Rookie (Coach Pitch)
Rookie -Coach Pitch is the next step before player pitch. In coach pitch, the coaches of each team will pitch to the opposing team and with the intent of allowing the hitters to hit, or put the ball in play, rather than attempting to strike the batter out. Coach pitch is usally for ages 6-8, but can vary a year either way.
Under the age of 9 prior to January 1 of the current year.
Balls are smaller and soft.
Under the age of 9 prior to January 1 of the current year.
Balls are smaller and soft.
Rookie practices starting Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ochre Park at 6:00pm
All Games are at 6:45pm
Please check the Calendar for game and practice schedules.
All Games are at 6:45pm
Please check the Calendar for game and practice schedules.
THE APPROVED PLAYING RULES
REGULATIONS
All Baseball Alberta (BA) Rules & Regulations pertaining to membership, territorial rights, registration, players signing, fees, insurance, classification, BA Play-offs, and tournaments shall apply as stated in the current version of the Constitution of OMBA as amended each year at its Annual Meeting.
DIAMOND LAYOUT
a) The pitching machine is placed directly in front of home plate at a distance of 44 ft. Electrical cord (if applicable) must run along or under the ground from the pitching machine to the electrical source.
b) An 8 ft. diameter safety circle shall be marked off directly in front of home plate and its centre shall be 44 ft. from home plate. No player is permitted to enter the safety circle, which is considered a dead ball area. Enter means that any part of the body enters the safety circle.
c) The first base is positioned 60 ft from Home Plate on the right side.
d)All bases are 60 ft down the base path 90o to each other.
PLAYING RULES
a) A team shall comprise of a minimum of 9 players, all signed to team rosters of the series and classification of the team entered. Each team must have at least 1 manager and/or 1 or more coaches signed to a team roster clearly marked manager or coach and who shall be responsible for that team.
b) Each team shall field a catcher, a first baseman, a second baseman, a third baseman, a shortstop, a left fielder, a right fielder, a centre fielder and 1 pitcher in the line-up. A team may play as long as it has 7 players at the game. If it drops to 6 or few players at a game, then the game is forfeited to the other team. A practice game may be played at the coach’s discretion.
c) The pitcher must stand beside the pitching machine outside of the safety circle and behind the release point of the pitching machine. Lines shall be drawn from the release point to 4 ft. beyond the circle. The pitcher must have both feet on the white line until the ball is released from the machine. The machine shall be 44 ft. from home plate. Only the pitcher may return a live ball to the operating coach with runners on base. The pitcher must not in any way break the plane of the 8 foot diameter circle around the machine whether stepping on the circle line or reaching in. Play will be called dead and 1 base will be awarded. All other forced runners will move 1 base. This only applies if the pitcher makes contact with the ball. Infielders can ask for time in the infield area. Time will be given at the umpire’s discretion. Note: The ball does not have to go back to the pitcher before an infielder may ask for time.
d) An offensive team coach will operate the pitching machine. The pitching machine speeds cannot be altered except at the end of an inning. Any tampering with the machine speed by the coach feeding the machine shall result in the coach’s immediate ejection. If the machine speed is erratic, it shall be corrected by the umpire. (This may be done at any time.) Machine speed is a maximum of 40 mph and a minimum of 35 mph. Height can be adjusted at any time.
e) All Rookie Ball baseball games shall be 5 innings or 1 hour and 15 minutes. 3 innings shall constitute an official game.
f) Each batter shall receive a maximum of 5 pitches as called by the umpire. The batter shall not be called out if the 5th pitch is called a foul ball. If a ball crosses the plate over the batter’s head or bounces into the dirt, the umpire will not count it as a strike unless the batter swings at the pitch.
g) Batters cannot walk or bunt. (Bunts are automatic outs.)
h) Base Runners cannot leave the base until the batter makes contact with the ball. If an infraction occurs, the ball will be declared dead and runners may not advance. One (1) warning will be issued and for any further infractions Thereafter the runner will be called out. (Each team may receive 1 warning after that each infraction will yield an out). No stealing allowed.
i) If a batted ball hits the pitching machine or any adult in the playing field, then the ball is declared dead and the batter is awarded first base with the corresponding move of any base runners that may be forced to move. The coach operating the machine must not interfere with any play being made by the defensive team. Otherwise, the batter will be called out and the runners will be returned to their base of origin. In case of the third out the side is retired. If the 10th batter hits the pitching machine, then the ball will be declared dead, the batter will be awarded first base with the corresponding move of any base runners that may be forced to move, and the inning will be over.
