Rookie Rules

1.            Rookie is a semi-competitive division where score is not kept, but some baseball rules from upper divisions are implemented.  The objective of the game is to have all players participate equally, learn the game, and have fun, while introducing Rookie kids to baseball rules to prepare them for Minors.

2.            Games shall be either four innings, or last 1 hour and 15 minutes, whichever comes first.  There are no umpires.

3.            Field Maintenance: the home team is responsible for field set up and the away team shall be responsible for post-game cleanup.  The home team shall setup the pitching machine and chalk the field as well.  The home team should occupy the third base dugout.  At the conclusion of the game, the visiting team shall also drag the field. If you are the last game of the day, the field must also be watered. 

4.            Offense/Batting:

a.            All offensive players, with the exception of the current batter, shall be inside the dugout behind the fence at all times.

b.            Each inning, the entire lineup shall bat one time.  The teams shall switch sides after the entire lineup hits.  It is encouraged that the lineup vary each inning.

c.            If an actual out is made in Rookie, the runner will return to the dugout. The offensive team shall continue hitting until the entire lineup has batted, however, even after 3 outs are made. 

d.            Pitching:

i.             The pitching machine or coach pitch shall be use for all batters. Each batter shall either get 5 pitches, or three swings and misses, whichever comes first.  At that point, a coach shall come about 10-15 feet from batter and take a knee and throw the batter over or underhand tosses until he is able to get a hit.

ii.            Using a tee is strongly discouraged.  If a player cannot hit the ball from a coach toss, sending them to tee ball should be considered.

e.            Base Running:

i.             When a player gets a hit to passed the infielders, he may advance to second base or even further depending on the strength of the hit.  Once the play reaches an impasse however, coaches shall tell the players to stop running.  Anything further than a double would mean the hit advanced passed the outfielders.  We want to teach the kids how to engage in actual base running rather than the station to station style used in tee ball.  With that said, we don’t want them running for a triple just because the opposing team can’t catch.

ii.            Each team shall count their own runs, in order to introduce the concept of scoring, however, a winner of each game is not determined.

5.            Defense:

a.            Coaches shall do their best to place players at accurate baseball positions so kids begin to learn the positions for when they advance to upper divisions.  No players shall sit out, however.  When the 6 infield positions are filled (C, P, 3B, SS, 2B, 1B), the remaining players shall be placed as outfielders at the edge of the outfield grass spaced equally. Coaches must also make an effort to rotate kids around the defensive positions so they gain equal exposure.

b.            In Rookie, teams are encouraged to use a catcher provided the rules of catching equipment from the 2022 Little League Baseball Rulebook are complied with.

6.            Post Game Sportsmanship:

a.            At the conclusion of the game, so long as then currently in compliance with health and safety protocols, teams should engage in sportsmanship by way of a handshake or other agreed exchange.

b.            As the team is lined up prior to the high-five, they should remove their caps, face their parents in the stands, and thank them.