Shelby Township
Parks and Recreation Department
Shelby Township Parks and Recreation Little League
586 731 0300
BOYS & GIRLS ROOKIE BALL
2012
Points of Interest/Rules
Please note these rules are in addition, not a replacement, to the 2012
Official Little League Rulebook.
The Coach Pitch Division level of play objective of each game is to provide
instruction to players – not to win the game. Scores and standings are not kept.
There are no playoffs.
Umpires
Managers and Coaches will act as umpires. When a call is in question and is not
covered here, refer to the Little League Rule Book. Coaches should make calls as
follows:
 First base coach makes calls at 1st base and 2nd
 Third base coach makes calls at 3rd base
 Coach behind the plate (team in the field coach) retrieving
pitched balls will make calls at home.
In addition, arguments about calls between coaches cannot & will not happen. Any
person(s) found to be doing so will be disciplined by STLL Board of Directors. This
disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the Board.
Games
All Coach Pitch games will end when both teams have completed six (6) innings or
time limit will be 2 hours, meaning no inning shall start after 2 hours
Running Bases
ALL runners will go one base at a time regardless of how far the ball is hit or what
happens on defense.
Playing Time Every player MUST play a minimum of (3) Innings - (9) Defensive
Outs. Players must be rotated in the infield for at least one inning. All players must
sit one inning defensively.
Defensive players A team shall field ten (10) defensive players, if available.
Described positions are as follows:
1) Infield: Pitcher, catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, Shortstop and 3rd base. Infielders
shall not play inside the baselines except for the pitcher who must be within 8
feet of the pitching rubber.
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2) Outfield: Left Field, Left-Center Field, Right Center Field and Right Field.
Outfielders must play on the outfield grass or a minimum of 20 feet past the
baselines.
3) Outfielders must throw the ball into the infield. An outfielder should not be
running the ball to a base to make an out. If this happens the outfielders are
playing to close to the infield.
Defensive Coaches in the Field
These coaches are strictly for positioning the players. Two (2) coaches are allowed
in the outfield when their team is on defense.
Adult Catchers
A back-up adult catcher will be allowed on the field, out of play, for the purpose of
returning pitches in an effort to speed up the game. The adult catcher must avoid
interference with play and is not allowed to provide any verbal or physical
coaching of defensive or offensive players. No catcher’s gloves will be used.
Consecutive Batting
All players will bat consecutively for the entire game.
Batting Order
Players who arrive after the official game start time are to be added to the end of the
lineup. There will be no penalty for batting out of order. The correct batting order will
be used and play resumes.
NOTE: If for any reason a player has to leave the game (whether to go home, injury,
or to use the bathroom) and their spot comes up in the batting order they will simply
be skipped over at that time and any time after, for the remainder of the game, if still
not present. This will not result in an out.
Batting tees
Players shall be allowed a max of 7 coach pitches (they can use less if they hit the
ball fair or strike out swinging).
Clarification for the use of Batting Tees
A player may strike out swinging (on third strike) and they will be out and retire to the bench.
In the event the batter has not put the ball in play, then a batting tee will be brought out for
the player. This rule is in place to keep the game moving.
5 Run Rule
A maximum of five (5) runs will be recorded for each half inning. The half
inning will be over when time is called following the 5th run crossing the plate.
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This is regardless of what inning teams are currently in or score of the game.
This includes the last inning of the game.
The Pitching Coach must avoid interference with the opposing fielder’s play. Any ball
that hits the Pitching Coach is considered a dead ball. Runners will not advance from
their original positions.
Bunting
No bunting allowed.
Stealing
No base stealing allowed. The base runners cannot leave the base until the ball is
hit. The runner is not out if he steps off the base after the batter swings. The runner
must remain on the base when the play is dead.
Dead ball
A dead ball is declared when a ball which has been in play is returned to the infield.
On a cleanly fielded ball, the dead ball will apply only if there is no attempt to make a
play on a base runner.
Tagging Up
There will be no tagging up on a caught fly ball. Runners leaving base are subject to
being putout.
Overthrows
A runner receives no extra bases on an overthrow (regardless of ball position…live,
dead, fair, or foul ball territory) to any base.
Field
Base distance is 60’ and the pitcher’s mound distance is 40’. Coaches will use their
own discretion where to start when pitching. (May vary depending on player’s
ability.)
Bats
It is required that all non-wood bats used in Little League Baseball (Majors) Divisions
and below shall be printed with a BPF of 1.15 or less. Not longer than 33 inches.
Very few bats sold today with a diameter of 2-1/4 (two and one-quarter) inches are
not printed with the BPF rating.
Bats printed with a BPF higher than 1.15, or without a BPF printed (or not legible)
on the bat, are not permitted in these divisions.
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Game Notes

The home team will sit on the third base side.

Pre-game warm-ups are conducted in the outfield along the 1st and 3rd
baselines accordingly.

The visiting team will take infield practice first, for 10-minute duration, 25
minutes prior to game time. The home team will take the field for 10-minutes,
15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time.
Player Uniforms
Players shall wear consistent uniforms including hat/visor and jersey provided by the
League. All players shall wear tennis shoes, molded sole athletic shoes, or all
purpose shoes. No metal or screw-on cleats are allowed. All players should wear
white baseball pants. No jewelry, except health bracelets. Coaches will receive a
team hat and a Shelby Township Parks and Recreation coaching shirt.
Infield Fly
No infield fly rule in coach pitch
Weather (Rainout cancellation line, 586-726- 4556)
Upon inclement weather, all players are to report to the field, unless called by Parks
and Recreation prior to 4:30 pm. Managers will decide at the field if the game will be
played or cancelled. Managers will be notified, and then should contact their players.
Make-up games will be played….if time permits.
On Deck Circle
Not allowed per Little League
Balls
A safety 9” ball will be used.
Batter
Players will not be awarded a base if hit by the pitch.
Head First Slide
Little League - Runner is out on headfirst slide except when returning to a base or in
rundown play.
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