PDF Version of Rules for Printing

Framingham Baseball League:

Rookie League Playing Rules & Guidelines

 

We want to stress that this instructional level is here to start players off in the learning process of baseball.

 

1.0 Defense

 

1.1  Positions should be 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, Pitcher (just for fielding purposes) with the remaining spots reserved for OF. 

1.2  Coaches are to be on the field of play to help instruct their players. 

1.3  Players can make an out but these outs will not count.

1.4  No player will sit for more than (1) defensive inning at a time

1.5  All players must rotate positions at least every (2) innings (players should spend equal time in the infield and outfield) and each player should be allowed to play each position during the course of the season.  If a player does not want to play a certain position – that is fine.

 

2.0 Pitching:

 

2.1  Coaches will pitch (overhand) to their own players from an appropriate distance and with appropriate velocity (again, know your players) and try to release the ball from a player’s eye level to mimic a peer pitching (the league recommends pitching from your knees).

2.2 WE WILL PITCH ONLY 5 GOOD PITCHES PER BATTER (if you throw a bad pitch, discount it – and use this opportunity to encourage your player to be discriminating and not swing at bad pitches! – and re-throw that pitch number). As each pitch is thrown call out the pitch number “that’s a good pitch Jonny that is number 3….” etc.

2.3  If the ball is not put into play after 5 quality pitches, we will use the Tee. Set the Tee up properly and set your player up properly to use the Tee. Please adhere to this rule to keep the games moving along and to be fair to everyone on both teams.

2.4  The coach that is pitching is responsible for calling time out. When the ball is hit out of the infield and then returned to the infield (thrown or carried) and a player has control of the ball in the infield – the play is dead.

2.5  If the ball is returned to the infield while runners are moving, the play is live until the runner reaches a base or the defense makes a play on the runner (by tagging or running the player back to a base, etc.).

 

3.0 Batting:

 

3.1  Have a coach near the plate to encourage all the basics of hitting. Help your players with proper stance and bat and hand position. Be an active participant in their batting.

3.2  Players must wear a helmet, with a cage/face-shield, while batting, running the bases and while on deck. Have all 4 kids that are due to bat ready with their helmets but away from the field of play.

3.3  ONLY the batter should be handling a bat and ONLY when in the batter’s box. You may designate an on-deck area, but unless it is clearly defined, you run the risk of a safety issue. Take this seriously – too many kids get hit by others swinging bats – talk to your players and parents about this and have HARD AND FAST bat rules.

3.4  No bunting, but all balls put into play are live balls no matter of distance hit.

3.5  Teams will bat through the entire order regards of scoring or number of outs.  Once the last player on the team in the batting order gets through their at bat, the half inning is over.  The last batter along with all players on base should be encouraged to advance to home plate.

3.6  There will be no scores kept.

3.7  Coaches should mix their batting lineup every inning.

 

4.0 Catching:

 

4.1  There will be no catching position in the Rookie league.  Coaches/Parent must act as the catcher for coach pitching.

 

5.0 Running:

 

5.1  Players may not lead or steal – they must not leave their base until contact is made (PLEASE enforce this!).

5.2  Fielders must stay out of the path of base-runners (especially watch your first-basemen).

5.3  Players are allowed to slide head first only.

5.4 If a ball is thrown out of play, the play is dead and there is no advancement.

5.5  When there is a ball put into play, the runner may advance as many bases as he/she can until the ball is controlled in the infield and the on-field coach calls time-out. Be sure to have an on-field coach that is vocal and knows this rule and enforces it. Avoid having runners simply run “wild” and keep this under control. If a runner is in the base-path when the ball is controlled in the infield, it is the job of the defense to address that runner (run him/her back to the base, get the runner in a run-down, etc.) and once a base is owned, time out is then called.

 

6.0 Game Play:

 

6.1  We have each field for 2 hours and you should try to focus on teaching the rules of the game and showing players (practically) what to do as the game evolves – especially during the first few weeks. We’d rather see less innings and more learning (within reason – please do not stop play too often or go overboard with on-field instruction). Please also realize that at this age, you may start to lose focus from some players as the time increases. Re-focus them or realize it is time to call it a game. Coaches, be respectful of each other and each other’s teams in these instances.

6.2  Have your lineup and positions planned out ahead of time – you will do yourself a huge favor by doing this. You can always adjust it if you have absentee players, but trying to shuffle everyone on the fly will be difficult and it slows the game down.

6.3  No more than 6 innings shall be played.

6.4  If we start a game and poor weather comes in, it is the coach’s responsibility to determine whether to continue or not. 

6.5  The league commissioner will determine if the fields are unusable prior to games or practices.  All effort will be given to make this call in a timely manner. 

6.6  All games if possible should be made up.