Single A Division Rules – 2023v7
Revision History
v1 2023-02-27 Initial 2023 Draft
V2 2023-03-01 Removed “Month of March” mound coach receiving the ball to stop the play (section 8a); reverted back to
5 max pitches allowed (same as last season)
V3 2023-03-03 Corrected pitch counts to all be 5 max (some still had 6 pitches), corrected section 10b to reference
Control to be defined as in section 8a, removed lineup exchange and official scorecard requirement
V4 2023-03-26 Updated Section 1 (End of Game); updated Section 6 to clarify pitching machine and tee usage
V5 2023-04-05 Updated Section 6 (Batting) to allow strikeouts and eliminate the use of a tee; added Parent Misconduct
link to Section 14; Added to Section 8a more detail around calling the play over by control being
exercised; Added to Section 8b that no defensive coaches are allowed in the infield; updated Section 7 to
redefine consequence of a batted ball hitting the pitching machine or either offensive or defensive coach
in the field; Section 10e was updated regarding overthrows;
V6 2023-05-16 Added Playoff Section addressing requirements around innings played in infield and amount of innings on
the bench
V7 2023-05-24 Corrected amount of pitches stated in section 13(from max of “6” to “5”) to align with the rest of the rules
1. End of Game: 6 innings is the maximum amount of innings that may be played. However, time, lack of light, or rain may
cause the game to end prior to 6 innings being played. Any inning that is started after the 1hr 30min mark is deemed the last
inning. No inning may be started after the 1hr 45min mark. If an inning is started prior to 1hr 30min and the top half of the
inning is running long, the managers must meet after the second out is made to agree that the current inning is the last inning.
The inning that is deemed the last inning will allow the opportunity for both teams to bat all the way through the lineup or until
3 outs are made, whichever comes first. The 5-run limit rule will not apply in the last inning. In the case where one team has
more players than the other, the team with the lesser amount of players may bat around and into their lineup a second time
until the number of batters in that inning equals the opposing team’s number of players. This is to ensure that the team with
more players isn’t offered an advantage. No mercy rule will be in effect. Hustle in and out 2 minute rule will apply to each half
inning.
• Home team shall be on the 3rd base side of the field.
2. The home team for the first game on Saturday mornings and all weeknight games is responsible for setting up the field (drag/water/chalk/install bases/set up pitching machine). The visitors for the last game on Saturday and all weeknight games tear down (drag/water/put bases away use the rake to fill in holes around the plate/infield) .
3. Each team bats until three outs are made or until 5 runs are scored(except the last inning - see Section 1). An exception is made if a player hits a home run that clears the fence. All runs will be scored.
4. Machine Pitch - The coach that is pitching can have 5 balls on the mound. They should only be used for throwing pitches in the game in order to keep them feeding through the machine properly. Coaches should avoid adjusting machine in any way unless balls are not going through the strike zone, unless the machine was accidentally moved after setup or a batter is too tall/short for the set strike zone. If the machine needs to be adjusted, all players should be clear of home plate prior to feeding balls through the pitching machine.
5. Batting Order Rotation Rule - In an attempt to get every player as many batting opportunities as possible throughout the course of the season, each manager must adjust his or her batting rotation for each game. The easiest way to accomplish this is to set your order on Opening Day. Each player in attendance will be included in the batting order for the duration of the game and will bat in order. In the next game the last batter from Opening Day moves up to the leadoff spot and 2-12/13 move down the order one spot. With each subsequent game the last batter moves to the #1 spot. Theoretically, after 12 or 13 games everyone will have batted leadoff. After you have cycled through the lineup you may create your own lineups for the remaining games of the season.
6. BATTING - Each batter receives a maximum of 5 pitches from the machine. If the batter fails to hit after 5 pitches, he is out. There will be no use of tees moving forward..
There are no “walks” in WGLL A. Standard baseball rules apply in terms of 3 strikes (batter attempts to hit the ball) and a batter is out.
Example: Batter stands in the batter's box and “takes” 5 pitches – Ruling: Batter is out.
Example: Batter “takes” on four pitches then swings and misses the next pitch. Ruling: Batter is out.
Example: Batter swings and misses on the first 3 pitches or misses on 3 of any of the 5-pitch maximum. Ruling: Batter is out.
