Roger N. Allen Baseball Basic General Rules Per Division
MANDATORY RULE AT ALL LEVELS:
Starting in 2007, All Managers and Coaches are required (mandatory) to be Cal Ripken Certified and have a background check performed by the State of New Hampshire. No adult will be allowed on the baseball fields in a coaching capacity without BOTH of these certifications
T-Ball
A program designed for 4 – 5 & 6 year olds.
Minimum of two innings, with a maximum of four innings. (Coaches mutually decide what length to play, prior to the game-normally three or four innings)
Teaches basic fundamentals of hitting, throwing, base running, and fielding
All batters hit from a batting tee, which is adjusted for height that allows the batter to swing level.
All rostered players present for the game bat in order, whether playing defensively or not.
All players play a defensive position, which can be more than nine in the field.
An adult coach is stationed behind the infielders in order to provide instruction to all defensive players.
An adult coach is stationed near the batters tee to provide instruction to the hitter.
Defensive outs are not called until approximately half the season. This is a decision that the coaches determine prior to the game-mutually.
Free substitution.
No stealing.
Rookie
A program designed for 5 - 6 – 7 - 8 & some 9 year olds.
Minimum of three innings, with a maximum of five innings. (Coaches mutually decide what length to play, prior to the game.)
Coaches pitch at this level. If a batter fouls off, or misses enough pitches in a count to construct a normal strike out, the batter should be given 2 final pitches
All batters bat in the order, regardless of defensive play.
Defensively, coaches are allowed to be on the field (coaching) during play.
The ability to exceed nine defensive players is allowed by adding to the outfielders.
Three outs in an inning result in the teams switching offensive and defensive field positions. This may not be inforced in the early few games of the season, so as to promote team at-bats. Once a team has played every other team once in the division, outs should be called for the remainder of the season, so that children learn the fundamentals of baseball.Â
Recommendation to defensive player changes, in order
No umpires (Defensive outs are called by the coaches, resulting in a switching of the offensive and defensive field positions)
Free substitution.
No stealing.
Running to second on an overthrow at first is not permitted.
Little Minor
A program designed for 7- 8 – 9 & 10 year olds.
Minimum of four innings (for ten-run rule to apply), with a maximum of six innings. League goal is to play five innings per game until playoffs, then 6.
All batters bat in order, regardless of defensive play (11 players=11 man bat order).
The ability to exceed nine players defensively is only allowed with a ten-player roster. In the event of a ten-player roster, a coach may play four outfielders in order to encourage all players the ability to play each inning. Nine defensive players are encouraged.
In Little Minor players should be able to pitch for the first time, and from the pitching mound rubber. If a pitcher needs to move to the front of the mounds dirt during the first half of the season, it is permitted. Not allowed on grass.
Prior to playoffs, if a player hits a batter while pitching, that hit batter only advances to first base-if first base is open. If bases are loaded, the hit batter does take first regardless of the number of base runners. If hit by a coach with bases loaded, the player does advance, but does not force in a run.
In the Little Minor division we allow 4 walks per inning (no runs can be walked home). Coach will pitch only after bases are loaded. Once the hitter’s coach takes over on the mound, so as to eliminate additional walked batters, player stands to the first base side of the coach while pitching.
A pitcher may pich six (6) innings per calender week (Monday through, and including Sunday). A pitcher who delivers one (1) pitch in an inning shall be charged for one (1) inning pitched. A pitcher must have two calender days rest between pitching assignments-if the pitcher pitches in more than two (2) innings in any one game.
Passed balls by the catcher should not allow base running advancement.
Free substitution.
Coaches are not allowed on the field (coaching) during play.
No cell phone use by coaches or managers on the playing field during games.
Unless the team is the trailing team, a five (5) run inning scoring restriction is imposed. This limits any team from scoring more than five (5) runs in any inning, and having a game that is a blowout.
Umpires are used at Little Minor
No stealing. Players are encouraged to slide when a close play is at 2nd, or 3rd base. Players must always slide into home during a close play.
Running to second on an overthrow at first is not encouraged unless in playoffs.
Big Minor
A program designed for 9 – 10 - 11, and some 12 year olds.
Regulation games are six innings or four innings if a game is called.
For ten-run rule to apply, minimum of four innings.
Nine player defensive roster.
Free substitution.
A pitcher may pich six (6) innings per calender week (Monday through, and including Sunday). A pitcher who delivers one (1) pitch in an inning shall be charged for one (1) inning pitched. A pitcher must have two calender days rest between pitching assignments-if the pitcher pitches in more than two (2) innings in any one game.
Pitching rules become "tournament pitching rules" during playoffs.
All batters bat in order, regardless of defensive play (11 players=11 man bat order).
Unless the team is the trailing team, a eight (8) run inning scoring restriction is imposed. This limits any team from scoring more than eight (8) runs in any inning, and having a game that is a blowout.
Walks are allowed.
Passed balls can advance base runner.
No cell phone use by coaches or managers on the playing field during games.
Stealing allowed. Players are encouraged to slide when a close play is at 2nd, or 3rd base. Players must always slide into home during a close play.
Official umpires are used in Big Minor. Also, if a player is caught slash bunting player will be ejected from that game by the umpire.
