Special Division Rules for Rookie League Baseball

Revised for the 2010 Baseball Season

 

1.         TEAM ROSTERS/AGE LIMITS

 

a.                   Dallas Rookie League is for kids ages 7-8.  9-year olds whose skill level make them a better fit for the Rookie League (as opposed to moving up to Minors) will be allowed to play, with the approval of the League President and Rookie League Coordinator.

 

b.                  Rookie Teams will have a maximum of 13 players and a minimum of 11 players to start the season.

 

2          LENGTH OF GAMES/TIME LIMITS

 

a.       Games will consist of 6 innings or a 1.5 hour time limit on school nights.  This means no new inning will start after 7:30 on school nights.

b.      On weekends 6 innings maybe played as long as it does not delay the next game. Should be plenty of time as there is 2 ½ hours scheduled for each game.

      .

 

3.         BASE RUNNING

 

a.         Ball will be considered in play until pitcher has control of the ball and is in the infield grass. Runners past halfway in the path will be awarded the next base. If not past halfway, runners will be directed back to previous base.

 

b.         Stealing will be allowed only if the pitched ball HITS the backstop. All runners must be on the base until the ball reaches the backstop. No stealing home.

 

c.         No leading off and no leaving early. Runners will returned to their last occupied base.

 

d.         If the catcher catches the ball or it does not hit the backstop when receiving it from the machine, the runner can not advance. If he throws it back to the pitcher and it gets away from the pitcher the runners still can not advance. The play in effect is dead.

 

4.         DEFENSE

 

a.       10 players in the field on defense (extra outfielder).  Outfielders play equal distance apart (no rover), and must play 20 feet off the infield dirt.

 

b.         Catchers must wear regulation cup and catchers gear. Catcher will have to field the ball and return it to the pitcher on each pitch.

 

c.         Infield players must play in the dirt (and not move onto the infield grass) until the ball crosses the plate.

 

d.         Coaches will rotate players between the infield and the outfield.  All players must play a minimum of 3 innings in the field each game.

 

e.         Pitcher, 1st Base, 2nd Base and Shortstop are considered “Prime Positions” in the Rookie League.  No player shall play more than 2 innings combined at the prime positions in any 5 inning game, or 3 innings at the prime positions in a 6 inning game.  Best case scenario in a 5 inning game has a player 2 innings in the infield, 2 innings in the outfield, and 1 inning on the bench.

 

f.          Each player should play 3 innings in the field in a 5 inning game, or 4 innings in a 6 inning game.

 

5.         PITCHING/HITTING

 

a.         Pitchers will wear a batting helmet while on the field playing defense.

 

b.         Pitchers will play behind or to the side of the pitching machine/screen with one foot in the dirt until the batter hits the ball. All players must stay clear of the pitching machine at all times.

 

d.         3 strikes or 5 pitches per batter. Fouled 5th pitch will be rewarded another pitch.

 

e.         Batted balls that hit the machine/screen are singles, and the ball is dead.  Each runner will advance one base.

 

f.          A half inning will be 3 outs or 5 runs, which ever comes first. Except for inning progress, score will not be kept.

 

g.         All teams will bat their lineup. Lineup cards will not be required to be exchanged between teams.

 

h.         No bunting will be allowed.

 

6.         COACHING/UMPIRING

 

a.       Home team will provide a pitcher/umpire for the entire game.

 

b.         The defensive team will be allowed 2 coaches in the field.  The offensive team will be allowed 2 base coaches.

 

7.         GENERAL RULES

 

a.         Players will not chew gum; have sunflower seeds, or food on field while practicing or playing games.

 

b.         Teams scheduled for the concession stand must have 2 adults in the concession stand at all assigned times.

 

RULES & CONDUCT

DALLAS CAL RIPKEN BASEBALL

 

COACHES

 

1.         Before the game starts the Home team manager shall be the judge as to whether the game will proceed.  The Home team manager will consult with the Visiting manager and the Home plate umpire before a decision is made. (4.01D)

2.         A complete game for Cal Ripken Baseball is 6 innings.

3.         Managers are responsible for the conduct of their player, coaches, & fans.

 

EQUIPMENT

 

1.         The pitcher’s glove cannot be WHITE OR LIGHT GREY; any batting glove worn on the glove hand must not be a distraction for the batter.

2.         No jewelry may be worn by any players.  Medic alert bracelets or necklaces being the sole exception.

3.         The catcher must wear a helmet, mask w/throat protector, chest protector, catcher’s mitt & a cup’

4.         The bat can be no longer than 33 inches with a barrel no larger than 2 ¼ inches.  NOTE:  BE SURE AND PASS THE INFO ALONG TO THE PARENTS!

5.         Batters & runners must wear batting helmets at all times while on the field of play.

6.         Almost any bat manufactured today is legal in Cal Ripken Baseball.  NOTE: REMEMBER THE LENGTH & BARREL RESTRICTIONS!

 

THE BATTER

 

1.         Have your batter come out of the dugout ready to bat. Take time in the dugout to check shoelaces, batting gloves, etc.  The on-deck batter is responsible for retrieving the previous batters bat.  NO doughnuts, sleeves or other equipment is permitted to be lying on the field of play while time is in.

2.         The batter is considered in the box when he steps in with both feet.  The lines are part of the box (6.03) One or both feet must be completely over the lines for the batter to be considered out of the box.  The batter must make contact with the ball while his foot is out of the box in order to be called out.

3.         Once the batter steps in he may not step out for any reason.  He may ask for time, but only the umpire can grant time.  Simply holding up a hand does not mean time has been called.  Time will not be granted when the pitcher has started his motion.

4.         In running through 1st base the Batter-Runner may turn either way.  If he breaks or attempts to break for second base and changes his mind he can be tagged out.  Judgment call by Umpire.

 

THE RUNNER

 

1.         In running to 1st base the Runner must run in his running lane the last 30 feet.  If he does not, especially on a bunted ball, he is in jeopardy of being called out for Interference.  If the First baseman has a hard time fielding the throw from the catcher or pitcher this will be the interference call.

2.         Once the Runner runs through 1st base he may turn either way to return to 1st base.  If however he makes an attempt to go to second base and changes his mind he is at risk of being tagged out.  Judgment call by Umpire.

3.         The Runner makes his own base path around the bases

4.         The Runner can not run more than 3 feet (arms length) around a fielder trying to tag him.

5.         The Runner must avoid a fielder fielding a batted ball.  (Interference)

6.         There is no must slide rule in cal Ripken Baseball.  The Runner must avoid being tagged and he can not take out a fielder by waving his arms or lowering his shoulders.  Judgment call by Umpire.

7.         The Runner must be tagged up until the pitched ball reaches the batter.  If he leaves early he will be called back by the umpire.  If he is put out on the play, the out stands.  A Runner leaving early affects all other runners.  Running or rocking starts are permitted however if in the Umpires judgment he left early he will be returned.

8.         Two runners may not be on the same base at the same time.  The lead runner owns the bag and the trailing runner will be called out when tagged.

9.         An obstructed runner will be awarded at least one base past the base he last owned before being obstructed.  If he obstructed diving back to third he will be awarded home for instance.  It is not the base they are going to.

 

THE FIELDER

 

1.         Fielders need to be taught to not play in the baseline without possession of the ball.  This is an OBSTRUCTION and there really need not be physical contact for the call to be made.  Simply slowing down the runner will create obstruction.

2.         Fielders should not e standing on the bases without the ball.  Again, it’s OBSTRUCTION.  The runner has the right to run around the base path unobstructed.

3.         All fielders with the exception of the catcher will be in fair territory at the start of each play.