St. Anthony’s CYO

Minors Baseball—3^rd & 4^th Graders

Rule Revised: 16 May 2010

 

   General

 

v       Games begin after a +/- 10 minute warm up. 

v       Game begin after the Opening Pray and the National Anthem, and not before.  Please line players up along the foul line at your dugout for the Opening Pray and National Anthem.  Please have the players tuck their shirt into their pants, and take their hats off.

v       Players can not wear their hats backwards.

v       Helmets must be worn at all times when batting and running bases.  Helmets must have a face mask, even if it is a child's personal helmet.  This is a zero-tolerance rule. 

v       There is no on-deck circle.

v       Play all players in field.

v       3-outs per inning.

v       In case in light rain, when games are not cancelled, the pitching machines are not used.  Revert to coach pitching.

v       There is no leading or stealing.

v       A batter is not allowed to slide into first base (added to rules mid-2010 season).

v       The last four weeks, work with the 4^th graders on pitching mechanics to get them ready for the Majors division the following year.

v       5-run per inning mercy rule.  The mercy rule is waived in the top and bottom of the last inning.  Both head coaches should agree as to when the last inning is, keeping in mind you need to be off the field by 2:25pm for the next division (updated for 2005).

v      At the conclusion of the game, each team will line up on their respective foul line for the traditional good sportsmanship handshake at home plate (added to rules for 2005).

   Practices 

v       Practices are only at St. Anthony’s Field, and never away from the CYO Complex.

v       No Practices before the opening of Spring Training.

v       In-season practices are only on specified night for one hour.

   Batting

 

v       No bunting.

v       For the first half of the season, in both practice and games, the coach/parent who is catching will tell each batter if the pitch was a ball or a strike (this is a new rule for the 2005 season).

v       Through the fifth game a batter will be considered out after he misses his fifth good pitch

v       Starting with the sixth game, the coach/parent who is catching will call balls and strikes during the game.  This rule is to help the batter learn the strike zone and to better prepare them for the next division (this is a new rule for the 2005 season).

v       Infield fly rule is not in effect.

   Fielding  

 

v       Play one player at each infield position (inc one next to the pitching machine), and spread the rest throughout the out field.

v       No players are used at the catcher's position--use a coach or a parent and they are to work with the batters to learning the strike zone.

v       4th Graders can begin to learn how to play the catcher’s position during practice.

v       Bases are 60’ apart.

Pitching Machines

 

v       Coaches please arrive early enough to get the pitching machines and extension cords from the CYO storage facility.

v       You must also return the pitching machine and electric cords after the games.

v       Don’t allow any players to touch the machine and do not leave the machines unattended by a coach.

 

v       Please follow the St. Anthony’s CYO Philosophy rules.

v       Have Fun and Play Ball!