Baseball Division Rules

BOYS INSTRUCTIONAL DIVISION

Ages 4 - 6

No changes were made for 2012.
 

1.  SEASON

Consists of ten (10)  games.

2.  UNIFORMS

A uniform consisting of a T-shirt and hat will be provided by the league.

3.  EQUIPMENT

Balls, helmets, batting tees and catcher's helmet will be provided by the league.  The safety baseball will be used for this division.

4.  GAME TIME

All games will consist of a maximum of 4 innings or 1 hour and 15 minutes, whichever occurs first.  When the time limit expires the inning in progress will be fully completed.

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5.  PITCHING

a.  The pitching machine shall be positioned 30 feet from the rear point of home plate.  The pitching machine speed shall be set no more than 20/25 mph.

• If your team is 6-years old, it is recommended that you use the pitching machine, since that is what the 7-year old league will use.
  
• If your players are 4-5 years old, they may or may not be able to get around to hit from the pitching machine, so in this case, the machine is optional.
  
• The coach of each team may use the pitching machine for some players, or the coach may pitch to others on the same team.
  
• The main goal is to make it fun for all players, and to ensure each player experiences as much success batting as possible.

b.  The coach of the team batting shall be in charge of delivering pitches to the batter.

c.  Each batter shall receive four pitches.  If the batter fouls off the 4th pitch, he will continue to receive pitches until he either puts a ball in play or swings and misses a pitch, then the batter will hit from the tee.

d.  If a batted ball strikes any part of the pitching machine, the ball is declared a dead ball and the ball will be considered the same as a foul ball.

e.  The player pitcher shall position himself on the left or to the right of the pitching machine at his discretion.  He must be behind the machine when the pitch is delivered.  A violation of this rule will result in a no pitch.

f.  No fielder except the catcher shall position himself any closer to home plate than the pitching machine when the pitch is delivered.  A violation of this rule will result in a no pitch.

g. The coach of the batting team shall declare a no pitch if, in his judgment, the pitch did not cross the plate in the strike zone.

h.  The defensive coach, may, at his discretion, declare any play dead immediately if he feels that a fielder is in danger of running into the pitching machine while fielding the ball.  The batter will be awarded first base, and all other base runners will advance one base.  This is to insure the safety of the players.The game last a hour and 15 minutes, so in the interest of keeping the game moving, the board decided that this would be the best solution to the situation.

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6.  BATTING

a.  Each batter shall receive 4 pitches.  If the batter fouls off the 4th pitch, he will continue to receive pitches until he either puts a ball in play, or swings and misses a pitch.  Then the batter will hit from the tee.

b.  Each batter shall have at least 2 at-bats per game.  The roster size will determine whether 6 or 7 players will bat each half inning.

     1.  A 12-player roster will bat 6 players each half inning.

     2.  A 13-player roster will bat 6 players in the first half inning and 7 players in the second half inning.  It will then continue each half inning in the same order.

     3.  A 14-player rosters will bat 7 players each half inning.

c.  If a batter ball strikes any part of the pitching machine, the ball shall be declared dead and the ball shall be considered the same as a foul ball.
 
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7.  DEFENSE

Rotation of defensive positions is mandatory.  Catcher must remain in position, with helmet on, behind the hitter when the ball is hit off the tee.  The defensive team shall be allowed to have four (4) coaches on the field with their team.

8.  BASE PATH LENGTH

Minimum 50 feet.

9.  OUTS

Batters and runners who make an out must return to the dugout.

10.  BASE RUNNING 

When the ball is hit into the outfield, the base runner may advance until the ball is returned to the chalked infield area, whether or not the defensive team has control of the ball.  If a base runner is between bases, he may only advance to, but not past, the next base.  This also applies to the last batter in the inning.  NO runner may advance on an overthrow.  A runner cannot steal and may not leave the base until the ball is hit.  PENALTY:  The runner is sent back.

11. INFIELD FLY

The infield fly rule does not apply.

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