Junior Giants Game Rules/Regulations (Machine Pitch 1) -Score will not be kept at any level. All games are non-competitive and should be treated as such. (Think of it as kids just getting together to play sandlot baseball. Parents/coaches are there to facilitate and try to keep things organized and fun, not to try to beat the other team). -We do not provide specific umpires/officials for the games. A coach/helper will be “pitching” for each team. There may be a parent/helper at 1st and 3rd base to help with base running and to call players safe or out. There will be no arguing decisions at any level. This is non-competitive and free-of-charge. No one should be getting yelled at. Parents are expected to cheer for both teams and all players. Fair/foul and safe/out will be judgment calls. Close or debated decisions will go to the offensive team. Once a quick decision is made it is final and the game will continue. The adult that is “pitching” will have final say if there is a disagreement. We expect issues to be resolved quickly and the game to continue on. - Have a batting order prepared pre-game. Players will bat in one continuous batting order. -Teams will not be allowed to bat more than 9 players in any given inning. Keep a batting order. Because teams may not always bat through their entire lineup each inning, we ask that you change your batting order from game to game, since the leadoff batters will receive more at-bats as the season goes on. -All batters and runners will wear a batting helmet at all times. This is a safety issue. If you don’t have enough helmets please see a field supervisor or borrow some from the opposing team. The on-deck batter must also wear a helmet if they are outside of the dugout. -After every game, teams will line up and shake hands. -Absolutely no alcohol or tobacco products at the fields. -Any fighting or unruly conduct (yelling, arguing, cussing, etc.) by players or parents will result in ejection from the game. Any such decisions are made by the coaches and/or field officials. Any follow up will be handled by MPRD if necessary. Rules for Machine Pitch 1 (8-10 Year Olds): -All games are 60 minutes in length. (Be aware of the time limit. Both teams should bat the same number of times. Do not start another inning if you won’t have time to get through both lineups. Other teams will be waiting.) “Pitching” 1. The pitching machine will be placed on the mound. 2. The speed of the pitch will be adjusted so as to allow each child the best possible chance of putting the ball in play. If there is a problem with the pitching machine the coach may pitch to their own team. Pitching machines are not 100% reliable if we can’t fix a problem quickly please resort to coach pitching. Time on the field is limited. 3. It is recommended that the fielding pitcher and the coach/assistant that is pitching wear a helmet in the field. 4. There are only five pitches per batter. Note: A pitch is defined as a ball near the strike zone that a child has a legitimate chance of hitting. It is okay to be a little lenient in the first game or two but realize we are on a time limit and players get bored/antsy if we don’t move along. We cannot have children taking 10 and 15 pitches. It is okay to send a child back to the dugout if they don’t hit the ball. 5. After the 5th pitch, or 3 swinging strikes, if the batter has not put the ball in play, the batter is out. Batter cannot be called out on a foul tip. 6. Any bad pitch made by the pitching machine may be disallowed by the person “pitching.” 7. Any batted ball that hits the pitching machine or pitching coach will be ruled a single. 8. Returning the ball to the fielding pitcher will end the play. Baserunning 1. Stealing is prohibited in Machine Pitch baseball. 2. Sliding is prohibited at any level. 3. There will be no contact at any base besides a basic tag. Any player running into the catcher/fielder or any catcher blocking the plate will be warned once and removed from the game if it happens twice. 4. Runners may only advance one base on an overthrow error. Once the ball is secured in the infield base running stops. Batting 1. In Machine Pitch 1, 3 outs or batting through the lineup (up to 9 batters) will constitute an inning. 5 “hittable” pitches or 3 swinging strikes is considered an out. A batter cannot be called out on a foul tip. A batted ball that hits the pitching machine or the pitching coach will be considered a single. If a child is called out then he/she must go back to the dugout. Fielding 1. Up to 10 players may play in the field (4 outfielders). Children must stay in the same position they are in for the entire inning, but children are allowed, and encouraged, to play different positions throughout the season. Keep a rotation chart to ensure similar playing time throughout the game. -Coaches are given some leniency when it comes to fielding. Sometimes a team may show up with 12 players while another team only has 6 or 7. If coaches want to adjust numbers in the field or even have some kids play on the other team that is fine but both coaches must agree. If you decide to change numbers or not play your entire team in the outfield we ask that you keep a rotation chart and give each child similar playing time in the field. .