East York Baseball Association House League 6U & 7U Rules
(Updated: January 2018)

Spirit
The basic philosophy of these divisions is to help the players learn the game and develop their skills in a positive, inclusive and fun environment. Coaches and parents should employ a positive, teaching approach toward all players on all teams.

The objective is for the players to have fun while they build on the basics they learned throughout the season. It is not the intention of the League to subject 6U & 7U children to fierce competition or intense pressure to perform. It is intended to provide instruction in the fundamentals of baseball and stress sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play. Having fun is of the utmost importance and should be stressed by coaches and parents always.

Expectations
Please remember that this may be a child's first exposure not only to baseball but also to any organized activity. Some children will acquire the skills and concepts more quickly than others; perhaps as soon as the end of the first year. By the time they are 8U/9U age most children will be able to:
• Hit consistently
• Catch most balls thrown straight to them
• Throw the ball in the air, without bouncing, straight to another player
• Run the bases with minimal instruction
• Field the ball and make routine force plays on a base
• Pay attention in the outfield

Rain Policy
The City of Toronto dictates when we can and when we cannot play games. We will make EVERY effort to update the Website & Twitter account in a timely manner. Each team is also encouraged to have a team communicator/manager who will pass on pertinent information.
If you have not heard from the league, your team’s coach and there is nothing posted on the website or Twitter, the assumption should always be that the game is on. Just because it is raining in one part of the city, doesn’t always assume it is raining at the park.
 
Field of Play & Terminology
Bases: The bases in the 6U & 7U Divisions shall be up to 55 feet apart depending on the ability level of the children. We seek to create successful situations for the players and may choose to modify the size of the playing space as we see appropriate.
Pitching Rubber: The distance to the "pitching rubber" from home plate shall be 35 feet in a direct line between second base and home plate, measured from the front edge of the pitching rubber to the tip of home plate where the base lines converge.
Pitching Circle: The pitching circle shall be an 8 foot radius circle around the centre of the pitching rubber measured from the centre of the pitching rubber.
Pitching Line The pitching line extends 4 feet on each side of the safety circle and runs parallel to the pitching rubber and even with the release point of the pitching machine. Pitchers must stand with both feet on this line until the ball is hit.
Playing Line: The playing line shall be a real or imaginary 40 foot arc, drawn from the tip of home plate between first base and third base. No fielder may cross the playing line until the ball is hit.
Fair but Foul Line: The fair but foul line shall be a 10 foot arc drawn on the field, centred on the tip of home plate where the base lines converge between the first and third base lines. The area inscribed shall be considered foul territory and subject to the same rules as any other foul territory between home plate and the first and third bases.
Commitment Line: The commitment line is drawn halfway between third base and home plate and runs parallel to the home plate line.
Dead Ball Line: The dead ball line is a straight line extending from the base of the backstop and runs parallel to the 1st or 3rd baselines of the field.
 
Equipment
Uniforms: Uniforms shall consist of a league cap, team jersey, baseball pants and socks. A player must be in full uniform to play. Any sweatshirts or turtlenecks must be worn under the player's jersey. No jackets will be permitted while a player is batting, running or playing in the field. Jerseys must be tucked in at all times. While this is not enforced in 6U & 7U, it is in the later divisions, so it is worth getting used to the practice.
Balls: A WHITE ROTB1 ball shall be used for all game and practice sessions. Practice sessions may also use wiffle balls for batting practice. This ball is the same size and weight as a regular baseball but has a little more give.
Bats: Both wood and metal bats with safety grips are legal but metal is preferred as they do not splinter or break.
Batting Helmets: Players are required to each have their own personal helmet. Chin-straps must be worn at all times. A helmet must be worn for all base runners (3), a batter (1).
Gloves: Any type of baseball glove may be used. It is discouraged to wear large softball gloves. Something around 10-11.5 " is fine. Please avoid the plasticky kinds of gloves that easily break or bend backwards while catching.
Shoes: Shoes with metal cleats and sandals are prohibited. Non-metal cleats are encouraged, however are not required. Running shoes are acceptable. The use of soccer shoes is discouraged but accepted as they are designed for use on grass and most of the running in baseball will be done on sand, clay or gravel infields. Players wearing prohibited footwear will not be allowed to play until such footwear is changed to be acceptable. This is a safety issue.
Athletic Support and Cup: An athletic support and cup are recommended for all male players. A Jill is recommended for all female players.
Pitching Machine: The pitching machine will straddle the pitching rubber so the release point is approximately equal to 35 feet from home plate (or at a distance that allows the pitched ball to cross the plate such that it is hittable by most players). The pitching machine speed will be set at a speed that will suit most players. 30mph to 35mph should be suitable for most, if not all players. The coaches may adjust the position and speed at any time during the game as long as both teams have a chance at the new position and speed.
Batting Tee: When used, the batting tee shall be placed directly on the tip of home plate and the coach may adjust the tee to each batter's preferred height. A regulation batter's box will be used during games.
Safety Bag: The first base shall consist of a double bag, with the orange half in foul territory. This is the one the batter runs to after hitting the ball. The fielders use the white half in the fair territory side of the base line to step on when making an out.
 
