A Division Baseball Rules

The rules outlined herein are to provide guidance and instruction to Pembroke Youth Baseball “A Division” for 1st Graders and for coaches and players to administer a fun and safe baseball program.  “A Division” baseball’s goal is to continue to introduce and improve player’s basic baseball fundamentals of throwing, catching, and hitting while introducing the elements attempting to get outs at first base and fielding first base.   Fun, safety, and sportsmanship should be the priority.  Coaches are required to participate enthusiastically and provide positive and constructive encouragement when needed to foster the player’s development and enjoyment of the sport. When on the field, Coaches of all teams are to act as a positive role model for all players and parents and assist when needed in encouraging positive behavior and providing baseball instruction for all players regardless of what team they are on.  

• Each team will be allowed to bat through their entire order in an inning.  Coaches will pitch to their own team from approximately 30-36 feet away from home plate.   provided there have not been 3 outs.  
• Balls, strikes and outs will not be recorded.  Batters will continue to attempt to hit until they hae hit a ball in play.  A player not reaching 1B safely should be considered out and return to the dugout.
• Practices will be scheduled based on Coach and Field Availability.  Teams should have at least one 60-minute practice per week, in addition to the scheduled games.
• Games must start on time as determined by the league schedule.  Games will be 60 minutes on Sunday Afternoons with 15-30 minutes allotted for pre-game warm-up. Please arrive early to the field so that your team can be ready to start at the scheduled time.  Games normally last 3-4 innings allowing each player 3-4 at-bats.
• At least 2-3 coaches from each team will be needed on the field.  The Batting Team will provide coaches to pitch and catch to their own team, as well as a coach in the dugout.  The Field Team will provide 1-2 coaches assisting in the field and umpiring at first base.
• Rosters should have at least 6 but no more than 8 players.  The infield will have no more than five players at a time.  There will be a pitcher, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, short-stop, and a 3rd baseman.  All remaining fielders must play on the outfield grass.
• Unless postponed by the division director for weather or at some other circumstance, games shall be played according to the league schedule. 
• Rules are subject to change and additional rules may be added pending approval from the league as the season progresses.

• This is a coach-pitch division. Coaches should pitch from 30-36 feet away from home plate and base velocity based on skill level of player.  The Batting T should not be used in A Division during games except for special circumstances.  There may be at least 1-2 players per team that may need the batting T especially at the beginning of the season.  Coaches should resist the urge to use it unless they have pitched through a bucket of balls.

• If a batter hits the ball and reaches 1B safely, they stay at first base.  If a batter hits the ball and is out at 1B they are out and must return to the dugout.  There are no doubles, triples, and home runs.  Existing base runners will run “station to station.”
• Inning continues until each player has batted regardless of how many runs are scored or outs are made.  When the last batter of the inning comes up to bat, it should be announced “last batter”, so the batter and runners know to run all the way to Home Plate “to score.”
• If a batter is hit by a pitch, he/she is NOT awarded first base.
• All players are to remain in the dugout while their team is at bat.  One player is allowed at the plate to hit, and one player will be allowed in the “on deck circle”.

• Base stealing and Leadoffs are not allowed.
• Runners can leave the base once the ball is hit.  “Tagging Up” on fly balls should be introduced during the season.
• Defensive players without the baseball are not allowed to impede the baserunner.

• Baseball bats must be “USA Baseball Approved” and stamped accordingly.  Bats are not allowed in the dugout.  They should be placed on the fence in front of the dugout or inside the on-deck cage.
• PYBS will provide hats and jerseys.  Each player should have athletic, baseball, or sweatpants and gym shoes or baseball cleats.  Cleats are allowed but not required.  Shorts are not recommended for games.  Players should have their own water bottle and wear sunscreen and bug spray for games/practices.
• A combination of softcore and regulation Cal Ripken baseballs will be used for this league.  Each team will be given 12 balls to be used during games.  
• Batting helmets are required when at bat and running the bases.
• Recommended Bat Size for this Age Group is 24-26 inches and Recommended Glove Size for this Age Group is 10-11 inches.  
• Players are recommended to wear a protective cup.