Scott Carrigan Baseball Rookie Rules

ALL MANAGERS / COACHES ARE EXPECTED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE NATIONAL BABE RUTH
LEAGUE / TOURNAMENT RULE AND REGULATIONS. THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AS STATED IN THE
OFFICIAL RULE BOOK ARE APPLICABLE WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS / REVISIONS:

DUGOUTS: Manager, 2 coaches, rostered players and a team MOM may be in the dugout.

Age: 8 & under (must have been registered with Babe Ruth League, Inc.). Players cannot turn 9 before May 1 of the current year. (Fall season would fall under the next coming year).

Player roster: 10- to 15-player roster with option of all players batting in order (or 11 with EP).
A. An Extra Player (EP) can be used as the 11th batter. If a team elects this option, it must start with the EP and end with the EP or forfeit the game. [Both teams in a game are not required to use this option.]
B. There will be four outfielders. ALL outfielders must remain in the grass area of the outfield (cannot be positioned in the infield at any time).
C. The player that assumes the pitcher’s position must remain within the “mound” 8-ft.- diameter circle, behind the machine, and on one side or the other until the ball is hit. If the pitcher violates any of these requirements, then (1) The play will stand, even if the pitcher is involved in the play, and (2) The umpire(s) will warn the violating pitcher’s manager that if that same pitcher violates one or both requirements again, he/she will have to be removed from the pitcher’s position. The player can assume another position but cannot re-enter as a pitcher in that game. The player may not be ejected from the game for this infraction. [NOTE: The Pitcher position is only a reference to a "Fielder’s" Position (does not throw a pitch). Therefore, there is NO "Number of Innings Pitched" rule for the player in the position. A “Courtesy Runner” is not allowed for the pitcher.]
D. The catcher takes the catcher’s normal position in full gear. Revision Approved 12/09/2014 Remains in effect until further notice

Game length: 6 innings. Each batter receives a maximum of five pitches. If the batter strikes out, or if the ball has not been hit into play after five pitches, the batter is out.
A. If the batter fouls the 5th pitch, batter will receive pitches as long as batter continues to foul pitches. [Note: Any fouled bunt after two strikes is an out.]
B. The half inning is over when three outs are made.
C. The batter is out if the batter swings on a third strike and misses the ball.

Field dimensions: Standard Cal Ripken Division base length of 60 ft. 6. Pitching machine: The pitching machine is placed at 46 ft. with a speed of 43-44 mph (established when ball crosses home plate). The front two legs of the machine must be placed in front of the pitching rubber (best if up against the front edge of the rubber or at least the front edge of any underground base for the pitching rubber).

Dead ball:
A. The ball will be declared dead when the defensive team stops the lead runner or the runner abandons the effort to advance. Once play has been stopped, no other runners may advance beyond the last base tagged.
B. The ball will be declared dead when a player is injured and in the umpire's judgment is unable to continue the play.
C. If a batted fair ball hits any part of the pitching machine without touching any defensive player first, the ball is immediately dead. The batter will be awarded first base. All other runners return to the base that they occupied before the ball was hit unless forced to advance as a result of the batter being awarded first base (Rule 5.09f and 7.04a). If a batted fair ball is first touched by a defensive player and then hits any part of the pitching machine, it is a live ball. Revision Approved 12/09/2014 Remains in effect until further notice
D. If a batted fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base. All other runners return to the base that they occupied before the ball was hit unless forced to advance as a result of the batter being awarded first base (Rule 5.09f and 7.04a).
E. If a thrown ball hits any part of the pitching machine, it is a live ball.

Infield fly rule: There is NO INFIELD FLY RULE.

Bunting: Bunting is allowed. However, NO FAKE BUNTING IS ALLOWED. If the batter offers to bunt, then the batter must bunt the ball or pull the bat back to take the pitch. If the batter offers to bunt, pulls the bat back, and then swings at the pitch, the batter will automatically be declared out by the umpire.

Courtesy Runner: The catcher may have a courtesy runner run for them every time that they are up to bat. It is required that with two outs, a courtesy runner is used for catcher. Each courtesy runner used must be a player who is not in the game at the time. Each courtesy runner may only pinch run once per inning.

Base stealing: Base stealing is not permitted. Runner(s) leaving their base(s) before the batter hits the ball or before the ball reaches home plate shall be regulated by the Special Base Running Rule found in the current edition of Babe Ruth League Baseball rule book according to comment #3 under the Cal Ripken Baseball – Rookie and T-Ball League Rules and Regulations found in the same rule book. The runner(s) will not be called out.

Baseballs: Must use approved Rawlings Cal Ripken baseballs.

Ten-run rule: The ten-run rule (4 complete innings, or 3-1/2 innings if home team is ahead) will be in effect (tournaments only).

Umpire: The umpire(s) is/are allowed to declare “no pitch” if the umpire judges that it is not reasonably hittable. This is a judgment call and thus not subject to protest. 

Home team: Home team is responsible for concessions.  If home team does not have concession stand staffed, the game will be called as a forfeit and the away team will be awarded a 6-0 win. Home team is in the 1st base dugout unless specified otherwise at the plate meeting.