Lake Jackson Pee Wee Baseball Machine Pitch 2 Rules Spring 2015

Transcription

1 Lake Jackson Pee Wee Baseball Machine Pitch 2 Rules Spring /29/2015 LJ Pee Wee MP League shall follow Little League Rules except those explicitly written in the LJ Pee Wee MP rules in this document. SAFETY: 1. Batters, catchers, pitchers, and base runners must wear approved head protection at all times. This includes practice sessions. (Pitchers must wear the helmet with a face mask at all times.) 2. The catcher must wear a catcher s mask, chest protector, shin guards, and a cup during games and practices. 3. When a player is at bat, all other team members, coaches, designated persons, and equipment must remain inside the dugout with the exception of the batter, base runners, and base coaches. There shall be no batter on deck. This includes outside the playing field. 4. The machine coach will be responsible for making sure no player runs into the machine during the play. 5. Throwing of equipment such as bats, gloves, helmets, etc., which could cause personal harm, will not be allowed. The 1 st occurrence is a warning, 2 nd occurrence will result in player being benched for 1 full inning. 6. Any player at fault for tripping, knocking down, or tagging in such a manner that causes bodily injury to another player will be warned for the 1 st occurrence; 2 nd occurrence by the same player during the same game will result in player being benched for a minimum of 1 full inning. 7. Teams warming up before the game will position themselves so as not to endanger spectators or members of another team. 8. Only players, coaches and team moms are allowed in the dugout during the games. 9. An approved first aid kit will be at the field during all games. TIME LIMIT: 1. Weekday Games: a. Games are 1 hr. & 15 min. All Games will not start a new inning after 1 hour and 15 minutes. b. All Games will be time limit or 6 innings. 2. There will be a two-minute time limit between each team s at-bat. UMPIRES: 1. Each team will designate one of their coaches as an umpire for the entire game. Both coaches should work together to ensure fair play. 2. If both coaches do not agree on a call, the Visitor Coach will have the right to make the final decision on the first call, Home Coach on the second call and will alternate until the end of the game. 3. If anyone (coach, parent, player) has an issue with a call or a particular coach that consistently makes questionable calls it should be reported in accordance with League Policy to the LJ Pee Wee Board for review within 48 hours of occurrence and may result in a one-game suspension for the first offense and will be relieved of his/her duty for their second offense. Forms can be found in the Concession Stand and can be turned into any Board Member or ed to the VP of that particular League. GENERAL RULES: 1. Visiting team has first base dugout and Home team has third base dugout. 2. The Home team will prep the field before the game. 3. The Visiting team will clean up the playing field after the game. 4. Before and after each game the field must be dragged, raked, and watered. 5. After the game has ended, each team will ensure their dugout, their parent bleachers, and trash cans are emptied before leaving. 6. There will be no eating food in the dugout. 7. Each team must have a minimum of 8 players before the game can start. If a team does not have 8 players

2 within 10 minutes after official game time the game will be forfeited and the two managers can agree to scrimmage. Player swap is allowed for a scrimmage. 8. All players on the roster will bat in continuous order (roster batting) unless injured or ill. If a player arrives after the game has begun he will be added to the end of the lineup. 9. There will be no changes in batting order after game has started, with the exception of an injury or illness. 10. A courtesy runner must be used for the catcher with two outs. 11. Each player on the team roster that is present must be allowed to play at least 2 complete defensive innings (6 outs) at each game. Each player on the team will bat at least one time. 12. There will be maximum of ten (10) defensive players on the field at one time. Four outfielders may be utilized and must be positioned in the outfield (LF, LC, RC and RF). Only one player per position in the infield (e.g. only one pitcher) 13. Players may not line up in the runner s path between bases. The player may move to field a ball after it is hit and the runner must run around the fielding player (i.e. 2 nd and 3 rd basemen and short stop must line up in front of or behind the base runner s path as to not impede the runner). 14. There may be a maximum of two (2) defensive coaches on the field. 15. The pitcher must stand even with or behind the machine until the ball crosses the plate. 16. The catcher can play behind home plate, positioned so the batter cannot swing and hit the catcher or stand/crouch to the side. 17. Free substitution of defensive players is allowed. Any change a team makes, such as moving an infielder to the outfield, requires a time out for the safety of the children. Timeouts must be called for injuries, equipment repairs or adjustments, shoe tying, or ball retrieval. 18. All player participation rules will be enforced and are the responsibility of the manager. BATTERS: 1. Batters must use an approved 2 ¼ barrel bat marked Little League Approved (no big barrel bats). 2. The pitching machine coach/operator may coach the batter on moving around in the batter s box. 3. The batter will be pitched a total of five (5) pitches and can swing five (5) times. The batter will have five (5) strikes and all five (5) pitches will be counted as strikes whether the batter swings or not unless the ball is deemed un-hittable (see PITCHING MACHINE AND OPERATOR Rule #5). 4. The batter cannot strike out on a foul or foul tip unless it is caught by the catcher (caught foul ball is an out). 5. The ball is live any distance from home plate. If a ball hits home plate first and then rolls into the playing field still in fair territory, it is a fair ball. 6. A ball is considered fair if it travels foul and then enters the fair territory before passing first or third base without touching anything other than the field (a ball, which initially hits in fair territory beyond first or third base but subsequently rolls into foul territory, is a fair ball). 7. A fly ball is considered foul if it hits foul territory for the first time beyond first or third base. 8. A batter who overruns 1st base and makes no move towards 2nd base cannot be tagged out while returning to 1st base. 9. If the batter hits a ball and the ball passes OVER the fence, it is a home run. 10. If the batter hits a ball and the ball passes UNDER the fence, it is a ground rule double. Any base runner that is advancing can advance to that base plus If the batter s foot is completely out of the batter box when the ball is hit, it shall be called a strike if it is in foul territory and an out if in fair territory. If the ball hits the batter inside the batter s box it is a foul ball. 12. The infield fly rule will not apply. 13. Bunting is not allowed. 14. NO FAKE BUNTING AND SWINGING ALLOWED. If the batter is faking a bunt and then swings at the ball, the batter is out. PITCHING MACHINE AND OPERATOR: The goal of using the pitching machine is to provide the batter with 3 pitches in the batter s strike zone. Operators should learn how to feed the machine properly (2 seam feeding is preferred) and practice feeding the machine outside of games to ensure the most consistent pitching for the batters. 1. The Pitching Machine will be set at 35 mph. The machine can be set at a different speed if both coaches agree (this decision should be made during warm up before the game).