Offensive Play
Dugout: All offensive players must be behind the safety screen waiting their turn to bat. At the coach’s discretion, there may be an on-deck circle. Every effort should be made to speed up the batting process by having the next batter ready.
At Bat: The batter is allowed three (3) pitches from the pitching machine. Foul tips don’t warrant an additional pitch unless it is pitch three (3), then batter is given one single further pitch only. If the batter misses the 3rd attempt, the batting tee will be used to allow the batter to hit. The coach can assist the batter in hitting off the tee, (after three (3) or four (4) attempts) so that the batter has an opportunity to run the bases. There are no walks.
Hit Batters (when using batting machine): Hit batters are not awarded first base.
Foul Ball: Any ball hit into fair territory, which dies before reaching the fair but foul line shall be declared a foul ball. The ball must travel to or past the fair but foul line in order to be in fair territory. If the batter knocks over the tee during the swing, the ball is considered foul no matter where or how far the ball goes.
Bat Throwing: There will be a imaginary 12 foot circle (6 foot radius from the centre of home plate) surrounding home plate. If a batter throws, slings, or otherwise tosses their bat in the air, completely outside the circle, the batter will receive a warning on the first occasion. On the second occasion the batter will be declared out and no runners will be allowed to advance. If there is a third occasion, the batter will be removed from the game. If a player carries their bat just outside of the circle, there is no penalty. In all cases of bat throwing, it is the responsibility of the coach to assist the player and attempt to correct the situation.
Bunting: Batters are not allowed to bunt, and may not take a half-swing or swinging bunt. 
Base Running: Runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit. There is no leading off or base stealing. If the base runner leaves the base before the ball is hit the base runner must return to the base left before the ball was hit and the batter must hit again. Once a base runner has crossed the commitment line the runner must proceed home. The runner will be called out if they try to return to third base. Note, however, that tagging up and running after a caught fly ball is not stealing.
Turns at First: A base runner that turns at first base in an attempt to advance to second base is out at second if the throw is made to 2nd and the bag is tagged. If the runner has not gone halfway they can return to 1st base. THERE IS NO TAGGING.
Overruns: A base runner that overruns another base runner shall be called out. Only the runner doing the overtaking shall be called out. The base runner that was overtaken shall stop at the closest base to them when they were overtaken.
Advancing: Base runner(s) may only advance, at their own risk until such time as an infielder in or within the baseline holds the ball above his/her head and does not attempt to put an advancing runner out. At this point, the play stops and all runners will return to the last base touched. If a runner has advanced more than half way to a base, that runner will be allowed to advance to the next base.
Overthrow: In the event of an overthrow past the dead ball line, runners will be allowed to go directly to the base to which they were already heading. An overthrow to first base or third base stops play and the ball is “dead”. The runner does not advance to the next base. If the ball does not go into dead ball territory and the defensive player can recover the ball and beat the runner to first base, then the runner is out. The same rule applies at third base on a force play.
Tagging Up: Normal baseballs tagging up rules apply.
Contact: When a defensive player is in possession of the ball, it is the obligation of the base runner to avoid contact. Sliding is permitted at second and third base ONLY. A base runner sliding into first base or home plate will be called out, whether contact is made or not.
Scoring: To score, the base runner must touch the home plate. If the Tee was used on the play, a coach should make every effort to remove it before the runner gets to home plate. If the Tee is still there, all the runner has to do is touch the tee.
Completion of Half Inning: A half-inning is over when one of three (3) outs or five (5) runs have been scored, regardless of the number of batters or outs. The coaches will inform the teams when five runs have been scored to end an inning (except in the final inning). The final play must be completed before the coaches announces that five runs have scored.
 
