Local Rules - AA Machine Pitch

1. Continuous Batting - will take place in both divisions.  If a player arrives late, they will be placed at the end of the lineup without penalty.
2. Time Limit – AA will have a 1 hour and 30 minute time limit for all regular season games. In both leagues, for tied regular season games, extra innings are allowed within the time limit of the game. If the time limit has been exceeded, then a single extra inning is allowed. Playoff games will have no time limit. Playoff games will not end based on weather or darkness; they will be suspended based on the “Suspended Game” rule.
3. Slaughter and Run Rules –

• 5 run maximum for each team in the 1st inning.
• For 2nd to 5th innings - if team is behind they can catch up and then go ahead by five runs.  If ahead, team can only go ahead by five additional runs.
• Sixth inning only there is no run limit. 
• A ten (10) run rule applies beginning in the 4th inning for all games.
• 15 run rule after 3 innings

4. Bats – USSSA Not Allowed.  All bats must contain the new USA baseball stamp or sticker.   
5. Bunting and slashing (fake bunt then swinging) – Not allowed.

• Penalties:   

• 1st incident – team is warned and all runners return back to the previous base.       
• 2nd incident - batter is out and all runners return back to previous base.

6. Substitution – All players play.  No Substitutions.
7. Minimum Players – Teams in Machine Pitch need a minimum of 8 players to start and finish a game. There will be no automatic out for the 9th spot in the lineup. If a team does not have the minimum number of players required for a regular season game, a substitute player from the next league down may play during the regular season.  The substitute player must bat last. Teams that are not able to start and finish  a game with the minimum number of players forfeit the game. No regular season substitutions are permitted for teams that have the minimum number of players from their own roster. PLAYOFFS -No substitutions are permitted in the playoffs.  IF A TEAM HAS ONLY 8 PLAYERS THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE AN OUT FOR THE 9TH BATTER EVERYTIME THE SPOT COMES UP IN THE LINE UP.   When a team is playing with the minimum number of players, in the event of an injury and a player is not able to return to the game within 5 minutes of the injury, it is at the discretion of the opposing coach whether the game can be continued or is forced to forfeit. The decision must be made before the next pitch is made. 
8. Player Positioning – AA and AAA teams which start a game with less than 10 players must have all infield positions filled, remaining players will play outfield.   Outfielders must be in the outfield grass when the play begins.  No rover (short fielder) or additional infielders will be allowed. Outfielders may come into the infield to back up a play or cover a base vacated by a long play such as a run-down situation. Outfielders may only cover bases on overthrows and other non-force plays. outfielders can run the ball in and make an out, but not a force out. 
9. Base Runner / Fielder Contact – must try to avoid contact.  Umpires have full discretion to make the correct interference and obstruction calls when contact occurs that affects the play.
10. Head First Sliding – only allowed when returning to a base.  Sliding into first base is NOT allowed.
    
12. Playoffs - In the playoffs, the higher seed is always the home team.  The only situation where this does not apply is during a double elimination championship game in which the loser’s bracket team beats the winner’s bracket team.  Determination of the home team for the final game will be by coin flip.
13. Ejections – Any coach or player that is ejected from a game for any reason, will be required to leave the facility immediately and will be suspended from the next game regardless of regular season or playoffs. Minimum number of players rule applies (see rule #7).
14. Overthrows -    AA - Runners may not advance on overthrows at any base.
15. Stopping Play  AA - If the batted ball is stopped by an infielder the play is live until the lead runner gives up his effort to advance. All runners can advance a maximum of one base on an infield hit. If the batted ball is in the outfield grass, runners may continue to advance until the defensive player throws the ball to an infielder standing on the infield dirt. As soon as the thrown ball hits the dirt or is touched by an infielder or an outfielder runs the ball into the dirt, the runners are only allowed to advance to the base that they are currently trying to advance to.  Time is not called until runners have reached base, returned to previous base or are deemed out.
16. Pitching Machine  AA – The front of the pitching machine will be located 42 feet from the back of home plate. Settings on the machine will be 6/4/3.

• The operator must stand behind the pitching machine.
• The player must stay behind the front of the pitching machine (on either side) until the pitch is released. 
• If the operator intentionally touches a hit ball, or a fielder, the batter will be called out and all runners on base will return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. (*\if the operator touches the ball to protect the child in the pitcher's position, the batter will be awarded 1st base).
•  If the operator did not intentionally interfere, the ball will become dead at the time of the interference and the batter will be awarded 1st base.  All runners already on base will be awarded one base.
  
• A batted ball that hits the pitching machine before touching a fielder will be a dead ball and the batter and any runners will be awarded one base.
• If a batted ball touches a player before touching the machine or the operator, the ball will remain live.
• A thrown ball that hits the pitching machine remains live.
• If a batted ball hits the pitcher's body or glove and then goes to the outfield it is considered an infield hit and runners are only allowed 1 base. If a batted ball hits a glove or body of any other position and goes to the outfield, it will be considered an Outfield hit.

17. Team Responsibilities –

• HOME TEAM:

• 1st base dugout
• Warmups - cages then infield
•  Line the field
•  Clean 1st base dugout and bleachers after game.     
•        VISITOR TEAM:
• 3rd base dugout
• Warmups - infield then cages
• Rake around the bases after game and fill in any holes at bases (including home plate)
• Clean 3rd base dugout and bleachers after game.

18. Plays at Home Plate – If a team chooses to not play with a catcher any player can make a play at home plate.

19.        APPEALS
No parents or assistant coaches are permitted to argue with an umpire or opposing coach. Doing so can result in an ejection from the game. A play or game cannot be protested based on an umpire’s judgement call. It can be appealed for a rules violation. Only a head coach may make an appeal for a rules application/interpretation, and it must be made to the umpire prior to the next pitch being delivered. An appeal for the outcome of a game must be made in writing to the commissioner within 24 hours of a game to be considered. If there is a dispute, it should be handled professionally and maturely between plays, after time is called, or between innings or after the game by the head coaches and the umpire. All discussions should be held quietly and away from the players and spectators. We are role models to the players and spectators.

20. Miscellaneous Rules (for players)

•     Holes under fence/gate – “Ground Rule Double”

•     Limit frequency of huddle times and limit duration to only 60 seconds

•     Throws are to be made overhand/”normal” baseball throw. Rolling the ball to the base is not allowed.

21. Miscellaneous Rules (for parents/spectators)

No parents in the dugout or on the field that are not scheduled to be there.

No siblings or other spectators are allowed in the dugout or on the field.

Players should not leave the dugout except for medical needs or to use the restroom.

There will be no arguing with the umpires or opposing coaches.

No cursing, alcohol, or tobacco products will be tolerated at MARA.