3 2. Before each game, the machine will be adjusted so that an average player can stand even with the plate and have the ball cross about waist high. This should allow players to move further back / forward in the batter s box and still have good pitch to hit. 3. Between Inning Machine Adjustments: The machine operator is allowed up to 5 pitches to adjust the machine. 4. Machine operators should refrain from making machine adjustments during the inning unless necessary and should not make adjustments to account for batter height. The operator should understand how to feed a ball to move the ball slightly in the strike zone for shorter/taller batters. For much shorter batters, the machine operator may place their foot under the back machine leg to prop up and tilt the machine slightly so the pitch will be in the batter s strike zone (this should be practiced before attempted during a game). 5. Any pitch deemed un-hittable (for example bounces in front of the plate or is over the batters head) will be considered a no pitch. The defensive coach behind the plate will make this call. Any offensive coach can request a call. 6. Once the ball is dropped the operator should avoid being hit by the ball or interfering with the play if at all possible. 7. The operator must avoid any obstruction of the opposing team s players during the course of play. If any obstruction occurs, the runner or batter gaining an advantage may be called out or return to the base they were at. 8. Batted balls hitting the pitching machine, the pitching machine operator, or rolls and stops under or close to the pitching machine in an area unsafe for a player to field it will be declared a dead ball and ruled as a single. It is the operator s duty to make the call and stop any players from getting to close to the machine during play. All base runners will advance one base (the electrical cord is considered part of the machine). 9. If a thrown ball hits the machine, the ball is dead and runners get the base they were advancing to. 10. The operator may coach the batter on moving around in the batter s box but should refrain from coaching the base runners when a ball is in play (teach them to watch the base coaches). DEAD BALL AND ADVANCING RUNNERS: At younger ages, the defensive players cannot make the same throws and plays in the infield or outfield. Runners should be taught to be aware when the ball is in the infield and not advance to another base. Otherwise, runners could just keep advancing with little risk of being tagged out. This is not fundamental baseball. In other words, runners should assume they can be thrown out from an infield player and not try to advance or steal an extra base. 1. It is the machine operator s duty to signal when runners should stop advancing and when Play is dead. 2. The infield shall be designated as the dirt and infield grass. 3. A play or action is not completely dead until all base runners are on a base. a. If the ball is hit into the infield runners may only advance one base unless the ball is overthrown (see Runners Rule #1 below). b. If the ball is hit into the outfield, runners may advance as many bases as they can until the ball is returned and controlled in the infield by any defensive player. Controlled is a subjective term and a judgment call on the coach/umpire s part. An example would be if a player is actively trying to catch or pick up a ball that is within a few feet of them that should be considered controlled and a ball sitting in the grass with no players within 4-5 feet of it should be considered NOT controlled. A ball thrown into foul territory and hits the fence from the outfield shall be considered overthrown (see Runners Rule #1). c. Runners can and should round a base if they recognize the ball is hit to the outfield. There is no halfway distinction, so when the ball is returned to the infield, if the runner is clearly in-between bases, they have the choice to run to either base they are in-between and can be tagged out. The most likely scenario where there could be a close call is if the runner is running to 3 rd base, they should round 3 rd and can continue home however if it is deemed that the ball was returned to and controlled in the infield before the runner left 3 rd base, the runner needs to return to 3 rd base (no harm no foul). If the runner does round 3 rd base after the ball has been signaled to be controlled infield, the runner can still be tagged out and can run home to avoid being tagged out, but would return to third base after Play is dead. This is the same with any other base. 4. Only a hit ball can put Play into action. There shall be no baiting a defensive player by a base runner to create a throw.

