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Rookie Ball House League Rules
Wexford - Agincourt Baseball League
(Amended 2016)
1. PURPOSE
ROOKIE BALL BASEBALL is a game of baseball which
uses a pitching machine as the pitcher. It is
played between two teams of 10 players, with a
sufficient number of alternatives under the
direction of at least one manager and/or coach
using special Playing Rules called ROOKIE BALL
Rules under the authority of an umpire on a
regulation sized ROOKIE BALL playing field.
1.
Rules Common to all age groups
1.1.
CONDUCT
1.1.1.
UMPIRES' DECISIONS ARE FINAL. NO PROTESTS WILL
BE ALLOWED.
1.1.2.
The actions of players, manager, coaches and
parents must be consistent with the spirit,
principles and objectives of good sportsmanship.
Participants in a scheduled game are not
permitted to deliberately harass or direct any
discourteous remarks at the officials or any
member of the opposing team. Conversations with
officials regarding judgements, rules, or other
game situations must be conducted only after
calling a timeout, and must be conducted in
normal speaking terms away from the players.
Participants engaging in conduct
unfavourable to good sportsmanship will be
warned. Persisting in such conduct may result in
ejection.
1.1.3.Managers
and coaches are responsible for the conduct of
their parents and spectators. If such conduct by
a parent or spectator is clearly attributable to
a particular team, managers or coaches may be
warned or ejected for the conduct of the parent
or spectator.
1.1.4.
The use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on
the playing field, benches and dugouts.
1.2.
GAME START AND END
1.2.1.
Games start at the time scheduled (6:30 p.m. for
most house league games) if umpires are present
on the field. Home plate umpire may delay the
official time if umpires are late, and will
announce the official time at the home plate
meeting. At
least 8 players must be present 15 minutes after
the scheduled time, throughout the game or the
game will be defaulted. If neither team has the
minimum 8 players 15 minutes after the scheduled
start time, then both teams will receive a loss.
The game will not be rescheduled. Delays due to
late players do not affect Game Start Time or
Curfew Time.
1.2.2.
A Regulation Game will consist of seven (7)
complete innings. There will be no extra
innings. In case of a tie each team will be
awarded one (1) point.
1.2.3.
No inning will start after 1 hour 45 minutes
from the scheduled start time (Curfew time,
usually 8:15 for house league games). Unless a
hard stop has been imposed because of a
subsequent game on the same diamond, any inning
started must be finished, subject to rules
regarding weather and darkness below. If the
home team is ahead, the bottom half of an inning
started after curfew is not played.
1.2.4.
When lightning is sighted, the home plate umpire
will rule the game is over. Players and coaches
will be asked to leave the playing field
immediately. The game will be re-scheduled
unless complete game criteria have been
satisfied (see 1.2.5).
1.2.5.
The home plate umpire, or either coach, may call
the game because of darkness or bad weather, if
in his judgment, it is not safe to play. If a
game is called due to bad weather or darkness,
it will be considered a complete game if
* curfew has been reached
* 2 1/2 innings have been completed, home team
is winning or tied.
* Three (3) innings have been
completed, home team is behind.
If the game is called because of darkness or bad
weather, the score will revert back to the last
complete inning, unless the home team is at bat,
and winning or tied.
1.2.6.
If a game is called due to darkness or bad
weather before complete game criteria have been
reached, the game will be rescheduled in its
entirety. The coaches must inform the Convenor,
who will advise the coaches of a new date. This
applies to games which may or may not have
started to be played.
1.3.
COMMUNICATION
1.3.1.
Playing conditions vary and some games are
cancelled in advance. The League Website (www.wexfordbaseball.com)
will be updated when weather conditions warrant,
indicating whether games are cancelled in
advance. Please check there first if there are
concerns about conditions.
1.3.2.
Coaches will be informed by their convenor, etc.
1.3.3.
Reporting Scores. Coaches log to the League
Website. Under ‘Today’s Games’, there is an
option to report the score of the game.
