8U Machine Pitch Rules
(Announcements made at the tournament will
supersede these rules)
1.
Single league All-Star or recreational teams
(class A teams are not allowed) with players 8 years of age or under as of
January 1, of the current year are eligible to participate.
2.
Each coach should bring a copy of each
player’s birth certificate or photo ID with DOB. These items should be presented at check-in.
Check-in is required prior to your first game and may be the same day. Look
for check-in table.
3.
A tournament game will be 6 innings or 75
minutes unless otherwise specified. Pitching machine will be used.
Machine speed dial setting at approximately 35 MPH. Pitching distance is
approximately 35 feet. Batters will receive 5 pitches or 3 swinging
strikes. The batter cannot foul out unless the ball is caught. If
an inning begins before the time limit and ends after time has expired, another
inning will not begin unless there is a tie (in tournament play).
4.
Field 10 players, bat all players present on
your roster. Batting orders may not be changed during the game. No
defensive movements once an inning begins unless player is injured or needs to
be removed. Free substitution is allowed between innings.
5.
When a team scores 7 runs in an inning
before making 3 outs, teams will automatically change at the next dead ball
except in the last official inning of a game. The last inning will be
unlimited runs.
6.
The game will be over if after 4 innings a
team is behind by 15 or more runs (or 3.5 innings if the home team is ahead by 15
runs or more).
7.
No stealing, no leading off, no running on a
dropped third strike, and no infield fly rule.
8.
Good sportsmanship is expected by all
coaches, player, and fans. Umpires will be fair and impartial. The umpire
reserves the right to have any fan, player, or coach removed from the property.
9.
Home team will keep score book.
Visiting team will keep score board (if available). Both score keepers
will be located at score table.
10.
In the event of tie at end of tournament regulation play, 1 or more tie
break innings will be played to determine the winner using the international tie
breaker (last out is runner on 2nd base). In pool play, all ties will
remain ties.
11.
Runners may advance one base on any overthrow.
12.
Pitcher must remain in the pitching circle until the ball is hit.
13.
Outfielders must be positioned off the infield dirt until the ball is
hit.
14.
A coach may be positioned in foul territory along the left and right
field lines.
15.
Runners must slide or avoid a collision if a play is being made at any
base. Failure to avoid a collision may result in the runner being called
out. The decision of calling an out for a collision rests solely with the
umpire.
16.
Once a ball is batted into play, the defensive team can only stop play
in the following manner:
a.
An infield position player holding the ball
in the air while standing in the base path in front of the lead runner.
b.
Any player holding the ball in the air while
standing inside the 10’ diameter circle around the pitching machine. At
the point where any player calls time-out while inside the 10’ circle, the
umpires will determine the placement of base runners based on the location of
the lead runner. The lead runner will be placed on the closest base in
regard to their current
position.
17.
A base runner running through first base on a ball hit into fair
territory may return to the base safely unless the runner makes an attempt to
advance to second base. At that point, the defensive team may tag out the
player.
18.
Each team will send a representative to the pitching machine prior to
the game to adjust the machines performance. Each team will be allowed to
make only one adjustment to the pitching machine during the course of the game.
The umpire may make additional adjustments to the pitching machine if he/she
deems it necessary.
19.
Ball is dead and batter and runner(s) are awarded one base, if forced,
if the ball hits the pitching machine.
20.
Catchers must be assisted between innings.
**ASA rules apply if not spelled out above.