2025 Rookies Rules
It is encouraged prior to game start for coaches from both teams meet to discuss and agree on interpretation of rules.
1) Bases are 60 feet apart.
2) Game time starts at 6:00 PM
a. Games will last 90 minutes, no new innings after 75 minutes from the start of the game.
3) Batters, players on deck and base runners must wear a helmet AT ALL TIMES.
4) The batting order will include all players present and must bat entire roster during the game.
5) Kid Pitch will be implemented at the start of the season for the kid pitch teams.
6) Pitching distance will be 35 feet for both kid and coach pitch.
a. For coach pitch, coaches will overhand throw to their own team from 35 feet.
b. For kid pitch, kids will overhand throw to the opposing team from 35 feet. Two innings max per pitcher per game, 3 total innings per week (a week constitutes Sunday through the following Saturday). There are no partial innings. 1 pitch = 1 inning.
7) Each batter will receive a maximum of 5 pitches.
a. For Coach pitch, three strikes (batter must have swung) and the batter is out. After five pitches (good or bad) the batter is out. Batter will not be called out on fifth pitch if player fouls off the pitch. Batters do not walk.
b. For Kid pitch, kids will overhand throw a maximum of 3 pitches per at bat. If a strike is thrown, and a batter does not swing, it is still considered a strike. Coaches whose team is at bat are responsible to call balls and strikes of kid pitches Coach should be behind kid pitcher to call balls and strikes. To encourage pitching development it is suggested to be liberal with the strike zone. Three strikes (whether a batter swings or not) and the batter is out. If a batter is still alive after 3 pitches, coach pitch will be used with 2 additional pitches to finish the at bat (total of 5 pitches max per at bat). Batter will not be called out on fifth pitch if player fouls off the pitch. Batters do not walk.
8) Batters hit by pitch by a kid pitcher will advance to first base. Batters do not take first base if hit by a coach pitch.
9) 5 run rule per inning, unless 3 outs occur. Not every batter will bat every inning.
10) No leading off or stealing bases.
11) No advance on overthrows, except overthrows to 1st base, the runner is allowed one additional base if no runner is on 2nd.
12) Balls hit to the outfield (Outfield is considered past the grass line that meets the dirt infield or 10 ft. from the baseline, whichever is closer)
a. Base runners can advance until the ball crosses into the infield (where the grass outfield meets the dirt infield or 10 ft. from the baseline whichever is closer).
13) Bats thrown by a batter will be an out. No warnings will be given. Any bat that travels farther than 10 feet or is thrown out of anger will be considered a thrown bat.
14) Up to 2 additional (defensive) coaches can be on the field (behind the infield) for instructional purposes.
15) Up to 10 kids on the field for defense. Max of 4 outfielders, must stand at or behind the outfield grass line. Outfielders cannot come in and cover a base.
16) Protective cups for boys are required.
17) Keep track of score. Home team submit scores at the of each game.
18) Home team is on 1st base dugout.
19) Player injuries requiring medical attention must be reported to Rookies Coordinator and League President within 24 hours for incident reporting purposes.
End of Season Tournament Additional Rules
1) There will be two divisions of play (coach pitch and kid pitch).
2) Teams will have pool play on day 1 and bracket play on day 2.
3) Pool play results will determine bracket seeding. Teams with tied records in pool play will be seeded based on tie breaker hierarchy of:
· Head to head record, then runs allowed, then run differential, then runs scored
4) Single elimination during bracket play.
5) Kid pitch count maximum 2 innings per game, 3 innings per day and 5 innings total for entire tournament play.
2025 Rookies Rules