MCNLL COACH PITCH BASEBALL LOCAL RULE

1. No score of any game shall be kept.

2. Each team must provide two new regulation game balls for each game. Four balls will be used to maintain a steady consistent pace for the game.

3. The pitcher is the umpire and shall make all calls at all bases. Base coaches shall not call “out” or “safe”. There is only one umpire in coach pitch games.

4. Games are six (6) complete innings. (The home team must bat in the bottom half of the last inning.) No new innings shall start after 1 hour and 30 minutes from first pitch. Game play is stopped, and game is complete after 1 hour and 45 minutes. Conduct all after game meetings outside of the playing area.

5. Five (5) run maximum or three (3) outs per half inning, whichever comes first.

6. Managers must ensure an approved volunteer is in the dugout at all times.

7. During the 2021 season only, there will be no catcher in Coach Pitch games. This one-year change is implemented to avoid sharing catcher’s equipment. Therefore, only 9 defensive players will be on the field in any one inning, including 4 outfielders. On force outs at home plate (bases loaded), the Coach who is backing up home plate, will be encouraged to catch the ball for the force out. Tag plays must be made by a defensive player, not the coach (e.g., the pitcher covering home on throws from an outfielder or relay man).

8. Managers shall make every effort to play each player an equal number of innings on defense. Every player must play an infield position for a minimum of one inning. In addition, no player shall sit out on defense for two consecutive innings.

9. One (1) defensive coach may be stationed in the outfield. In addition, one (1) defensive coach shall be stationed at the backstop to ensure the safety of the catcher and batter. Duties will include retrieving and returning baseballs to the pitcher, and safely returning bats to the dugout.

10. The pitching coach shall pitch from no more than five (5) feet in front of the pitching rubber, directly between home plate and the rubber. In exceptional circumstances, the two managers may agree to allow the pitcher to move closer to the hitter. Games played at Citrus Park require the pitcher to pitch off the pitcher mat. A coach may occupy the coaching boxes at first and third base.

11. The entire roster is to be placed in the batting order, regardless of defensive position.

12. Each batter gets six (6) pitches or 3 strikes. During the first half of the season, an at bat cannot end on a strike out. The batter will be permitted to hit off a tee. During the second half of the season, no tee will be used. An at bat cannot end on a foul ball.

13. Any batted ball that hits the pitching coach is considered “dead”. All runners return and batter starts with a new pitch count.

14. No leading-off or stealing.

15. Runners must stop and occupy a base once the ball is under control in the infield. A runner caught between bases when the ball is under control, may advance only to the next base and at his own risk.

16. On any overthrown ball, the runner can advance to the base the runner was approaching when the overthrow occurred and a maximum of one more base, however, the runner advances to the extra base at his/her own risk.

Example No. 1: No one on base. Ball hit to the shortstop, who overthrows first base. The runner may advance to second at his own risk. If another infielder attempts to throw the runner out at second and he overthrows second, the runner may not advance beyond second.

Example No. 2: Man on first. Ball hit to third baseman. Third baseman, attempting to force runner out at second base, throws ball into right field. The runner advancing to second may move to third only; the batter may advance to second base. Runner advance at their own risk.