2008 COACH PITCH RULES

2008 COACH PITCH RULES (Normal  Version)

3/27/2007
  1. All Players must wear Team hat, shirt, and long pants (no shorts). Metal cleats are not allowed.
     
  2. A Team will consist of ten (10) Players on the field. A Team must have eight (8) players or a forfeit will result.
     
  3. THERE IS A 1 HOUR AND 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT DURING THE REGULAR SEASON ONLY. Each coach will be expected to keep the game moving.
     
  4. A game shall consist of five (5) innings THERE IS A 10 RUN RULE. This rule goes into effect after three and one-half innings. (3.5)
     
  5. In case of "ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS", a complete game shall be three (3) innings (2.5 if the home team is ahead). If not complete, the game shall be suspended. Rainouts will be rescheduled through the League only.
     
  6. All Coach Pitch League games are scheduled to start at 5:30 pm unless otherwise noted. Home team will occupy the first base dugout. Also the home team for each game will have the official scorebook.
  7. Coaches will be able to phone the League at 234-3032 to find out the status of a game in case of rain. However, be aware that many times a game cannot be canceled until the last minute. If not certain, it is best to have your Team show up.
  8. A coach must play each player at least two (2) innings in the field. If a player is unable to play during the game, (illness, injury, fear,) that player shall not be forced to play and his team shall not be penalized. In the event of this happening, it shall be reported to the umpire and the opposing coach immediately.
  9. Only ten (10) batters are allowed to bat in each half of each inning. The inning will end when the tenth (10) batter bats and any defensive out is made or any defensive player touches home plate with the ball in hand. The inning is then over no matter how many outs have been made. If you have less than 10 players, the players you have will only bat once in that inning. The tenth or last batter must be announced. Each team shall bat their complete roster in the rotation. (There will be no Automatic outs for teams with less than 10 players)
  10.  No batting practice will be allowed on the field prior to your game. This is too dangerous with another team doing the same and their backs turned. You will be allowed ten minutes for fielding.
  11.  No base runner will be allowed to steal. A base runner may only lead off after the ball has reached home plate.
  12.   When a player ATTEMPTS to throw a ball in the area of the pitcher circle play is dead. A base runner will proceed to the next base only if he is at or past half way to the next base. THIS IS THE UMPIRE'S DISCRETION NO DISPUTES WILL BE TOLERATED!!  (Coaches are encouraged to catch any thrown ball towards the pitchers circle to help keep the game moving)
  13. ONE BASE ON AN OVER THROW RULE: When a fielded ball is over thrown at First base, Second Base or Third Base, when an attempt is made to put a runner out, that runner is allowed to advance, ONLY ONE (1) base at his own risk.   If the runner attempting the advance of the next base is tagged out by the fielders, the out stands. ONLY EXCEPTION to this rule is the tenth (10th) BATTER.
     
  14. NO SLIDE RULE: There is NO MUST SLIDE RULE. When the fielder has the ball in his possession, the runner has two choices; Slide OR attempt to get around the fielder. He may NOT deliberately or maliciously contact the fielder, but he is NOT required to slide. If the fielder does not have possession but, is in the act of fielding, and contact is made, it is a no-call unless the contact was intentional and malicious and is deemed so by the umpire.
     
  15. Infield fly rule is not in effect in this League.
     
  16. All coaches shall pitch over-hand and must start inside the circle. A batter shall get five (5) pitches. If he has not hit the ball in play or struck out after the fifth pitch, he is then out. If the final pitch is hit foul, the batter is still alive. An "at bat" will not end on a foul ball. Encourage your Players to swing early in the count. The batting rotation shall consist of all players on your team.
     
  17. Double first base rule - A-Runner should use orange base on initial play at first base, unless the fielder is drawn to the orange base in which case runner should use the white base. B- Runner is never out for touching white base rather than the orange base C- Once the runner reaches first base, the runner must then use the white base.
  18. All players and coaches will remain in the dugout during the game unless coaching a base or the field, batting, on base, on deck, or in the field. Please keep all spectators out of the dugout. When playing defense, only one coach will be allowed on the playing field with their team.
  19. Maximum bat size is 28'' in length and 2 ¼” in Diameter. (Coaches please help in watching the bats in your dugout)  Wooden bats are allowed at player’s own risk.  
  20. No player can be traded from one team to another.
     
  21. Late sign-ups: All late signups must apply through the MJBL application process.  The MJBL board will decide if the player is allowed to play and which team that player will be on.
     
  22. Coach Pitch players moving up to Kid Pitch league: Coaches are NOT allowed to recruit Coach Pitch players (temporarily or permanently) to their Kid Pitch team.  No Coach Pitch player may move up to the Kid Pitch league without first going through the MJBL application process.  At that time, the MJBL board will decide if that player is allowed to play in the Kid Pitch league and will decide which team that player will be assigned to play on.   Special allowances may be made for siblings after going through the MJBL application process.
     
  23. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP WILL BE EXPECTED FROM ALL PLAYERS, COACHES AND SPECTATORS AT ALL TIMES. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT WONT BE TOLERATED AND SHALL BE CAUSE FOR EJECTION FROM THE COMPLEX. THIS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!

ALL PARENTS AND COACHES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN AND RETURN TO THE LEAGUE, A PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FORM. THE UMPIRE WILL HANDLE ALL DISPUTES. ONLY THE UMPIRE MAY CONSULT WITH THE M.J.B.L. BOARD DURING THE GAME. THE UMPIRE'S DECISION IS FINAL.

REMEMBER, OUR UMPIRES DO THE BEST THEY CAN. THEY MAY NOT BE PERFECT, AND MAY MAKE OCCASIONAL BAD CALLS.