Rookies Division Rules

The following rules are specific to the Rookies League. The Rookies League is Machine Pitch, but a coach may elect to pitch to up to 3 players, allowing the coach can determine how to maximize the success of each batter. If a child may be more successful from a ball thrown from a coach, the coach can elect to do that batter by batter during the course of the game.  

Batting Rules:

• Three swinging strikes is an out. Foul balls count as strikes just like normal baseball. 
• There are no walks 
• There are no called strikes (looking) 
• Each batter gets 6 pitches 
• The 6th pitch is a "must swing" pitch regardless of the count 
• If the 6th pitch is not put into play, the batter is out 
• If the 6 pitch is fouled, the batter gets a 7th pitch 
• If the 7th pitch is not put into play, the batter is out 
• If the 7th pitch is fouled, the batter gets a 8th pitch 
• If the 8th pitch is not put into play, the batter is out 
• A batter hit by pitch from a coach pitch is not entitled to a base 
• A batter hit by pitch from a machine pitch can select to take a base or continue the at-bat 
• If the pitching machine is hit by a batted ball, the ball remains in play.
• If the coach who is pitching is hit by a baseball, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded one base 
• Any coach pitching should make an effort to get out of the way of the baseball and certainly shouldn't reach out to glove a baseball. In the event that occurs (a coach actively fields the position), the batter should still be awarded the base (they hit the ball!). If a run scores, it does not count. If no run scores, if the runner awarded first eventually scores it will not count

Fielding Rules

• Rookies will play 10 players on the field with 4 outfielders 
• Once a ball is possessed by an infielder in the infield, then base runners may not advance.  
• If a base runner is halfway or more when the ball is possessed, then the runner can continue 
• If a base runner is less than halfway when the ball is possessed, then the runner will return to the previous base at the end of the play 
• When the ball is possessed, runners off the base are live and can be tagged out 
• The intent of the rule is to teach kids how to run bases once kids are skilled enough to make throws and catches to retire base runners. For example, a runner would never run to home after rounding third if a fielder in the infield had the ball.  
• If the player who possesses the ball attempts to make a play on a runner, play continues until another player possesses the ball 
• One base on all overthrows regardless if in play or not