RULES - Elementary 3-Pitch.docx

WCDSB ELEMENTARY 3-PITCH

Playing Rules and Regulations – UPDATED AUGUST 2019

There will be no regional tournament for 3-Pitch. All play will be one day tournaments within your family of schools.

Schools are asked to purchase a set of bases with spikes and (1) one safety base
Distances (see chart)

Pitcher may move in for junior teams.
An 11” (30cm) ‘SOFTOUCH’ softball will be used for both girls and boys games
Pitchers must wear face mask and helmet. An inning shall not start unless the pitcher is wearing a helmet with face mask. ALL COACHES must adhere to this rule. *The better, on deck better and all base runners must wear helmets.
Catchers must wear a mask, helmet and chest protector. A protective cup is also recommended.
No metal or compound cleats are permitted. Running shoes are recommended. Rubber cleats are permitted

Games will be five (5) innings or 45 minutes in length (from start time; not scheduled time).
Teams must complete the bottom half of the inning to finalize a game. Games will not go beyond 5 innings even if teams are tied.
A minimum of 12 players must be in the line-up. Four (4) outfielders defensively. All players are to be included in the batting order.
BATTING:

The batting team must supply own pitcher. No more than three (3) pitches may be thrown to each batter. A foul ball on the third pitch is an out.
The batter is out if she/he fails to make a fair hit on one of these three (3) pitches.
On a foul tip, the hitter is out if the ball is caught (any height).
All players must be included in the batting order. .
A player who throws his/her bat will receive a warning; if he/she throws it again they will be removed from the game.
The batting order is the official listing of offensive players in the order in which members of that team must come to bat and must be submitted to the umpire well before the game. The batting order should also be checked by the opposing team’s coach.
If a team utilizes more than 10 players regularly, coaches must have a clear batting roster/field roster prepared for umpire.

A base runner may advance only on a fairly hit ball and until subsequent play ceases, i.e. when "infield rover" hands the ball to the pitcher. (There are no lead offs, the runner can't leave the base until the ball is hit fairly). Players who “lead off” will be out. Wait for contact.
A player may not advance on an error when committed by his/her own pitcher, i.e. accidentally dropping the ball when getting ball from rover.
There will be no sliding at any base during the game. This rule will prevent injury as well as ruined clothes. (The diamonds are not soft and a lot of players do not know the proper technique in sliding).
The ball must be thrown home after the last batter bats. If the ball is hit on the ground, any runs crossing the extended line at the plate prior to that will count. However, if it is a fly ball that is caught, play ceases. Runners on base may not advance.

The catcher may throw the ball back to the pitcher instead of the rover to save time.
If the pitcher interferes with, is hit by, or touches a batted ball, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and no base runner may advance.
If the pitcher interferes in any way with an infielder or "infield rover" who is fielding a ball, the ball is dead, the batter is out and no base runner may advance.
The pitcher must have both feet on the rubber at the commencement of a pitch.
The pitcher should wear a ball glove, as a preventative measure against injury.

Base umpire covers 1st and 2nd. Home umpire covers 3rd and home.
Umpires are student volunteers. Coaches, players and spectators must treat them with respect.

Substitution of defensive players shall take place prior to the team taking the field except for an injury.
Your line-up and substitutions in any innings should be prepared before the tournament. This prevents time wasted between innings.

If 3 outs are not made first, maximum ten players will bat each inning. Last batter must be announced.
A line will be extended along the first base line through home plate to the fence. When a player comes in to score, he/she must run across the line and not touch home plate. (This will avoid collisions).

If the catcher steps on home plate before the runner crosses the line the runner is out. Also, there will be a line halfway between third base and home. If a runner crosses the line he/she must continue to run home.

Since the pitcher is not permitted to field the ball (the pitcher is a member of the batting team), the fielding team must have a player, "infield rover", playing this position.
The "rover" must remain behind the pitcher until the ball is batted. The "rover" must remain on the infield area, within an 8 foot circle from the pitching rubber, not playing in outfield.
When, in the estimation of the fielding team, all possible plays have been completed the ball must be returned to the "infield rover" who will hand it to the pitcher.
While the "infield rover" is returning the ball to the pitcher, no further play may be made.
The catcher returns all balls to the "infield rover" – or the pitcher.
When the rover has possession of the ball – play stops.

No bunting is allowed. The player must take a full swing at the ball. It does not matter how far the ball has travelled in determining whether it was a bunt.
Infield Fly: – No infield fly rule will be observed.

The following procedure shall be used for breaking ties to identify position in standing:

League Structure