BYSA ROOKIE A RULES - FALL

This age group is for players who are league age 8. The local BYSA park rules listed below supersede any rules in the official Babe Ruth League/Cal Ripken rulebook, which should be referenced for any other rule inquiries.

Rookie A Game Rules:

1. Time Limits: No new inning to start after ninety (90) minutes. If you begin an inning within this time frame you must finish inning.
2. Score is not kept in the fall. Focus should be on instruction, not score. The only time score is considered is in regard to the 5 run per inning rule (see #7 below).
3. Continuous batting order will be in effect for this division.
4. 10 players will play on defense (6 infield including the catcher and 4 outfield).
5. No child shall play the same position more than 2 innings per game.
6. Managers and coaches may be on the field (2 coaches max) when on defense to assist players with position playing. When batting, coaches may occupy the coaching boxes. There must be a coach in the dugout at all times during the game.
7. A team’s at bat consists of three (3) outs or five runs, whichever comes first. There will be a 5 run limit per inning.
8. Pitching machine will be used throughout the season, with the machine designed to deliver a pitch at 43 mph (setting 10) from the pitching rubber (46 ft). The front of the machine should be on the front edge of the pitching rubber. (Should the machine break or become unavailable for use and both managers agree it’s in the best interest of BYSA objectives, coaches are permitted to pitch.)
9. Each batter will be given 6 pitches or three missed swings before striking out. No strike out on a foul ball. If a foul ball occurs on the 6th pitch, the batter remains, but must swing at the next pitch. This continues until a ball is put in play or batter strikes out. If the batter chooses not to swing at the 6th pitch, he will be called out.
10. Base runners may not advance until the ball is batted into play.
11. No stealing or advancing of bases on passed balls delivered from the pitching machine.
12. Base runners may advance as long as the ball is in play. A dead ball occurs in the following situations:
    1. The defensive team stops the lead runner or the runner abandons the effort to advance. Once play has been stopped no other runners may advance beyond the last base tagged.
    2. A player is injured and in the umpires judgment is unable to continue the play.
    3. A batted ball strikes the pitching machine. (Single - runners advance one base.) Please note that a thrown ball that hits the machine is still live!
13. Base runners leaving early will be returned to the previously occupied base. If a runner leaves early on a batted ball put in play, the runner can only advance the same number of bases as the batter. Example: runner on 1^st leaves early and the ball is put in play. The runner can only advance to 2^nd on a single (one base) or 3^rd on a double (two bases). EXCEPTION - No runner may score if they are deemed to leave early. These runners must return to third base, and any other runners must return to the previous unoccupied base. If the bases are loaded after a runner who leaves early scores, the run does not count, the bases remain loaded, and play continues.
14. A batted ball that strikes the pitching machine is a single and all runners advance one base. Please note that a thrown ball that hits the machine is still live!
15. Any player that assumes the pitchers position must remain within the “mound” 8-ft-diameter circle, behind the machine and on one side or the other until the ball is hit.
16. No infield fly rule in this division.
17. Bunting is allowed. You are not allowed to fake bunt pull back and swing. If a player does this and swings, it will be ruled as an automatic out.
18. No umpire will be provided for this division. Managers are in charge of making calls during the game. Please do not argue over calls!

 

General Park Rules:

1. There is no on-deck batter. Batters must wait in the dugout until their at bat.
2. There must be at least 1 rostered coach in the dugout at all times.
3. All scheduled start times will be the official time kept in order to keep games moving forward. It is up to the umpires and managers to be aware of this time when starting or finishing their game.
4. No metal jewelry including earrings except medical bracelets.

 

Rookie A Field Rules:

1. The home team should prepare the field for play. Rake and mark the batters' boxes (see diagram below) and base lines with chalk on dirt areas only.

 

 

Batters’ Boxes Markings (Note: Inner Lines are NOT marked.)

2. The visiting team should rake and repair batting boxes and pitcher’s mound area after the game.
3. Both teams should ensure the dugout and bleacher areas are cleaned after the game.
4. Both teams are responsible to ensure all BYSA equipment (ie, catcher’s gear, pitching machine) is returned to the bag after each game and returned to the shed following the last game of the day.