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Sorauren Park Association Format & Rules: Rookie ball
The following are the official Sorauren Park Association Rules for this league. We have designed these rules to support fair play, fun and continue building the player’s skills to the next level. Please check regularly for updates, scheduling, standing or announcements.
Download the rules in MS Word or read below:
RULES FOR 2008
Please read carefully so everyone understands the rules during game time
General Rules & Regulations
General Gameplay
>Each game will be 6 innings long however if this may be shortened to 5 innings to ensure games to not exceed much past 90 minutes in length.
>If a team has 11 players available, they must field all positions listed: 9 standard baseball positions (including pitcher & catcher), infield rover and fourth outfielder. A team may select which positions to fill if they have fewer than 11 players but may still have no more than 7 players on gravel infield before the ball is hit.
>Each team must have a minimum of six (6) players in order for the game to commence. The referee will allow a fifteen (15) minute grace period from the scheduled start time, after which the game will be called. The team at full strength will be awarded a default win.
>If neither team has the required number, coaches may agree to play with the available players, reschedule the game or declare a tie.
>Once the batting order is submitted to the umpire, the order is final and any later arriving players are inserted at the bottom of the line-up.
>Each inning will be a ‘MERCY’ inning until the last inning. The maximum number of runs that may score on a mercy inning is 5. The Umpire will notify both coaches when they are about to begin the last or ‘NO MERCY’ inning. In the no mercy inning there is no limit on the number of runs that may score, play continues until there are three outs.
>All Coaches and Players are reminded that we are here to have fun and that it is always important to exhibit good sportsmanship and a positive attitude.
>Verbal directions and/or positive reinforcement for participants are encouraged. However, there is to be no language or behaviour (i.e., shouting or yelling by parents or coaches) that is deemed to be excessive, abusive or intimidating to participants. Coaches should immediately request a time-out with the umpire(s) and discretely discuss the situation in private away from players. It will be up to the umpire, to mitigate the situation.
>THE UMPIRE’S CALL IS FINAL!
The Batter
>ALL BATTERS WILL WEAR BATTING HELMETS WHEN AT BAT OR ON BASE. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.
>Each batter will be allowed ten (10) pitches from the pitching machine. Each batter may have a maximum of three (3) pitches at the beginning of their at bat to check the speed and height of the ball from the machine that will not count against their 10-pitch count. The 10-pitch count will begin when the batter swings for the first time or after the three warm-up pitches have been completed (if the player does not swing during these first three pitches).
>The first seven (7) pitches of the pitch count must be from the pitching machine. The batter has the option of receiving their final three pitches by "live" pitching from their coach. If a player does not hit a fair ball after their ten pitches they are out. Foul balls count against the batter’s ten pitches however a batter cannot strikeout on a foul ball.
> The manager or coach from the batting team or their designate must come out to load balls into the pitching machine and throw pitches (if needed) from just in front of and to either side of the mound. The coach is encouraged to provide additional practice to players having difficulty to increase their skill level as soon as possible.
>If the Umpire deems that the machine caused interference of the defensive player in terms of the player attempting to field the ball and make a play, then the Umpire will declare DEAD BALL and the batter will return to the plate and continue his/her at bat. The pitch will not count in regards to the ten (10) pitches allowed. The intent of this rule is to provide safety. The Umpire in charge has the final say in determining interference calls. No player will be positioned in front of the pitching machine prior to the ball leaving the machine.
>The Umpire is not required to call Balls and Strikes. Bunting is not permitted (Penalty- batter is out). Check-swings (no follow-through) do not qualify as bunts. These rules will apply even during the first three pitches the batter is receiving.
>If the batter hits the ball up and behind themselves, the back catcher may catch it to try and get the out. If the ball passes entirely above the second crossbar of the fence before coming back down, and the back catcher catches it, the batter will be called out.
>The batter is out if a batted ball is caught by a fielder before touching the ground anywhere else on the field (a catch will still count if in the opinion of the umpire the fielder dropped the ball while transferring it to their hand for a throw).
>If a batted ball hits the batter while still in the batter’s box, the ball will be called foul. The play will continue if a fair ball hits a bat on the ground after being dropped by the batter.
>Batters, please be careful not to throw your bats. Each team will be given one warning per game if a bat is thrown. If any other player on that team throws a bat they will be called out.
>A batted ball is fair in the following circumstances:
a. The ball first touches the ground in fair territory beyond 1st or 3rd base.
b. The ball settles or is first touched by a fielder in fair territory in front of 1st or 3rd base.
c. The ball is touched by a fielder before it lands that the umpire believed would have landed in fair territory.
d. The ball lands in fair territory and bounces over 1st or 3rd base (in fair territory) before reaching the outfield.