j) The plate umpire shall be behind the catcher. The second umpire is the traditional base umpire.
k) The on deck batter, the batter and base runners must wear a prescribed protective helmet with flaps covering both ears. Chinstraps are mandatory and will be worn as designed by the manufacturer. Helmets may not be changed except after the inning has been completed, or the player has been retired or has crossed home plate.
l) All catchers are required to wear a mask with throat protector, helmet, chest protector, shin guards, cup and cup type supporter during the game and during any warm-up, machine set-up, etc.
m) All players in uniform (BA rostered) must be put in a continuous batting order, with the bat person being the exception.
n) A coach/manager may only communicate positive instructions to his/her players on the field.
o) An inning shall be 3 outs or the maximum of 10 batters. If there are 2 outs when the 10th batter is up, the 3rd out can be obtained by a strike out, a caught fly ball, a force out (when the runner must advance to a base) or a tag play. With 1 out when the 10th batter is up, it is possible to end the inning with a double play (forces, tags, caught fly ball and appeal, etc.). Otherwise, with the 10th batter up, the ball must go to the catcher or the pitcher who must touch the plate to end the inning. (Note: only the catcher or pitcher may touch the plate to end the inning.) While not ending the inning unless 3 outs are recorded or all runners (including the batter) are put out, with the 10th batter up, the defensive team can make plays to get the batter or runners out. With less than 2 outs, if the 10th batter is put out on a caught fly ball, all base runners are permitted to tag up and try to advance to home. With the 10th batter up, if the ball proceeds out of play, then the runners advance as prescribed by the Official Rules of Baseball and anyone entitled to advance to home will score.
p)The infield fly rule does not apply.
q) Batters at Rookie Ball must drop the bat and not throw it (intentionally or unintentionally) upon hitting the ball. Each team shall be entitled to one warning per game. After the warning, any further offences by a team shall result in the batter being declared out, the ball being dead and runners returning to their bases.
APPROVED BALLS AND EQUIPMENT
a)Balls
b)Bats
c)Gloves
d)Footwear – No metal cleats
e)Helmets – Safety helmets must be worn
UMPIRES
a)All games will be umpired by parents and or coaching staff
b)The home team will provide the umpires
TEAM VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
a)Coach
b)Assistant Coach
c)Manager
d) Scorekeeper
e) Field Safety Coordinator
REGULATIONS
All Baseball Alberta (BA) Rules & Regulations pertaining to membership, territorial rights, registration, players signing, fees, insurance, classification, BA Play-offs, and tournaments shall apply as stated in the current version of the Constitution of OMBA as amended each year at its Annual Meeting.
DIAMOND LAYOUT
a) The pitching machine is placed directly in front of home plate at a distance of 44 ft. Electrical cord (if applicable) must run along or under the ground from the pitching machine to the electrical source.
b) An 8 ft. diameter safety circle shall be marked off directly in front of home plate and its centre shall be 44 ft. from home plate. No player is permitted to enter the safety circle, which is considered a dead ball area. Enter means that any part of the body enters the safety circle.
c) The first base is positioned 60 ft from Home Plate on the right side.
d)All bases are 60 ft down the base path 90o to each other.
PLAYING RULES
a) A team shall comprise of a minimum of 9 players, all signed to team rosters of the series and classification of the team entered. Each team must have at least 1 manager and/or 1 or more coaches signed to a team roster clearly marked manager or coach and who shall be responsible for that team.
b) Each team shall field a catcher, a first baseman, a second baseman, a third baseman, a shortstop, a left fielder, a right fielder, a centre fielder and 1 pitcher in the line-up. A team may play as long as it has 7 players at the game. If it drops to 6 or few players at a game, then the game is forfeited to the other team. A practice game may be played at the coach’s discretion.
c) The pitcher must stand beside the pitching machine outside of the safety circle and behind the release point of the pitching machine. Lines shall be drawn from the release point to 4 ft. beyond the circle. The pitcher must have both feet on the white line until the ball is released from the machine. The machine shall be 44 ft. from home plate. Only the pitcher may return a live ball to the operating coach with runners on base. The pitcher must not in any way break the plane of the 8 foot diameter circle around the machine whether stepping on the circle line or reaching in. Play will be called dead and 1 base will be awarded. All other forced runners will move 1 base. This only applies if the pitcher makes contact with the ball. Infielders can ask for time in the infield area. Time will be given at the umpire’s discretion. Note: The ball does not have to go back to the pitcher before an infielder may ask for time.
