Grant County Youth Baseball

Machine Pitch Division Rules

The Standings Rules may be altered or amended at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a majority vote of members that are present and voting. Unless described below, we follow the rules of chartering organization.

1. The Machine Pitch League draft will be a “blind draft”. The board will assign players to each team to ensure they are equal with children from each age group to ensure league parity. The board will ensure that siblings are on the same team for convenience to the parents. After player placement is complete, the team will be assigned to manager/coach.
2. The Board must monitor any attempt by managers and parents to manipulate the system and thus create an imbalance in the league. ANY AND ALL PLAYER TRADES MUST BE FOR JUSTIFIABLE REASONS.
3. A time limit of 1 hour 45 minutes will be imposed on all regular season Machine Pitch games. Unless tied, no inning shall start after the 1 hour 45 minute time limit. A new inning will not start within 10 minutes of the time limit. The next inning starts immediately upon completion of the last out of the previous inning.
4. There will be a maximum of 6 pitches per batter. If the 6^th pitch is fouled, the player will receive another pitch. After 6 pitches, the batter will continue his or her at bat as long as they continue to foul off pitches, hits a ball into play, or strikes out. If a batter “takes” the last pitch, they will be called out. After 3 strikes a batter is out regardless of pitch count.
5. The league approved pitching machine will be used for the first three innings of each game. At that point it will become kids pitch for the last three innings. It is required that a different pitcher be used each inning. This would also include if a game goes into extra innings.
6. Only seven and eight year olds are eligible to pitch. The following pitch count rules applies:  

(a)    Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (Note: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.)

(b)   Players once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers.

(c)    The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position.

              League Age:           17 – 18       105 pitches per day

                                              13 – 16       95 pitches per day

                                              11 – 12       85 pitches per day

                                                9 – 10       75 pitches per day

                                                7 – 8         50 pitches per day

              Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed for his/her league age while

              facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following

              conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The

              third out is made to complete the half-inning. NOTE: A pitcher who delivers

              one or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the

              remainder of that day.

(d)   Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following rest

      requirements:

·         If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest, and a game must be observed.

·         If a player pitches 41 – 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest, and a game must be observed.

·         If a player pitches 21 – 40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.

·         If a player pitches 1 – 20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.

(e)    A player may not pitch in consecutive games.

(f)    Each league must designate the scorekeeper or another game official as the official pitch count recorder.

(g)   The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either manager or any umpire.  However, the manager is responsible for knowing when his/her pitcher must be removed.

(h)   The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game.  The umpire-in-chief will inform the pitcher’s manager that the pitcher must be removed.  However, the failure by the pitch count recorder to notify the umpire-in-chief, and/or the failure of the umpire-in-chief to notify the manager, does not relieve the manager of his/her responsibility to remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible.

(i)     Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs.

NOTES: 

1. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a warm-up pitch is delivered, but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall not be considered a violation.  League officials are urged to take precautions to prevent protest.  When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified immediately. 
2. Pitches delivered in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility.
3. In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day, provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest.
4. There will be no infield fly rule in Prep League.
5. Each team will bat their entire roster and play ten players on the field.
6. A half inning is complete after three (3) outs have been recorded, or team roster has batted. If one team has more players than the other, the team with the less players will bat their roster to match the team with the more players.
7. The entire team will be included kin the batting order and will bat in order, no substitutions will be allowed. If a player cannot bat due to injury or sickness, the team will skip over him/her when his/her time at bat comes up without penalty. If the injury or ill player returns he/she is merely inserted into their original spot in the batting order.
8. A continuous batting order that includes all players on the team will be used. If a child becomes ill, injured, or must leave the game site during the game, the team will skip over him/her time at bat without penalty. If the player is later able to return, then they will be inserted into their original spot in the batting order. If a player arrives after the game has started, the manager, if he chooses to allow the player to participate, must add this player to the bottom of the batting line-up.
9. All games will consist of a maximum of 6 innings or 1 hour and 45 minutes. An inning starts the moment the 3^rd out is made completing the preceding inning. If the inning is completed after 1 hour and 45 minutes, the game is completed.
10. Ten (10) run rule:
1. If after 3 ½ innings, the home team has a lead of 10 or more runs after the visiting team bats, the visiting team will concede the victory to the home team.
2. If after 4 innings, the visiting team has a lead of 10 or more runs after the home team bats, the home team shall concede the victory to the visiting team.      
11. If a batted ball touches a batter or runner before passing through or by an infielder (not including the pitcher or catcher, and hits the batter or runner, that player will be called out. The batter must have at least one foot completely out of the batter’s box to be called out.
12. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine the ball is dead. All base runners advance one base.
13. Base runners may not leave the base until the ball crosses home plate. No leading off is permitted.
14. Base runner:  The base runner is out if more than three (3) feet away from the direct line between the bases to avoid being tagged. Unless such action is to avoid interfering with a fielder or batted ball.
15. A maximum of six (6) infielders will play in the infield (including the catcher). The rest of the players in the field must be positioned in fair territory in the outfield grass (4 outfielders) Max of Ten players and not less than 8 can start the game.
16. If there are two outs, a courtesy runner is allowed for the catcher. (To keep the game moving).
17. Base coaches must stay in the coaches’ box and may not physically assist the base runner while the ball is in play or interference will be called and the runner will be called out.
18. Two adult base coaches are allowed, provided that there is at least one other adult manager, coach, or approved league volunteer in the dugout.
19. The umpire and/or scorekeeper shall not direct the attention of any person as to the presence of an improper batter (batting out of order) in the batters box.
20. Overthrows and missed throws to a base.

      When a defensive player misses a thrown ball in which a play is being made,   

      all runners may advance 1 additional base (only) at risk of getting out. If the    

      runner or runners reach additional base safely, he or she may advance no

      further and the play is dead.

      No stealing of home.

      Time will be called when the defensive team has possession of the ball and the

      play has stopped.

       *  Exception – When a steak is being attempted and catcher throws to the

       base and ball is missed by the defensive player. The runner can advance no

       further.

21. Helmets with face mask must be worn at all times by all batters and runners.
22. No on deck circle, all batters must remain inside the dugout until their turn at bat. No bats allowed inside the dugout. All bats will be placed on bat racks outside the dugout.
23. The players playing the catchers position must wear all proper safety equipment including a cup (male), helmet and face mask with throat protector, chest protector and shin guards. The catcher must use a catcher’s mitt.
24. No bat slinging. A player will be given a warning for the 1^st bat slinging offense. All offenses by the same player after their first offense will be called out.
25. No head first sliding. Runner will be called out. They only exception to this rule is when the player is returning to base.

Rules continued:

7. Playing Time – All players are required to play a minimum of Two (2) innings. (Two Fielding innings).
8. Machine Pitch Settings:

1. The spring loaded machine will be set at (9 – Power level, 4 – Release block, 3 – Micro adjustment). Machine will be set 45’ from the back of home plate.
2. When kids pitch, we will set the portable pitching mound at 46’.

9. Parents and Spectators Conduct:

1. Criticism – Parents and spectators shall be encouraged to be positive in any criticism of the program and will to volunteer their services to improve the League. Their opinions and criticisms should be presented to officers of the League in a constructive manner.
2. Recognition of Volunteers – Parents and spectators shall be encouraged to demonstrate that they recognize the effort expended by the volunteer personnel of the Grant County Little League program by refraining form unpartisan like conduct and grandstand managing.
3. Umpire – Parents and spectators shall be encouraged to realize that the Umpire is the closest to the play and that each Umpire calls the play as he or she sees them. (The Umpires assume a difficult but necessary role).
4. Encouragement – Parent and spectators shall be encouraged to recognize that Little Leaguers are children, not professional players and need encouragement, not criticism.
5. Applause – Parent and spectators shall be encouraged to applaud good plays and ignore errors. Parent and spectators should encourage greater effort, initiative and hustle. They should congratulate the winner and encourage the loser. They should enjoy the game for what it is. If it isn’t fun, it isn’t Little League.

Approved By:  Grant County Youth Baseball Board                                    Date:  11/18/07