Farms is a 7 and 8 year old division. Farms uses a pitching machine for 3 inning and players pitch for next three innings. Each half-inning ends after 3 outs or 5 runs with the last inning being unlimited. There is a 2 hour time limit. No inning should start after the 2 hour mark. There are play-offs for this division.
(this is not the complete rule book)
4. Farms Division Rules
A. All players must have one year pre-farms experience.
B. There is a maximum of 3 runs per inning (No Continuous play). The only exception to this rule is if someone hits a home run OVER THE FENCE. In this case, all runs scored as a result of the home run will count towards the total number runs scored in the inning. Only then can a team score more than 3 runs in one inning. This rule is not in effect in the last inning where each team can score as many runs as possible.
C. In the event that the umpire deems it is too dark for safe play, the umpire MUST announce the last inning for darkness only BEFORE THE START OF THE INNING.
D. No bunting in the Farm Division
E. No Stealing/Leading.
F. All players must play at least 3 innings (9 outs) on defense.
G. Free substitution allowed (EXCEPT PITCHING).
H. No infield fly rule.
I. No tagging up
J. A 10 player defensive team will be used, if available with four outfielders and NO short center fielder. If only 7 players are present at game time, the team can play. If the eighth, ninth or tenth player comes later, he or she goes to the end of the batting order. A full team will consist of a minimum of 7 players. If less than 7 players are present at game time, the game will called a forfeit.
K. Only one coach is allowed on the field while on defense, they must stand in the outfield grass, just before the infield, at all times and avoid all and any contact with players on either team.
L. Overthrow (dead ball) Rule:
1. A ball thrown to either first or third base, which gets past the fielder, the runner can advance only one base at his/her own risk.
NOTE: Advance of one base is defined as one base from the base the runner was running to.
2. An overthrown ball to either first or third base, which goes over the fence, is considered a dead ball. The play is stopped and all runners advance one base.
3. An overthrow of second base, which goes into the outfield, is considered a dead ball. The play is stopped and all runners advance one base. An overthrow of second base, which stays on the infield dirt and does not go onto the outfield grass, is considered a live ball and all runners may advance at their own risk.
4. A ball hit into the outfield is considered a live ball and all runners may advance at their own risk until the ball is returned to the infield where it is considered a dead ball and the play stops. If a runner has advanced more than half way to the next base before the ball thrown from the outfield reaches the infield he/she may advance only to the next base at their own risk. If a runner has not advanced more than half way to the next base, or if a runner who has advanced more than half way, chooses not to try for the next base, the runner may return to the previous base safely.
O. Pitching Machine Rules
1. The pitching machine will be used for the first 3 innings of each game. There are no walks with the pitching machine. If pitching machine is not working or unavailable, then the coach must pitch from the rubber.
2. Each batter will get three strikes, there are no walks while the pitching machine is in use.
3. The umpire will feed the baseballs and make the calls from the mound position. While the machine is in use, the umpire will also prevent players from running into the machine.
4. The machine will be set up on the pitchers mound. Once the game starts, the pitch speed will remain the same throughout the game.
(Speed settings 33-36 mph by umpire).
5. The home team, when lining the field, will draw a circle around the pitchers mound. Any batted ball that hits the machine and exits the circle is considered a live ball and in play even if the ball lands in foul territory. Any fair-batted ball that gets stuck in or under the machine, or which remains inside the circle around the mound, is a dead ball.
The batter is awarded 1st base and each runner is to advance one base. The pitching machine does not void any other “in play” rule.
6. For last announced or regularly scheduled 6th inning and after a maximum of four walks by combined pitchers, the pitching machine is brought back in to end the inning
7. If a hit-by-pitch occurs when a batter is struck by a pitched ball without swinging at it. He is awarded first base as a result. Strikes supersede hit-by-pitches, meaning if the umpire rules that the pitch was in the strike zone or that the batter swung, the HBP is nullified.
8. After the pitching machine is set up and both managers accept the adjustments, no additional adjustments may be made until the end of the inning. Both teams must hit a complete inning under the same adjustments made to the pitching machine. The only exception to this rule is if the position of the machine is interfered with normal play (i.e. ball hits it, player/umpire hits it, etc.).
8. If there is any disagreement to the cause of the misalignment of the machine, the umpire will decide if the machine should be readjusted immediately or at the end of that inning