PCAA Rookie I Divisions – Coach Pitch (Ages 6 – 8)

(As Of 3/2/26)

Purpose

The Rookie I division, which now utilizes Coach Pitch, is intended to help young

baseball players smoothly transition to the next level of skill development after T-Ball.

In Rookie I, we continue to teach the fundamentals of fielding, throwing, catching and

hitting and the rules of the game start to be emphasized. Players hit a pitched ball from

a designated coach, positioned at a distance of 35’ away (measured from the back of

the plate).

Ages

Boys & Girls ages 6-8.

Practice & Games

· Practices occur one night during the week for 90 minutes.

· Games are played on Saturday plus occasional weeknights, and are scheduled

for 1.5 hours.

· All practices and games are held at Pineville Memorial Ballpark on Fields 1 & 2

(unless otherwise noted).

· Following the regular season, a playoff tournament will be held for each

division. Format will be dictated by number of teams competing.

Evaluations & Draft

All players are evaluated by coaches at the start of each season to determine their skill

level. Players are then privately ranked based on the evaluation results and divided into

Rookie I and Rookie II divisions. The split between divisions takes into account a

number of factors including age, safety, coaches, players playing down (from Minors)

and roster size. Finally, coaches draft players in an effort to create balanced teams and

fair competition. Our aim is to have 6 year olds in Rookie I and 8 year olds in Rookie II

and 7 year old’s fall in either based on eval scores.

Rules & Regulations

The Rookie divisions are guided by Official Baseball Rules (OBR) and Babe Ruth League

Baseball Rules & Regulations.

All bats used for this division must have a "USABat" marking clearly visible on the bat

handle. Hitting with an illegal bat will result in the batter being out. This rule can be

enforced from the point the batter enters the batter’s box and until the next batter

receives their first pitch.

All players are required to wear a cup.

PCAA has instituted "Local League Rules" as an age specific overlay for each of the

divisions.

Local League Rules

The pitcher’s spot will be marked at 35’ from home plate. Coach / pitcher is allowed to

wear a glove while pitching, but should avoid interfering in any play once the ball is hit.

Roster and Lineup Overview

Roster size will differ between the division but may be smaller to promote maximum

infield development.

Games may be started with as few as 7 players.

The following positions MUST be fielded: P, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LC and RC.

There is no catcher in an effort to prevent injury and speed game play. A coach or

parent returns pitched balls.

Note: If "Team A" has 7 players and "Team B" has 9 or more players, then "Team A"

will have an automatic out each time through their lineup. The coach for "Team B" is

encouraged to waive the automatic out rule before the start of the game as a gesture

of good sportsmanship.

· Max 5 infielders: 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, P (No Catcher or Mid-2B)

· Max 5 Outfielders.

Position Playing Requirements

· Minimum of two (2) full innings at an infield position per player per game.

· Minimum of one (1) full inning at an outfield position per player per game.

· Maximum of three (3) innings at a single position per player per game.

Failure to comply with these rules for developmental purposes will result in the team

forfeiting the game. These rules exist to encourage coaches to develop players in more

than one position.

A player rotation sheet should be provided to the other team for accountability and

Transparency 

Commissioner’s Note: If you feel that another coach is not in compliance with

positioning requirements (whether intentionally or unintentionally), please make them

aware 1:1 in a non-confrontational manner. In recreational baseball, a forfeit based on

a technicality is an embarrassing outcome for all parties, so please assume positive

intent from your peers and attempt to rectify the situation without drawing attention.

90% of the time, this is likely to have been an unintentional oversight.

Field Prep

· Home team lines field before game and uses 1B dugout.

· Lining consists of batter’s boxes, baselines and a pitching arc. Base coaches box

and on deck circles are optional.

· Rookie I has a 6’ arc in front of home plate

· Away team drags field after game.

· Each team locks their respective dugout, if they are the last game of day; if not

sure, lock it.

· Each team is responsible for cleaning up their respective dugout, ensuring no

trash is remaining.

· One game ball per team will be supplied by each coach at the beginning of the

game.