Defensive Play
Positions: All players play defence every inning. In the 7U division, there are five (5) infielders (one at each base, one between 1st and 2nd and one between 2nd and 3rd), two (2) pitchers, one (1) catcher and the rest of the players will be positioned in the outfield. In the 6U division defensive players will spread out between 1st 2nd and 3rd base with 2 players allowed in the pitching area and one as a catcher. Positions should be rotated each inning.
Outs: All defensive players including pitchers must throw (not roll) the ball to any base to execute an out, unless they are within three to five (3-5) steps of the bag in which case they can make an unassisted play. Force plays at all bases are highly encouraged. If no force is available then the defensive players are encouraged to throw the ball to first base.
At first base, the defensive player must touch the white half of the safety bag or the runner will be called safe. Tagging a runner out is not allowed in any situation. Since no tagging is allowed, in non-force play situations, if the runner/s passes the half way mark, they are considered out. As long, of course, the defensive team has thrown the ball to the advancing base.
If the runner doesn’t pass the halfway mark, they are able to run back to the base they left. At this point, the defensive team can throw the ball back to that base to get the runner out. When the tee is in use, the defensive team only needs to touch the tee with the ball to get the runner out.
Outfielders: Outfielders will start each play at least ten (10) feet behind the baseline. An outfielder may not make an unassisted out in the infield, nor can any outfielder stop the play by holding the ball in the air.
Pitcher: The players who occupy the position of pitcher must stand beside the pitching machine outside the safety circle and behind the pitching line until the ball is hit. The pitcher(s) must wear a helmet while in the field.
If a pitcher moves in front of the pitching line prior to the batter making contact with the ball, the coach will give a reminder and the pitch will not count if the batter does not get a safe hit and base runners will be allowed to go back to their original base.
Should the same fielder do this a second time, the batter will be awarded 1st base. All other forced runners will advance one (1) base. The pitchers may not make an unassisted out at any base, unless they are within the 3-5 steps.  The pitchers must make a throw to first base to get the batter out.
Catcher: A catcher is mandatory. Catchers are required to use complete catcher’s gear provided by the league, which consists of protective headgear including throat protector, chest protector and shin guards. They are allowed to use any type of glove. The catcher must be wearing a Jock or a Jill to play the catchers position. This gear must be worn during warm-up.
Ball Buckets: All pitched balls that are not hit, will be retrieved by the catcher and placed in the bucket that is located beside them. When the coach runs out of balls at the pitching machine, the catcher will then trade the coach for his/her empty bucket. This should also be done between each batter to ensure the game moves as quickly as possible.
Stopping Play: The ball is considered dead and play ends when any infielder in or within the baseline holds the ball above their head and does not attempt to put an advancing runner out. A ball is also considered dead and base runners no longer advance when one of the pitchers controls the ball. A base runner may only advance to the next base to which they were proceeding when the runner was past the halfway mark at the time the infielder raises the ball. When a fly ball is caught the ball is dead. When an out is made the ball is dead.
Contact: If contact occurs between a base runner and a defensive player when the defensive player does not have possession of the ball the defensive player is called for obstruction and the runner is awarded the base. Until they have possession of the ball, any defensive player must allow runners to advance to any base (including home plate) without obstructing them in anyway. A defensive player cannot tag a runner out.
 
Line-Up
Roster: All players on the roster, who are present, will be listed in the line-up and will bat in turn through the line-up. The batting order should be rotated from game to game to ensure that all players are given an equal opportunity to bat in every position.
Late Arrival: Players who arrive late for the game will be added to the roster without penalty, no matter what inning the game is in.
Minimum number of players: No minimum number of players is required to play a game. Common sense should prevail - if a team has less than eight (8) players, it is recommended that the other team give some of their players to the opponent. It is strongly recommended that games be played to maximize the playing time of these youngsters
Missed At Bat: If after batting once, a player, for whatever reason, refuses to bat, the player may be removed from the game without penalty, and will be allowed to return to the game.
 
