ALLEN PARK ATHLETIC CLUB

7/8 Year Old Baseball Division Rules of 2012

OFFICIAL RULES OF PLAY:

All games will be played under the Michigan High School Athletic Association Baseball Rules adaptable to this age group with exception to the rules listed below.

1. START OF GAME:

The official starting time will be listed on the game schedule. The umpire will officially note the start of the game to both managers according to their means of tracking time.

The umpire will gather managers 5 minutes prior to the official start of game to review the ground rules. At that time both managers must have their batting order (with player’s last name and jersey number) ready to trade.

2. GAME DURATION:

A maximum of 6 innings will be played with a 2 hour time limit.  No inning shall start after this 2 hour time limit. Exception: If a game is delayed due to weather conditions, the official starting time will be accommodated for the time delayed. For this exception the maximum allowance shall not exceed 15 minutes. Under no other conditions shall a game be officially delayed.

 

A maximum of 5 runs an inning per side will be allowed. Exception: If a team has 4 runs scored in a single inning and there are runners on base, they will be allowed to score until the play ends. Runs per inning will be kept for the sole purpose of maximum runs per inning rule. There are no season standings.

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Defensive Play:

The defensive playing field will consist of 10 players. Players in attendance will take the playing field with no player sitting more than 1 inning at a time.

Infield and outfield rotation between all players is mandatory. The borrowing of players is permitted to allow a team the minimum fielding requirements or to make the number of defensive players equal. The decision to borrow players should be made before game time between managers and only if the player(s) being borrowed agree. Under no circumstance will a player be forced to play for the opposing team.

If or when the borrowing team’s players arrive, the lending players may return to their team. Players returning to their team may be placed in the original batting order.

Offensive Play:

All players in attendance will be placed in a continuous batting order. All players arriving late will be placed at the bottom of the batting order. A player is defined late once the batting roster is handed out at the meeting with the umpires to go over the ground rules.

A) Bunting is not allowed.

B) Stealing is prohibited.

C) A runner must wait for the ball is hit before leaving the base.

4. INELIGIBLE PLAYERS

An ineligible player is defined as any player NOT registered with APAC for that team.

5. FIELD DIMENSIONS

Pitching distance from mound to the back of home plate will be 37 feet.

Bases will be 55 feet apart.

 

6. VISITORS / HOME TEAM

The home and visiting team are listed on the game schedule. The visiting team must place the bases on the field and furnish one good used ball for play. The home team must remove the bases from the field and furnish one new ball for play. 

7. INCLEMENT WEATHER

Regular Season

A) Both teams must report to the playing field unless instructed otherwise by the manager or league director.

B) In the case of lighting, the players shall be removed immediately from the field, and play shall not resume until 15 minutes have transpired without any subsequent lightning.  Managers must decide, based on weather conditions, as to the feasibility of continuing the game.

C) A canceled game may be rescheduled but it is not necessary. Managers must be in agreement on time and place.

8. EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS

Players must wear their team uniform (APAC issued hat and shirt) in all regularly scheduled games. Any type of pants or trousers may be worn.

Only Official regulation Little League bats may be used, or bats approved by league directors. Aluminum bats, must have a maximum diameter of 2 ¼ inches.

No metal spikes allowed.

For the protection of the player, APAC recommends all boys wear a protective cup.

All batters, base runners, and player coaches are required to wear a protective helmet with ear flaps.

Use only the provided RIF balls for safety, no hardballs.

Any violation of this rule will draw a warning. A second warning will result in an automatic expulsion from the game.

9. SUBSTITUTION

Defensive free substitution in the field will be allowed. Players previously removed from the game can return to the game in later innings. Substitutions have no bearing on the continuous batting order.

All players will not sit for more that 1 consecutive inning.  To promote learning, there is a 2 inning infield position limit, with and infield/outfield exchange.

10. PITCHING

The following rules will apply:

A.     Players pitch the first 3 innings, players are limited to one inning per game.

B.     The opposing managers will call balls and strikes from behind the pitcher (4/3 count).

C.     Managers will pitch to their own team for the remaining innings.

D.     Three (3) outs per side complete one (1) inning. (see run limit rule)

     During the managers pitch the following rules apply:

A.     The fielding team will place a player near the mound to field the pitchers’ position. 

B.     Managers are not allowed to field the ball except for self protection.

C.     A maximum of six (6) hittable pitches will be pitched during each at bat.

D.     Six (6) pitches without hitting a fair ball will be considered an out.

E.      A batter hit by a coach does not receive a base, and that pitch does not count as one (1) of the six (6) pitches allowed.  (“no pitch” called)

F.      If the batter foul tips the last pitch, he is still up.

G.     There is NO base on balls (walks). 

H.     When the count reaches ball four during kids pitch, the coach will pitch to the batter until the batter either puts the ball in play or strikes out                      


11. CATCHER

Catchers are required to wear full equipment: protective helmet, mask, throat guard, chest protector, shin guards, and cup.

12. DROPPED THIRD STRIKE

On a dropped third strike, the batter is automatically out. The catcher does not have to tag or throw the batter out at first base.

13. INFIELD FLY RULE

The infield fly rule will not be in effect.  Therefore the ball must be played.

14. COACHING BOX

Managers or coaches are allowed in the coaching boxes. If a player is helping coach, he must wear a protective helmet.

15. SLIDING

Any time a runner is coming into a base with a fielder waiting for him with the ball, the runner must slide. Any infraction of this rule will result in the runner being called out on the play.

17. BEHAVIOR

After 1 team warning, players throwing any equipment shall be removed from the game immediately by  the Manager.

Players removed from a game must sit out the next scheduled game. Suspended participants will not attend the following game. A second removal will be up for review by the board to take any further necessary action.

18. MANAGERS

Managers are responsible for the actions of their coaches and spectators.  Because this is an instructional league and no standings are kept. It is important for managers and spectators not to become overzealous.  These are the fun years and we do not want to create bad memories for our players. 

      Managers who do not attend at least 2/3 of their games will be suspended.

Any occurrence of a manager not playing by the above mentioned rules should be reported to the APAC 7/8 League Directors.

 

Revised 5/1/2008