Rookie
Rules and Procedures
The ROOKIE LEAGUE has been established for the purpose of instructing 5 and 6 year-old participants in baseball concepts and fundamentals. This is to be accomplished by stressing SAFETY, FUN and GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, not WINNING or LOSING. No win or loss records are kept.
- Section #1 Pitching
- Section #2 Batting
- Section #3 Fielding
- Section #4 Equipment
- Section #5 Safety Rules
- Section #6 Umpires
- Section #7 Sportsmanship
- Section #8 Manager's Responsibility
- Section #9 Base Running
Field and practice times will be assigned, starting in July of each season. Games will be played in July and early August. You can expect to play one weekday game and one Saturday Game. Rainouts will be attempted to be rescheduled with agreement of the two managers.
SECTION #1 - PITCHING
The manager will pitch to his team using underhand pitching. Pitching distance will be at the manager's discretion, taking into account the skill level of each player.
SECTION #2 - BATTING
Each team will bat half of the game day roster each inning. If you have an uneven number of players, split as evenly as you can.
RUNS AND OUTS ARE NOT COUNTED IN THE BATTING ROTATION.
Each batter will receive 10 pitches. If the last pitch is a foul ball, they will receive one extra pitch. If the batter has not hit by the tenth pitch, their turn at bat is over and they go to first base as a runner. THERE ARE NO STRIKEOUTS OR WALKS.
Bunting is not allowed.
SECTION #3 - FIELDING
Twelve players will play in the field every inning. We will utilize the regular 9 positions of baseball. We will then add a short center fielder, one extra outfielder, and a back up first base position.
THE CATCHER MUST STAND NEAR THE DUGOUT, NOT BEHIND THE PLATE.
No player can play the same position for more than one inning each game.
In the event that a team cannot field nine players on defense, they may borrow players from the opposing team.
Two coaches will be allowed to stand in the outfield to help direct the outfield.
SECTION #4 - EQUIPMENT
Safe-T-Balls, bats and helmets will be issued to each team by LZBSA.
Each player will receive a hat and T-shirt to keep.
Home team supplies the game ball and the Parent Umpire.
SECTION #5 - SAFETY RULES
If a player is not wearing proper lace-up shoes, he/she will not play in the game. NO SPIKES ALLOWED OF ANY KIND!
A batter MUST wear a batting helmet when batting or when on the bases as a runner.
All players MUST remain on the bench if they are not playing in the field or taking their turn at bat. They should pay attention to the game and not be running around. The only people on the bench are the batboy and girl.
A batter throwing a bat will be called out. The second time the same batter throws the bat in a game, that player will be ejected from the game.
The manager or coach pitching to his/her team must wear a baseball glove. The player at the pitchers position must stand to the glove side and two steps behind the adult pitcher. It is the adult pitcher's duty to catch a line drive to protect the player. If this should happen, then the batter will be awarded a single and all base runners will advance one base.
The first sign of lightning automatically terminates the game.
SECTION #6 - UMPIRES
The umpires judgment is final!
Umpires are parents who might need assistance from both managers from time to time.
SECTION #7 - SPORTSMANSHIP
Sportsmanship is emphasized in the league!
Players, managers, coaches and parents are prohibited from harassing other players or the umpires.
SET THE GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OUR KIDS!
SECTION #8 - MANAGER'S RESPONSIBILITY
Take charge of any and every situation! Provide a controlled fun environment for the kids to play ball.
Back up the umpires! Do not disagree with the umpires regardless of the decision or call. If you strongly disagree, discuss it after the inning is over and discreetly point out where you feel the umpire is in error.
Stress Sportsmanship and fair play with your players. Try to provide equal playing time to all your players at all positions.
Have fun and enjoy the season! Make it a pleasurable experience for the players, managers, coaches, umpires and parents.
SECTION #9 - BASE RUNNING
- 45 FOOT BASES.
- 63 FEET FROM HOME PLATE TO SECOND BASE.
- No stealing.
- No infield fly rule.
- No overthrows...
A batter only gets the base they are going to. In the outfield there can be more than one overthrow and the runner can continue to advance. However, once the ball reaches the infield, whether it is caught or not, the play is over and the runner can get the base he or she is going to.
The runner cannot leave the base before the ball is hit. If the runner leaves early, the team is penalized by the runner only being allowed to go to the next base (umpires decision).
A runner may not advance on a caught fly ball. A runner may only advance one base on an infield hit.
GAME LENGTH - 6 INNINGS.
Revision January 2001
