Local Rules - AA Coach Pitch
1. Continuous Batting - will take place in both divisions. If a player arrives late, they will be placed at the end of the lineup
without penalty.
2. Time Limit – AA will have a 1-hour and 30-minute time limit for all regular-season games. In both leagues, for tied
regular-season games, extra innings are allowed within the time limit of the game. If the time limit has been exceeded, then
a single extra inning is allowed. Playoff games will have no time limit. Playoff games will not end based on weather or
darkness; they will be suspended based on the “Suspended Game” rule.
1. Slaughter and Run Rules –
5 run maximum for each team in the 1st inning.
For 2nd to 5th innings - if the team is behind, they can catch up and then go ahead by five runs. If ahead, the team can only
go ahead by five additional runs.
Sixth inning only, there is no run limit.
A ten (10) run rule applies beginning in the 4th inning for all games.
15 run rule after 3 innings
1. Bats – USSSA Not Allowed. All bats must contain the new USA Baseball stamp or sticker.
1. Bunting and slashing (fake bunt then swinging) – Not allowed.
Penalties:
1st incident – team is warned, and all runners return back to the previous base.
2nd incident - batter is out, and all runners return to the previous base.
1. Substitution – free substitution for all players (Cal Ripken rule). No player may sit more than two innings in a six-inning
game. No player may sit two innings consecutively. In the event of an injury, both coaches must agree on the proper thing to
do.
1. Minimum Players – Teams in Coach Pitch need a minimum of 8 players to start and finish a game. There will be no
automatic out for the 9th spot in the lineup. If a team does not have the minimum number of players required for a regular-
season game, a substitute player from the next league down may play during the regular season. The substitute player must
bat last. Teams that are not able to start and finish a game with the minimum number of players forfeit the game. No regular-
season substitutions are permitted for teams that have the minimum number of players from their own roster. PLAYOFFS -
No substitutions are permitted in the playoffs. IF A TEAM HAS ONLY 8 PLAYERS, THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE AN
OUT FOR THE 9TH BATTER EVERY TIME THE SPOT COMES UP IN THE LINEUP. When a team is playing with
the minimum number of players, in the event of an injury and a player is not able to return to the game within 5 minutes of
the injury, it is at the discretion of the opposing coach whether the game can be continued or is forced to forfeit. The
decision must be made before the next pitch is made.
1. Player Positioning – AA and AAA teams that start a game with fewer than 10 players must have all infield positions filled;
the remaining players will play outfield. Outfielders must be on the outfield grass when the play begins. No rover (short
fielder) or additional infielders will be allowed. Outfielders may come into the infield to back up a play or cover a base
vacated by a long play, such as a run-down situation. Outfielders may only cover bases on overthrows and other non-force
plays. Outfielders can run the ball in and make an out, but not a force out.
1. Base Runner / Fielder Contact – must try to avoid contact. Umpires have full discretion to make the correct interference
and obstruction calls when contact occurs that affects the play.
1. Head First Sliding – only allowed when returning to a base. Sliding into first base is NOT allowed.
1. Playoffs - In the playoffs, the higher seed is always the home team. The only situation where this does not apply is during a
double-elimination championship game in which the loser’s bracket team beats the winner’s bracket team. Determination of
the home team for the final game will be by coin flip.
1. Ejections – Any coach or player who is ejected from a game for any reason will be required to leave the facility
immediately and will be suspended from the next game, regardless of regular season or playoffs. The minimum number of
players rule applies (see rule #7).
1. Overthrows - AA - Runners may not advance on overthrows at any base.
1. Stopping Play AA - If the batted ball is stopped by an infielder the play is live until the lead runner gives up his effort to
advance. All runners can advance a maximum of one base on an infield hit. If the batted ball is in the outfield grass, runners
may continue to advance until the defensive player throws the ball to an infielder standing on the infield dirt. As soon as the
thrown ball hits the dirt or is touched by an infielder or an outfielder runs the ball into the dirt, the runners are only allowed
to advance to the base that they are currently trying to advance to. Time is not called until runners have reached base,
returned to previous base or are deemed out.