Player Participation And Playing Time
Team Size: Teams will be assigned a maximum of 15 players depending on enrolment.
Team Rosters: All team rosters, may, at the discretion of the league executive, be altered in order to make all teams as equal as possible. Every effort will be made to avoid this, but if necessary, changes to the team rosters will be made. 
Playing Time: 6U players will play defensively in the infield between 1st 2nd and 3rd base with 2 players allowed in the pitching area and one as a catcher. Players will bat once every inning. 7U players will have 8 infielders plus a catcher and the remainder as outfielders. Players should have equal opportunities to play different positions. Each player will bat in order until such time as three (3) outs are made, or five (5) runs are scored.
Participation: Players will rotate positions every inning giving all players an equal opportunity to play different positions. Players will play both infield and outfield positions each game. Every player must play the infield and out field a minimum of one inning, and no player may play the infield more than two innings per game (assuming a full roster is in attendance). No player should play back to back innings in the infield unless necessary due to attendance. Coaches are strongly encouraged to equalise the defensive playing time in the infield and outfield for all players on their teams. Every player will play every position at least once during the season. No player may be held out of the game for disciplinary reasons.
 
Umpire
Responsibility: The head coach of the team at bat will act as the Head Umpire behind home plate or at the pitching machine. Assistant coaches/parents will act as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd base umpires. Should a dispute arise, please try and settle it amongst yourselves, while at the same time remembering that the kids are watching.  If a resolution is not forthcoming, take all issues to the League Convener.
Interference: No player, coach or observer shall put pressure upon the umpire to influence any judgement call.
Pitching Machine: The coaches for both teams will ensure the pitching machine is the proper distance away in order to deliver the ball over home plate at the average waist level of most batters. In the event of a broken pitching machine, revert back to a tee for the remainder of the game and inform the convenor.
 
General Rules
Home Team: The home team shall occupy the third base dugout.
Infield Practice: Teams may take infield practice beginning 30 minutes prior to scheduled game time. 
Practice time before games: 6:15 to 6:45 
Game Time: 6:45 pm All reasonable efforts shall be made to start games at the scheduled starting time, including shortened infield practice, if necessary.  All players should make an effort to be at the diamonds at 6pm. At 6:15 to 6:45 there will be practice time each and every game day. We encourage coaches to pick one or two skills that they want their players to learn, and work on it for the first half hour. Following that, the game itself will commence no later than 7pm.
Team Field Changes: Teams should "hustle" on and off the field.
Offensive Coaching Positions: A coach is permitted at home plate to assist the batter with stance and swing. A coach can be placed at each base. The second base coach must be positioned in the outfield directly behind second base. In addition to assisting the players offensively, offensive coaches are encouraged to offer any constructive and educational advice or direction to the opposing players' defensive positioning or play, provided the defensive coach does not have any objections.
Defensive Coaching Positions: Four adult coaches are allowed on the field to instruct players, two in the infield and two in the outfield. The two infield coaches must stand behind the infielders. Coaches may not touch the ball while it is live. In addition to assisting the players defensively, defensive coaches are encouraged to offer any constructive and educational advice or direction to the opposing players running the bases, providing the offensive coach(es) have no objections.
Helmets: All batters, runners, and on deck batters must wear batting helmets.
Infield Fly Rule: There is no infield fly rule.
Dead Ball Rule: When a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball bucket, the coach or stops within the safety (pitching) circle, the ball is declared a “dead ball”. The batter is awarded first base and all forced base runners advance one base.
Putting Ball in Play: Each at bat commences with the home plate coach calling out "Play Ball".
Base Runner Substitution: If there are two outs and the player that has been assigned to be catcher for the next inning is on base, a runner may be substituted for that player. The new runner must be the player that was the last out.
Smoking: Smoking is not allowed on the playing field or surrounding area.
Respect: Abuse, be it verbal or physical against the coaches will not be tolerated. This will apply to all spectators, parents, and players. East York Baseball has a zero-tolerance policy in this area, and violators will be removed from the game. Depending on the violation, further disciplinary action will be dealt by the convener, or the disciplinary committee. This extends to any abuse towards players as well.
Playoffs: There is no playoff format at this age. No standings will be kept, and NO Champion will be crowned. Remember, at this age group we are more concerned with developing skills and creating a love for the game. 
Closing Day: There will be a closing day with each team playing a game. Each player will receive the SAME trophy at the end of the season. Players will all receive a team/individual photograph. Closing day is the last Saturday in August before the long weekend.