1.3.4.
Reporting Problems (Equipment, Umpires, Conduct)
. When submitting scores, include any comments
relating to the game, equipment, conduct of
participants or spectators that need attention
or comment.
1.4.
GENERAL PLAYING RULES NOT SPECIFIC TO ROOKIE
BALL
1.4.1.
Out of bounds. An imaginary extension of the
backstop fences along the 1st and 3rd
base sides of the field defines the playing
area. Overthrows past these imaginary extensions
will be ruled out of bounds, and play will be
stopped. Catches in the out of bounds area will
not be considered outs, and will be ruled foul
balls.
1.4.2.
The on deck batter, the batter and base runners
must wear a prescribed protective helmet with
flaps covering both ears. Chin straps are
mandatory and will be worn as designed by the
manufacturer.
1.4.3.
Shoes with metal cleats are prohibited. Penalty,
player is removed from the game until
satisfactory footwear is worn.
1.4.4.
Catchers are required to wear full catcher’s
gear during the game and during any warm-ups.
Catcher's mitt: To be used only by the catcher
(optional in Rookie Ball).
1.4.5.
Athletic supporter required for all players.
Penalty, player to be removed from the game
until proper equipment is worn.
1.4.6.
In addition to wooden bats, metal bats shall be
allowed. These bats shall meet the dimensional
requirements, specified in Rule 1:10 of the
Official Rules of Baseball. The maximum diameter
of the bat barrel is 2-3/4".
1.4.7.
Players must wear team sweater, pants and hat.
All regular coaches must wear coach's sweater
and hat. If all coaches are not present at a
game, assisting parent will not be required to
have a sweater, but should wear a hat if one is
available. All players must wear long pants.
Before the game begins, each manager must give a
copy of his/her batting line up to the official
scorekeeper. The Home team manager designates
the Official Scorekeeper.
1.4.8.
All players present for the game shall be in the
batting line up. Players not present may not be
listed. If a player shows up late, the player
will be placed at the end of the batting order.
If a player leaves the game, (e.g. due to
injury), the spot in the batting order is
skipped (not recorded as an out) and
the
player may not return.
1.4.9.
All players must play equal defensive time. No
player may sit out a second inning until all
players have sat out one inning. No player may
sit out a third inning until all players have
sat out two innings and so on. No player may sit
out two innings in a row. A supplementary score
sheet is available from the league with space to
record the defensive player rotation and teams
are encouraged to check the defensive rotations
during each inning by inning check.
2.
Rookie Ball Specific Rules
Regular OBA baseball rules apply on
points not mentioned in these rules.
2.1.
Game Preparations and Equipment
2.1.1.
The base lengths are 65 feet;
2.1.2.
The diagonal measurements (1st to 3rd base or
home plate to centre of 2nd base) are 91 feet,
11 inches;
2.1.3.
A safety base (double bag) may be used at first
base with the white base in fair territory and
the coloured base in foul territory. If used,
the coloured part of the bag is for the use of
the batter/runner, the white part of the bag is
for the use of the fielders. On a play where a
collision is possible, a batter/runner may be
called out for failure to use the correct part
of the bag. Similarly, a runner may be called
safe if the fielder fails to use the correct
part of the bag on a play where a collision is
possible. For plays not involving a potential
collision, either part of the bag is acceptable.
2.1.4.
The pitching machine is placed directly in front
of home plate at a distance of 44 feet. Speed is
set to between 35 and 40 mph (setting is marked
on faceplate).
2.1.5.
An 8-foot diameter safety circle shall be marked
off directly in front of home plate and its
centre shall be 44 feet from home plate. No play
is permitted inside the Safety Circle, which is
considered a Dead Ball area (not Out of Bounds).
2.1.6.
The electrical cord or generator used to power
the pitching machine must be placed so as not to
interfere with play outside the safety circle.
