OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the Machine Pitch Little League program at ELLL is:
To instruct the players coming out of Coach Pitch (or the first-year player) in the basics of the game in a fun, low-key atmosphere.
The proper technique of throwing, catching, running and hitting.
Learning the basic knowledge of the game and field positions. At no time should winning or losing a game take priority in this program!
The rules used for Machine Pitch Baseball are from the Official Minor League Baseball Rule Book. The following are additions or enhancements to those rules.
No jewelry, watches or other metallic items are to be worn at games or practices.
Only issued uniforms/hats may be worn. Players must wear protective cups during practices and games.
No eating in the dugouts. Dugouts must be cleaned when leaving after a game or practice.
Helmets with face-masks are required in Machine Pitch Baseball.
Play every scheduled game, regardless of how many players are present. If a team does not have 9 players, the team shall “borrow” a player(s) from the opposing team to play in the field. A different player(s) should be used each inning.
The Home team dugout shall be the dugout along the first base line and the visitor’s will be the dugout along the third base line.
Both teams shall line up along the base lines and recite the Little League Pledge before starting the game.
A continuous batting order will be used. All players will bat. Both teams will bat each inning, including the final inning regardless of the score. Batting orders shall be rotated each game.
ELLL would like to stress the importance of exposing machine pitch players to the catcher’s position. At some point during this season having a catcher will be mandatory. The VP of this division will determine the specific date. If a team cannot field a minimum of 8 players including borrowing to balance teams, then it is the option of the manager whether or not to place a catcher on the field.
ELLL’S MP Minimum Play Rule:
If there are 10 players present on a team, all 10 play the field. One extra outfielder will be used, no extra infielders will be permitted. If there are 11 or more players, then one player will sit out each inning for every player totaling more than 11.
Every Player must sit one (1) inning before any player sits twice, this is continuous from the first game to the last game.
Every player must play at least two (2) innings in the infield every game. Free substitution is allowed.
Games are 6 innings or 1 hour 30 minutes long. An inning shall consist of 3 outs or 5 runs by each team. No new inning shall start after 1 hour 15 minutes. An inning ends when the last out of the previous inning is made. Drop dead time will be 1 hour 30 minutes.
The pitching machine will be used and operated by a trained adult only. It is an expensive and necessary piece of equipment. During the second half of the season, the pitching machine may be combined with player pitching. The League VP-Small Fields will make this decision and inform all managers and give a minimum of two weeks notice. No player pitching can take place without League VP-Small Fields approval.
For machine pitching a batter gets 5 swinging strikes. If he fails to hit a ball, an out is recorded and the batter is retired. Foul balls count as swinging strikes. If a foul ball results from the 5th pitch, batter will receive another pitch until the ball is put into play or strike-out occurs.
For Player pitch called strikes will count. The Offensive coach will call balls and strikes from behind the pitcher. There will be No Walks. If the player is hit by a player pitched ball, the batter has the option of taking first base or continuing his/her turn at bat. After 5 pitches if the batter has not obtained a hit or struck out, the batter’s coach will finish pitching to the batter. When the batter’s coach is pitching only swinging strikes will be counted. Balls and strikes from the player pitch will carry over to when the batter’s coach takes over pitching.
A player can only pitch to a maximum of 8 batters per game. A minimum of 2 days rest between games is required before being allowed to pitch. Little League pitch count rules apply.
No walks are permitted. No bunting is allowed.
Only the current batter can have a bat in his hand once an inning starts. During practice or game, no player is allowed to be in the on deck circle while the batter is batting.
The runner may advance an additional base on hits to the outfield, and will be capped at a double, no triples or inside the park home runs permitted. Runners may advance one base on a wild throw. Only one extra base per play will be allowed. No runner may advance beyond 3rd base as a result of an overthrown ball. Runner on third base may advance on batted ball only.
No leading off or stealing bases.
Sliding is permitted. However, a runner sliding into a base head-first is automatically out. DO NOT TEACH HEAD-FIRST SLIDING!
DEFENSIVE team may station only 2 managers/coaches in the outfield during the game for instructional purposes only but shall not assist them in running or fielding and shall not touch a live ball.
OFFENSIVE team must station adults at first and third bases. Coaches shall remain within the coach’s box at all times.
OFFENSIVE team may station a manager/coach at the batters box for instructional purposes. If stationed at batters box the manager/coach MUST stand behind batter and MAY NOT stand behind catcher or facing batter.
If a fair batted ball hits or is interfered with by a manager/coach, a double shall be awarded the batter.
If a fair batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball is dead, and the batter is awarded a single. Runners may only advance one base.
Players are to remain in the dugout at all times while games are in progress. The only reason a player is to leave the dugout is to use the restroom with the coach’s permission. A MINIMUM OFOne adult volunteer must be in the dugout at all times! (two recommended)
The Home team is responsible for preparing the field for play. Home team shall chalk the plate and should be encouraged to provide a concession volunteer for the entire duration of the game (The Volunteer Coordinator will provide a scheduling form).
Managers must submit all team coaches to the VP-Small Fields or League President in order to have coaches approved by the board of directors. All coaches must fill out the appropriate volunteer form and submit to the league.
Please be courteous to your fellow managers and coaches. If you are not using your scheduled practice time, please notify the VP-Small Fields so that the field can be made available to other teams.
Managers and coaches should conduct themselves as leaders at all times. They should instill in their players a respect for the authority of adult leaders in the league. Outbursts aimed at the umpires/players/other managers will not be tolerated. Failure of a manager to meet the playing rules established herein or to conduct him/her in the manner set forth herein may result in disciplinary action and/or removal as a Manager/Coach.
Lightning Predictor System: On top of the East Lake Football concession stand is a Lightning Predictor System that services the entire East Lake Sports Complex. This System detects and predicts the possibility of a lightning strike on the complex. When the System determines that a lightning strike is possible or has occurred, the System will sound a loud alarm for 15 seconds and the light on at the top of the System will flash. The light will continue to flash until the all clear is sounded. The all clear signal is three shorter (approximately five seconds) but equally as loud alarms. Upon arriving at the Complex, Managers and Coaches must check the Lightning Predictor System for the blinking light to check to see if the alarm sounded prior to your arrival.If the alarm sounds (or has already sounded when you arrived at the Complex), you must direct ALL players and ALL spectators to sit in their cars until the all clear sounds. There are no exceptions to this policy. Failure to follow this policy WILL result in the following penalties:
First Offense: A verbal and written warning that will include additional instruction on the Lightning Predictor System.
Second Offense: A season long suspension.
This policy is for the safety of players, coaches, managers and spectators so do not ignore it!
Please read and sign the Statement below and return it to the Vice-President of Small Fields for East Lake Little League.
I, __________________________________________________________________________
(Name)
have received and read a copy of the East Lake Little League Ground Rules for the Machine Pitch Baseball Division. I agree to abide by the rules and regulations as set forth in the Little League Rule Book and ELLL’s ground rules. I understand the importance of my role as Manager/Coach of the
(Level and Team)
and that the children on my team are strongly influenced by my actions
2016 East Lake Little League Machine Pitch
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the Machine Pitch Little League program at ELLL is: