The Attleboro Youth Baseball League Pee Wee 8 division is a continuation of the AYB instructional program.

The eight-year-old program will be more structured and rule oriented than in the past, but instruction in game fundamentals are of extreme importance and should be stressed.

The players will be exposed to the hard ball for the first time. Coaches should be sure all players are comfortable with this aspect.

The eight-year-old program must be a fun and enjoyable experience for the children. Managers, coaches and parents should encourage players at all times.

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1. UNIFORM

1.1 The Attleboro Youth Baseball League will supply each player with a cap and tee shirt depicting the team name. Both items are the children's to keep at the end of the season.

2. GAME TIME

2.1 The game will last 6 innings.

2.2 Under normal conditions, games will start at 5:45 PM.

2.3 Players are expected to arrive at the field at least 20 minutes before scheduled start time.

3. ROSTERS

3.1 Each roster will consist of 12-15 players.

4. DEFENSIVE ALIGNMENT

4.1 Defense will consist of a maximum of ten (10) players, four (4) outfielders, four (4) infielders and a catcher. A player should be stationed in the vicinity of the pitcher's mound while a coach is pitching.

4.2 Managers must rotate players between defensive position's using their own discretion of a player's ability to catch the hard ball.

4.3 Catchers must wear a protective cup.

4.4 Every outfielder must be positioned at least 20 feet behind the outer edge of the infield dirt at the start of every pitch

5.0 PITCHING

5.1 Coaches will pitch the whole game for the first half of the season. The half-way date to be determined by the PeeWee 8 Director.

5.2 Coaches will pitch the first three innings and players will pitch final 3 innings for the second half of the season with the exception of the last 4 games. The players will pitch the entire game for the last 4 games of the season.

5.3 There are no base-on-balls in the PeeWee 8 division. If a player (pitcher) throws four balls to a batter, the coach that is calling balls & strikes will assume the role of pitcher for that batter. Any strikes that have been recorded on that batter during that at-bat will still count when the coach comes in to pitch. The batter will continue to bat until they either put the ball in play or strike out. After the batter completes his or her time at bat, the player (pitcher) may resume pitching.

5.4 Any pitcher that hits three (3) batters in a game will be removed from the mound for the remainder of that game.

5.5 If a pitcher is having trouble reaching the plate, it is permissible to move the player a maximum of 18 inches closer to the plate. For the safety of both the batter and the pitcher, this rule must be strictly adhered to by all coaches with out exception. If a pitcher is capable of reaching home plate from the pitchers mound, then he or she must pitch from the rubber.

5.6 Pitchers will be allowed to pitch no more than two innings per game and a maximum of three innings per week. The week is defined Monday through Sunday

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6. HITTING

6.1 The manager will determine the batting order. All players will be placed in the batting order. Managers must rotate the batting order on a game-to-game basis.

6.2 A player will be called out after three (3) swinging strikes. A foul ball will count as a strike. Called strikes will count when players are pitching.

6.3 There are no walks or free bases for being hit with a pitch while the coaches are pitching. When players are pitching and there is a hit batsman, the offensive coach will have the option of awarding the batter first base or allowing the batter to continue his or her at-bat.

6.4 Full swings must be taken. No bunting is allowed.

6.5 When players start pitching, a volunteer should be provided to umpire. If there is no volunteer available, each team should provide the umpire while in the field.

6.6 All batters must wear a caged batting helmet.

7. RETIRING THE SIDE

7.1 The side will be retired when a team makes 3 outs or scores four (4) runs.

7.2 The home team will always be last at bat. Regardless of the score, the final inning will be played to its completion.

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8. BASE RUNNING

8.1 The runner must remain on the bases until the ball is hit.

8.2 The runner may advance as many bases as possible on an outfield hit. Once the ball reaches the infield, the runner must stop.

8.3 One base will be allowed on overthrows of any base.

8.4 There will be no stealing of bases.

8.5 Base runners must avoid contact with defensive players. Any intentional contact will result in the base runner being called out.

9. COACHING

9.1 A maximum of two (2) coaches will be allowed on the field while there team is on defense. Coaches must not interfere with play.

9.2 The team batting should provide 1st and 3rd base coaches.

10. SCORING

10.1 A score will be kept.

10.2 The manager or coach should inform the team of the score at the end of each game.

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11. END OF THE GAME

11.1 At the end of the game, each team, including coaches, will line up and shake hands with the opposing team.

No smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed on any playing field during games or practice.

It is the coach's responsibility to teach and encourage all players.

Show sportsmanship and fairness to all involved. The example you set as a coach will be an important one for the players to follow.

The Attleboro Youth Baseball League thanks you for your continued efforts and support of the baseball program.