Runners & Fielders
>There will be NO lead-offs from the bases. A runner may only begin running when the ball has been hit (Penalty on a fair ball- the runner is automatically out; the batter advances to first base and no other runners advance unless forced to). Stealing bases is not permitted.
>If the players touch the base with the ball before the runner gets there, and the runner had to run (force play) then the runner is out. If it is not a force play, the runner must be tagged by the hand holding the ball. (NOTE: Please try to tag the runner on the arm or leg. Please avoid tagging in the stomach area, as this can be very painful).
>Where there is a tie at the base, ie. The runner and the fielder touch the base at the same time and the fielder has the ball, the runner will be called safe. A tie always goes to the runner.
>A runner is not automatically out if they fail to touch a base (including home). The fielding team must touch the base the runner missed before throwing the ball into the pitcher; otherwise the runner is not penalized.
>If the runner or fielder touches the wrong side of the double safety bag at first base, they are only penalized if their actions were deemed to have changed the outcome of the play.
>To advance a runner, they must be at least half way to the next base or more when the ball is thrown in and the play is stopped (when the ball reaches the middle part of the infield near where the pitcher is standing). If they are less than half way, the umpire will send them back to the previous base.
>There will only be one base awarded on an overthrow. EXAMPLE: The ball is thrown to 2nd base and it is missed, the runner going to 2nd may advance no further than 3rd base, however the fielding team may still attempt to throw the runner out.
>If a batted ball hits a runner before touching a fielder, the runner is automatically out; the batter advances to first base and no other runners advance unless forced to.
>On a pop fly a runner may advance if they wait until the ball is caught before leaving their base. If they do not wait the fielder may try to tag the runner or the base they started at before they return. If the ball is thrown into the pitcher then the runners that did not wait are sent back to their original bases.
>If a runner goes approximately more than one meter off the line they are running to reach the next base in order to avoid a fielder’s tag they are out and play continues. The same applies to any runner who passes a runner ahead of them on the base path or when two players are tagged while occupying the same base.
>If the fielding team interferes with a runner on the base paths they are not penalized unless the umpire judges the interference to have affected the play. In this situation the runner is awarded either the base they were called out at or the base they would have advanced to had the interference not occurred.
>If the fielding team has more than 7 players on the gravel when the ball is hit, the team at bat will be given the choice of replaying the at bat (ie. pitch count would restart as well).
The following are the official Sorauren Park Association Rules for this league. We have designed these rules to support fair play, fun and continue building the player’s skills to the next level. Please check regularly for updates, scheduling, standing or announcements.
Download the rules in MS Word or read below:
RULES FOR 2008
Please read carefully so everyone understands the rules during game time
General Rules & Regulations
General Gameplay
>Each game will be 6 innings long however if this may be shortened to 5 innings to ensure games to not exceed much past 90 minutes in length.
>If a team has 11 players available, they must field all positions listed: 9 standard baseball positions (including pitcher & catcher), infield rover and fourth outfielder. A team may select which positions to fill if they have fewer than 11 players but may still have no more than 7 players on gravel infield before the ball is hit.
>Each team must have a minimum of six (6) players in order for the game to commence. The referee will allow a fifteen (15) minute grace period from the scheduled start time, after which the game will be called. The team at full strength will be awarded a default win.
>If neither team has the required number, coaches may agree to play with the available players, reschedule the game or declare a tie.
>Once the batting order is submitted to the umpire, the order is final and any later arriving players are inserted at the bottom of the line-up.
>Each inning will be a ‘MERCY’ inning until the last inning. The maximum number of runs that may score on a mercy inning is 5. The Umpire will notify both coaches when they are about to begin the last or ‘NO MERCY’ inning. In the no mercy inning there is no limit on the number of runs that may score, play continues until there are three outs.
>All Coaches and Players are reminded that we are here to have fun and that it is always important to exhibit good sportsmanship and a positive attitude.
>Verbal directions and/or positive reinforcement for participants are encouraged. However, there is to be no language or behaviour (i.e., shouting or yelling by parents or coaches) that is deemed to be excessive, abusive or intimidating to participants. Coaches should immediately request a time-out with the umpire(s) and discretely discuss the situation in private away from players. It will be up to the umpire, to mitigate the situation.
>THE UMPIRE’S CALL IS FINAL!
The Batter
>ALL BATTERS WILL WEAR BATTING HELMETS WHEN AT BAT OR ON BASE. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.
>Each batter will be allowed ten (10) pitches from the pitching machine. Each batter may have a maximum of three (3) pitches at the beginning of their at bat to check the speed and height of the ball from the machine that will not count against their 10-pitch count. The 10-pitch count will begin when the batter swings for the first time or after the three warm-up pitches have been completed (if the player does not swing during these first three pitches).
