9U (Rookie) HL Rules (London District Baseball Association)

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2022 9U (Rookie) House League Playing Rules

 

All House League Operating Rules previously outlined apply with the following exceptions and additions:

1. THIS IS A NON-COMPETITIVE INSTRUCTIONAL DIVISION WITH EMPHASIS ON TEACHING BASEBALL SKILLS, HAVING FUN AND TO STRESS GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP.

It is the duty of the Manager and his/her Coaches to teach the players to hit, field, run the bases, and the throw the ball. These skills are to be combined with overall ball etiquette on & off the field and GOOD sportsmanship.

 

In order to help with this, in addition to the standard ROOKIE BALL RULES  (RQ2) from  Baseball Ontario, the following additional interpretations of the rules will be applied in regular and playoff play (Assuming agreement).  Coaches should ensure umpires are aware of these rules prior to the start of each game.   

 

 

2. PARTICIPATION

There will be 10 defensive positions, consisting of 6 infielders and 4 outfielders. Teams with only 7 players in attendance at particular game may still play.  No Automatic outs. All players MUST play at least 2 innings per game in a defensive position. Any player playing only 2 innings in a game in a defensive position is not allowed to spend both innings in the outfield. 

 

3. COACHES ON FIELD

During the first 5 games of the season one coach, on the defensive side, will be allowed in the grass part of the field to assist his/her players.  After the fifth game, a defensive coach will only be allowed on the field upon mutual agreement between teams prior to the start of the game.  A Manager or designated Coach with the offensive team will also be on the field to "feed" the balls into the pitching machine for his/her team while batting.  If Coach is a Bantam aged player they must also have a chin strap. Managers, should avoid the live play, and during the play may not make contact with the ball or any player. 

 

x) The coach operating the pitching machine is required to wear a baseball helmet. For the purposes of this rule a skull cap is considered a baseball helmet. Penalty: the team will be warned one time to wear a helmet and for second violation or refusal to wear the helmet, the coach will be ejected.

 

 

4. POSITIONS

Since this is a development division, all players must play a different position from game to game throughout the regular season, wherever possible. The goal would be to have each player play every position during the regular season. There is no penalty for failure to do this. However, if the players are to develop and enjoy the game, time spent in various positions will encourage them.

 

5. BATTING ORDER

Teams will use a continuous batting order. All players present at each game will be given a position in the batting order and they will take their regular turn at bat even when not in the defensive lineup for that inning. The batting order will be determined prior to the start of the game and will not change during the game.

 

6. BASE RUNNERS

Runners cannot leave the base until the batter makes contact with the ball.   If an infraction occurs, the ball will  be declared dead and runners may not advance.  One (1) warning will be issued and for any further infractions.  Thereafter the runner will be called out. (Each team may receive 1 warning). No stealing allowed.

 

There shall be no advancement of base runners until the ball is legally batted into play. EXAMPLE: No advancement on any passed ball or ball thrown into foul territory or out of bounds (out of bounds area is to be determined by the plate Umpire before the start of the game).  When the ball is in foul territory or out of play, either off the catcher or overthrown, the play is called dead and the base runners may not advance. This includes all diamonds whether it’s a fenced diamond or not. A player cannot run on a third strike pitch dropped by the catcher.

 

 

7. PITCHING MACHINE RULES

a) The pitching machine is placed directly in front of home plate at a distance of 44 ft.

 

b) An 8 ft. diameter safety circle shall be marked off directly in front of home plate and its center shall be 44 ft. from home plate. No player is permitted to enter the safety circle which is considered a dead ball area. Enter means that any part of the body enters the safety circle.

 

c) The pitcher must stand beside the pitching machine outside of the safety circle and behind the release point of the pitching machine. Lines shall be drawn from the release point to 4 ft. beyond the circle. The pitcher must have both feet on the white line until the ball is released from the machine. Only the pitcher can return a live ball to the operating Coach with runners on base. The pitcher must wear a regulation batting helmet with an attached chin strap and a manufacturer approved face mask. Neither the pitcher nor any other player may in any way break the plane of the 8 foot diameter circle around the machine whether stepping on the circle line or reaching into the circle while in an attempt to field a ball. Play will be called dead and 1 base will be awarded. All other forced runners will move 1 base.

 

d) The pitching machine speeds can be altered only at the end of an inning. Machine speed is a maximum of 40 mph and a minimum of 35 mph. Height can be adjusted at any time. No Free Pitches.

 

e) If the machine speed is erratic, it shall be corrected by the umpire. (This may be done at any time.)

 

f) If a batted ball hits the pitching machine or any adult in the playing field, then the ball is declared dead and the batter is awarded first base with the corresponding move of any base runners who may be forced to move. The coach feeding the machine must not interfere with any play being made by the defensive team. Otherwise, the batter will be called out and the runners will be returned to their base of origin. In case of the third out the side is retired. 

 

g) When a thrown ball hits the pitching machine or the cord within the circle, then the ball is declared dead and each base runner (including the batter-runner) shall advance one base from the time the ball becomes dead.