Coach Pitch AA –
The adult pitcher must be at least 18 years old and one of the official coaches of the team designated at the draft
The adult pitcher must pitch from a distance between 30-40 feet and have one foot in contact with the rubber/chalk if at the
30’ (chalk line) or 40’ mark (rubber). If pitching at a distance between the two marks, the adult pitcher must be in-line with
the pitching rubber and home plate.
The adult pitcher must pitch overhand.
The adult pitcher must pitch a “flat pitch”. No “lobs” to the player’s bat will be allowed. A pitch considered a lob will be at
the umpire’s discretion and called a no-pitch. A lobbed pitch deemed no-pitch by the umpire will count towards the 5-
pitch maximum per batter. If the 5th pitch of the at-bat is considered a no-pitch by the umpire, one additional pitch will be
allowed (unless fouled off). If the one additional pitch is ruled a no-pitch by the umpire, the batter will be called out on
strikes.
If the “lobbed” ball is put in play by the batter and deemed a no-pitch by the umpire, it is simply a dead ball. Runners will
return to their original base, and the at-bat will continue.
The adult pitcher can only instruct the batter in the box. Once the ball is in play, the adult pitcher cannot instruct the
baserunners.
1st Penalty- a warning will be given by the umpire.
Penalty- the adult pitcher will be restricted to the dugout and cannot continue to pitch for the remainder 2nd of that game.
Once the ball is in play, the adult player must avoid interference and exit the field to the closest sideline.
A good rule of thumb is to take this opportunity to pick up the bat and move out of play.
In the event of a bunt or a slowly hit groundball, the adult pitcher must take a knee to avoid interfering with the play.
Interference/Obstruction may be called for violation of this rule.
Interference/Obstruction penalty: the ball is immediately dead once the umpire calls interference.
In a force play situation, the lead runner will be called out.
If it is not a force play situation, the batter runner will be called out, the other runners cannot advance and will remain at
their original base.
A batted ball that hits the adult pitcher is immediately dead. The umpire shall declare it a no-pitch. All runners will return
to their original base at the time of the pitch.
The same adult pitcher must pitch the entire inning, unless an injury to the adult pitcher occurs. Teams can change the
adult at the beginning of a new inning.
The defensive player playing the pitcher position shall be positioned behind and to either side of the adult pitcher. The
player must be within 4 feet of the imaginary line between home plate and 2nd base and can play at a maximum distance of
42 feet from the back corner of home plate.
A batter will be allowed a maximum of 3 swings or 5 pitches per at-bat (extended if 5thpitch is fouled off).
Only the 5th pitch of an at-bat can be deemed unhittable by the umpire. This is a judgment call by the umpire and cannot
be protested. A pitch cannot be deemed unhittable if the batter swings.
If the 5th pitch is deemed unhittable by the umpire, one additional pitch will be allowed. If the batter does not swing at the
additional pitch, the batter will be called out on strikes.
If a batted ball touches a player before touching the adult pitcher, the ball will remain live.
If a batted ball hits the pitcher's body or glove and then goes to the outfield, it is considered an infield hit, and runners are
only allowed 1 base. If a batted ball hits a glove or body of any other position and goes to the outfield, it will be considered
an Outfield hit.
Players must play a minimum of two innings per game in the infield, except in the case of a safety hazard. A safety hazard
must be discussed with the commissioner, the player’s parent(s), and the opposing coach prior to the start of a game.
1. Team Responsibilities –
HOME TEAM:
1st base dugout
Warmups - cages then infield
Line the field
Clean 1st base dugout and bleachers after game.
VISITOR TEAM:
3rd base dugout
Warmups - infield then cages
Rake around the bases after game and fill in any holes at bases (including home plate)
Clean 3rd base dugout and bleachers after game.
1. Plays at Home Plate – If a team chooses to not play with a catcher any player can make a play at home plate.