O.R.B.A. 2007 Coach Pitch Rules

The High School Rule Book shall be followed when conditions permit.  Exception to the rules are either obvious to Oxford Recreational Baseball Structural Organization, or are stated in this list of supplemental rules.  The rules proceed as follows:

A. Amended Rules
B. Rules and Regulations
C. High School Rule book

1. All boys/girls that show up for a game will bat in order of the roster submitted at the beginning of the game and bat in rotation (unless the player is late and then they go to the bottom of the order).

2. The pitcher must wear a protective helmet with a cage.  Catcher must wear a cup and catchers helmet. If no cup, stand to the side.

3. If there is an injury on the field, play is immediately stopped and the umpire designates bases the player would have reached. 

4. The defensive team will consist of ten players.  Four must play past the infield line 6' away from the bases.

5. Each child must play two innings in the field.

6. If the ball thrown hits the fence at 1st, it is a dead ball.  All runners will advance one base.  Kids cannot call a time out.  The ball must be in control by an infielder for an umpire to call time out. 3rd Base overthrow is a live ball.

7. Mercy Rule – If a team leads by twenty-one or more runs after the fourth inning, or eleven or more runs after the fifth inning, that team shall be declared the winner and the game is complete.  Games ending by a mercy rule shall not continue once a team is declared the winner (home team does not get to bat if not necessary)

8. Each batter will be offered 5 pitches.  He may elect to hit any of them.  If he lets the first two go by, the next three pitches will be strikes.  Unlimited foul balls.  There is a no "no pitch" rule in place.  All pitches count.

9. No stealing or leading off allowed.

10. Runner may or may not slide, but runners and catchers must avoid collision coming into a base.  Defensive players may not be on a base if it is unnecessary.  A player who does not do so will be called out and may also be removed from the game as allowed under NFHSA rules. Malicious contact is anything other than incidental contact, as judged by the umpire.

11. If the runner leaves a base early, the runner is out.  The runner cannot leave a base until the ball is hit. 

12. Games will not be played in inclement weather.  Once the game has started it should be umpires decision. Any calling of games prior to the start of games should be directors call like all our other divisions.

13. Bases will be 60ft.  The pitcher mound will be 46 ft.

14.  Calling Time:  If a fielder has possession of the ball in the infield (in fair territory) they can request "time" by raising both hands above their head.  By doing so the umpire can call time at that moment and determine where the base runners go based upon the half-way marks between each base.  If the fielder wishes to make a play in the infield they simply make the play and do not raise their hands asking for "time" to be called.  A fielder may not say "time", they must only raise their hands (NO EXCEPTIONS)

15. Each team will receive one warning for a thrown bat.  The next offense will be called out.

16. No Walks.

17. The infield fly rule does not apply to this league.

18. No bunting.

19. No multiple uniforms numbers are allowed on one team.

20.  All rules are ruled on by umpire decision.  Any rule questions or clarification will be provided by the head umpire.

21.  A Regulation Game consists of six innings.  Exceptions:  Mercy forfeit, weather, or darkness.  The time limit for coach pitch is 1 hour and 30 minutes (an inning may not start after 1 hour and 15 minutes)

22.  Any batted ball that hits the pitcher (coach pitcher) will be ruled as a dead ball.  The game situation (including batter's count) will revert back to what it was before the batted ball pitch.