>The first seven (7) pitches of the pitch count must be from the pitching machine. The batter has the option of receiving their final three pitches by "live" pitching from their coach. If a player does not hit a fair ball after their ten pitches they are out. Foul balls count against the batter’s ten pitches however a batter cannot strikeout on a foul ball.
> The manager or coach from the batting team or their designate must come out to load balls into the pitching machine and throw pitches (if needed) from just in front of and to either side of the mound. The coach is encouraged to provide additional practice to players having difficulty to increase their skill level as soon as possible.
>If the Umpire deems that the machine caused interference of the defensive player in terms of the player attempting to field the ball and make a play, then the Umpire will declare DEAD BALL and the batter will return to the plate and continue his/her at bat. The pitch will not count in regards to the ten (10) pitches allowed. The intent of this rule is to provide safety. The Umpire in charge has the final say in determining interference calls. No player will be positioned in front of the pitching machine prior to the ball leaving the machine.
>The Umpire is not required to call Balls and Strikes. Bunting is not permitted (Penalty- batter is out). Check-swings (no follow-through) do not qualify as bunts. These rules will apply even during the first three pitches the batter is receiving.
>If the batter hits the ball up and behind themselves, the back catcher may catch it to try and get the out. If the ball passes entirely above the second crossbar of the fence before coming back down, and the back catcher catches it, the batter will be called out.
>The batter is out if a batted ball is caught by a fielder before touching the ground anywhere else on the field (a catch will still count if in the opinion of the umpire the fielder dropped the ball while transferring it to their hand for a throw).
>If a batted ball hits the batter while still in the batter’s box, the ball will be called foul. The play will continue if a fair ball hits a bat on the ground after being dropped by the batter.
>Batters, please be careful not to throw your bats. Each team will be given one warning per game if a bat is thrown. If any other player on that team throws a bat they will be called out.
>A batted ball is fair in the following circumstances:
a. The ball first touches the ground in fair territory beyond 1st or 3rd base.
b. The ball settles or is first touched by a fielder in fair territory in front of 1st or 3rd base.
c. The ball is touched by a fielder before it lands that the umpire believed would have landed in fair territory.
d. The ball lands in fair territory and bounces over 1st or 3rd base (in fair territory) before reaching the outfield.
Runners & Fielders
>There will be NO lead-offs from the bases. A runner may only begin running when the ball has been hit (Penalty on a fair ball- the runner is automatically out; the batter advances to first base and no other runners advance unless forced to). Stealing bases is not permitted.
>If the players touch the base with the ball before the runner gets there, and the runner had to run (force play) then the runner is out. If it is not a force play, the runner must be tagged by the hand holding the ball. (NOTE: Please try to tag the runner on the arm or leg. Please avoid tagging in the stomach area, as this can be very painful).
>Where there is a tie at the base, ie. The runner and the fielder touch the base at the same time and the fielder has the ball, the runner will be called safe. A tie always goes to the runner.
>A runner is not automatically out if they fail to touch a base (including home). The fielding team must touch the base the runner missed before throwing the ball into the pitcher; otherwise the runner is not penalized.
>If the runner or fielder touches the wrong side of the double safety bag at first base, they are only penalized if their actions were deemed to have changed the outcome of the play.
>To advance a runner, they must be at least half way to the next base or more when the ball is thrown in and the play is stopped (when the ball reaches the middle part of the infield near where the pitcher is standing). If they are less than half way, the umpire will send them back to the previous base.
>There will only be one base awarded on an overthrow. EXAMPLE: The ball is thrown to 2nd base and it is missed, the runner going to 2nd may advance no further than 3rd base, however the fielding team may still attempt to throw the runner out.
>If a batted ball hits a runner before touching a fielder, the runner is automatically out; the batter advances to first base and no other runners advance unless forced to.
>On a pop fly a runner may advance if they wait until the ball is caught before leaving their base. If they do not wait the fielder may try to tag the runner or the base they started at before they return. If the ball is thrown into the pitcher then the runners that did not wait are sent back to their original bases.
>If a runner goes approximately more than one meter off the line they are running to reach the next base in order to avoid a fielder’s tag they are out and play continues. The same applies to any runner who passes a runner ahead of them on the base path or when two players are tagged while occupying the same base.
>If the fielding team interferes with a runner on the base paths they are not penalized unless the umpire judges the interference to have affected the play. In this situation the runner is awarded either the base they were called out at or the base they would have advanced to had the interference not occurred.
>If the fielding team has more than 7 players on the gravel when the ball is hit, the team at bat will be given the choice of replaying the at bat (ie. pitch count would restart as well).
April 2008