Overview of Ages

• Instructional division bridging to competitive play (no specific ages listed in text).

Expectations

• Emphasis on instruction. Kid pitching is introduced in the second half of the season.

Batting Rules

• Lineup: Continuous batting order. All players will bat even if they didn’t play defense in a particular inning.

• Safety: No on-deck circle. Thrown bat warning applies.

• Zone: Expanded strike zone (neck to calf, +1 ball width).

Fielding Rules

• Format: 10 defensive players (4 outfielders positioned 30 ft behind bases).

  • A play is ruled dead when the pitcher has control of the ball with one foot inside the Pitcher’s Circle. The pitching circle is defined as a 10-foot diameter circle centered on the pitching rubber. If a pitcher’s circle is not available on the field, then best judgment should be used to determine the approximate area during game play. 

  • The defensive pitcher must start each play with at least one foot on or in the pitcher's circle. He/she must also stand equal to or behind the pitcher's rubber when the ball is pitched.

• Halfway Line: A halfway line will be drawn between 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 3rd, and 3rd and home plate. Umpires will make an assessment at the time that the ball is caught by the kid pitcher if the runner crossed the halfway line. The defensive team is free to make plays on runners, but once the ball reaches the kid pitcher who has one foot inside the pitcher’s circle and control f the ball, the play is dead. In the event a kid pitcher fields a batted ball inside the pitcher’s circle and shows intent to make a play on a runner, the ball will not be considered dead.

• Playing Time: Each player will play a minimum of 4 innings per game (2 infield, 2 outfield) unless the game is shortened due to darkness or time limit. 

  • Failure of a Manager to comply with this rule will result in a warning and then possible suspension by the Board of Directors. The game must be fair to all players and each player shall be given an equal opportunity to play all positions. The Manager may however, for safety reasons and with notice to a parent or guardian, decide to limit some players from playing positions such as pitcher, catcher or first base.

Pitching Rules

• 1st Half of Season: Adult coach pitch exclusively. No walks/hit-by-pitch. Each batter will get five pitches. If the 5th pitch is not hittable, the batter will get one additional pitch. If the 6th pitch is not hit, the batter will be retired (but not counted as an out). Should the 6th pitch be hit foul, the batter will continue his/her at bat until a play is made or there is a missed swing. An out can occur only when a batter-runner is successfully put out by a defensive player.

• 2nd Half of Season:

  • Kid pitch for first 3 innings (1 new pitcher per inning). Coach pitch last 3 innings.

  • Pitch Limit: Max 1 inning or 30 pitches per pitcher.If a pitcher is removed due to pitch count, the coach will finish the inning and the rules revert back to coach pitch rules.

  • Kid pitchers can strike batters out with three strikes, only if the third strike is a called strike, and not a swinging strike. 

    • If a batter swings at the third strike, they get three coach pitches. 

  • Defensive team coach acts as umpire from behind the pitcher.

Game Play Rules

• Length: 6 innings. No new inning after 1 hr 45 mins; hard stop at 2 hrs.

• Inning End: 3 outs or entire lineup bats.

• Base Running: Stealing prohibited. Sliding allowed/encouraged on close plays (no head-first sliding).

• Other: No infield fly rule.

• Five Run Limit: A 5 run rule per inning limit will be enforced for all but the 6th inning. 

• Mercy Rule: There is no mercy rule in AA, as we are all here for development and to play.

• Base Running and Stealing: Baserunners can only run on contact made by the batter. Runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball crosses home plate. No leading off or stealing allowed.

• Bunting: No bunting is allowed. Players must attempt a full swing at the ball.

• Overthrows: An overthrown ball at 1st and 3rd base that stays in the field of play will be considered a live ball and the runners may advance one base, if they choose to. We want to encourage the defensive players to throw the ball to the base to try and get the advancing runner and without fear of throwing the ball away. An overthrow at 2nd base is a live ball and the runners may advance until they are put out or the ball is returned to the pitcher’s circle. Any overthrown ball that leaves the field of play will be considered a dead ball and the umpire will instruct all runners to advance one base.

Umpiring: 

• During the first half of the season when coaches are pitching, the coach who pitches will call the plays at home and 1st. The defensive team will supply an umpire to call plays at 2nd and 3rd. 

• If there is a question regarding an umpire's ruling (not a judgment call), both managers will discuss the problem and come to a decision. Since wins and losses are not counted, an umpire's ruling is not very critical.

• During the second half of the season when the players are pitching, the defensive coach will call pitches from behind the pitching mound.

• The defensive coach located behind the mound may also assist his own pitcher.