Coach (8U) Rules – 2019 Monroe Sports Association

This league will follow the Official Rules Rulebook for this

division with the following exceptions:

1. Players/Roster 1.1. Minimum number of players needed to play is 6 roster players, maximum number is 10 (4 Outfielders allowed). 2. Playing Field 2.1. The pitching distance will be 40 feet. 2.2. Bases will be 60 feet apart. 3. Equipment 3.1. Steel Cleats are prohibited. 3.2. Ball to be used is an official baseball (aka regular hard baseball). 3.3. Bats exceeding 2 5/8” barrel size (aka "Big barrel") are prohibited. Bats must be stamped “USA Baseball” 3.4. Batters and base runners MUST wear helmets at all times. 3.5. Catchers MUST wear full catcher’s gear and should assume a normal catcher’s position. 3.6. Coach will pitch at 40’ 4. The Game 4.1. Game length will be 5 . No new shall begin 1:30 after the start of the game. 4.2. This age group will have a LIMIT per half-inning. Three outs or 5 runs shall constitute a half-inning. When a team scores its 5th run in an inning, the inning ends IMMEDIATELY. No runs will after the 5th run has crossed home plate, even in the case of a . Exception: The “per inning” run rule will be lifted in the 5th inning, and only the fifth inning. 4.3. If a game ends early for any reason, a game will be considered a complete and Official Game after 4 innings, or 3 ½ innings if the home team is leading. The game will pick-up at the exact point where it was suspended. Any players not present on the original date of the game can be played on the continuation date, but must be placed at the end of the original order. When a game is suspended, both teams should compare scorebooks to make sure they match. An MSA Officer or Trustee should then sign both books, after validating that they match. 4.4. Games can end in a tie. If at the end of 5 full innings the scores are the same, the game will end. 4.5. All players must play in the at least 2 innings per game and at least 1 inning in the , only 1 of which can be catcher. A player cannot play more than 2 innings in the same position in any 1 game. A player may not sit more than 1 inning per game. Players should have their required inning play in before the beginning of the 5 th inning. Some exceptions will be allowed for a game that ends early due to the run rule, darkness, or weather. If a player does not get their required playing time in a game, they should start the next game to assure that they don’t get shorted 2 games in a row. The penalty for violation of this rule will be forfeiture of the game. 5. Batting 5.1. THERE WILL BE NO WALKS. After 5 pitches, it will be a . 5.2. There are no ON DECK BATTERS. 5.3. If the 5th pitch is fouled off, they will get a 6th pitch. 5.3.1. If the 6 th pitch is fouled, then the batter be considered an . 5.4. There will be no swinging , with the exception of the 5 th or final swing. 5.5. The batter will be limited to 1 base on a ball in the infield and 2 bases on a ball hit to the outfield. 5.5.1. If a touches an infielder, it is considered a 1 base hit. 5.5.2. Outfield hit is considered 1 that is not touched by any infielder, and then reaching the outfield. 5.5.3. The umpire will have discretion and final say on such calls. 5.6. Throwing the bat constitutes an automatic out after 1 warning per team per game. Any subsequent bat throwing will result in the umpire calling a , play is stopped, and batter is deemed out. 5.7. If a batted ball hits the coach who is pitching or the , a dead ball will be called and the batter and all runners will be awarded 1 base.

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5.8. A continuous MUST be used. All players present for the game will be in the batting order and will bat for the entire game. If a player is injured, becomes ill, or has to leave early for any reason, they will be skipped in the batting order when their turn comes around. This will not count as an out. 6. 6.1. There will be no in this age group. 6.2. THERE IS NO BASE STEALING. 6.3. Base runners shall not leave the base until the ball is hit. If the runner leaves the base before the ball is hit the umpire will call a dead ball and the runners (including other runners on base) will be returned to the base that they occupied. If the ball is hit, the play will not count and play will start over. The runners leaving early will NOT be called out. 6.4. A courtesy runner must be used for the catcher - runner when there are 2 outs. All other times, please try to speed up play having your catcher ready when it is your time in the field. 6.5. The coach who is pitching is NOT allowed to coach the base runners. 6.6. The coach who is pitching MUST KNEEL DOWN after delivering the ball to the plate so as to not interfere with the defense. 6.7. Base runners will be limited to 1 base on a ball hit in the infield and 2 bases on a ball hit to the outfield. 6.7.1. Infield hit is considered 1 that is touched by any infielder 6.7.2. Outfield hit is considered 1 that is not touched by any infielder, and then reaching the outfield. 6.7.3. The umpire will have discretion and final say on such calls. 6.8. Base runners will be allowed to advance 1 base on overthrows at their own risk. 6.8.1. If a batter hits an infield hit, which is a 1 base hit, and the ball is overthrown to first, then that runner is able to advance to second base only, no other base advancement permitted on additional overthrows. 6.8.2. If a batter hits an outfield hit, which is a 2 base hit, and the ball is overthrown to first, then that runner is able to advance to second base only, no other base advancement permitted on additional overthrows. If the ball is overthrown to second, while the batter is attempting to advance to second then that runner is able to advance to third only. If a ball is overthrown to second, and the runner had stopped at first, then that runner is to be held at first. 7. Defensive Field 7.1. The player that is playing the defensive pitcher’s position shall be positioned beside the coach who is pitching but must have at least 3 feet of the rubber. The player cannot be any closer to home plate than the front edge of the pitching rubber. 7.2. Infielders must be positioned no closer than 55’ from home plate or deeper than the normal position (judgment) with 2 infielders to the left of second base and 2 to the right. 7.3. Outfielders must be equally spaced and a minimum of 15’ behind the infielders. These positions must be maintained until the ball is hit. 7.4. An outfield position player cannot make an unassisted out by tagging a base, or tagging a runner. The outfielder must relay the ball to an infield position play for the out. 7.5. **Coaches** 7.5.1. 2 coaches from the defensive team can be in the outfield during play, located on each of the outfield baselines (1 st base side, and 3 rd base side). All other defensive coaches must remain within the confines of the bench. 7.5.2. A ball striking an outfield coach becomes a dead ball and all runners will be permitted to advance 1 base. 7.5.3. Any coach who is deemed to purposely interfere with a live ball will be ejected from the game and a four base award will be given the batter.

** League Champions will be determined by final tournament at end of season. Regular season play will constitute seeding going into the tournament. Awards will be present to top teams of the tournament.

The goal of this league is to encourage our youth to h1 their skills in a competitive environment, using sportsmanship and recognizing the rules of fair play. Coaches shall have an understanding of the rules and follow them during all contests. Coaches will be required to carry a copy of the rules and present any protests in a respectful manner. Play will be conducted under guidance of the umpire and all decisions will be his and final.