Minor A – Machine Pitch (League Ages 6-7)
Pre-Game
· Home team provides 2 baseballs
· Home team is responsible for ensuring field is set up (bases, backstop, pitchers rubber, etc.)
· Coaches should have a First Aid kit on them at all team functions
Field Dimensions
· First Base (back right corner) shall be 60’ from the back tip of Home Plate (white) so that the entire base is within/on the baseline.
· Third Base (back left corner) shall be 60’ from the back tip of Home Plate (white) so that the entire base is within/on the baseline.
· Second Base (exact center) shall be 60’ from the back right corner of First Base and 50’ from the back left corner of Third Base
· Pitching Rubber (front center) shall be 42’ from the back tip of Home Plate (white) and aligned/centered with Home Plate
· Pitching Machine (front center) shall be 38’ from the back tip of Home Plate (white) and aligned/centered with Home Plate
The Game
Basics:
· 1A is designed to be instructional first, competitive second. Score will be kept. Coaches are reminded that the purpose of this level is to develop the players, foster an atmosphere of fun, and allow kids to get a taste of a competitive environment.
· A game will consist of five innings.
· Games will have a 1:45 time limit and no new inning shall begin after 1:30
o Once the top of an inning has started, all efforts should be made to allow the bottom of an inning to be completed.
· Half-innings are terminated upon 3 outs or five runs, whichever comes first. The five-run rule applies to all innings except the bottom of the 5th.
· Batting lineup will consist of the entire roster (and roll continuously throughout the game)
· 10 defensive players will play (P, C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, LCF, RCF, RF)
· Players shall be rotated between infield and outfield every 2 innings.
· Players who are left on the bench during the defensive side of the inning shall not sit out a second inning unless all players have sat out at least one.
· There is no infield fly rule.
Batting:
· Machine Pitch
o No called strikes (but coaches reserve the right to nudge a kid if they continue to take/watch pitches go by)
o First Half of the Season:
§ There are 3 swinging strikes (and additional attempts if fouled off) before the tee is brought out.
§ There are 1 swinging strike once the tee is out before the batter strikes out.
§ The tee should be set to mid to upper thigh height
o Second Half of the Season:
§ There are 3 swinging strikes (and additional attempts if fouled off) before a batter is declared out.
Baserunning:
· The batter and baserunners may advance once the ball is hit and continue running until the pitcher possesses the ball near the mound. At that point, the baserunners will return to the last base they safely reached, unless greater than halfway to a base, in which they will be entitled to that base.
· Baserunners will advance a maximum of one base on an overthrow.
· Baserunners will not advance on passed balls.
· There is no head-first sliding. This is a safety issue.
· Stealing bases is not allowed and runners are not allowed to leave the base before the ball is struck.
Defense:
· Fielders shall attempt to make outs including catching pop flies, force plays, and tag outs.
· The catcher should be a helmet and be offset from the hitter to avoid being hit.
Equipment:
· Only league supplied TeeBalls are to be used.
· Bats must meet USA Bat standards as set forth by Little League
· NOSCAE approved batting helmets shall be worn by all offensive players at all times while on the field and the ball is in play.
· All fielders must have a glove.
Post-Game:
· Both teams should line up at home plate and shake hands
· Both teams are responsible for picking up all garbage.
· Bases and equipment will need returned to the shed.