The first 30 minutes of each game will be for skill development with your own team. The Home Team will be given access to the diamond for 15 minutes, followed by the Visiting Team. Teams not on the diamond can use the outfield area to run drills.
Actual games will begin at 7:00, with no new inning starting after 7:30pm.
All defensive players may take the field OR the coach(es) may decide to limit the number of players on the diamond, with the balance doing drills in the outfield area. Rotate players between innings. No one sits on the bench.
In Jr. Rookie, players do not field the catcher position; it is the responsibility of a parent or coach.
Pitching will be “Coach Pitch”. It is recommended that pitches be thrown overhand but if required, underhanded throwing is acceptable.
All players will bat during an inning. The general rule is to give each player 5 pitches and even if they don’t hit the ball after the last pitch, they should run to first base. Have the pitcher or catcher lightly toss a ball to the fielders to give them a chance to field a ball.
No one is put out on base. Plays should be attempted after each hit but runners will advance one base at a time regardless of the length of a hit or any defensive play made. The last batter will run all the bases to bring everyone home.
As the season progresses, coaches may want to create a more game-like atmosphere with “outs” and allowing players to run more bases for a good hit. This should be a mutual agreement between opposing coaches before the game. All players will still bat once during the inning. Coaches can be as creative as they want to keep things fun, as long as they keep a level of safety in mind.
