U11 Rookie League Rules

The main aim is for the kids to have fun with the rules set below. 

1. Each game will play for 1 hour 15 minutes, if at 1 hour 15 minutes you are in the bottom of the inning and the team batting is winning then its game over. If you are in the bottom of the inning and the team batting is losing then the inning is completed. If you are in the top of the inning then complete the inning.
   
2. Coaches to pitch against own team, this gives consistency of pitch and speeds up the game.
   
3. Only 9 players are to field per inning, players can be substituted inning by inning and re-entered. If both teams have 10 players each, both coaches can agree to field all 10 by adding an extra outfielder in order to avoid having players on the bench.
   
4. All players in the line-up hit, the batting order is to remain the same for the entire game
   
5. Side away after 3 outs, encouraging the kids to play the out
   
6. You can get a player out by: Run out (a fielded batted ball reaches the base before the runner does on a force play), Caught out (batted ball caught before it hits the ground), Tag out (runner is tagged by the ball when not on a base), Strike out.
   
7. A team can only score a maximum of 5 runs per inning, once 5 runs are scored it is side away.
   
8. 3 swinging strikes, the batter is out (dead ball - no runners can advance on a strike out)
   
9. No walks
   
10. No stealing bases. The runners can ‘take a lead’ only after the ball is released by the pitcher but can only advance on a safe hit.
    

We strongly encourage where possible that you bat in order of M/F/M/F/M/F

In the event of a score ‘blow out’ where one team is clearly stronger than the other, please consider the kids morale. Coaches can agree to settle the score early (eg 15-2) and then play on as a friendly, allowing the losing team to bat through their order and play maximum fielders in order to keep everyone enjoying the game.