OBYBSA Rookie 7-8 Machine Pitch League Rules
- Time limit for games is 1 hour and 15 minutes. No new inning may start after the time limit has been reached, but the full inning will be completed if started.
- Coaches shall meet at home plate in between each full inning of play to corroborate the score of the game.
- Ten (10) defensive players shall play in the field with four (4) outfielders. The fourth (4th) outfielder shall not
- assume an infield position. All outfielders shall stay off the infield dirt unless or until a ball is in play.
- The defensive player listed as pitcher must keep one foot in the pitching circle until the ball is hit.
- The Infield Fly Rule shall not be in effect at any time.
- The batting order shall constitute all present players on the team roster at the beginning of the game. Late arrivals shall be inserted at the bottom of the batting order. All players on the roster shall bat before returning to the top of the batting order.
- Teams may start a game with eight (8) players. The ninth (9th) position in the batting order will be declared an out each turn at bat. There is no penalty for not having a 10th player.
- A ninth (9th) & tenth (10th) player and all subsequent players may be added to the bottom of the batting line-up as soon as they become available.
- Teams may use free substitution on defense but the batting order shall remain the same.
- No bunting.
- The batter shall receive (5) pitches, but will have his turn at bat extended on foul balls.
- No Intentional Walks
- Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or reaches home plate.
- A courtesy runner for catcher of record only the previous inning may be used. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the previous out. If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base.
- A team may score a maximum of Five (5) runs per inning, or record three (3) outs. Five-run rule limit is lifted in the final inning of the game.
- When an infielder raises his hand while holding the ball play is stopped. This is the equivalent of the umpire calling timeout. If a base runner has made a true commitment to advance to the next base, and is at least 1/3 of the way to reaching that next base when the infielder raises his/her hand then they are awarded that base.
- When a runner stands off of a base and “jukes” or “feints” back and forth, this is to be interpreted as “not attempting to advance” and “Time” shall be called.
- When a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first (1st) base and all runners shall advance one (1) base.
- A runner may advance one base on an overthrow.