The following 'rules of the game' are presented to give you a basic understanding about how the 'A' Division operates. If you are a spectator in the stands and are not aware that our kids don't play by the Major League rules we are used to when watching games on television, you may not understand why an umpire has ruled a certain way. The following information is being presented to assist you with the 'A' Division rules format.
General Rules
SINGLE “A” INSTRUCTIONAL DIVISION
1. The division shall consist of a minimum of four (4) teams, and a maximum of sixteen (16) teams, or eight (8) teams per available playing field.
2. Eligible Tee Ball players should be five (5), six (6), and seven (7) year old players, with the exception made for eight (8) year old players when it is in the best interest of a particular child. No child over the age of eight (8) shall be allowed to play in the Tee Ball Division.
3. Eligible Single “A” players should be seven (7), and eight (8) year old players, with the exception made for nine (9) year old players when it is in the best interest of a particular child. No child over the age of nine (9) shall be allowed to play in the Single “A” Division.
4. Eleven (11) and Ten (10) year old players are not eligible to play in the A Division.
5. Single “A” Minor
Division Rules (These rules are supplemental to the minor league
rules published annually by Little League Baseball, Inc.)
General
A. Single “A” is an instructional division of Concord American minor league. The intended purpose of this division is to teach and train young players. While each game will have a winner and a loser, no standings will be kept. A tournament at the end of the season will determine the division champion. The board of directors will determine the tournament format.
B. All players must play a minimum of nine (9) outs on defense per six (6) inning game. Free substitution shall be allowed in between innings.
C. No set infields are allowed. Rotate players into different positions between the infield and outfield.
D. Five (5) run rule – the fifth run scored in any half-inning ends that half-inning.
E. Three (3) innings shall constitute a regulation game.
F. No inning shall start after two (2) hours have elapsed since the official starting time of the game. It shall be held that a new inning starts immediately when the third out is made, or the fifth run is scored, ending the preceding inning.
G. Rule 6.05 (e), (infield fly) shall not apply in the Single “A” minor division.
H. Rule 4.19, (protesting game) shall not apply in the Single “A” minor division.
I. One defensive team coach is allowed on the field for instructional purposes and will also serve as first and second base umpire.
Batters
A. All players on the team roster will bat in order. Players coming to the game late will be added to the end of the batting order.
B. No walks will be awarded batters.
C. No bunting is allowed.
Runners
A. No stealing is allowed.
B. Rule 7.13 (leaving early) shall use the softball option. Runner may not leave any base on any pitch until the ball has been batted.
C. In case of injury to the runner, the last player listed in the batting order at that time shall be the substitute runner. (see rule 3.04)
Pitching
A. No pitcher of league age nine (9) is allowed to pitch in the Single “A” minor division.
B. The pitchers plate will be level with home plate and the distance will be 40 feet from the front side of the pitchers plate to the rear point of home plate.
C. Pitchers shall only pitch a maximum of two (2) innings per game and four (4) innings per calendar week, Sunday through Saturday.
D. Pitcher must have one calendar day of rest between pitching appearances.
E. Pitchers who hit a total of two (2) batters in an inning or three (3) total must be removed immediately as pitcher.
F. Pitchers who intentionally pitch at any batter shall be removed from the game immediately and also be suspended from the next game.
G. After the pitch count reaches three (3) balls to the batter the offensive manager or coach will pitch to the batter until the at bat is complete. The batter must put the ball in play or strike out. No walks will be awarded. When a coach is pitching no base will be awarded to a batter hit by the pitch.
H. After the ball has been
hit into play and returned to the pitcher within the pitching area (dirt
circle) the play is over and no runner may advance. A runner who
has advanced more than half way to the next base may continue his attempt
to advance to that base. The pitcher may attempt a play on the advancing
runner. In this case the ball remains live until returned back to
the pitcher within the pitching area (dirt circle). Circle to be
same size as jr. Softball size circle.
Umpires
A. Plate umpires shall be assigned from a non-competing team.
B. The offense shall station one adult coach in the third base coaching box who shall be the umpire for that base.
C. Defense shall station one coach on the field to instruct players as well as act as the umpire for first and second base.
D. Plate umpire will call all balls, strikes, catches, and tag-ups. These are judgement calls and shall not be argued. Penalty: after warning, ejection and possible suspension, pending board of directors action.
E. Batted ball hits adult
pitcher. If defensive player has opportunity to play the ball, batter
is out. Runners return to original bases. If there was
no chance for a play. batter awarded first base, all runners advance
one (1) base. Umpires judgment.
(These rules are supplemental
to the Minor and Little League rules published annually by Little League
Baseball, Inc.)