Example: Batter swings and fouls off 5th pitch then fouls off 6th, 7th… Ruling: Batter continues to bat until he/she misses again (then batter is out) or puts the ball into play.
***Coaches must keep count of the number of pitches.
7. A batted ball that strikes the pitching machine, ball bucket or coach that is loading the balls into the pitching machine is a dead ball and the batter is awarded a “base hit.” Any runner that is forced to advance ahead of 1st base will advance one base only (ie. a runner at 1st may advance to 2nd; a runner at 2nd without a runner at 1st may not advance). A batted ball that strikes a defensive coach in the outfield is a dead ball and the batter is awarded a ground rule double. All base runners advance two bases.
8. Defense - Every player must get the opportunity to play an infield position for a minimum of 2 innings. There are ten fielders, including four outfielders playing equal distance apart. There should be no “short fielders” or “buck short”. All outfielders will be a minimum of 10 feet behind the infield dirt until contact is made by the batter. No player should sit more than 2 innings for any game.
***Playoff Fielding Exception: All players must play at least 3 defensive innings. However, during playoffs, none of those innings are required to be in the infield.
***Control means:
a. A ball hit into the field of play must be thrown back to the pitcher on the mound in order to be deemed “controlled”. The pitcher does not have to catch/secure the ball in order to stop the play. “Control” is deemed established as long as the ball crosses through or over the pitching mound chalked circle. The coach who is on the pitching machine will be in charge of yelling “Control” loudly with his/her arms up when control has been established. By doing this, it will also let the 1st/3rd base coaches know that the play is dead and that they cannot send the runners. Once this occurs, no play can be made.
**The thought here is to encourage the players to make a decision as to make a play to get the runner(s) out or to make a play to stop the play by throwing it to the pitcher.
b. A putout on the infield has occurred. Unless a double or triple play can be executed the ball is dead and runners cannot advance an extra base.
***The Defensive team may have two coaches in the outfield to assist in positioning, directing and instructing the defense. No defensive coaches are allowed in the infield.
Additionally, the player assigned to play pitcher must have one foot within the chalked mound upon the pitch being delivered, thereby preventing the pitcher or another infielder from playing “buck short.”
9. If the batter throws the bat they get 1 warning before it is an automatic out. Any runners on base will remain at their current base. Safety is paramount and this will be enforced.
10. Running bases:
A. Runners will be allowed to slide feet first. No headfirst slides unless diving back into a base.
B. If the ball has been hit into the outfield, once the ball has been thrown back to the infield and has been “controlled”(see section 8a) the runners must stop.
C. Runners must be at least halfway in order to take the next base.
D. A chalk line will be marked halfway between 1st & 2nd, 2nd & 3rd, and 3rd and home to help determine when runners advance, score or have to go back to a base.
E. Overthrows- Any overthrow is a live ball unless it leaves the field of action or hits the first or third baseline fences. Should a ball go out of play or hit a baseline fence, one extra base will be given to all runners.
11.There will be no “infield fly rule.”
12.The coach that is loading balls into the pitching machine is responsible for being the umpire and makes every call during games on weeknights. This coach also has authority on the position of base runners once the ball is controlled by the pitcher. No help from the base coaches, unless the coach pitching appeals for help.
13. It is recommended that there be two adult base coaches at all times. Only assistant coaches can pitch, help with the dugout, or coach the bases. In order to run the game safely and at the proper pace of play, it is recommended that there be a manager and 2 coaches every game.*
Coach pitching: loads the balls into the machine, counts total of pitches (Max of 5), makes all calls.
3rd base coach: Coaches base
1st base coach: Coaches base
*The catcher will receive the balls being pitched and drop them in a bucket behind him. If the ball is not caught by the catcher but rolls away from the him and is not in the batter’s box, he will leave the ball there until all 5 balls are pitched or the at-bat is complete. If all 5 balls are used or upon a new batter coming to the plate, the catcher will put the 5 balls in the bucket and the coach on the mound will retrieve the balls by swapping the mound bucket with the home plate bucket.
14. Managers are responsible for dealing with the conduct of Parents and Fans supporting their teams and for enforcing the “Code of Conduct” that each parent has signed. If a parent/fan should “cross the line” of acceptable behavior please follow the process outlined for Parent Misconduct.
15. Playoff is a one game elimination. All teams make playoffs. Your regular season record will not determine your playoff seed. Seeding will be randomly created.
Thank you
WGLL