CKAA Minors (8u) RULES AND REGULATIONS
Updated Spring 2022
1. Game shall be 1 hour 20 min or 6 innings. The last inning should not be started after 1 hour and 20 minute mark. The inning once started the inning must be completed. The inning starts with the first live pitch.
2. All games shall have an official timekeeper and official scorekeeper. This can be the same person, and they can be positioned in between the 1st base and 3rd base dugout, out of the field of play. The timekeeper shall declare the amount of time remaining at the top of each inning. The game clock starts on the first pitch of the first inning.
3. Pitching Machine:
a. The pitching machine will be monitored by the umpire or coach only.
b. The Sling pitch will be placed 46 feet from home plate, using The Cal Ripken 60 Feet Field layout. (Page 90 of the 2021 of the 2021 rule book.) The measure of 46 feet from the back of the plate to the back of the sling pitch.
c. The sling Pitch will be set at 40-43mph - level 10
4. The batter will get 5 hittable pitches or 3 swing strikes. If the batter does not swing on the 5th pitch the batter is out, except when item number 7 applies.
5. The 5th pitch can be fouled off unlimited times.
6. If the sling pitch machine throws a bad pitch ( i.e. very high or one in the dirt) and the batter does not swing, that pitch does not count on the 5 pitch count limit.
7. If a batted ball hits the coach or sling machine, the ball is dead and everyone advances one base.
8. The inning is over when 3 outs are recorded or 6 runs are scored.
9. There is no stealing of bases.
10. The base runner shall not leave the occupied base until the batter makes contact with the ball.
11. Runner interference. Fielders have a right to occupy any space needed to catch or field a batted ball and also must not be hindered while attempting to field a thrown ball. If any member of the batting team (including the coaches) interferes with a fielder's right of way to field a batted ball, the batter shall be declared out. If any member of the batting team (including the coaches) interferes with a fielder's right of way to field a thrown ball, the runner on whom the play is being made shall be ruled out. In both cases, the ball will be declared dead and all runners must return to their last legally occupied base at the time of the interference.
12. There is an infield fly rule.
13. No bunting or swing bunting. No fake bunting allowed, where a batter shows bunt and pulls back to hit.
14. There is no foul ball radius in front of home plate for 8U.
15. The play is stopped when the lead runner makes no attempt to advance to the next base.
a. When the lead runner turns around and head back to the base.
b. When the lead runner stands in the base path and advance no further down the base path.
c. When there is no movement of the base runners and the defensive player calls for “time”. (note: Umpire must echo this call only if he/she feels it is appropriate)
16. Base runners: Runners may advance 1 base (at their own risk) for any overthrows to a base. For batted balls hit to the outfield, runners advance at their own risk. Runners advancing to an additional base should be sent back to the previous base.
17. To help speed up the game a courtesy runner can be provided for the catcher with two out. The courtesy runner is the last team mate that has gotten put out.
18. The catcher shall wear a face mask, shin guards and chest protector.
19. Continuous batting order (everyone bats), but only 10 can play a field at a time. No player shall sit out consecutive innings, unless there is an injury or ejection.
20. The game can be started with 8 players per teams. The coach will fill in the catcher position till the 9th player arrives. If the 9th spot is not filled when the spot come to bat, it will constitute an out. The 9th player can be added to the lineup at any time. Teams will not be required to take an automatic out UNTIL they drop below 9. (i.e. Team A starts their game with 9 players, and player X leaves the game with either sickness or injury, the player X’s spot in the batting order becomes an automatic out.)
21. If a team has 9 players and one player get ejected, that team will forfeit the game.
22. Batters may NOT leave the dugout for their at bat until the previous play is completed. This includes batters on deck.
23. Umpires shall have the final call.
24. Cancelling or postponing games will be decided by the director of facilities and all directors of sports.
25. Players will not be on the field of play if lightning is within 10 miles of the facility.
26. If a pitching coach gets hit by a throw ball by an infielder: the ball is dead, the runner is out and all other runners shall go back to their starting base. The coach that puts the ball in the pitching machine is not allowed to coach his players, meaning leaving the pitcher’s mound area and coaching them after the ball is put into play. The pitching coach must also duck down when there is a play in the infield area. At the discretion of the umpire, if it is deemed the pitching coach intentionally made no attempt to not obstruct the play, the batter may be called out. A throw that does hit the pitching coach cannot be a deliberate attempt to hit the coach.
27. All defensive coaches shall be located in the outfield. By the 5th inning no defensive coaches shall be allowed on the field of play unless time is called
28. Offensive coaches other than the base coaches and pitching coach can go no closer to home plate than the home plate end of their team dugout.
29. Batters are required to reasonably drop their bat near home plate once they’ve hit the ball. If a batter slings the bat, a warning will be issued to the at-bat team. After a warning has been issued, any player on the warned team who slings their bat will be declared out and no runners will advance.
30. Bats are required to be moved from home plate area after a hit by the fielding catcher or home plate umpire.
All other Cal Ripken Rules should apply.