· One ball is returned to each coach at the completion of the game and distributed

as a “game ball” for a player.

Game Details

A coach from each team should meet with the umpire to review the local rules and

make sure that all are on the same page.

Game start time will be when the first batter is at the batters box and the pitcher is

ready for play. The goal is to play for at least an hour and 30 minutes but may be

modified by the league commissioner. Both coaches should make note of start time and

should be determined using a cellular network time.

The inning being played should continue until completion, unless the games for the day

are delayed. In such case, if the home team is winning, the game should conclude per

normal rules

· Regular season games CAN end in a tie.

· Mercy Rule: 15 after 4, 10 after 5

· Games will be scheduled for six (6) innings. No new inning should begin after

"playing time" reaches 1 hour and 30 minutes.

· Games will be deemed official regardless of innings completed.

· A paid umpire will oversee ALL regular season games and the playoffs.

Scoring

Games should be scored via the Game Changer app. All league games will be

scheduled in the app. Scorekeepers should navigate to that game and begin

scoring. Teams have the option to utilize one scorekeeper for both teams or to utilize a

scorekeeper per team.

Lineups should contain the name and number of each player and should be set prior to 

the start of the game.  This helps the other team’s game changer operator to recognize players when they do not know their name.

· First 3 innings: Five (5) runs maximum per team. A team that is already ahead may

score 5 runs.

· Last 3 Innings: Unlimited runs until 3 outs.

Hitting

· Continuous batting order is in effect. All players hit.

· Batter receives maximum of Five (5) pitches unless 5th pitch is a foul ball. Foul

balls on the final pitch are unlimited.

· Batter is out after 5 pitches / 3 strikes, unless the last pitch is fouled off.

· No Pitch Rule: The umpire or coaches (when there is no umpire) may call a “No

Pitch” if the pitch is deemed unhittable regardless of swing. “No Pitch” DOES COUNT

toward total. One “No Pitch” per at bat.

Commissioner’s Note:  The purpose of the “No Pitch” at this level is to allow some grace for a swing at an “unhittable” pitch.  This is up to the umpire’s discretion.  Coaches should talk with the umpire before games to make sure everyone is aligned on this rule. 

· There are no walks.

· No bunting. A ball must travel to or past the 6’ arc in front of home plate. Any

batted ball that remains within that arc or is picked up by a defender, regardless of the

position of the infielder’s feet, will be considered a foul ball.

· No slash bunting. A batter is out for illegal action when the player fakes a bunt

and then takes a full swing. PENALTY – Batter is out, the ball is dead, no runners may

advance.

· A player who throws a bat after hitting the ball will be issued one warning.

Coaches have option to replace any player who throws his or her bat and reaches base

with another runner. The last player who made an out. If a player throws the bat a

second time in a game -- even during the same at bat -- he or she will be called out.

· If a batted ball hits the pitcher prior to being touched by a defender it is an

automatic single and all base runners advance ONE base from where they were when

the pitch was delivered.

· The ball is considered “in play” if it rolls beyond or lands on the 6-foot arc.

Note: The “Batting Out Of Turn” rule is fully outlined within the Babe Ruth League

Official Playing Rules (6.07).

6.07 BATTING OUT OF TURN

(a) A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when he fails to bat in his proper turn, and

another batter completes a time at bat in his place.

(b) The proper batter may take his place in the batter’s box at any time before the

improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and any balls and strikes shall be

counted in the proper batter’s time at bat.

(c) When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and the defensive team

appeals to the umpire before the first pitch to the next batter of either team, or before

any play or attempted play, the umpire shall (1) declare the proper batter out; and (2)

nullify any advance or score made because of a ball batted by the improper batter or

because of the improper batter’s advance to first base on a hit, an error, a base on

balls, a hit batter or otherwise.

(d) When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and a pitch is made to the

next batter of either team before an appeal is made, the improper batter thereby

becomes the proper batter, and the results of his time at bat becomes legal.

(e) When the proper batter is called out because he has failed to bat in turn, the next 

batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of the proper batter thus called out

(f) When an improper batter becomes a proper batter because no appeal is made

before the next pitch, the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of

such legalized improper batter. The instant an improper batter’s actions are legalized,

the batting order picks up with the name following that of the legalized improper batter.

