Youth Baseball Program Spring 2016
Machine Pitch League Rules
Administration
The Olivette Parks and Recreation Department supervises the Youth Baseball Program. Decisions
rendered by the Parks and Recreation Department are final. Official National Federation of State High
School Association rules apply except where superseded by GENERAL & SPECIFIC RULES FOR
PARTICULAR GRADE in accordance with the city of Olivette Park and Rec league specifics.
Scheduling & Weather
Games may not be changed by coaches. Once the schedule is final there will be no changes. In the
case of game cancellations due to rainouts, please refer to your primary email &/or
teamsideline.com/olivettemo for updates on game decision & rescheduling.
Playing Time
Machine Pitch Games will be 1 hour in length. Home is infield first. (based on schedule posted on
teamsideline) An inning shall consist of both teams batting their line-ups or 3 outs. Game is over at
either the end of the hour allotted or the completion of the inning taking place nearest to the hour. An
Olivette Staff member will be on site to keep track of time & innings.
Equipment
Little League Bats are acceptable. RIF 10 leather training balls will be used.
Batting
There are no walks. The batter gets only three swinging strikes and they are out. 5 good pitches that
would normally be called strikes also constitute an out. Only 3 foul balls are allowed.
Bunting is not allowed. Teams must “Bat the Line-up” and free substitution is permitted. 3 outs or bat
the order to complete the inning.
Pitching
Machine pitch will be at 35mph, coaches will feed the machine. Once the ball is in play the coach
may not move, otherwise interference may be called. A replay of the last pitch occurs under the
following circumstances: If the batted ball hits the machine or coach, whether or not the direction of
the ball has changed. If the ball rolls under machine/coach and stops so that the fielder is unable to
field the ball.
Fielding
Ten (10) players may be used in the field. This shall include the normal nine (9) baseball positions,
plus a fourth outfielder (left center or right center) or back catcher. There will not be a short
centerfielder. All outfielders must play at least 15 feet behind the infield, which is designated as the
“diamond”, base to base. If one team does not have 10 players then the maximum number in the field
is nine (9). The player playing in the pitcher position must stand next to but not in front of the
machine. THE INFIELD FLY RULE DOES NOT APPLY AT THIS LEVEL OF PLAY. There is no
replay or interference if the coach or machine is in direct line of a throw to a base.
Coaches
The Defensive coach shall stand behind the running line between 1st and 2nd base, but may move to
where the play is. Offensive coach(s) can play 1st & 3rd base.
Field Measurements
Field Measurements
Base and Pitching Distances
Between bases: 48 feet
Home to pitching machine: 32 feet
Running
No base stealing is allowed. The runners must stay on the base until the ball is hit. Leaving the base
too soon, in the judgment of the umpire, may cause the runner to be called out. A runner cannot
advance on a misplay in the infield.