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Rookie Rules

Charleston Baseball Association

1. Home team will occupy the first base dugout. The home team is listed 2nd on the schedule. No official score will be recorded. The visitors will be in charge of securing the pitching machine (if one is used) in the lock box at the end of the night. If lights were needed, you must also turn them off and return key to the lock box.

2. Up to eleven players are allowed in the field- five infielders (extra infielder positioned behind 2nd base), four outfielders, one pitcher and one catcher. The four outfielders should be placed evenly in the grass – no short fielders.

3. Each team will bat until there are 3 outs or reach the maximum runs for the inning. A team can only score a maximum of 6 runs in the first 4 innings and 10 in the 5th and 6th innings.

4. A batter shall get 5 pitches or 3 swinging strikes. If he has not hit the ball in play or struck out after the 5th pitch, he is then out. If the final pitch is hit foul, the batter is still alive. An “at bat” will not end on a foul ball. Encourage your players to swing early in the count. There are no walks. The batting rotation shall consist of all players on your team.

5. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine (if one is used), it is a dead ball and the batter will be awarded 1st base and the runners will be allowed to advance 1 base.

6. Before the start of the game, coaches from both teams must agree upon the setup of the pitching machine (if one is used). The machine will be set at approximately 36 feet. A chalk line will mark the location on the field. The machine should be set for approximately 26 mph. All three settings on the machine will be on “3” (power level, release block and micro adjust) Trial pitches will be performed until all parties agree on the calibration. Once the machine is set and calibrated and the game begins, no further adjustment of the machine is allowed by either team or coaches.

7. Both teams must use the same type of ball provided by the league. Wilson RIF 5

8. Bunting is NOT allowed.

9. A play will be considered “DEAD” once all runners have stopped progress and the ball is returned to the coach at the machine.

a. Fielders should be encouraged to attempt to get advancing runners out.

b. There will be no white lines or commitment lines between bases.

c. Runners who are aggressively seeking to reach the next base will be allowed to continue to that base if no play is made, regardless of where they are when the ball is returned to the coach.

10. One base on an overthrow rule: When a fielded ball is overthrown at any base, the runner(s) may attempt to reach the next base at his own risk. If the runner is put out the out stands. This Rule applies to runners on ANY base (example…runner on 2nd may attempt to score on an overthrow at 1st in an attempt to get batter/runner out, batter/runner may attempt to reach 2nd)

11. Base runners shall not leave the base until the ball has been pitched and has reached the batter.

12. NO stealing of any base is permitted.

13. Time Limit- no new inning may start after 1 hour and 15 minutes. Each coach is expected to keep the game moving and clear the field for the following game.

14. In case of “Adverse Weather Conditions”, a complete game shall be three (3) innings. Rainout make ups will be attempted and agreed to by both coaches.

Profanities by coaches, parents, or players will NOT be tolerated.

Abusive behavior such as intentionally striking a player with a ball, helmet, or bat will not be tolerated.

Players, coaches and fans are prohibited from verbally or physically interfering with play on the field. For example, players should not yell, “I’ve got it” when a fielder is attempting to catch a ball. Fans should not yell, “swing” at the batter.

COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF THEMSELVES, THEIR PLAYERS, ASSISTANT COACHES AND FANS.

Remember: Let the kids enjoy the game. They are not in the major leagues so everybody should behave accordingly.

*Below you will find individual team schedules in PDF form that can be downloaded and/or printed:

RK1 – Wildcatters Grill

RK2 – Brickhouse Grill

RK3 – Ground Effects Electric

RK4 – Diepholz Auto Group

RK5 – Edward Jones – Dustin Sloat

RK6 – Eric Miller Construction

RK7 – JJ Collins & Sons

RK8 – Moose Lodge

Rookie Photos

The photographer will schedule photos with each individual team.