The umpire shall not direct the attention of any person to the presence in the batter’s

box of an improper batter. This rule is designed to require constant vigilance by the

players and managers of both teams.

Safety Bases

· A batted ball that hits the white half is a fair ball, orange half is a foul ball.

· When a play is being made on the batter-runner, the defense must use the white

half; batter-runner must use the orange half.

NOTE 1: A play is being made on the batter-runner when he/she is attempting to reach

first base while the defense is attempting to retire him/her at that base.

NOTE 2: On extra-base hits or other balls hit to the outfield when there is no chance for

a play to be made at the double first base, the batter-runner may touch either the

white or orange.

Commissioner’s Note: The purpose of the safety base is not to punish the batter-runner, but to add an element of safety.  Given that there can be ambiguity in whether the batter-runner should use the safety base or may use the white base, it is to the umpire’s discretion on how to enforce the use of the proper base and that discretion should be largely based on whether there was a blatantly unsafe play made.  A runner may be called out if an unsafe play is made intentionally.  Warnings may be provided to each team if needed.  There is no discretion required for the defense.  They must always use the white base.

· Once the batter-runner goes beyond first base, he/she may only return to the

white half.

· When tagging up on a fly ball, or prior to leaving base on a batted ball the runner

must use the white half.

· Use of the double first base does not change any other rule concerning

interference or obstruction at first base.

Base Running

· Runners may not leave the base until the batter makes contact. The runner will

be removed from the base after one team warning but this will NOT result in an out.

· No head first sliding.

· If there is a play at home plate, runners must slide AND avoid aggressive contact

with the opposing player. One warning per game, then if a runner does not slide and

there’s a “play at the plate” the runner is ruled out. To be clear, a runner does not need

to slide if there is no play at home plate.

· NO sliding at 1B. One warning per team. Second offense per team results in

runner sliding at 1B being an automatic out. This is for the safety and protection of the

defensive player. Players are allowed to slide back to a base.

· Coaches are not allowed to touch the runners. The player will be called out after

one warning.

· Base runners must avoid collision at all cost; otherwise, they will be called out.

· Obstruction by a fielder may be called by an umpire, at their discretion, if they feel

a fielder significantly or intentionally impeded a runner’s progress resulting in a material

impact on the outcome of the play.  The obstructed runner should be awarded the base they should have reached in the umpire’s judgement.

Commissioner’s Note: The difference between obstruction and interference is determined by whether a fielder is making a play on the ball or has the ball.  For example, if a ball is hit to the shortstop and they are making an attempt to field the ball and the runner at second impacts their ability to field the ball, that shall be deemed interference and the runner will be called out.  Only the primary defender can be making a play on the ball, so if a second defender obstructs the runner, it should be called obstruction.  Defenders should not block bases without the ball unless they are making a play to catch an incoming ball and it takes them in the path of the runner.  Runners should attempt to avoid contact at all times regardless of whether it’s obstruction or interference for safety purposes.

· Advancement on balls in play within the INFIELD is limited to one base in ALL

scenarios. No additional advancement is allowed as a result of overthrows / missed

throws / fielder’s inaction.

· Caught fly balls are subject to the same rules as both infield and outfield ground

balls. On infield fly balls, runners are entitled to advance at-risk one base following a

legal tag up. On caught fly balls to the outfield, runners may continue to advance after

executing a legal tag up until the ball has been returned to the infield and controlled by

an infielder.

Stoppage of Play

Stoppage of play happens when an umpire calls time. If there is no umpire, the coaches

should stop play.

Allow the play to play out and apply the rules below. Runners can always be sent

back!

· If time is called by an umpire in the middle of a play, all runners go back to the

base they were coming from.

· The umpire should stop play based on the scenarios below:

· The umpire should be asked, or coaches reminded, during the pre-game meeting

to quickly and loudly call time when one of those two conditions have been met.

· Once an infielder has gained control of the ball, runners may only finish running toward the base directly in front of them AT RISK.