Electrical cord (if used) must run under the
ground from the pitching machine to the
electrical outlet on the 3rd base side of the
diamond. Generator will be below or behind the
pitching machine.
2.1.7.
The Home team is responsible for setup of the
diamond and pitching machine prior to the
scheduled start time, and is responsible for
equipment return at the end of the game. The
visiting team must have the opportunity to
review and agree to pitching machine set up (aim
and speed) before the game starts.
2.1.8.
The home team is responsible for providing one
new ball and one good ball for each game, and
sufficient replacements as necessary for balls
damaged or lost during play. Any baseball
approved for Mosquito play may be used.
2.1.9.
The catcher may use either a catcher’s mitt or a
regular baseball glove.
2.2.
Defensive Play
2.2.1.
Each team may field a catcher, 1st baseman, 2nd
baseman, 3rd baseman, shortstop, left fielder, a
right fielder, a pitcher, and two centre
fielders in the line-up.
2.2.2.
The pitcher must stand beside the pitching
machine outside of the safety circle, and behind
the release point of the pitching machine. The
pitcher must be within 4 feet of the safety
circle until the ball is released from the
machine. The pitcher must wear a regulation
batting helmet with an attached chin strap.
2.2.3.
Before the ball is hit, 1st, 2nd, 3rd base and
shortstop must stand in the dirt area behind the
base lines. Outfielders must stand in the grass
area. Once the ball is hit, fielders may move
where appropriate to make a play.
2.2.4.
Prior to July 1st, the defensive team
will be allowed no more than 2 coaches in the
outfield grass area, to give verbal instruction
to the fielders. The coaches are not to
interfere with the ball or the play of the game.
The penalties for intentional interference shall
be: 1) the batter is awarded a double, 2)
runners are awarded 2 bases from time of pitch,
3) the defensive team is charged with an out
during their next turn at bat. After July 1st,
coaches are restricted to the bench/dugout area,
and the usual 1st/3rd base
coaching positions, when on offense
2.2.5.
Every player must play at least 1 inning in the
outfield and at least 1 inning in the infield in
each game. Defensive substitution may be made in
the case of injury. No player shall play at the
same position for more than two innings in each
game.
For purposes of this rule, catcher is
considered an outfield position, giving 5
infield and 5 outfield positions each inning.
2.2.6.
Any coach found using defensive players
improperly will be assessed an automatic team
out during their next at bat and have the proper
player placed on the field immediately.
Continual violation of this rule may result in
ejection or suspension.
2.2.7.
Appeals. A defensive team that wishes to appeal
a missed base or tag up while the ball is live
may do so in the ordinary manner by throwing to
the base in question and asking the umpire for
judgement. When the ball is dead, the defensive
coach or pitcher may simply ask the umpire for a
ruling by indicating the base and player (by
number or name) in question.
2.3.
Offensive Play (Batter and Runners)
2.3.1.
Last batter. An inning shall be three (3) outs
or the maximum of ten (10) batters. The
scorekeeper is responsible for announcing the 10th
batter to the umpires and the opposing team. In
the case of the 10th batter, the inning may be
ended by the pitcher or catcher touching home
plate while holding the ball before 3 are out.
If the 10th batter strikes out, the
half inning is over, and runners may not score.
If the 10th batter hits a fair
ball which then hits equipment in the Safety
Circle, a run may score only if the bases are
loaded. If the 10th batter hits a
fair ball with less than 2 out, and the ball is
subsequently thrown out of play before the 3rd
out is made, all runners, including the batter,
may advance to home plate and score.
2.3.2.
Each batter shall receive a maximum of 5 pitches
as called by the Home plate umpire. If a batter
does not hit a fair ball within 5 pitches, the
batter is called out. NOTE: if a pitch is
clearly unhittable (e.g. crosses the plate over
a batter's head or bounces into the dirt, or is
clearly not over the plate), the HP umpire will
not count it as a pitch unless the batter swings
at the pitch.
