1. Game Play:
1. Base paths are 50 feet in length
2. Pitching distance is 30 feet.
2. Games will be 5 innings or 1 ½ hours(whichever comes first) EXCEPT:
1. Immediate termination at first sight of lightning
2. Stopping due to darkness, effective as of last full inning completed.
3. Coaches mutually agree to shorten the game.
4. Extra innings required in event of a tie – ONLY if time permits.
5. Innings will consist of 10 batters or 3 outs – whichever comes first.
6. Coaches must announce 10th batter. The 10th batter must hit or strike out to end the inning.
7. 3 walks per inning – All other batters must either hit the ball or strike out to end the inning. Encourage the kids to hit – there will be very few perfect pitchers at this level, and we want these kids to learn to hit, not how to walk.
8. Catchers for team at bat should be dressed for the next inning with 2 outs. Exception will be if catcher is up or on deck.
9. Each game batting lineup shall include all members of the team
10. Late players will be added to the end of the lineup.
11. A maximum of 10 players may be on the field, a minimum of 8 is required to play a game.
12. Unlimited substitutions will be allowed.
3. Pitching
1. Pitchers must start from a stationary position with both feet on the pitching rubber.The pitcher’s movement is forward on the pitch. One foot may be in contact with the pitching rubber at the time the ball is released
2. Pitched ball may have an arc, but this is not a requirement.
3. MAXIMUM innings pitched per game per pitcher – 3. No discussion.(1 pitch constitutes an inning.)
4. Both windmill and slingshot styles are permitted.
1. In windmill pitch: the back leg pushes and drags from the rubber while staying in contact with the ground. DO NOT allow pitchers to step backwards from the rubber and continue their motion forward. This is not a legal movement, and will be called at the discretion of the umpire
• 1st infraction – warning only – called NO PITCH.
• 2nd infraction - ball called
• 3rd infraction - Pitcher removed for remainder of at-bat.
5. No hit batters – if a batter is hit by a pitch, a ball shall be called, NO BASE will be awarded.
4. Base Running
1. Base runners may break contact with the base at the time the pitcher releases the ball. If the base runners depart early, an out may be called at the umpire’s discretion.
2. Base runners may, as long as the ball has been hit in the field of play, continue to a base at their own risk. Play will not be considered dead until the pitcher has possession of the ball within a ten foot radius of the pitching rubber. If a runner has not reached the halfway point between bases, the runner MUST RETURN to the last base attained. If beyond the halfway point, the runner may advance to the next base.
3. Runners will be awarded one base on an overthrow if the ball leaves the field of play. The extra base is awarded on the dead ball call when the ball leaves the field of play. This judgement call will be made by the umpire.
5. Helmets
1. ALL batters and runners must wear helmets.
2. ALL catchers must wear mask, chest protector, helmet, and shinguards.
3. No player may warm up a pitcher without a mask.
6. General Rules
1. No throwing of the bat
• 1st infraction – warning(individual)
• 2nd infraction – batter is OUT(individual)
2. No sliding
• 1st infrsaction – warning (team)
• 2nd infraction – OUT(team – all subsequent slides will be called out)
3. No infield fly rule.
4. No dropped 3rd strike rule
7. Stealing is permitted – 1 steal per runner per inning. No stealing home.
8. Players are eligible for this league if they have not reached their 11th birthday by 1/1/2004. If the child qualifies under this rule, she may participate and play any position throughout the entire season with no other restrictions

Any misconduct, unsportsmanlike behavior, abusive behavior demonstrated by players, coaches, or parents towards player, coaches, and umpires will not be tolerated.

If a problem arises, the umpire shall make a decision as to what will happen at that time – whether the game will continue, players/coaches/parents will be ejected, etc. A panel of ANHAA board members(including at least 2 executive board members) will meet to discuss any incidents in as timely a fashion as possible after the game, to determine if anything else must be done to rectify the situation – suspensions/removal from team, etc. See the distributed “Field Behavior Policy” for details.

Please remember, this is still an instructional league – we’re here to get the kids on the field and teach them the game. As they say, “it’s just a game”.