Instructional League Rules

2021 Instructional League Baseball Rules

Little League rules apply for all rules not covered below

Game:

If a team has less than 8 players at the beginning of the game, it is advised to ask a player from the opposing team to play an outfield position to assist.

Pitching distance will be 35 feet. An 18’ circle will be drawn on the infield, and the pitcher must remain within that circle when throwing the pitch.

It is encouraged for pitchers to possess and throw 2 baseballs before receiving throwback from the catcher.

5-run limit per team, per inning. Upon the 5th run scoring, the half-inning is considered over and teams will switch sides. In the final inning of play, there is no run-limit per inning.

This means that the inning will be complete when the 5th runner scores.
If other runners are on base, the play may be completed, but extra runs that score will not be counted.
The maximum number of runs that can score in an innings prior to the final inning is 5.

The ball will be considered dead when play stops and an infielder possesses the ball with one foot in fair territory in the infield. This is up to the discretion of the coaches.

Runners on base can advance at their own risk and can be thrown out at a base. However, if the runner has not passed the hash mark when an infielder possesses the ball, he must return to the last base that he was safely on.

If the runner is thrown out within the context of the play, the out is recorded and the runner must exit the field.
If the runner safely makes it to a base, he must return to the previous base, as determined by his relation to the hash marks and infield possession.

Any batted ball that hits the coach that is pitching is considered dead and all runners return to where they were before the ball was hit.

Batting:

Continuous batting order of all players in attendance. If a player arrives late, he will be placed at the end of the batting order.

If a player must leave the game for any reason, he will be skipped in the lineup with no penalty to the team.

Should the player miss an at-bat because of an injury, but is able to return, he will be inserted back in his original spot.

Batters will receive a maximum of 7 pitches and/or 4 swings (whichever comes first).

A batter may not end on a foul ball. Should a batter foul a ball off on the 7th (or “last” pitch), he will receive another pitch.

Batting helmets must remain on a player’s head until he has returned to the dugout.

Fielding:

Each defensive team will field a maximum of 10 players. 1st base, 2nd, base, 3rd, base, SS, C, (designated) Pitcher, and 4 outfielders. Rovers are NOT permitted only 6 infielders. ***Additional players in excess of 10 may be permitted at the discretion of both managers. ***

Outfielders are not able to run into the infield and touch a base to get an out.
A player may not be thrown out on force play at first base from the outfield.

If a team has more than 10 players in attendance, the balance of players must sit out during that inning.

No player may play at any given position for more than 3 consecutive innings. A player can only play a maximum of 4 innings in the infield.

All overthrows in the infield to all bases are considered dead balls and runners may not advance.

Catchers must wear full protective gear, shin guards, chest protector, and catcher’s helmet/mask. (a batting helmet with cage may be substituted for catcher’s helmet if size is not correct)

Pitchers must wear a heart guard and at least a face mask. It is encouraged to wear a batting helmet with a cage.

Base Running:

Base runners are entitled to the base path and fielders must avoid contact with runners. If a collision occurs, the runner must attempt to advance to the next base. The runner may not be tagged out while on the ground or on his way to the next base. If the runner attempts to advance past the next base the runner advances at his own risk.

Base Runners are encouraged to slide into bases when there is a play being made on the runner.

We do not have a mandatory slide rule, however a runner must avoid contact with a defensive player. A runner may not leap over a defensive player to avoid contact. If a runner does not slide and initiates contact with a defensive player, then the runner may be called out in the judgment of the managers.
If the contact is considered intentional and malicious, the runner will be called out and will be ejected from the game. NRBA does have a mandatory “avoid contact” rule.

Conduct:

Managers and coaches are expected to conduct themselves in a cooperative manner.

Managers are responsible for maintaining a friendly environment among players, coaches, and fans/parents.

If any player, coach/manager, or fan/parent is deemed to be out of line, they should be removed from the game and leave the complex. This is at the discretion of both managers. Should this occur, a report should be filed with NRBA.