General Information

1. It is the Head Coach″s responsibility to inform your assistant coaches and parents of these rules.
2. The Head Coach is responsible for the behavior of his players, coaches and parents.
3. Common sense shall govern play.
4. Scores and standings are not kept during league play. Coach your team as such and give all players on both teams a positive experience. The 8-and-Under Program is ultimately about FUN AND FUNDAMENTALS

8U Common Rules and Guideline

1. Bases shall be set at 60 feet. The pitching machines/pitching rubbers are set 43 feet from the back of home plate.
2. All normal infield positions will be filled and the remaining players dispersed in the outfield on the grass or at least 20 feet behind the base paths.
3. Outs on the bases should be made by infielders, and outfielders should be taught to throw the ball into the infielders or to a cut off person from the infield.
4. Coaches can, and are encouraged to position their batters and help them during their at bat.
5. A hit ball that strikes the pitching machine is a dead ball and the player is awarded a single.
6. 2–3 defensive coaches may be on the field to assist positioning the players (Minors and Majors ONLY).
7. There will be no bunting, leading off, or stealing in any 8U games.
8. Rotate your players from infield to outfield, and in different positions.
9. Don″t "Windmill". Teach the kids how to identify and listen to the base coaches.

MINOR League Machine Pitch (6/7-Year-Olds)

1. Game times: 1 hour and 15 minutes. Manage the game - start and end ON TIME.
2. The dial settings on the machine for Minors are 42 - 46. A dial setting of 40 equates to 35 mph.
3. Each batter gets nine (9) pitches in each at bat and they may swing nine times before ending their turn at bat. This is not considered an out. If the batter fouls the 9th pitch they will continue at bat until they hit a fair ball or swing and miss a pitch completely.
4. In an effort to get players more at bats and not spend time switching from offense to defense, the offense will bat all players on the roster before switching to defense.
5. Do not clear the base after three outs are made in the field. This increases the defensive opportunities for the team in the field, and enables the offensive team to work a wider variety of base running situations.
6. Runners who have not advanced at least half way when the ball is within the infield and in control by a defensive player should return to the base they had previously occupied.
7. Running on over throws is not allowed. Players should advance on bases with hits.
8. Players shall rotate defensive positions, infield to outfield every inning. Coach should strive to give each kid an opportunity over the course of the season to experience each and every playing position.

MAJOR League Machine Pitch (7/8-Year-Olds)

1. Game times: 1 hour and 30 minutes or six innings. New innings shall not be started after 1 hour and 15 minutes. Manage the game - start and end ON TIME.
2. The dial settings on the machine for Majors are 46 — 50. A dial setting of 50 equates to 39 mph.
3. Each batter gets seven (7) pitches in each at bat.
4. For the first five (5) games of the season (April 11— May 9) kids may swing seven (7) times before ending their turn at bat. This is not considered an out. If the batter fouls the 7th pitch they will continue at bat until they hit a fair ball or swing and miss a pitch completely. The offense will bat 9 batters or 3 outs in the field per inning. The coach will announce "ninth batter" when he/she comes up.
5. For the final three (3) games of the season (May 16 — June 6) we will shift to Tournament Rules. Three (3) missed swings will constitute an out. If a batter has two strikes, he can keep fouling off balls until he strikes out or puts the ball in play. The offense will bat 9 batters or 3 total outs (swinging and/or fielding) per inning. The coach will announce "ninth batter" when he/she comes up.
6. The next batter in order will lead off the next inning, continuing through the entire roster before returning to the lead-off batter. Rotate your batting order from week to week to even out the plate appearances for all players over the course of the season.
7. The inning is over if a third out is made or the ball is controlled by a player within the infield, or inside of foul territory within the infield area.
8. Any runner, who is not at least halfway to the next base at the time of control, shall be sent back to the previous base.
9. Within reason, award one base on an overthrow. A ground ball to the infield does not constitute a home run, no matter how many times the ball is thrown around.
10. Players shall rotate defensive positions, infield to outfield every two innings.
11. NOTE: The intention of this rule change is to better transition both the kids and parents into the rules situation faced in the Tournament at the end of the season.

Instructional Kid Pitch (7/8-Year-Olds)

1. Game times: 1 hour and 30 minutes or six innings. New innings shall not be started after 1 hr and 15 minutes. Manage the game - start and end ON TIME.
2. Each batter will be pitched up to 7 pitches by the opposing pitcher. 3 strikes constitute an out. After 4 balls, the coach for the batting team will pitch the remaining pitches until the player strikes out, or puts the ball in play. If a batter has two strikes, he can keep fouling off balls until he strikes out or puts the ball in play.
3. A coach or parent will call balls and strikes and umpire the bases.
4. All kids should play on defense in every inning unless the coach chooses to field the normal 9 positions. If a coach chooses to field the 9 normal positions, then the coach shall make sure that No player shall sit out 2 innings consecutively. There will be a one-for-one mandatory sit and play rule.
5. Offense will bat 9 batters or 3 outs per inning; whichever comes first. The coach will announce "ninth batter" when he/she comes up. The inning is over if a third out is made or the ball is controlled within the infield, or inside foul territory within the infield area.
6. Any runner, who is not at least halfway to the next base at the time of control, shall be sent back to the previous base.
7. If a player is hit by a pitch, the coach should choose whether the player takes first base or not.
8. Award one base on an overthrow. A ground ball to the infield does not constitute a home run, no matter how many times the ball is thrown around.
9. Coaches shall develop multiple pitchers on each team. In no case shall a pitcher pitch more than 2 innings in a single game.

Helpful Hints

1. Prior to the game, please personally introduce yourself (both head coaches and assistant coaches for each team). As an association, we are relying on a collaborative effort too insure a positive environment for the kids. If needed, lend each other assistance.
2. Machine Pitch (Minors and Majors): To assist in speeding up the game, have a designated coach supply enough game condition balls for each game (9 for Minors and 7 for Majors). Use a bucket to collect the balls at the machine, and assist in the collection / transfer of balls back to the coach after each at bat.
3. Kid Pitch: Coaches can assist in retrieving foul balls and balls that get past the catchers.
4. Rotate your batting order from week to week to even out the plate appearances for all players.
5. Get your catchers equipment on prior to the last batter hitting in an inning to speed the transition time from offense to defense. Have an assistant get the catcher dressed as soon as possible following his / her at bat.
6. Create your line-up and defense position rotations prior to the game. Get a parent or assistant coach to assist in placing the kids in their defensive positions and/or get ready to bat.