) miles, games must be stopped. If lightning is heard, or with in 5 miles,, players must leave the bench area for safety ( cars or storage room) for at least one half hour from the last lightning strike . Players are not to remain in the open during this time. Games can be played on outfield grass if infield is unplayable. Commissioner needs to be notified if game is rescheduled.
JEWELRY: Players, coaches, and managers shall not wear jewelry. This includes all Piercings items and jewelry. Medical alert and religious bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry, but must be taped down.
Modifications to Official Baseball Rules:
BATTER
BATTER PITCH LIMIT: 4 pitches, then hit off of a batting tee
MAXIMUM # OF BATTERS: Full roster bats each inning. One time through the lineup.
TEE OPTION: After 4th pitch
HIT DISTANCE All hit baseballs must go at least 15 feet
STRIKEOUTS No
WALKS No
BUNTING No
BAT THROWING WARNING 1 per batter
CATCHER’S INTERFERENCE (rule 6.05 b&c): N0
BASE RUNNING:
PUT OUTS: Players put out on base must go off field
LEADING OFF: Not permitted
STEALING: Not permitted
OVERTHROWS: Runner must stop at the base at which the play was attempted.
TAGGING UP: Regular rules with regarding to tagging up on fly balls shall apply.
CONTACT RULE: Runners must slide or give themselves up If a play is imminent at the base they are attempting to advance to.
PENALTY: The runner is out, the ball is dead. All runners return to the last base legally touched.
DROPPED THIRD STRIKE: Batter is out and may not advance to first.
INFIELD FLY RULE: None.
FIELDERS:
START POSITION: Infielders at normal positions, ( any outfielders should be behind baseline aprx 20 feet
PLAY STOPPAGE: Put out, throw out, overthrow or throw toward home or coaching that is pitching.
**Players are strongly encouraged to throw to a base with fielder there rather than running to make the play unassisted, to teach proper technique.
PITCHING:
Coaches shall pitch. Coaches shall not pitch from any closer than 25ft for safety.
LITTLE LEAGUE PLEDGE
I trust in God
I love my country
And will respect its laws
I will play fair
And strive to win
But win or lose
I will always do my best.