AA – Coach Pitch
A. USE OF PLAYERS
1. Teams will use a batting order consisting of all players who attend the game.
Any player who arrives after the start of the game is automatically placed at the bottom of the batting line-up.
2. In Coach-Pitch the Batting line-up should be changed every game so that no one leads off and no one bats last every game.
3. The following rules must be adhered to when preparing Fielding Assignments for the game:
a. All players must play a minimum of ONE inning in the outfield and TWO innings in the infield.
b. No player can play more than FOUR innings in the infield.
c. No player should sit out more than TWO innings per game.
d. Every player MUST have an opportunity to play EVERY position at least once over the course of 2-3 games. AA is an instructional NOT a competitive Division and the goal is to teach ALL the positions to ALL the players.
e. All positions must be filled including 4 outfielders. If you have less than 10 players, reduce the number of outfielders.
B. PITCHING
1. Adults pitch to their own team. Pitches should be overhand and as straight as possible. Adults should pitch on one knee from in front of the mound.
2. There is a FIVE PITCH LIMIT for each batter, EXCEPT when the batter fouls off the 5th pitch (or 6th, 7th, etc. etc. etc.). Then the batter must hit off the “T”.
3. The defensive player fielding the Pitcher's position stands in line with the pitching rubber to the right or left of the designated adult pitcher.
4. If the ball is put into play the adult pitcher should move out of the way as much as possible and allow the defensive players to field the ball. Adult pitchers are NOT allowed to field balls put into play, EXCEPT when the adult fielded the ball as a reflex to prevent injury.
5. Fielders are to throw the ball to the defensive player fielding the PITCHER’S position NOT the adult pitcher to end the play.
6. Play ends when the ball is thrown to the PITCHER'S HELPER regardless of whether or not the pitcher’s helper catches the ball.
7. Players are encouraged to pitch forward of the rubber. Each player pitcher is allowed three pitches and if no contact is made by the batter then the adult pitcher will take over. The Board reserves the right to change this determination to only coach pitch depending on the development of the players during the season.
C. BATTING
1. There is NO swinging of bats outside the batter's box and NO on-deck Circle in any little league game. A player is not to handle a bat, even while in the dugout, until it is their time at bat.
2. The batter MUST put on a batting helmet before entering the batter's box and keep it on until they returns to the dugout.
3. We utilize a full roster batting order: that is, all team members who attend the game must be placed in the team batting order.
4. All team members will bat in each half inning, unless three outs are made or our runs are scored.
5. The batter must enter the batter’s box promptly when instructed to do so by the coach.
6. There are no strike outs or walks
7. The throwing of bats is strictly forbidden. First incident, the batter gets a warning.
Second incident, the batter is called OUT and the ball dead. Third incident, the batter cannot bat the rest of the game. The player can still play a position in the field.
8. Bunting is not allowed.
D. BASE RUNNING and FIELDING
1. There is no base stealing, even after the ball passes over home plate.
2. Base runners may NOT leave their base before the ball is struck by the batter.
3. No runner may go more than three feet out of the baseline except to avoid interfering with a defensive player attempting to field a ball.
4. A base runner struck by a ball thrown by a fielder is automatically awarded the base towards which he or she is headed.
5. A base runner struck directly by a batted ball that has not first been touched by a fielder is declared out and the play is dead.
6. An infielder cannot stand directly in the base path unless he or she is making a play on the ball.
7. The infield fly rule will not be used.
8. On an overthrow at 1st, 2nd or 3rd, the play is declared dead and runners may not advance to the next base.
9. If there is an overthrow at home plate, play continues until the pitchers helper has control of the ball on the rubber.
10. Runner must slide or avoid a collision at 2nd, 3rd and Home. If not, he or she will be called out. A fielder without the ball who is not about to receive the ball to make a play must get out of runner’s way.
11. All teams must use a catcher when on defense and a full set of catcher’s equipment must be worn by any player in the catcher’s position.
12. The team in the field is permitted a fielding coach who can be stationed near, but preferably behind second base.
14. The defensive team should have a coach back up the catcher to keep the game moving smoothly.
E. MOVEMENT OF THE GAME
1. Games will start promptly at the scheduled time.
2. Teams can play regardless of the number of players who show up.
3. Adults should assume outfield positions when teams are short players. They must field ALL balls on the ground. After fielding a ball an adult outfielder must throw to a child in the infield before a play can be made on a runner.
4. Games will be either 6 innings or 1.5 hours, whichever comes first.
5. No new inning shall begin in the 15 minutes before the next scheduled game.
6.The team at bat will take the field if three outs are made, four runs are scored or the entire team has batted in any half inning. After the fourth run has been scored, the team at bat will take the field.