1) 1) What is the length of the game ?
6
innings for single game, 4 or 5 for double-header subject to 1 hour maximum.
2) 2) What is the mercy rule ?
6
runs per inning, except for the final inning, where this is no cap. There is no per game margin or cap.
If Team A bats
first and Team B bats last, and Team B is down significantly - The coaches may
agree at the end of the 5th inning to have Team B continue right into a
6th inning. Should Team B score
enough runs to tie or pass Team A, then Team A would play the bottom half of the
6th inning. Otherwise, the game ends after that half inning.
3) 3) What official game ball is used ?
T-ball
(baseball-size with soft-core center) for K-4 boys; Softball for Girls and 5/6/7
boys.
4) 4) Who pitches ?
Parents
or other adult pitches for Girls and K-4 Boys. The same adult pitcher should pitch
both the top and bottom of a given inning.
Kindergarten may also hit off a batting tee, if desired.
5/6/7 boys – The players pitch themselves. No pitcher can pitch more than 3 innings. A 5th grader must pitch at least 2 innings.
5)
5) Who catches ?
Same
as pitching rules.
If the 5/6/7 boys do not have enough players to spare for a catcher, a parent
may catch but cannot be involved in a play.
5) 6) Is it 3 strikes, 3 swings or 6 pitches ?
For
children pitching – it is the standard 3 strikes (foul tip will
make 1st and/or 2nd strike but not the 3rd strike).
For parent pitching – It is 6 pitches, with a 7th pitch should the batter tips the 6th pitch.
6) 7) Safety Rules ?
Batters
must wear helmets in all age groups.
8)
8) Minimum number of players ?
Teams need at least 6 players to
play, and 7 players for boys 5/6/7. If a team has fewer players than that, they
can avoid forfeit by bringing in a younger player, or
an older player if the other coach agrees. If an older player is used for one
team to make the minimum, then the other team will be allowed one additional
older player as well.
Last Updated on: April 23, 2015 at 11:30 AM EDT by Ariel Cohen