Rookies (7u-8u)

Division Statement
In this division we further develop our softball program and expect all girls to hit, throw, and catch with minimal assistance. Girls are introduced to "player pitch" where players from the other team will pitch against them. This division plays with umpires, called balls and strikes, and 3 outs per half inning. Due to safety concerns, positions in the field get more specialized and players start to get familiar with infield and outfield positions. Each team is responsible for developing pitchers in this division and the expectation is players will pitch to players. If a pitcher is struggling, the coach will come in and finish the at bat, ending in either a strikeout or ball put in play. This division will use umpires to call balls, strikes and outs.

Division Coordinator
Chris Conway

Rules
The goal of Little League is supposed to be a fun filled experience, where each child is given a chance to succeed and learn.

Game time shall be 6pm
No inning shall start two hours after the start of the game.
All games are played regardless of how many players arrive. If a team doesn't have at least 6 players, the other team will give them extra players to cover the field.
All games should be re-scheduled if cancelled, talk with the other coach and then contact the division coordinator.
Abuse of umpires by managers, coaches or fans will not be permitted. ZERO TOLERANCE!
The Little League Code of Conduct will be adhered to and enforced.
Smoking is forbidden at any Little League event.
Home team wears navy jerseys, away wears red.
Please remove all trash and debris after all practices and games.

This division will use a Spring Training/Practice schedule in April. They will hold two practices a week where the coach will be able to go over pitching, catching, hitting and fielding the bases in a fun environment for the kids. Kids will be expected to hit off other kids pitching.

Pitching

Players will pitch from the 30ft distance which is measured from the back tip of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber.
Pitcher must be in contact with the pitching rubber at the start of the wind-up.
Pitch must be delivered underhand, not sidearm.
The pitcher will deliver 3 to 4 pitches to each batter, after that the coach will finish the at-bat.
Each batter will either put the ball in play, walk, strikeout or be hit by a pitch, either vs the player pitcher or coach.
Pitcher must be removed from the game after hitting 4 batters.

Note: The coach will stand behind the pitcher from the other team. Umpires will be advised that the strike zone is from the chest to the shins and 2 fists off the plate (anything hittable). If the ball lands on home plate and was not swung at, it is a ball.

Catchers

Speed up rule is in effect, after the second out in an inning, catchers occupying a base, as a runner, must be run for by the last batted out. This will allow the catcher proper time to equip properly in order to prevent delays.
Anyone who wants to try and play catcher should be given the opportunity.

Batting

Facemasks and chinstraps are MANDATORY.
Bats MUST be Little League approved.
All players are included in lineup. Late arriving players should be added to the bottom of the batting order.
Players forced to leave early will have their spot in lineup skipped without penalty.
Infield Fly rule is NOT in effect.
Dropped Third Strike is NOT in effect.
No stealing will be allowed
Coaches should teach the players about tagging up and getting back to the base on a popfly.
Bases will be 60ft - 1st and 3rd are measured from the rear tip of home plate to back corner of base. 2nd base is measured from center of base to baseline.

Scoring

A maximum of 4 runs can be scored in an inning.
No player will bat after the four runs are recorded in their half of the inning. (ex: 3 runs already recorded for the team, bases loaded, batter hits grand slam.. all runs count, so they would get 7 runs)
Teams will bat through the line up, if the team in the field has not recoreded 3 outs the inning is over.
If a team is short players, when that team is batting they will bat the amount of players based on the amount the other team has.

Defense

Teams shall use a maximum of 10 players in the field.
No player shall sit two innings consecutively.
If the ball is hit to the outfield and the team has the appropriate fielders, the hitter may get as many bases as they can until the ball is back in the infield.
If the ball is hit to the outfield and the team does not have an outfielder in the vacinity, then the player shall advance only one extra base.
On overthrows, players may NOT advance a base.

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ST. JAMES-SMITHTOWN Little League

Rookies (7u-8u)

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Softball Rookies (7u/8u)

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