 

 

8. BATTERS

Each batter shall receive a maximum of 5 strikes as called by the umpire. After 5 strikes called by the umpire, the batter is out. The batter shall not be called out if the 5th strike is called a foul (added 2018).  If a ball crosses the plate over a batter's head or bounces in the dirt, the Umpire will not count it as a strike unless the player swings at the pitch. BATTERS CANNOT WALK OR BUNT. (Bunts will be called an automatic out) 


INFIELD FLY RULE will not apply.

 

Batters at Rookie Ball must drop the bat and not throw it (intentionally or unintentionally) upon hitting the ball.  Penalty, each team shall be entitled to one warning per game.  After the warning, any further offences by a team shall result in the batter being declared out, the ball being dead and runners returning to their bases.

 

9. SCORING RULE

  1. Each half inning will end either with 3 outs or after the 10th batter.  The 10th batter must be declared to the umpire and defensive team, with an acknowledgement that both have heard the declaration.

  2. If there are less than 2 out with the 10th batter at the plate, the catcher or pitcher must have the ball and touch home plate to end the inning. Runs scored before this count.

     

    10. BALL OUT OF PLAY

    On any ball thrown into foul territory or out of play, no extra base shall be awarded to the runner. The runner shall be awarded only the base he/she is moving to at the time of the throw. EXAMPLE: A player standing on a base or running past first base down the foul line, at the time of the throw, cannot advance to the next base. Runners will advance to the next nearest base on an overthrow including thrown balls that remain in Fair territory.  (For example:  While a runner is approaching second base, the defending team throws the ball over second base.  The umpire will call time and the runner will be awarded 2nd base).  The coaches and umpire(s) will discuss what constitutes an overflow at each base prior to the start of the game.

     

     

10.  Bats

       a.  In addition to wooden bats, metal bats shall be allowed in OBA play. These bats shall meet the dimensional requirements specified in Rule 1:10 of  the Official Rules of Baseball. The maximum diameter of the bat barrel is not more than 2 ¾ ”.

11.  GAME LENGTH (from the LDBA HL Operating Rules)

 

 

