Rules - Rookie Girls

Playing Format:
Games will be six innings; additional innings if time allows at coaches' discretion.

Teams field ten (10) players: pitcher, catcher, four infielders, four outfielders.

Outfielders should be positioned at least 15 feet behind 2 nd base and the baselines.

All players remain in the batting order throughout the game.

All players must play at least three (3) innings defensively in every game.

No player should field the same position for more than three (3) innings in any game.

The league is very instructional, every attempt should be made to give every girl the opportunity to learn/play every position; however coaches should use discretion and consider whether the girl can handle the position safely.

Bases should be set 45 feet apart.

The pitching machine should be set 30 feet from home plate. A coach for the defensive team should feed the machine to remind the defense where the play is and to make sure the players are ready. There is no reason for any other coach to be on the field.

The batting team may send a maximum of ten (10) players to bat in each inning.

A ball hit by the batter that strikes the pitching machine is a single. All runners advance one base.

On a ball hit to the outfield, all runners may continue to advance until the ball is thrown by the fielder back into the infield and “breaks” the plane of the basepaths. Any runner who has not advanced more than halfway must return to the preceding base. It should be the batting team coach who monitors and make this judgment call.

The ball is dead and there are no advancements on overthrows to bases. We should encourage the girls to throw to the appropriate base on every play.

Runners may not leave the base until the ball is hit.

Ties between the runner and the fielder should go to the fielder.

The league and the games are for the kids; all of the kids. Let's be conscious of individual needs and their desire for occasional success.