Youth Baseball Peanut Rules

Peanut Rules

updated 8-06

PURPOSE:  The Youth Baseball Peanut League is designed for recreational enjoyment with an emphasis on developing fundamentals, having fun, fair play, and above all, good sportsmanship.

 PLAYING FIELD

  1.  A foul line marked by a 20-foot arc from home plate shall be drawn between 1st and 3rd base across the playing field.  A batting tee shall be placed behind home plate. A 16’ circle around the pitcher mound.
  2.  Bases will be at 60 feet.

  PLAYING RULES

  1.  Games are 1 hour.  No new inning will begin 5 minutes before the time limit.
  2.  When players hit the ball off the batting tee, it must go at least past the infield foul line to be playable.  A hit ball not passing this foul line on the ground shall be declared a foul ball and a strike on the batter (except on third strike).  Each player shall have no more than three strikes. 7 year olds have the T option. (This is 3 swinging pitches and then 2 tries off the T.) And 8 year olds are coach pitch with no T option. Strikes are three swinging pitches, no walks.
  3.  Coaches will pitch the ball to their team. Up to three (3) 7 year old players per team may use the batting tee at the discretion of the team coach. 8 year olds must have the ball pitched to them.
  4.  Coach pitch – the defensive pitcher shall be in a designated area, not more than 6 feet behind or to either side of the pitching rubber. From this position, the defensive pitcher is allowed to move out of the circle after the pitch is thrown. Each Coach defensive pitcher shall deliver 5 pitches. If a ball is not hit  the batter is out.  If in the judgment of the umpire, the defensive pitcher is not in the proper position when the pitch is thrown, the pitch will be considered no-pitch, and will not count towards the five pitches. Coaches must pitch from the 35 foot pitching rubber.
  5.  Defensive players must wait until the hit ball passes the infield foul line to attack ball.
  6.  A ball must be hit before a runner can leave the base.
  7.  One base on an overthrow.  CANNOT STEAL HOME.  One overthrow per play.
  8.  Ten (10) players shall take regular positions in the field.  Eight (8) players are needed to start the game.  Game time is forfeit time.
  9.  The pitcher shall take a normal position on the pitcher’s mound, and the catcher shall be behind or to one side of the batting tee.
  10.  All team members will play on defense at least 1 inning at all games.
  11.  A player may not be terminated from the team for missing practices.
  12.  If a player quits the team, he or she may not play for another team.
  13.  All players’ names shall be listed on the score sheet in order and will bat in rotation.  This order will remain during the game.  ALL PLAYERS WILL BAT DURING ENTIRE GAME, regardless of playing defense at the time.
  14.  No official score shall be kept  or posted only an official line up will be kept by the scorekeeper
  15.  .No food, alcohol, or glass bottle beverage containers are allowed in the dugouts.
  16.  Players must be kept in the dugout area.
  17.  Complaints should be directed to Recreation Services.. THERE ARE NO PROTESTS.
  18.  Three (3) outs shall end an inning, or after the 10th batter. which ever comes first.
  19.  Rubber cleats or tennis shoes only.
  20.  The infield fly rule will not be used.
  21.  Play ends when the ball is returned to the pitcher (player only coach must move out of the circle out of the way of the play), or an infielder is holding the ball and play has stopped, or in the judgement of the umpire, play should stop.  Pitcher then returns ball to umpire or coach and the next batter takes their regular turn.
  22.  No smoking or chewing tobacco by the coaches while on the field.
  23.  NO PROFANITY OR EQUIPMENT THROWING WILL BE TOLERATED.
  24.  A child may be warned or called out by the umpire for throwing the bat on the first occurrence; however, a second violation is an automatic out.
  25.  Score will not be kept. Each team must provide someone to keep track of their lineup and batting order..  Standings will not be kept; trophies will be given to all players for participation.
  26.  MISSING PRACITICES – At the discretion of the coach, players missing two (2) or more practices are subject to one (1) inning of play (offense and defense).

 26.  Since this is an instructional league a team may place two coaches in the outfield to instruct players. During a play the coaches may not touch their fielders.

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