Machine Pitch rules

 

Bow Ridge Little League 

Machine Pitch Division Rules

 

Revision History

Revision Date Comments
2008 March 1, 2008 Initial release
2010 March 30, 2010  
2012 May 15, 2012 Tips added
2013 April 11, 2013 Executive Review - rule and wording changes
2021 Aug 12, 2021  Umpire 
 

Machine Pitch Rules
 

1 A Little League regulation safety baseball will be used for all games
2 Bat barrel should be no more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter
3 Batting Helmets, Protective Cups, and catching gear must be worn at all times..
4 The home team is responsible for setting up and taking down the diamond (i.e. pitching machine, bases, plate and 1B/3B/pitching circle chalk lines
5 To ensure consistency, teams should avoid adjusting either the speed or arc of the pitching machine between batters and innings and only make adjustments after several inconsistent pitches are thrown which vary from the initial setup and not be based on the individual batter at the time." Once the machine is initially set up, all adjustments should be made by the home team only
6 Bases are to be 60 feet apart
7
 
The pitching machine is to be 46 feet from home plate and set at a speed of 38-40 miles per hour. A good rule of thumb is to set the machine to allow the ball to pass over the plate consistently with a minimal arc at an average height hittable by a majority of the players
​8 The home team shall take the bench along the 1st baseline and the visiting team will take the bench along the 3rd baseline
9 Each team shall provide a coach/parent operator as the machine pitch operator for their turn at bat. Only adults may operate the machine
10 3 outs per inning, Maximum 6 inning game or 1 ½ hr time limit
11 No stats or scores will be recorded
12 The Machine pitch operator will also act as the umpire
13 Offensive coaches should be positioned at first base, third base, and to help the batters as needed (just with positioning, not coaching form per se)
14 All players will bat in the lineup
​15 The batter will receive a maximum of 7 pitches or three strikes and then be declared out unless a fair ball is hit
16 If the batter hits a foul ball on the 7th pitch he is entitled to another pitch
17 If the batter receives a pitch that is deemed un-hittable by the machine operator, the pitch shall not be counted as one of their 7 pitches
18 A batter who throws their bat shall receive one warning and then be called out if they repeat the offense
19 No infield fly rule
20 There are no walks
21 No bunting
22 A batter who is hit by a pitch is either entitled to first base or can remain at the plate to hit as determined by the coach’s assessment of the player’s status
23
 
If a player tips the ball and is caught by the catcher, the batter is out no matter how high the ball is
24 There is no on-deck batter allowed on the playing surface
25 Maximum 5 runs per inning
26 No lead offs
27 No base stealing
28 No head first slides. Any player who slides headfirst shall be called out
29 Mandatory sliding is in effect for close plays at home plate. Players are expected and should be encouraged to slide at any base, other than first, whenever there is a play
30 If a play is being made on a player on any base, they must attempt to avoid a collision or they shall be called out
31 Runners may advance until the ball is in possession of an infielder within the infield
32 Unlimited substitutions allowed in the field
33 A team may field 10 defensive players with 4 of them being in the outfield
34
No player is to sit out more than 2 innings, and no player may sit 2 consecutive innings. Any Coach who does not comply with this rule will be suspended
35 Every player should have the opportunity to play every position, however coaches are responsible for safety and not all players may be able to play each position without risk of injury
36 If an overthrow occurs at 1st or 3rd base runners are entitled to the base they were approaching at the time of the throw (regardless of whether the ball remains in play or not)
37 The pitcher is to be positioned on either side of the pitching machine, but not in front of it and may not move until the ball is hit
38 A 6 ft radius circle is to be drawn around the pitching machine. Any ball entering in the circle shall be declared dead. (Also applies to any ball hitting the pitching machine or pitching operator)
- If it is a batted ball, the batter is entitled to first base. All runners must remain on their base unless forced to advance
- If it is a thrown ball all runners are entitled to 1 base from their last legally touched base at the time of the throw
-No one may enter the circle to field a ball
39
 
Defensive coaches are encouraged to be on the field to help direct play, teach kids, and keep their focus. Any balls contacting a coach will be declared a dead ball and players may advance to the base they were running to at the time of contact
40. The offensive team is to provide an umpire (usually the machine operator) for each half-inning. Judgment calls should never be questioned.

Tips

  • Two new balls should be provided by the home team each game.
  • Try to use newer balls in the pitching machine (old balls are less consistent). Use 7 balls to avoid waiting on the catcher and throwing balls back to the pitcher and machine operator.
  • All teams will be assigned at least one practice time per week so that coaches can focus on skill development (throwing, catching, grounders, fly balls, hitting, base running, positional play, etc.) It is at these practices that the children will improve most, as it is difficult to teach during a game when the child may not get another chance to practice their learning.
  • Use the pitching machine during practices.
  • Encourage good swings, not hits during a game.
  • Make sure the batter is watching the pitch.
  • Be sure to vary the batting order throughout the year.
  • See the Player Development Plan for key skills for the Machine Pitch age group.
  • See Bow Ridge website Coach Portal for coaching resources.  www.bowridgebaseball.com