2.3.3.
The Pitching machine's speed and aim cannot be
altered except at the end of an inning. If the
machine is malfunctioning it may be adjusted at
the discretion of the umpire. Any tampering with
the machine by the coach feeding the machine
shall result in a warning on the first offence
and ejection on additional offences. Adults
operating the pitching machine may instruct the
batter before feeding the machine. (Penalty,
warning on first offence, removed from the game
on repeated violations).
2.3.4.
If a batted ball hits the pitching machine,
generator, electrical cord, or adult in the
safety circle, or a fielder making a defensive
play makes contact with the ball inside the
safety circle, then the ball is declared dead
and the batter is awarded first base with the
corresponding move of any base runners who may
be forced to move.
A batted ball that passes through the
Safety Circle without making contact (other than
with the ground) is a live ball and play
continues.
2.3.5.
If a batter throws his bat in the process of
swinging at the ball, the batter will be warned
by the umpire on the first occasion, and the
umpire will record the incident with the
scorekeeper. On succeeding incidents during the
game for that batter, the batter will be called
out. Runners will not be allowed to advance when
the batter is called out for this offence.
2.3.6.
Batters cannot walk or bunt. Attempted, fake, or
actual bunts will be called outs by the umpire.
Note that a weakly hit ball or ball hit on a
check swing is not necessarily a bunt. It is a
bunt or attempted bunt if the batter’s actions
indicate intent to direct the ball to a
particular area of the infield immediately in
front of home plate. Usually this intent is
indicated by sliding the hands on the bat or
repositioning the feet in the batter’s box. If a
batter is called out for a bunt or bunt attempt,
the ball is dead and runners cannot advance.
2.3.7.
If a batter is injured during his time at bat,
before being declared out or hitting a fair
ball, the next batter in the order takes his
place and assumes the injured batter’s count and
the at-bat continues. The injured batter is not
declared out, but simply skipped in the batting
order and may bat during subsequent passes
through the batting order.
2.3.8.
Batters may move forward (toward the pitching
machine) or backward, to better adjust their
strike zone, without regard for batters box
boundaries.
2.3.9.
If a batter bats out of turn, before the ball is
hit, correct batter will come to bat with the
same count. If the ball was hit, the batter is
out and he/she misses his/her turn. Runners may
not advance on the play. Once the next batter
takes a pitch, there is no penalty, and any
‘skipped batters’ lose their turn at bat.
2.3.10.
Base runners cannot lead-off, steal bases, or
leave the base until the ball crosses the plate
(penalty: runner is out.)
2.3.11.
Time will be called, usually by the base umpire,
when one of the following occurs.
* an infielder, in the area outlined by the base
paths, and in possession of the ball, raises his
hands and requests ‘Time’.
* the ball is thrown to the adult operating the
pitching machine with the intent to end the play
* the ball is batted or thrown out of bounds
* the ball makes contact (other than with the
ground) with anything inside the Safety Circle,
or comes to rest inside the Safety Circle
If the ball is hit to a pitcher, the pitcher has
the option to either make a play for an out, or,
concede a single by raising his hands and
calling for time.
If a single is conceded, all base runners
advance one (1) base. If he opts to make a play,
one of the above events must occur before the
umpire will call time.
2.3.12.
If time is called, and a base runner has passed
the halfway point towards the next base, he will
be awarded that next base. The lead runner will
determine the position of trailing runners.
2.3.13.
Overthrown balls (i.e. thrown out of bounds or
into the safety circle) shall be treated as in
the Official Rules of Baseball (i.e. runner may
advance one base beyond the base they were
attempting to reach). Balls that do not go out
of bounds are live balls and runners may attempt
to advance until the umpire calls time.
2.3.14.
Any base runner struck by a batted ball shall be
called out (whether standing on a base or not,
or whether the ball has passed an infielder or
not).
The infield fly rule does not apply in Rookie Ball. |
