District 14 Little League 2024 Machine Pitch Baseball and Softball Rules
Your resource for all the up to date information concerning Indiana Little League District 14 Machine Baseball and Softball Rules
A Word from the DA
I want to welcome you to one of the most exciting divisions in Little League, Machine Pitch. The utilization of Machine Pitch Baseball and Softball is to provide a bridge while player grow. The use of a machine to deliver consistant hittable pitches creates action on the field that allows your player to develop the skills needed to play the game. This division focuses on hitting, base running, catching throwing and understanding defensive strategy. During this time, a youth players arm is still developing and may not allow for the consistant delivery of a hittable pitch. The inconsistancy takes away from the teams ability to develop. For the players that have developed a natural ability to pitch, they tend to get over used at this age because of their ability to throw strikes. This often leads to arm issues due to undisclosed fatigue or injury. In closing, this league is meeant to be Fun. This diamond will have tremendous action and joy in every game. Embrace it and allow the kids to grow in the sport with a natural love of the great aspects of the game, Teamwork, Community, Inclusivity, Integrity and most of all Fun.
Mission Statement
Introduce players, managers, and coaches to the fundamentals and rules of Little League Baseball while focusing on the Core Values of Community, Inclusivity, Integrity, Teamwork, and Fun. These fundamentals include but are not limited to the following: • Identifying each of the bases, infield positions, and outfield positions.• Knowing base running basics (i.e., Where to run, when to run, and when not to run.)• Knowing the difference between a force out and a runner must be tagged.
Rules Addendum
This is a supplement to the Little League 2024 Official Regulations and Playing Rules. All rules and regulations of the Little League minor division will always be observed and abided by.
1. An umpire is not required in this division. If the Home Team supplies an umpire, then the umpire will have the option to position themselves in the best place on the field to make an accurate call based upon the likely next play. They should not be behind home plate.
a. If no umpire is available, the Managers will always use fair judgement and keep in mind that this is an instructional division. If the opposing Managers cannot agree on a play, the play will be deemed a dead play and replayed.
2. The pitching machines. A 6 foot diameter safety circle is required around the machine. if the ball enters the circle, dead ball, advance to the next base. Hits up the middle are a single, because at the next level, they are most likely an out.
a. The home team will set up the pitching machine prior to the game.b. This league will use both electric and spring-loaded pitching machines. This is the preference of the home team and the equipment they have available. c. Managers should be on the field one-half hour prior to game start time.d. The pitching machine will be set at 35 feet with a speed of 35-45 mph to throw a consistent hittable strike to the average player. e. Prior to the beginning of the game both managers will agree on an adjustment of the machine to deliver a pitch that is hittable to all players. f. With an effort to maximize playing time, machine adjustments should be kept to a minimum, and only done at the top of the inning, unless a ball strikes the machine during an inning resulting in a need for adjustment.
3. Baseballs/Softballs
a. Ball selection should be based upon the manufacturers of the pitching machine’s recommendation. If using an electric wheel machine, it would be recommended to use a 9” optic yellow dimple baseball or an 11” optic yellow dimple softball. A spring machine may be better suited for a standard 9” baseball or 11” softball. The district recommends the use of optic yellow dimple balls for better wear, identification in the field and greater bat action. This is the decision of the home team.
4. Prior to the start of the game, each team will be given ten minutes of practice time for infielding. The first team ready should take the first ten minutes. If both teams are ready, then the visiting team should take infield practice first, so that after the home team completes their infield session, they are on the field ready to start the game.
5. The Two-Hour Game time limit will start at the scheduled game time. Prepare accordingly. No inning will start after 8:00 pM.
6. We will be using a continuous batting order. (I.e., all players on the roster are in the batting lineup.)
7. There is no minimum number of players. Each team made an effort to show up. Make the best of the situation and have fun. Be aware that you CANNOT loan players to the other team to fill out a lineup. This is due to insurance reasons.
8. The game will end after:
a. Two-hour time limit from the SCHEDULED start of the game, orb. Six innings have been completed, orc. The score meets the requirements of the 10 or 15 run Rule. See Little League Rule 4.10(e) for a more in-depth explanation. d. Darkness (as determined by the Umpires discretion if an Umpire is present)
9. A half inning will end after:
a. The offense has scored 5 runs, orb. The defense has recorded 3 outs, orc. The offense has batted through its entire lineup. (A player cannot bat twice in the same inning)
10. During an at bat, the batter will be allowed up to 7 pitches during their plate appearance. A player’s at-bat will be ended upon one of the following:
a. Batter puts the ball in play and reaches base safely, orb. Batter puts the ball in play and is put out by the defense, orc. The batter swings and misses a third strike, ord. The batter swings and misses or watches the seventh pitch, ore. An at bat can be extended if the seventh pitch is fouled off. The at bat will continue until the pitch is not fouled.f. There is no walking; A batter must hit their way on base.
11. No on-deck batters.
12. No Base stealing.
13. There will be a 6-foot diameter circle, in chalk or paint, around the machine. If the batted ball enters the circle, the play is dead. The batter will advance to 1st base and all runners on base will advance 1 base.
14. A player must meet a minimum playing time of 6 defensive outs. If a player doesn’t play the minimum play, then the player will start the next game and play the remaining outs from the prior game and the 6 outs for the current game.
15. Play will stop when the player fielding the pitcher position has the ball and the umpire should call time. If the players are more than halfway to the next base they may continue to proceed. If the players are less than halfway to the base, the umpire/managers should return the players to the previous base.
16. During game play, all players must be inside the dugout or the field of play unless excused by the umpire or manager.
17. The coaching staff of the team is a manager and two coaches. A board approved coach or team parent only, must always be in the dugout.
18. A manager/coach will load the machine to deliver pitches to his own team. Regarding the notion that the coach could manipulate the ball or quick pitch the batter, we remind all that this is an instructional non-competitive division. (I.e. if batters aren’t hitting the ball players aren’t getting a chance to field and base run, and you are not getting a chance to teach them to be baseball or softball players)
19. Managers must carry a current roster, Little League Rule book, Interleague Machine Pitch rules addendum, and medical release forms to every game.
Guidelines
Continue to work on the basic skills – Catching, throwing, and running.Have each player know all the positions, both infield and outfield, by the end of the season. Each player must play a position on the field at least once during the season. Each player should know where each position plays on the field.
