Guidelines for Farm League Games
1. No stealing, no advancement on passed balls, no wild pitches, and no balks. Players on base may not advance until the ball is hit into the field of play by the batter or until forced ahead by a walk or hit.
2. Bunting is not allowed.
3. The final inning may begin before the end of the hour and play until completion or dark.
4. There will be no score keeping or winners or losers. Emphasis should be on skill development and having fun. Although the children will most likely know who is winning or losing, coaches should down play the importance of score and concentrate on instilling player confidence.
5. Once a team has recorded three (3) outs or scored five (5) runs, the teams will switch.
6. Players in the field should be placed in standard baseball positions (catcher, pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman and outfielders) with any extra players spread across the outfield. Outfielders should be positioned beyond the infield where the grass starts. Effort should be made to rotate positions every inning. Care should be given in positioning fielders in the infield to maintain their safety.
7. In most cases, batters will be given three strikes. Some children may require more at the coach’s discretion.
8. In order to learn base running skills, some players may be given first base after striking out. Coaches should use their discretion in awarding “walks” to those children who are having the most difficulty in batting the ball.
9. Most hits will be single base hits. If a player hits a ball over or past the outfielders head, coaches have the option to let that player take an extra base.
10. The ball is dead, when held on the mound area by any player. Runners will return to the last base touched if not half way.
11. When one team incurs three (3) straight outs in the first and second innings the team may bat through its order in the third inning, regardless of how many outs they may incur. This will ensure that every player gets to bat during a game. The only time this rule should take effect is when there is a danger that a player or players will not get to bat because the game is so one sided.
12. The only players allowed off the bench are the batter and the player on deck. All other players should be seated on the bench.
13. All batters and base runners must wear a helmet.
14. Coaches should maintain a good sportsmanship during the game and after the game finishing in a polite hand shake.
15. Umpiring will be done by the fielding teams coach behind the pitcher.
Pitching Guidelines for Farm League Games
* In an effort to comply with the recent age and rule changes, players will be allowed to pitch in a limited role depending upon individual success and the overall flow of the game.
1. Coaches will pitch the first two games of the season and may resume pitching during any game should it be determined to be in the best interest of all.
2. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of two (2) innings in a game, and six (6) in a week (Sunday – Saturday). Delivery of a single pitch constitutes an inning.
3. A pitcher must be removed after walking four(4) batters in one inning or hitting two (2) batters in an inning or three(3) in a game.
4. The only other coaches allowed on the field of play is one behind the catcher to return passed balls. He is needed to speed up the game but should not coach from that location.
These are guidelines that are flexible and should be used with discretion. If you feel that something can be improved upon, please bring it to the attention of the coaches and the coordinator.