Constitution & By-Laws of Baseball Ontario Revised for the 2022 Playing Season 

RQ2.2   DIAMOND LAYOUT
  1. The pitching machine is placed directly in front of home plate at a distance of 44 ft.
  2. An 8 ft. diameter safety circle shall be marked off directly in front of home plate and its centre shall be 44 ft. from home plate. No player is permitted to enter the safety circle, which is considered a dead ball area. Enter means that any part of the body enters the safety circle.
  3. Electrical cord must run along or under the ground from the pitching machine to the electrical source. A ball that hits the cord outside of the safety circle shall remain live and in play.
  4. In addition to electrical pitching machines, Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Pitching Machines are approved for Rep 9U play. It is recommended that a radar gun be present to confirm the machine settings produce pitches at the speed contemplated by RQ2.3 f). Note:  A tournament may use either electric or mechanical machines, but not both.
RQ2.3   PLAYING RULES
  1. A team shall comprise of a minimum of 10 players and a maximum of 25 players, all signed to team rosters of the series and classification of the team entered. Each team must have at least 1 manager and/or 1 or more coaches signed to a team roster clearly marked manager or coach and who shall be responsible for that team.
  2. Each team shall have a catcher, a first baseman, a second baseman, a third baseman, a shortstop, a left fielder, a right fielder, 1 pitcher and 2 centre fielders in the line-up. A team may play as long as it has 9 players at the game. If it drops to 8 or few players at a game, then the game is forfeited to the other team.
  3. The pitcher must stand beside the pitching machine outside of the safety circle and behind the release point of the pitching machine. Lines shall be drawn from the release point to 4 ft. beyond the circle. The pitcher must have both feet on or within 4 feet behind the white line until the ball is released from the machine. Once the ball is released from the machine, the pitcher may move in front of the line, but may not move through the circle. The machine shall be 44 ft. from home plate. Only the pitcher may return a live ball to the operating coach with runners on base. The pitcher must wear a NOCSAE approved batting helmet with facemask and chinstrap attached as designed by the manufacturer and may not be removed until the play is complete.  Penalty: Time will called at the completion of the play and 1 base will be awarded from the position of the runners at the time the play was completed.  Neither the pitcher nor any other player may in any way break the plane of the 8 foot diameter circle around the machine whether stepping on the circle line or reaching into the circle while in an attempt to field a ball. Play will be called dead and 1 base will be awarded. All other forced runners will move 1 base.
  4. Infielders can ask for time in the infield area. Time will be given at the umpire’s discretion when continuous action from the play has stopped.  NOTE:  The ball does not have to go back to the pitcher before an infield may ask for time.  Continuous action ends when the defense stops trying to field the baseball, and the offense stops trying to advance.
  5. Until the ball is fed into the machine, outfielders shall position themselves at least 15 feet beyond the base paths.
  6. The pitching machine speeds cannot be altered except at the end of an inning. Any tampering with the machine speed by the coach feeding the machine shall result in the coach’s immediate ejection.  If the speed or the flight of the ball becomes erratic, it shall be corrected at the direction of the umpire. (This may be done at any time.)  If the correction is done between innings, both teams will be notified by the umpire.  Height can be adjusted at any time.  Machine speed is a maximum of 40mph and a minimum of 35mph.
  7. All 8U/9U baseball games shall be 7 innings or until a winner is declared. The game ends immediately after the deciding run scores, except for a home run out of the playing field or where additional runs are scored through the awarding of bases by rule in which case all runs are counted up to the 7 run inning maximum. Five innings shall constitute an official game except that a winner is declared and the game declared official at any point that the opposing team is unable to win or tie the game.
  8. Each batter shall receive a maximum of 5 strikes as called by the umpire. The batter shall not be called out if the 5th strike is called a foul ball.  If a ball crosses the plate over the batter’s head or bounces into the dirt, the umpire will not count it as a strike unless the batter swings at the pitch.
  9. Batters cannot walk or bunt. (Bunts are automatic outs.)
  10. There shall be no passed balls or wild pitches.
  11. Base Runners cannot leave the base until the batter makes contact with the ball. If an infraction occurs, the ball will be declared dead and runners may not advance.  One (1) warning will be issued and for any further infractions thereafter the runner will be called out. (Each team may receive 1 warning). No stealing allowed.
  12. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine or any adult in the playing field, then the ball is declared dead and the batter is awarded first base with the corresponding move of any base runners who may be forced to move. The coach feeding the machine must not interfere with any play being made by the defensive team. Otherwise, the batter will be called out and the runners will be returned to their base of origin. In case of the third out the side is retired.
  13. When a thrown ball hits the pitching machine or the cord within the circle, then the ball is declared dead and each base runner (including the batter-runner) shall advance one base from the time the ball becomes dead.
  14. The plate umpire shall be behind the catcher. The second umpire is the traditional base umpire.
  15. The on deck batter, the batter and base runners must wear a prescribed protective helmet with flaps covering both ears. Chinstraps are mandatory and will be worn as designed by the manufacturer. Helmets may not be changed except after the inning has been completed, or the player has been retired or has crossed home plate.
  16. Shoes with metal cleats are prohibited.
  17. All catchers are required to wear a mask with throat protector, helmet, chest protector, shin guards, cup and cup type supporter during the game and during any warm-up, machine set-up, etc.
  18. In addition to wooden bats, metal bats shall be allowed in OBA play. Except with respect to diameter, these bats shall meet the dimensional requirements specified in the Official Rules of Baseball.  The maximum diameter of the bat barrel may be 2 ¾.
  19. All players in uniform (Rep Rostered) must be put in a continuous batting order, with the bat person being the exception. If a player is removed from the game due to injury, illness or official ejection, the player’s spot in the batting order shall be deleted. In the event a batter must be removed due to injury, official ejection, or has to leave for any reason during the time at bat, the next batter in the batting order shall come to bat assuming the pitch count at the time the batter is removed.  If the batter becomes an out, such batter shall then take his/her regular turn at bat.
  20. A coach/manager may only communicate positive instructions to his/her players on the field.
  21. Up to 3 games may be played in 1 day.
  22. An inning will be 3 outs or a maximum of 7 runs.
  23. The infield fly rule does not apply.
  24. The coach operating the pitching machine is required to wear a baseball helmet.  For the purposes of this rule a skull cap is considered a baseball helmet. Penalty: the team will be warned one time to wear a helmet and for second violation or refusal to wear the helmet, the coach will be ejected.
  25. The coach operating the pitching machine may instruct the batter before feeding the machine, but shall not instruct runners during the play. Penalty:  the coach shall be warned.  If the action continues, the coach will be removed from the game.
  26. Batters at 9U must drop the bat and not throw it (intentionally or unintentionally) upon hitting the ball. Penalty, each team shall be entitled to one warning per game.  After the warning, any further offences by a team shall result in the batter being declared out, the ball being dead and runners returning to their bases.  If, prior to the team's warning, a batter throws the bat resulting in an injury, the ball is dead and play shall be halted and the team will receive its warning.  The player's at bat will continue.   NOTE: The pitch will count as one of the batter’s 5 strikes. If it is the 5th strike, the batter will be declared out.
  27. Once time has been granted by the umpire, the ball is returned to the Offensive Coach within the pitching circle. At this time, the plate umpire should say “Play” to make the ball live.  The defensive pitcher may ask the offensive coach for the ball so he/she can make an appeal by tagging the base or the runner and indicating to the umpire the runner missed the base/left early/etc.  The offensive coach must give the ball to the defensive player when requested.  As per the Official Rules of Baseball, appeals must be made while the ball is live on either the base that was missed by a runner or the runner – as long as the defense indicates clearly than an appeal is being made.

SECTION Q2.4          APPROVED BALLS FOR ROOKIE BALL

Any baseball approved for Mosquito play.