· While the infielders action or inaction initiates the stoppage of play, the umpire is

the ONLY person that can officially stop play.

Scenarios:

“Control” or “Possession” is defined by three things.

1. The player must be playing an infield position.

2. The ball must be either in the players throwing hand or glove.

3. The area of the field and the manner in which the infielder gained control.

   1. Ball is relayed by an outfielder and the infielder has control in the vicinity of the infield dirt.

   2. Ball is retrieved by an infielder, without relay by an outfielder, and the infielder is within the boundary of the infield dirt.

If a ball is controlled, the remainder of the play is subject to ‘Infield rules’. If the ball is first controlled in the outfield, then the play is subject to ‘Outfield rules’. 

Commissioners Note: The purpose of the clarification to “Control” definition #3 is two-fold.  First, we do not want to coach players performing a proper cutoff and relay to run to the dirt before throwing and we don’t want to penalize teams that perform a proper cutoff and relay by not granting control when the cutoff is performed properly in the vicinity of the dirt.  Two, we do not want to encourage infielders to run into the outfield to retrieve the ball to gain control, thus we require them to return to the infield when they are the first to touch to grant control.

Balls hit in Infield (IF)

1. Bases are empty. Batter hits ball in infield and there is an overthrow or missed

catch. Runner can only advance to first base.

2. Runners on base. Batter hits ball in the infield and there is an overthrow, or

missed catch. Runners can advance only ONE total base on the ball in play. Runners

must be batted in from 3B.

3. Bases are empty or Runners on Base. Ball is hit in the air or the ground in the

infield. No infielder has control of the ball. Runners may only advance one base.

Balls hit to Outfield (OF)

1. Bases empty or runners on any base. Batter hits ball to OF. Runners can continue

to advance to any base until the ball is returned to the infield and an infielder controls

the ball. The runner(s) may continue to run to the base that they are running to at

risk. The infielder  may attempt to make a throw to get the runner out. If there is an

overthrow, the runner may only advance to the base they were running to. The batter

and runners may circle the bases and score if the ball is not controlled by an IF. If the

IF controls the ball and then throws the ball to a base the runners cannot advance past

the base they are running to. Once the Infielder controls the ball in the infield and

runners have reached the base they are running to or a throw is made with a successful

out or overthrow or puts the runners back to the previous base, the umpire, or coaches

in absence of an umpire, should call the play dead.

Fielding

Outfielders

· Must start each play a minimum of 10' into the grass area.

· Cannot stop play by calling time.

· Cannot personally execute a force out at a base or tag a runner.

· Must throw to an infielder, cannot run the ball into the infield to stop play.

Pitcher

· Must set up within the chalked semi-circle. Coaches may use discretion to move

pitcher into safe position behind the pitcher.

· Has the option of wear a helmet with face protection.

· Permitted to execute a tag play between 3B and home

· Coaches should generally encourage the pitcher to throw the ball to 1B or another

infielder for most ground balls because this is the most common “baseball play” and

developmental point.

· Pitchers are allowed to "cover" home plate when the ball is hit to another player

(most commonly an outfielder) and is allowed to receive a throw at home plate.

Coaching

· The hitting team may have their pitcher, a 1B coach, 3B coach and additional

parent/volunteer behind home plate on the field only.

· Each team should designate a parent or coach to score the game via Game

Changer. Scorebooks can be consulted if there is a dispute in the score. BOTH team

coaches should report the final score to the Rookie Commissioner.

· Each team is also allowed a coach in front of the dugout to help with speed of

play (grabbing bats, etc).

· The parent or coach that is set up behind home plate is there to assist in game

flow but should avoid excessive contact or verbal communication with batter.

· The defensive team is allowed two (2) coaches in the outfield. The coaches can

position players and talk to them before and after the plays.

Coach / Pitcher

· NOT intended to function as a coach while on the field. And under no

circumstance should the pitcher coach base runners once the ball is in play. One

warning. Then pitcher is removed from game.

· Pitcher should crouch (or exit the field of play) after ball is hit to avoid interfering

with defensive players.