Major 60'
A high level of Cal Ripken Baseball, recommended for 10 - 11 & 12 year-old players. Cal Ripken baseball is played under Official Baseball Rules, but implements some special rules as necessary for health development of this age group. The game is played on a 60-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 46 feet. To encourage our league to train more pitchers, Cal Ripken Baseball has rules that regulate the maximum number of innings a pitcher may pitch in a calendar week. Regulation games are six innings or four innings if a game is called. Minimum of four innings for ten-run rule to apply. Special base running rules apply.
Free substitution.
No cell phone use by coaches or managers on the playing field during games.
A pitcher may pich six (6) innings per calender week (Monday through, and including Sunday). A pitcher who delivers one (1) pitch in an inning shall be charged for one (1) inning pitched. A pitcher must have two calender days rest between pitching assignments-if the pitcher pitches in more than two (2) innings in any one game.
Pitching rules become "tournament pitching rules" during playoffs.
All batters bat in order, regardless of defensive play (11 players=11 man bat order).
Umpires will inforce in field fly rule. Also, if a player is caught slash bunting player will be ejected from that game by the umpire.
*If a team at Roger Allen has a game that is on the Major A or B fields, and will have a night game following, the last inning of the 5:30 PM game must not start after 7:00 PM. even if ending in a tie. This helps the league eliminate late night games that may start after 7:30 PM, and end after 9:30 PM. For the 7:30 PM start game, no new inning may start after 9:45 PM. even if ending in a tie. These restrictions will not apply once playoffs begin.
*Umpires will enforce game start times! Pitchers must be ready to start, and are given four warm up pitches to start the game, and three between innings. Infield warm-up allows eight minutes per team, with visitors taking field first, and home last while staying on the field to start the game.
Major 70'
The most experienced level of Cal Ripken Baseball, recommended for 11 & 12 year-old players. Cal Ripken baseball is played under Official Baseball Rules, but implements some special rules as necessary for health development of this age group. The game is played on a 70-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 50 feet. To encourage our league to train more pitchers, Cal Ripken Baseball has rules that regulate the maximum number of innings a pitcher may pitch in a calendar week. Regulation games are six innings or four innings if a game is called. Minimum of four innings for ten-run rule to apply. Special base running rules apply to the 70' division. Leading is permitted, as well as dropped third strikes, and pitchers are now allowed to pitch from the stretch and windup.
Free substitution.
A pitcher may pich six (6) innings per calender week (Monday through, and including Sunday). A pitcher who delivers one (1) pitch in an inning shall be charged for one (1) inning pitched. A pitcher must have two calender days rest between pitching assignments-if the pitcher pitches in more than two (2) innings in any one game.
Pitching rules become "tournament pitching rules" during playoffs.
All batters bat in order, regardless of defensive play (11 players=11 man bat order).
No cell phone use by coaches or managers on the playing field during games.
The balk rule will be fully imposed during league playoffs. As in our first season of 2008, umpires are asked to verbally instruct a child who has commited a balk, and explain/train the pitcher without enforcement. With a league game schedule of 15 games, and each team playing each other three times, the first game (1/3 of the regular season) against other teams we have asked league umpires to "not enforce" the balk rule.
Umpires will inforce in field fly rule. Also, if a player is caught slash bunting player will be ejected from that game by the umpire.
*If a Major 70' team has a game that is on the Creteau field, and will have a night game following, no new inning of the 5:30 PM game may start after 7:15 PM. even if ending in a tie. This helps the league eliminate the 2nd games that may start after 8:00 PM, and end after 10:00 PM. For the 8:00 PM start game, no new inning may start after 9:45 PM. even if ending in a tie. These restrictions will not apply once playoffs begin, or for Friday night games as they both will play regulation 6 innings.
*Umpires will enforce game start times! Pitchers must be ready to start, and are given four warm up pitches to start the game, and three between innings. Infield warm-up allows eight minutes per team, with visitors taking field first, and home last while staying on the field to start the game.
Thanks, John Creteau
*Prior to playoffs, coaches must use judgment to control the score. When a team is winning by eight runs or more, conservative base running & play is encouraged, and a courtesy that a coach extends to the team he or she is playing.
Our regular season is a time to try players in positions that they may be unfamiliar with. Coaches try players in unfamiliar positions in hopes that their team will better in time for playoffs. Once playoffs start, play becomes more intense, with teams using players at positions that are most benefit able to the team winning!
Lastly, if a game needs to begin before playoff season with a team lacking a nine player roster (not enough players have shown up prior to start), please either start with eight players, or extend the team lacking nine players one of your players, so that games can be played.
Tobacco Free Zone
Please remember the use of tobacco products in any form is not allowed ANYWHERE at Roger Allen Park.
2010 Calendar Winners
6/1- 1665 Tony Ciampa 6/2- 1711 Ed Amorim 6/3- 3112 Janice Page 6/4- 2822 Heida Bennett 6/5- 2124 Kris Halsey 6/6- 3214 Tim Farrington 6/7- 2876 Peter LaRochelle 6/8- 0705 Chris Stilson 6/9- 0134 Pris Labbrie 6/10- 1635 Cliff Bixby 6/11- 2970 Jean Parker 6/12- 2381 Gail Burns 6/13- 0150 Leslie Tanguay 6/14- 2828 David Seeley 6/15- 3492 Kevin Walters