d) An offensive team coach will operate the pitching machine. The pitching machine speeds cannot be altered except at the end of an inning. Any tampering with the machine speed by the coach feeding the machine shall result in the coach’s immediate ejection. If the machine speed is erratic, it shall be corrected by the umpire. (This may be done at any time.) Machine speed is a maximum of 40 mph and a minimum of 35 mph. Height can be adjusted at any time.
e) All Rookie Ball baseball games shall be 5 innings or 1 hour and 15 minutes. 3 innings shall constitute an official game.
f) Each batter shall receive a maximum of 5 pitches as called by the umpire. The batter shall not be called out if the 5th pitch is called a foul ball. If a ball crosses the plate over the batter’s head or bounces into the dirt, the umpire will not count it as a strike unless the batter swings at the pitch.
g) Batters cannot walk or bunt. (Bunts are automatic outs.)
h) Base Runners cannot leave the base until the batter makes contact with the ball. If an infraction occurs, the ball will be declared dead and runners may not advance. One (1) warning will be issued and for any further infractions Thereafter the runner will be called out. (Each team may receive 1 warning after that each infraction will yield an out). No stealing allowed.
i) If a batted ball hits the pitching machine or any adult in the playing field, then the ball is declared dead and the batter is awarded first base with the corresponding move of any base runners that may be forced to move. The coach operating the machine must not interfere with any play being made by the defensive team. Otherwise, the batter will be called out and the runners will be returned to their base of origin. In case of the third out the side is retired. If the 10th batter hits the pitching machine, then the ball will be declared dead, the batter will be awarded first base with the corresponding move of any base runners that may be forced to move, and the inning will be over.
j) The plate umpire shall be behind the catcher. The second umpire is the traditional base umpire.
k) The on deck batter, the batter and base runners must wear a prescribed protective helmet with flaps covering both ears. Chinstraps are mandatory and will be worn as designed by the manufacturer. Helmets may not be changed except after the inning has been completed, or the player has been retired or has crossed home plate.
l) All catchers are required to wear a mask with throat protector, helmet, chest protector, shin guards, cup and cup type supporter during the game and during any warm-up, machine set-up, etc.
m) All players in uniform (BA rostered) must be put in a continuous batting order, with the bat person being the exception.
n) A coach/manager may only communicate positive instructions to his/her players on the field.
o) An inning shall be 3 outs or the maximum of 10 batters. If there are 2 outs when the 10th batter is up, the 3rd out can be obtained by a strike out, a caught fly ball, a force out (when the runner must advance to a base) or a tag play. With 1 out when the 10th batter is up, it is possible to end the inning with a double play (forces, tags, caught fly ball and appeal, etc.). Otherwise, with the 10th batter up, the ball must go to the catcher or the pitcher who must touch the plate to end the inning. (Note: only the catcher or pitcher may touch the plate to end the inning.) While not ending the inning unless 3 outs are recorded or all runners (including the batter) are put out, with the 10th batter up, the defensive team can make plays to get the batter or runners out. With less than 2 outs, if the 10th batter is put out on a caught fly ball, all base runners are permitted to tag up and try to advance to home. With the 10th batter up, if the ball proceeds out of play, then the runners advance as prescribed by the Official Rules of Baseball and anyone entitled to advance to home will score.
p)The infield fly rule does not apply.
q) Batters at Rookie Ball must drop the bat and not throw it (intentionally or unintentionally) upon hitting the ball. Each team shall be entitled to one warning per game. After the warning, any further offences by a team shall result in the batter being declared out, the ball being dead and runners returning to their bases.
APPROVED BALLS AND EQUIPMENT
a)Balls
b)Bats
c)Gloves
d)Footwear – No metal cleats
e)Helmets – Safety helmets must be worn
UMPIRES
a)All games will be umpired by parents and or coaching staff
b)The home team will provide the umpires
TEAM VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
a)Coach
b)Assistant Coach
c)Manager
d) Scorekeeper
e) Field Safety Coordinator