NORTH JACKSON YOUTH BASEBALL, INC.

SPECIFIC RULES FOR ALL LEAGUES

            Along with General Rules for All Leagues, the following are specific local league rules.  The following specific local league rules supplement the General Rules and take precedence where there is a conflict.

NOTE:  These rules are “working” rules and can be amended by NJYB as needed and as the season progresses.  The league Commissioners will be responsible for notifying all involved personnel of these changes.  Try not to use or abuse these rules to impede the progress and temper of the game.  Keep in mind the spirit in which they are written and apply them with the same spirit in mind.  Often, common sense will solve all the problems that will arise. 

FINAL NOTE:  The ultimate rules of NJYB is to teach every kid the basic fundamentals of baseball, to participate fairly, to enjoy and love the game of baseball while instilling the true meaning of sportsmanship.  Every kid is looking at each coach as a role model, and therefore, the actions of the coaches will forever be instilled in that kid’s mind regarding baseball.  Act accordingly.

KINDERGARTEN COACH PITCH/TEE SOFTBALL SPECIFIC RULES

GAME PROCEDURES:

            1.         Field/Equipment

                        a.          Ball Size                       10 inch Softie

                        b.         Pitching Distance          between safety arc and pitcher’s circle

                        c.          Base Path Distance        50 feet

                        d.         No score and no official outs recorded – all players bat each half inning

                        e.          Safety arc                     ~20’ in front of home plate

                        f.          Dead-ball arc                ~10 feet in front of home plate

            2.         Fun is the first priority, but some structure needs to exist to teach these kids the very basics of catching, throwing, and batting.  Encourage the kids to learn the fielding positions.  Keep the kids from all rushing to get the ball, and encourage them to make the play at first or a force-out.  If all of them rush the ball, somebody is going to get hurt, and they are going to have to be re-taught the next year.

            3.         A regulation games consists of one hour.  Games are generally two innings long – play three if you have the time and energy.

            4.         There are no umpires as there are no called outs and score is not kept.

DEFENSE/FIELDING:

            5.         All players take the defensive field each inning.  Every player shall play position(s) in both the infield and the outfield during each game.

            6.         The infield consists of standard positions (but no catcher) and the remaining players should all be in the outfield.

            7.         A chalk/paint line (safety arc) will be drawn approximately 20 feet in front of home plate from the first base line to the third base line.  Infielders must start each play standing behind this line. 

            8.         A chalk/paint line will be drawn between the infield and the outfield fence from the left field foul line to the right field foul line, 15 feet behind the infield.  Outfielders must start each play either standing on or behind this line.  If no line is in place, all outfielders must remain at least 15 feet behind the infield prior to every pitch.

            9.         Outs are not recorded.  However, defensive players should try to throw runners out and/or make force outs.  In the event, a base runner is out, that runner will remain on the base and progress around the bases.

            10.        The player/pitcher shall be required to wear a helmet with a facemask at all times.  The required head and face protection shall be provided by NJYB.

            11.        The player/pitcher must keep one foot in the pitcher’s mound dirt or chalk until the ball is hit. 

OFFENSE/BATTING:

            12.       A half inning consists of all offensive players batting the full order regardless of outs made. 

            13.        Each team shall be responsible for furnishing its own coach/pitcher.  The coach/pitcher must be an adult no younger than 18 years of age.  The coach/pitcher will pitch underhanded from anywhere behind the safety arc back to the pitching circle.  One foot must be on or astraddle the pitching-line.  Note:  One of the main objects of this league is to try to get the girls to hit a pitched ball by about any means possible – pitch standing up, from a knee, move closer, etc.

            14.       A batter will be allowed three (3) pitched balls by the pitching coach – regardless of strikes, fouls or balls.  If a batter does not hit a fair ball after three pitches, the coach shall place the batting tee for the batter to use.  If a batter swings and misses from the tee after two attempts, all runners including the batter should proceed on the 3d swing regardless of contact in an effort to keep the games moving.

            15.       The tee will be placed on top of home plate.  The hitting coach for each respective team will place the ball on the tee, and upon a batted ball, this coach will be responsible for removing the tee from the playing area.

            16.        Bunting of the ball is not allowed.  A chalk line (dead-ball arc) will be placed in an arc approximately 10 feet from the front of home plate.  Any batted ball which does not go farther than the 10-foot line shall be a foul ball.  If no chalk line is put in place, reasonable discretion shall control the determination of whether the ball went at least 10 feet in front of home plate.

            17.       Each player will advance on a batted fair ball.  Players will only run one base at a time, until the final batter, who will bring all base runners home.

            18.       The hitting coach will notify the defensive team/coach when the last batter is at bat.

            19.       Play is stopped for the last batter when the batted ball is thrown to the catcher and the catcher steps on home plate.  Runners on base during the last batter may advance until the catcher has possession of the ball and has stepped on home plate.

            20.       No stealing or leading off base.  A base runner must remain in contact with the base that he occupies and may not advance until a ball is put in play by a batter. 

COACHES:

            21.        All on-field coaches shall have attended and been certified at the coaches clinic.  Failure to do so will result in the coach not being allowed to coach as he would not being covered under the League’s liability insurance policy.

            22.        There should be no more than four coaches, including any adult helper(s), within the confines of the Field of Play.

            23.       Two defensive coaches will be allowed within the boundaries of the outfield.  These coaches may offer advice to the defensive players as long as they do not interfere with the ball or make contact with the players.  Intentional interference will result in the awarding of an extra base for each base runner.  If a coach in the outfield is unintentionally struck by the ball, he is considered a part of the “Fair Playing Field” if he is within the confines of the foul lines.

            24.       The team at bat may have three adult coaches on the “Field of Play” – first base coach in the coach’s box, third base coach in the coach’s box, and pitching/hitting coach setting up the tee. 

OTHER:

            25.       Snacks/Tickets – It has been league standard for parents to rotate buying tickets for kids after each game.  This benefits our concessions and makes it easier on parents.  Kids love it.

            26.       Get a parent to stand at first base with a glove and let the infielders throw the ball to him – unless you can find a child that can consistently catch throws across the infield.