Rookie (Ages 6-8) - “Coach Pitch” - Blue Flame Pitching Machine

• General League Rules

  1. Instructional Focus: Prioritize teaching and introducing competition through both practice sessions and games.

  2. Scores and Standings: Scores are kept for all league games. Standings are also recorded for regular season games. 

  3. Practice and Game Limits: Teams are allowed a maximum of three practices or games per week, including weekends. Rescheduling may occasionally be necessary.

  4. Base Distance: 60 Feet

  5. Pitching Mound Distance: 46 Feet

  6. Umpires:

     1. The offensive coach at home plate will make calls and assist batters.

     2. The defensive coach behind the pitcher will make calls and may also coach.

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  Player Development

  1. Defensive Play: Each player must play at least six defensive outs during the first four innings.

  2. Infield Experience: Every player must play at least two innings in an infield position. A player may only play catcher once per game.

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  Game Rules

  1. Game Delay/Forfeiture: In accordance with general game delay and forfeiture rules, if a game starts with fewer than 9 players, the opposing team may provide a catcher who won't be responsible for defensive plays.

  2. Game Duration: A regulation game consists of six full innings or a maximum of one hour and forty-five minutes, whichever comes first. The coaches for both teams will agree on “start-time” and track accordingly.

     1. If a game is tied at the end of regulation, play continues until one team leads after a full inning. The last hitter in the line-up will be placed at 2nd base at the start of the inning. If called for darkness, and still tied, the game will be considered complete as a tie. 

     2. A new inning cannot be started after the 1 hour and 45 minute time limit. 

  3. Defensive Positions:

     1. Infield: 6 players (pitcher, catcher, shortstop, first, second, and third base).

     2. Outfield: 4 players (left, left-center, right-center, and right). All outfielders must start on the grass, and not be in the infield.

  4. Machine Pitch (Blue Flame):

     1. Pitched baseballs shall be delivered to the batter using the League issued "spring loaded" pitching machine by the offensive team coach, not a player. A pitching machine, calibrated by the coach, is used to throw pitches from 46 feet. 

     2. If the pitching machine or coach is hit by a batted ball, the batter is awarded first base.

     3. Teams have the option to use a fully suited and properly protected catcher on all machine pitched baseballs.

  5. Batting:

     1. All players must use an approved “USA” Stamp Bat (see list here). Coaches are responsible for checking their teams’ bats prior to every game.

     2. All players bat through the lineup until the team scores 10 runs or gets 3 outs.

     3. Each batter is allowed up to 7 pitches or 3 swinging strikes. Foul balls count toward strikes. Foul balls on the 7th pitch or 3rd strike, allow one extra pitch.

     4. No “base on balls” for being hit by a pitch or from balls

     5. A player gets one warning for throwing a bat; a second offense results in an out.

  6. Base Running:

     1. A runner may only advance on a hit ball.

     2. No stealing or leading off the base

     3. Play is stopped when the ball is thrown to the pitcher; if a base runner is halfway to the next base, they are awarded the next base.

     4. No base is awarded on an overthrow. Players are required to retrieve every ball on the field building urgency to return the ball to the mid-field coach.

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  Coaches

  1. Coaching During Play: The pitcher/coach may guide the batter but cannot coach base runners while the ball is in play. If a coach touches a player while guiding running, the lead runner will be called out after two warnings. 1st and 3rd base Coaches are allowed to help guide the runners on the base. 

  2. Coaching Positions: Coaches, stay close to the dugout and let the players take charge on the field! We want our athletes to make their own decisions and grow their game, not be “coached” through every play. Empowerment over direction—let them shine!