4 RUNNERS: 1. There is a maximum of five (5) runs per half inning. 2. Overthrown Balls. a. Infield players should be encouraged to throw the ball to first base (or any other base that has a force out). At 1 st and 3 rd base, a ball will be considered overthrown if it hits the fence, and at 2 nd base if the ball reaches the outfield grass. The concept here is to teach the kids to go ahead and make the throw but also to understand their throw needs to be close to their target. If the ball is way off target then base runners may get an extra base. Coaches can decide before the game if they do not want any overthrows/extra bases. b. Runners can advance no more than one (1) extra base on an overthrown ball. c. There can only be one overthrow per Play (see Dead Ball Rule #4). d. It is acceptable for a base coach to send a runner if the ball is in the air and appears it will be overthrown, however, runners should not automatically be sent to an extra base just because the ball is thrown. 3. There is no halfway mark for runners and runners advance at their own risk. Even if they are not allowed the next base per the rules, they can still be tagged out if they leave the base before Play is called dead. After play is called dead (See Dead Ball Rule #3) then and only then should runners return to the base they need to be on (e.g. if a runner rounds first base and the 1 st basemen catches the ball and there is no overthrow, and then attempts to tag the runner out, the runner may run to 2 nd base to avoid being tagged out but will return to 1 st after play is called dead). If a ball is hit in the infield players should understand it will likely be a close call and be encouraged to only advance one base (if forced) and stay on that base (not automatically round the base). The batter should run past 1 st base and turn right. Should there be an overthrow and the coach wants to send the kid to the next base, there s be plenty of time. If the ball is hit in the outfield, then players should consider rounding the base and waiting for the base coach to guide them. 4. No lead offs. A base runner cannot leave the base before the ball crosses the plate or Play is live (see Dead Ball Rule #3). If a runner is off the base before a ball is hit (i.e. leaving early), the play will be played over. 5. Base stealing is not allowed at any anytime. 6. Base runners can tag up and proceed at their own risk after a fly ball is caught. 7. If the runner slides headfirst into the base, the runner shall be called out. Exceptions: (1) if the runner overruns the base and has not crossed the halfway mark, then the runner may slide (reaching for the base over ran) head first to avoid a tag from the opposing team; (2) incidental contact or trip which is the judgment call by the coaches. 8. If two runners are on the same base and are tagged, the trailing runner is out. 9. A base runner that interferes with a defensive player fielding a ball will be called out (a defensive player who is attempting to make the play on the ball has the right of way, even if the play is in the base path). 10. Defensive players cannot block the base or base path without the ball or attempting to field the ball. Defensive players may not stand in (be positioned in) the based path (e.g. the Short Stop stands in the way of the base runner running to 3 rd base while watching the 3 rd basemen field the ball causing the runner to run around him). If obstruction is called runners are awarded the base they were advancing to (This is a judgment call by the coaches). 11. Runners are required to slide feet first if there is a play at second base, third base and home plate. If the runner does not slide and makes contact with a fielder attempting to make a play on the runner, the runner will be called out. If the runner does not slide and no contact is made, the play stands. SCOREKEEPERS (if applicable): 1. The Home Team is responsible for keeping the official score. Both coaches must sign the score sheet for it to be official. 2. Each manager must furnish the opposing manager a batting order with the number and name of each player before the game. 3. After a forfeit has been declared, a team may borrow players from the other team to scrimmage. 4. Scores will be kept officially and must be documented with both coach s initials on the clipboard in the Concession stand after each game. 5. Game scores not written down or w/o coach initials will be considered a tie. If there is only one set of initials score stands. It is each coach s responsibility to check after each game.

5 MISCELLANEOUS: 1. The LJ Pee Wee League Vice President, President or any Board Member has the authority to warn and/or eject a manager, coach, player or spectator due to abusive language or actions. Any manager or coach ejected will serve a one-game suspension for the first offense and will be relieved of his/her duty for their second offense. 2. The use of alcohol by anyone in the vicinity of the park is strictly prohibited. Use of alcoholic beverages before a game or practice by coaches will not be tolerated. 3. Tobacco will not be allowed in any form by anyone on the playing field or dugout. 4. Coaches and Parents should make it a point not to argue for any judgment call. 5. Protests must be filed in accordance with little league rules within 48-hours of the occurrence. 6. Destruction or abuse of any equipment or property by anyone will result in suspension and/or replacement of said property. Replacement must either be the equivalent to the damaged property or payment for the property at its current replacement value. 7. Paint the grass and the dirt, NO CHALK. FIELD MEASUREMENTS: 1. Distance between bases may vary depending on the field and will correspond to the bases of that field, either forty-five (45) or fifty-five (55) feet. 2. Pitching Machine will have large legs placed on it and the wheel of the machine will be 35 feet from the back of home plate (this may or may not be directly above the pitching rubber).