PLUMSTEAD BASEBALL
ROOKIE RULES

I. GAME TIMES

A. Pregame Warmups/Practices:
Weekday Games: 5:45 to 6:10 PM.

B. Game Times:
Weekday Games: 6:15 PM.

II. LENGTH OF GAMES

There are no set number of innings that will be played per game, although 3 innings is a reasonable number. Weekday games should end no later than 7:30pm.

III. GENERAL AND SAFETY RULES

A. All batters and baserunners MUST wear helmets at all times. NO EXCEPTIONS.
B. Metal spikes are strictly prohibited. The use of a plastic cleated shoe is recommended but not required.
C. Only one on deck batter should be warming up in the designated warm up area. All other players shall remain on the bench. Non-players are not permitted in the warm-up area or bench area, coaches and parents excepted. Prior to each game, the head coach shall assign a coach or parent to strictly enforce this rule during the entire game.
D. Home team (first team listed on the schedule) will use the first base bench and will bat last.

IV. CANCELLATIONS/MAKEUP GAMES

A. Rainouts, or games called on account of poor field conditions, will be called by the league approximately 1.5 hours before the game. All coaches and parents should call the league's general voicemail line (215-766-9259) to determine the game status.
B. If weather is threatening during a game (thunderstorms) then the game will be called. The game will be called immediately if a lightning strike is visible from the field, no matter how far away it is.
C. It is the responsibility of the two coaches, in coordination with the division director, to reschedule missed games. In general, Scott Road Field #2 is the preferred field for rescheduled games. It is preferable, but not mandatory, that Field #1 be reserves for Minor & Major Division make-up games and practices and that Field #3, and Field #4 when complete, be reserved for T-Ball Division games and practices.
Once the coaches agree on a date and time they need to inform the division director so that the field reservation for the make-up game can be confirmed.

V. RULES OF PLAY

A. Batting & Baserunning

1. Batting

a. Batting order shall consist of all players. A team's turn at bat ends when all its players have batted. Lineup shall be in random order and shall be maintained for the entire game. Batting order shall be changed for every game.
b. All batters are to hit the ball. There are no strikeouts or walks at this level. If a batter does not place a ball in play after 10 pitches, the batter shall hit from a batting tee until he or she bats the ball into fair territory.
To avoid any misunderstandings, coaches should explain this rule in detail to the parents and players prior to the beginning of the season.
c. Intentional bunting is not permitted at the Rookie level. However, any ball batted into fair territory by way of a full swing is a playable ball, including balls that do not move far beyond home plate ("swinging bunts").

2. Baserunning

a. If a batted ball remains on the infield, runners may advance a maximum of one base.
b. If a batted ball reaches the outfield, baserunners may advance until the ball is in the possession of the pitcher's assistant or until any putout is made, whichever comes first. Baserunners who are between bases when the ball reaches the pitcher's assistant shall return to the previous base.
c. Batters and baserunners who are retired by way of putout shall leave the playing field and return to the bench immediately.
d. When the last batter for each inning bats the ball into play, play will continue until any one putout is made (either the batter or a baserunner), the batter scores, or the ball comes into possession of the pitcher's assistant in the area of the pitcher's mound.
e. Head first sliding is strictly prohibited. If any Rookie division player slides head first at any time, the player is automatically out. Aggressive feet first sliding is NOT permitted. If players do slide feet first, coaches should be very proactive in teaching their players the fundamentals of sliding in order to avoid injury.
f. Leading and stealing are prohibited. Baserunners shall not leave their base until the batter hits the ball.

B. Fielding

1. All players on the team shall take fielding positions for each inning, including the pitcher's assistant but excluding catcher.
2. Players shall be rotated to different fielding positions for each game. This will allow players to learn how to play all the positions during the season. Coaches are expected to keep a record of the positions played so that each player plays each position at least one game, but not more than two games, each season.
3. Coaches may elect to rotate fielding positions after each inning. Position rotations during innings should be avoided. If players are rotated after each inning then the coach is expected to complete his or her rotation schedule prior to the game in order to avoid delays between innings.
4. Players are not permitted to catch. Players playing other positions in the field are not permitted to "cover home" and attempt to tag out baserunners at home plate. Players are permitted to throw home to the coach playing catcher (who is a coach from the batting team) to attempt a force out or tag out of baserunners at home plate.
5. If a team has nine players, it shall play five infielders and four outfielders in a "four deep" alignment. If a team has ten players it shall add a fifth outfielder in a shallow outfield position, preferably behind second base. However, the fifth outfielder is not permitted to touch, or otherwise "cover" second base. Only the assigned second baseman or shortstop should cover second base, so that players can learn the proper techniques for covering second base.
6. Including the pitcher's assistant, no more than five fielders are permitted in the infield.

VI. COACHES' RESPONSIBILITIES/GOALS

A. General

1. Coaches are to pitch, catch, coach bases (including second base if enough coaches are available), and coach in the field defensively.
2. Coach that is pitching shall not field the ball. A player will be positioned near the pitcher (a pitcher's assistant) to field that position. The coach who is pitching is requested to look out for the safety of the player pitcher. If a very strong batter is at the plate the coach should consider asking the pitcher's assistant to back up a few feet. If a solid line drive is hit directly towards the pitcher's assistant then the coach should use his or her best judgment in batting down the ball, etc.
3. A coach / parent will act as catcher at all times and will work with the batters.
4. Coaches and parents are to keep the game fun for all.
5. Do NOT keep score. All Rookie Division games officially end in a tie.
6. Teach the fundamentals of the game. Due to the difficulty in teaching young players, and to keep them interested, it is particularly useful for assistant coaches to be continually coaching fielders and baserunners during the course of the game.

B. Goals
The goals for the Coaches are:

1. Ensure the safety of the children at all times.
2. FUN for players, coaches, and parents.
3. Teach baseball fundamentals.
4. Continually lead and instruct players on good sportsmanship.
5. Get the parents involved to continue the teaching process at home and to assist during the games. (With the pitcher, catcher, and three base coaches, fully one-half of the parents could help coach at each game).