Rookie (Machine Pitch) League Rules
7-8 Year Old Players
Rookie League Machine Pitch allows the players to develop the basic fundamentals of baseball in a safe, low pressure environment. This is a great way to introduce players to baseball game play on both the offensive and defensive side of the game. The Rookie division helps teach kids fundamental baseball skills and lets them develop a love for the game during this fun experience.
10 players play in the field at a time (6 infielders and 4 outfielders). Outfielders must be positioned on the grass on defense. Players may not sit for two innings straight.
Offensive team bats until either 3 outs are recorded or 5 runs are scored regardless of the result of the play.
Offensive team coach feeds the balls to his own team. Regular baseballs are used for machine pitch and the speed is 35 mph.
The pitching machine “back” leg should be touching the pitching mound.
6 pitches max per batter or 3 strikes whichever comes first (if a player fouls the 6th pitch then the at bat continues). THIS IS NOT NEGOTIABLE
There are no called balls or strikes. A batter cannot walk.
The catcher must assume the catcher’s position and field the position defensively.
Catchers must wear a protective cup.
No leadoffs or steals. Players may leave the base once the ball is put into play by the batter.
The runner may advance only one total base on an overthrow. If the overthrow goes out of play (beyond the fence line extended, or up the hill at Flat Iron East) the ball is DEAD, players go one extra base and the play is over. If the ball is in play and a player tries to throw them out at the next base and overthrows again, they can advance once more. Best to teach kids to get the overthrow and just bring it back to the pitcher at this age.
Defensive coach can be in the outfield to help provide guidance to his team on defense.
The defensive “pitcher” shall take a position Even to or BEHIND the Pitching Rubber and on the left or right side of the mound with one foot on or near the mound.
After the ball is put into play the ball should be returned to and secured by an infielder at the conclusion of every live play before time is called. Note: Time cannot be called while live runners are still in play, but runners cannot advance past the base they are running to once the ball is properly secured in the infield.
If a ball makes it to the outfield grass and can’t be played by an infielder with at least one foot on the dirt, then the ball must be thrown into another infielder to be secured and end the play. It cannot be run in from the outfield.
Slide Rule – home plate if there is a play – base paths if in the path of a throw
All bats must bear the USA stamp with 2 ⅝” max barrel size. No BBCOR bats. (See additional Bat Requirements Rule)
If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine without first hitting a defensive player then the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners advance one base. If the ball first is touched by a defensive player and then hits the machine the ball is a live ball.
All players are in the batting lineup regardless of whether they played in the field during the defensive inning.
There will not be paid umpires so coaches on both teams call the game together. Remember this is an instructional league and it is for the kids!
Home team (3rd base dugout) to be the official scorekeeper. Dugout closest to the door to a snack shack is in charge of providing an adult to run it when at a park with a snack shack.
Mercy Rule: The game shall be mercy if the home team is leading by at least 10 runs after the first half of the 4th inning, or the visiting team is leading by 10 runs after 4 complete innings.
TIME LIMIT – 75 minute or six (6) innings, whichever comes first. No new innings after 60 minutes. Regular Season games WILL end in a TIE.
Tournament games will continue until there is a winner. Championship Games there is No Time Limit, 6 innings will be played.