Youth Baseball Rules

By Brian Gotta, President of Upstart Sports

We get asked for rules templates for youth baseball leagues running fall-ball seasons. Here is one for what a league termed its “Rookie B” Division, which is a non-competitive coach-pitch level. Most of these rules would also apply for T-ball leagues as well as machine-pitch. Feel free to copy and modify as needed for your league’s fall-ball campaign.
Rookie B Rules and Regulations
OVERVIEW OF DIVISION:
This is an instructional league, all participants should remember this is to be a fun and positive learning experience for players, parents, and fans, alike. All involved should remember to encourage your own players, but do not heckle other players or dispute calls made by the coaches.
Batting:

• A batting order consists of all players.  One complete cycle through the batting order will determine end of the inning.
• There is no “on-deck batter” position.  Players should come from the bench to the plate, after the play has stopped. They may practice swing the bat on the way to the plate.
• There are no strikeouts or walks. Each batter must hit a fair ball during his/her at bat. However, if a batter has not hit a fair ball after 6 pitches, a batting tee may be used to allow a player a successful completion at bat. The manager at his/her discretion should do this move, so a player’s confidence is maintained.
• There is no bunting allowed.
• Batted balls that do not travel outside 15-foot quarter circle in front of home plate will be ruled foul.
• Bat throwing will not be tolerated.

Base Running:

• Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit, therefore, no leading off or stealing is allowed.
• An attempt by a fielder to throw the ball back to the pitcher freezes the runners unless they are already halfway to the next base. In the case of balls being returned from the outfield, the throw must only reach the infield to be considered “thrown back to the pitcher”.   (The infield includes the dirt.)
• Base runners may only take one base on an over throw, even if the ball remains in a position that would normally be considered “in play”.
• Head first sliding is NOT allowed.

Substitutions & Rotation of Players:

• Managers should rotate players, so no player plays more than 2 innings at any one position.
• All players must play a minimum of two innings in the outfield and two innings in the infield.  The catcher position is defined as an outfield position.
• Substitutes will rotate each defensive inning so that no player sits more than one inning in a row. All players should sit out one inning before a player sits out a second.

Fielding:

• Teams will have 11 or 12 players.
• Teams will field 10 (regular baseball positions plus extra fielders in the outfield). The outfielders should be positioned on the outfield grass to prevent them from interfering with the infield positions and plays.
• Outfielders should not be making plays in the infield. A catcher, with full protective gear, may be used at home plate.
• The catcher must remain in the protected position until the ball is hit. A catcher is in a protected position when he is next to the backstop and looking at the face of the hitter. The catcher will be used for defensive plays only and may use a fielder’s glove.
• An adult coach, from the offensive team, will act as batting coach and retrieve pitches for the coach who is pitching.

Equipment:

• The league will provide batting helmet, bats and balls for each game. Report damaged or missing equipment to Rookie B Coordinator as soon as possible. We encourage all players to wear a cup. Cups are mandatory for those playing catcher. Each player should be in team jersey, cap and long pants (no shorts) for games.

Safety:

• The shed is stocked with a first aid kits and ice packs.  These items must be with the team at every practice and game.  If more kits or ice packs are needed, contact the Rookie B Coordinator as soon as possible.
• All offensive players out of the dugout and on the field of play must wear a helmet.   The helmet must be worn until the player is behind the fence and back in the dugout.
• Managers and coaches must strictly enforce safety rules.
• Rule Enforcement: Managers/coaches will be responsible for all on field rule enforcement as well as dugout rule enforcement.  Register all formal complaints and problems to the Rookie B Coordinator in writing and copy to ________ Little League Board.

Field Setup:
Home team:

• Will be responsible for the field set-up, including chalks batters box & base lines and drag field as needed.
• Occupy the first base dugout.
• Supplies at least three game balls

Visiting team:

• Will be responsible for the field breakdown, put all equipment away, repair holes on the pitching mound, cover the mound, repair batters box, clean up trash.
• Occupy the third base dugout.

Pitching:

• Each manager/coach will pitch to his/her own team.
• Pitching may be underhand or overhand depending upon the skill of the particular batter.  Coaches are encouraged to work with players so that as the season progresses they are comfortable with facing overhand pitching.

Scoring:

• Score books are not to be maintained.  Informal scores of each game and league standings are not to be kept or encouraged.

Game length:

• All games must start on time!
• Games shall be no longer than four innings.  No new inning shall start after 90 minutes.  Finish half inning and clear out dugout before you have team meeting so other teams can take over the dugouts and field.

Coaching:

• Base Coach: Adult base coaches may be used to provide base running instruction. A player, wearing a helmet, may act as base coach or may assist the adult coach.
• Defensive managers and coaches will be allowed in the outfield to provide instruction. They are considered a part of the playing field.  Coaches are not permitted to touch a live ball but may instruct players.

Umpire:

• Umpires are not used.  Rulings on the field are made by the managers/coaches.

Behavior:

• Unsportsman like behavior is not tolerated (hitting, grabbing, pushing, swearing or any other behavior that disrupts the games.)