Took a bit of a deep dive into the topic with Age Appropriate Coaching. Here we break down the rules based on the league. Keeping in mind that these young athletes are building the basic skills needed to eventually compete for that state championship in high school. They are never going to make it to that level if they don’t have fun as young kids!

T-Ball (4 to 6)

3 inning games. If you can make it through 3 innings you are doing great! Keep it up!

A squishy T-ball is used. [su_tooltip text=”To help reduce risk of injury and help keep players from being afraid of the ball”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Every player bats each inning. Change up the batting order each inning so one player isn’t always first or last. [su_tooltip text=”The goal at a young age is to develop a swing and maximize play “]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Switch player position each inning. Everyone should play everywhere at this age. [su_tooltip text=”Letting everyone play every position will maximize the chances everyone gets to make plays and gain experience”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Every play focus on get the ball and throw to first. Accuracy of the throw doesn’t matter. Just getting used to field and make a throw. [su_tooltip text=”Put out at first base is the most common in the game, building the idea of throwing to first on a ground ball is the first fundamental of an infielder”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

If you make an out the runner returns to the dugout. Outs are not tallied, play resumes. [su_tooltip text=”Outs are what advance the game. Learning to get out in a non-competitive league will lead to an easier time handling them as the game matures”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

No bases on an over throw. [su_tooltip text=”Many kids at this age have not developed the hand eye coordination to be able to catch or throw a ball. This is something their young brains are still developing.”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Last batter runs all the way home. Defense should try to get the ball home before the batter makes it around the bags. Once the ball or batter reaches home the sides switch.

It is going to be similar to hearding cats, don’t worry, if the kids are having fun you are doing amazing!

No one cares about the score! Keep track if you want, but don’t discuss the score at the field please!

Rookie and Farm League (8 and Under)

Same as T-ball, but now with coach pitch. Coaches should give each kid 5 pitches, then let them decide if they want 3 more pitches or 3 attempts to hit off the tee. If all 8 swings are misses or fouls the player is out. [su_tooltip text=”Giving the players a choice helps them understand choices in the game have consequences. The tee option allows for a lot of action keeping kids engaged, while the additional pitches option allows players to challenge themselves “]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Baseball uses squishy ball. Softball uses a 11 inch squishy softball. [su_tooltip text=”To help reduce risk of injury and help keep players from being afraid of the ball”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

3 inning games.

If 3 outs are made, clear any base runners and continue playing. Sides don’t switch until after the last batter. Same as T-Ball for last batter. [su_tooltip text=”Outs are what advance the game. Learning to get out in a non-competitive league will lead to an easier time handling them as the game matures”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Keep batting order the same per game. Try to make sure the same kid isn’t first or last more than others through the season. [su_tooltip text=”A consistent batting order is part of the game players need to learn. Since everyone bats through the line up we don’t want the same kids to have to bat last every game.”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Rotate player position each inning. Everyone gets to play everywhere through the season. [su_tooltip text=”Letting everyone play every position will maximize the chances everyone gets to make plays and gain experience”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

One base on an over throw. Stop runners once the ball is in the infield and under control. [su_tooltip text=”Throwing and catching is still a challenge to many kids in this age group. We don’t want games to drag out and players to disengage chasing the ball around the field.”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

If a kid smokes a ball into the grass, let them take 2 or 3. It’s all fun and games folks. [su_tooltip text=”Rewarding a great hit with extra bases sets kids up for success in the future as well as letting the defense understand that a ball going by them has consequences”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

No stealing, past ball or not. [su_tooltip text=”The coach is pitching, the catcher can’t throw to 2nd”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Score still doesn’t matter! [su_tooltip text=”This is still an everyone hits league. The team with more players will most likely score more runs. Score does not represent the level the team played at”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Minor Leagues (10 and Under)

3 outs per half inning or 5 runs score, what ever comes first. [su_tooltip text=”To keep the game moving so kids stay engaged”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Baseball switches to a hard ball

4 inning games, or time limited.

Kids may pitch until 2 consecutive walks thrown, 2 kids are hit by pitch, or they reach their pitch count. If a kid is done mid inning the coach comes in to finish the inning. Pitcher remains on the mound for defense. [su_tooltip text=”To keep the action going so the game doesn’t drag on and kids stay engaged”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Baseball: No more than 25 pitches per game. No pitching consecutive days. [su_tooltip text=”We have a responsibility as coaches to protect these kids arms. Their bones are not settled and they are prone to long lasting permanent injury if over worked.”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Softball: Pitcher starts at 35 feet from the plate. [su_tooltip text=”The kids are just learning the mechanics of throwing and are not strong enough to use proper mechanics from the rubber”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Throughout a season everyone should play everywhere. [su_tooltip text=”Kids will start to have strengths and weaknesses but they are young and at different levels of physical and emotional development. Keeping kids rotating and engaged will allow kids who have not yet caught up to their peers stay engaged and have a chance at continuing on to play”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

One base on an over throw. [su_tooltip text=”Throwing and catching is still a challenge to many kids in this age group. We don’t want games to drag out and players to disengage chasing the ball around the field.”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

One base on a past ball except home. To avoid a higher risk of injury, no stealing home on a past ball.

Score can play a role here. We are still primarily focused on skill development and fun.

Major Leagues (12 and Under)

3 outs per half inning

Softball switches to a 12 inch ball.

7 inning games, or time limited.

Fully kid pitch.

Softball: Pitching starts at 40 feet from the plate.

Baseball: No more than 50 pitches per player per game. No pitching consecutive days. One rest day for every 20 pitches thrown up to 2 days. [su_tooltip text=”We have a responsibility as coaches to protect these kids arms. Their bones are not settled and they are prone to long lasting permanent injury if over worked.”]Why?[/su_tooltip]

Run rules come into play. -2 innings if a team is up 10 runs. -3 innings if a team is up by 15. -4 innings if a team is up by 20. So a planned 7 inning game can end in 3 if a team is up 20 at the end of the 3rd.

Baseball: Can steal a base. Ball must reach the plate before a runner leaves the base. If a runner leaves early and they get out, they are out. If the runner leave early and are safe, they return to the previous base.

Softball: Can steal a base. Lead can be taken when the ball leaves pitchers hand.

Kids can rotate minimally through the game. Let everyone play through out the season.

Runners must stop once the pitcher has the ball near the mound.

Score matters, but please remember they are still young kids. Skills they are mastering now will serve them well in the future.

Babe Ruth (15U) and Senior (14U)

Beginning to look like the adult game.

7 inning games. 10 run rule in effect at the end of 5th and 6th innings.

3 outs per half inning

Stealing is allowed.

Baseball: Taking a lead off begins.

Baseball: no more than 90 pitches. One day rest for every 20 pitches thrown up to 4 days.

Run around as far as you can on over throw (one base if out of play)

Competition should be healthy and fun.

Legion and High School

Playing for marbles now. State title is a thing.

Scholarship money is real.

7 or 9 inning games.

Let your kids be coached. They may be frustrated with their coach or team at times. Remind them you are proud of them, and that hard work pays off. Team work makes the dream work!

All those years of being proud of your child’s effort, win or lose, is paying off. Still be proud of your athlete. They have worked hard to make it to this level.