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Modified Rookie Ball – Minor A

 

Coaches are responsible to set up the pitching machines and a parent or coach of the offensive team is will operate the machine for their turn at bat. The coach / parent operating the pitching machine must wear a helmet.

Defensive Setup

• The defensive team will setup with 10 players will be in the field.

  • Four (4) will play infield, one (1) will play catcher, one (1) will play pitcher, and four (4) will play outfield. If a team only has 8 players, three players will play outfield)

• One of the Infielders will play the pitching position. The Pitcher will assume a position that is in line with the location of the pitching machine, and outside the defined dead ball area.

• Infielders must be behind the base line until the ball has been hit.  The base line is an imaginary line extending from 1st base to 2nd base and 2nd base to 3rd base.

• Outfielders must remain on the grass until the ball has been hit.

The Plate Appearance

• The plate appearance will be based on the rules of the Little League Rule Book.
• The following exceptions are for the innings playing with the Pitching Machine:
  • The batter will receive a maximum of 5 pitches from the machine.
  • The batter is out after 3 strikes or after 5 pitches, whichever comes first.
    • If the 5th pitch is fouled, the batter will receive another pitch. A batter cannot be called out on the last pitch if a ball goes foul.
  • THERE ARE NO WALKS AWARDED WHEN THE PITCHING MACHINE IS BEING USED
• A baseball that hits the Pitching Machine or lands inside the “DEAD BALL ZONE”, shall immediately be considered a dead ball.  The “DEAD BALL ZONE” is the area surrounding the pitching machine as defined by the safety circle
  • The batter will be awarded first base.
  • Other runners will advance if there is a force play situation (See Rule 2 of the 2012 Baseball Rulebook for the definition of a Force Play).
• End of an At-Bat: The play will be considered over once the baseball has been returned to the Pitcher.

Stealing

• There will be no stealing in this division.

Overthrows

• On an overthrow at all bases, runners can only advance ONE BASE.

Infield Fly Rule

• The Infield Fly Rule does not apply in this division.

Pitching Machine Malfunction

• In the event the pitching machine breaks down, it will be removed from the field of play.
• A parent or coach may then pitch overhand to the players of their own team. Pitchers who are recruited in this situation can be changed, as required.
• The recruited parent/coach is not permitted to take part in any play other than pitching the ball, receiving a ball returned from the catcher or the opposing team to end play. He/she may not obstruct the play in any way for the opposing players.

Season Progression.

• All Games will be 5 innings in duration.
• The pitching mound will be set at 42 feet.
• Week 1-3: All innings will be played from the pitching machine (4 run mercy rule). There will be no open inning.
• Week 4-7: 3 Innings pitching machine to start the game (4 run mercy rule), 2 innings of pitching to finish the game (3 run mercy, no open inning)
• Week 8-11: 2 innings pitching machine to start the game (4-run mercy), 3 innings pitching to finish the game (3 run mercy, no open inning)
• Week 12-End of Season:  The goal is to have 5 innings of pitching at this stage of the season. This decision will be after consultation with coaches after the 11th game of the season.
  •  If the coaches believe that the players are not ready for a full game of pitching, the following will rule will apply:
  •  2 innings pitching machine to start the game (4-run mercy), 3 innings pitching to finish the game (3 run mercy, last inning open inning)
• Pitchers can only pitch one inning in a game. One pitch constitutes an inning
• In Weeks 4-End of Regular Season: Pitchers cannot pitch in consecutive games.
  • Once the playoffs start, pitchers can pitch in consecutive games.