Wesley Chapel-Weddington Athletic Association
MACHINE PITCH RULES
Spring 2010
1) Six innings will constitute a complete game. The 90 minute time limit will be enforced on all games. The ten run slaughter rule after five innings will be in effect. In the event of a tie and time is remaining, one inning will be played to determine the winner. If the game is still tied, it will end in a tie. The umpire will declare the game in the last inning if there are ten minutes or less to play when the inning begins.
2) Each team must have at least eight players to begin a game. If a team does not have at least eight players at game time, that team will be given a ten-minute extension before a forfeit will be declared.
3) The home team will be stationed in the first base dugout and the visiting team will be in the third base dugout.
4) The entire team will be the batting order. The teams may field a maximum of ten defensive players at any one time. Catchers are required to wear protective cups and dangling throat guard protectors.
5) No player is to sit out more than two innings, and no player is to sit out two consecutive innings. It is the responsibility of the scorekeeper of the opposing team to verify that this rule is followed. A player may re-enter the game during an inning if a defensive player exits the game for any reason (injury, illness, etc.). Any team found not complying with this rule forfeits the game.
6) During each of the first five innings of the game, no team may increase its lead by more than five runs. (Example: the leading team may only score five per inning, but a team behind by seven can score twelve in an inning.) No scoring limit applies in the last inning or extra innings. The umpire and coaches need to declare that the time rule is in effect and that the current inning will be the last inning. Once the last inning is declared,no new innings will be started even if time is left unless the declared last inning ends in a tie.
7) The player-pitcher must stand within six feet of the machine; he may not play in front of the machine.
8) All outfielders must play on the grass. All infielders must maintain a minimum distance from the batter until the ball is hit .
9) Each batter will receive a maximum of five pitches. After the fifth pitch, if the batter has not successfully hit the ball, he will be declared out unless the fifth or last pitch is a foul ball. The batter will then receive another pitch. If the final pitch is declared “un-hittable” by the umpire, the batter will receive an additional pitch.
10) If a batter hits a foul tip with two strikes and is caught by the catcher, an out will be recorded.
11) If a batted ball hits the machine prior to being touched by the player pitcher, it is a dead ball. The batter is awarded first base and any other base runners are allowed to advance one base. If the batted ball strikes the machine in the air and is caught before hitting the ground, an out will be recorded.
12) In order for “time” to be called for the defensive team, an INFIELDER must control the ball in the infield.
13) Plays at the plate are to be made by the catcher rather than another position player, unless the other player is backing up the play. The umpire will allow the runner to score if this happens during the game.
14) The on-deck batter may not be out of the dugout at any time.
15) A courtesy runner will be used for the catcher when there are two outs in order to speed up the game. This runner will be the runner who made the last out of the inning.
16)One successful bunt per inning will be allowed. If a batter fakes a bunt attempt and swings away, his team will receive a warning. If this action occurs again by the same team, an out will be called and no runners may advance.
17) The “must slide” rule at home plate will be strictly enforced; the runner must slide if there is a potential play at home. If an attempt is not made to slide on the play, the runner will automatically be called out. This is umpires discretion and cannot be disputed.
18) Slinging the bat can be very dangerous. The team will be warned the first time this occurs. If the same team slings the bat a second time during the game, an “out” will be recorded and no runners may advance.
19) The coach pitcher is not allowed to talk to batters or base runners after he delivers the pitch to the batter if the ball is put in play. After “time” is called by the umpire, the coach pitcher may speak to the batters and runners. One warning will be given to the coach; thereafter the batter will be declared out and the coach pitcher will be removed from the game.
20) The coach catcher will stand behind his own defensive catcher. He may not instruct players during play, but may speak to them after “time” is called. One warning will be given to the coach; thereafter the coach catcher will be removed from the game.
21) Two defensive coaches are allowed on the field while their team is on defense. These coaches must stand in foul territory along the left field and right field lines. These coaches may speak to their players at any time.
22) Only the manager will be allowed out of the dugout when the team is in the field. (This is in addition to the defensive coaches in the outfield). When the team is batting, only the base coaches are allowed out of the dugout. No other coaches or scorekeepers will be allowed out of the dugout.
23) When a player is injured during a game, time should be called immediately. The base runners will be allowed the base that they are going to plus one extra base.
24) If a player is injured or sick during the game, his batting spot will be skipped and no out will be recorded. The umpire must agree with the coach that the player is injured or sick. If a player leaves for any other reason, he is called out the first missed at bat. If a player leaves the game due to a school or church function, an out will not be recorded. A late player will be added at the end of the batting order and may be put in the game upon arrival.
25) Tee ball bats are permissible assuming it states ‘Little League approved’ on it.
26) When a manager, coach or player is ejected from a game, they shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game. They may not sit in the stands and may not be recalled. Any manager, coach or player ejected from a game is suspended for his teams’ next physically played game and may not be in attendance at the game site from which they are suspended. After a manager, coach or player has been disqualified, the league president shall require such manager, coach or player to appear before at least three members of the Board of Directors to explain their conduct. The members of the Board present at the meeting shall impose such penalty as they feel is justified, but not lessen the one game mandatory suspension.
27) All games will be played as scheduled unless cancelled by Ed Godfrey (umpire in chief).
28) Teeball players age six and older are allowed to be called up to play in the machine pitch division if a team has nine or fewer players.
29) All players must play a minimum of 2 innings in the infield and 2 innings in the outfield per game. A signed rotation sheet will be collected at the end of each game. Failure to comply will result in a forfeit. Defensive positions may be made at any time, but only for safety and/or injury reasons.
30) Base runners may only advance one base on a passed ball, but advance at their own risk. If no attempt is made to throw out the advancing runner after a passed ball, play is then dead. Managers should still instruct their players to hustle to get the ball back into the proper infield positions. If a fielder attempts to throw out an advancing base runner and the attempt results in an additional passed ball, the base runner is again allowed to advance one base, but at their own risk. .
