Arizona Desert Baseball League

Coach pitch rules

                                          (FOX)

1. Coaches Pitch, like T-Ball, is an instructional league. Therefore there are not too many rules. As in T-Ball, but on a higher scale, the effort here is to try to develop some basic throwing (always overhand!), fielding (get in front of the ball!) and bat-­ swinging techniques. The outs and runs do count this is to declare the winner.

2. The field is smaller than it will be later in the competitive leagues – 50 feet down the base paths and 36 feet to the mound. This makes it easier for kids to throw to first base.

3. Coaches do all the pitching. Try to avoid pitching underhand. If necessary, pitch overhand on one knee so that the ball has a flat trajectory. The objective is to get the kids to hit - so try to get them swinging.

4. Its not really three strikes and you're out, though one can indeed strike out. The rule is that three missed balls (swing-and-miss strikes)  or six pitches constitute an out, if the fifth pitch is a foul it does not count as an out it then he/she bats again. 

5. If you have more than nine players, put each one in the batting order and run the batting in that order irrespective of who is playing in the field. You can substitute fielders to make sure that you have only nine on the field at one time - but make sure that all kids have equal playing time in the field.

6. An inning (a half-inning actually) ends when the team up to bat has batted around (all of the players have had a turn at the plate). You should have time for about 4 innings in the hour you have to play a game.

7. On overthrows into foul territory, allow the kids to advance only to one base beyond the one in front of them. Play stops when the ball gets back to the pitcher. Overthrows into fair territory do not stop play - the kids can keep running. No running on balls that get by the catcher, "passed balls", these are just ignored.

8. Since the coaches are pitching, the "kid pitcher" should stand behind and to the side of the adult pitcher, and he/she participates as a fielder after the pitch is made.

9. No fancy stuff in Coaches Pitch: no leading off base, no stealing, no enforcement of the infield fly rule. Just basic beginning baseball.

10. Safety first: a) helmets on all players batting, in the on-deck circle, or on base, b) instruct the kids to drop the bat after hitting the ball and not to throw the bat. Players may only hold a bat in their hands if they are approaching or leaving home plate or in a designated on-deck position. No metal spikes, though rubber ones are fine. Keep the kids well back - foul tips will hit somebody in the face. Be vigilant: the kids tend to crowd around the plate.