2011 Season Schedule

Date	Time	Visitor	Home	Diamond
{txtDate}	{txtTime}	{Visitor}	{Home}	{Diamond}

 

INTENT
The intent of the Blastball division is to gradually introduce the game of baseball to our younger members. The rules for this division will change as the season progresses, as the skill level and understanding of the game increases with our youth members, so too will the level of difficulty. It is our intent that by the end of the year, the players will be playing a game that resembles the game of baseball. Our main focus is to ensure that the players have FUN while playing at Rosedale, and that the pace of the game is increased for all involved.

The games will last 2 innings for the first three games, and then we will play three innings for the remainder of the season. At the conclusion of each game, the umpire will announce the score, and by the miracle of Rosedale Scoring Techniques, all games will end in a TIE GAME!!

Games 1 – 4

The field will be set up as follows:

Ø Blast Bag to be located 35 feet down the 1st base line.
Ø Orange Pylon to be located 35 feet down the 3rd base line.
Ø Dead Ball Line to run across the infield approximately 8 feet in front of home plate.

OFFENSIVE TEAM

1. All players will bat once during an inning.

2. Players will bat according to the line-up as set out by their coach.

3. Batter will be given up to five (5) attempts to hit the ball off of the Tee or else be called out by strike out.

4. Batter will wait for umpire to announce “Play Ball” and then attempt to hit the ball.

5. Once a player hits the ball, it must cross the dead ball line to be playable. If it does not cross the line, then the hit will be deemed a “dead ball”. In the event that the dead ball is called on the 5th attempt at hitting the ball, then the batter will be called out.

6. A hit ball also has to remain in “Fair” territory to be live and in play. A ball outside the 1st or 3rd base lines will be deemed “Foul”, and time will be called and the batter will return to the plate to continue their turn at bat. In the event that a foul ball is called on the batters 5th attempt, then the batter will continue his/her turn at bat until he/she hits the ball fair or is called out on a strikeout.

7. Upon hitting the ball “Fair” (over the dead ball line and in fair territory) the batter will become a runner and will run to first base.

8. If the player touches the bag before the umpire blows the whistle, then the runner will be safe and have scored a run. The player will then return to the bench area.

9. If the player touches the bag after the umpire blows the whistle, then the runner will be out. The player will then return to the bench area.

10. Once the last batter in the line-up hits, then the team will take the field in their defensive positions.

11. One coach is permitted in the plate area to assist the batter and direct them to 1st base.

12. One coach/parent should remain in the bench area to get the next batter ready to take his/her turn at bat.

13. One coach may be on the field to help direct the runner to the base(s).

DEFENSIVE TEAM

1. The defensive team will be made up of no more than 10 players.

2. The infield will be made up of the following players:
· Catcher – must be in full gear and will receive the ball from the fielders once the umpire calls “Time”.
· Pitcher – must wear a helmet and should occupy the spot normally taken by the pitcher beyond the dead ball line.
· 1st baseman – occupies the spot near 1st base
· 2nd baseman – occupies the spot near 2nd base
· 3rd baseman – occupies the spot near 3rd base
· Shortstop(s) – (2) One at the mid-way point between 1st and 2nd base, and the other at the mid-way point between 2nd and 3rd base.
· Outfielders (3) Right Field, Centerfield and Left Field.

3. All players must take their proper positions in the field prior to the umpire calling “Play Ball”

4. Players will field the batted ball and hold it over their heads for the umpire to see. Once the umpire sees the ball held up, he/she will blow the whistle to stop the play.

5. Once the last batter in the line-up hits, then the team will go to the bench and get ready to take their turn at bat.

6. Two (2) coaches will be permitted on the field (on either side of the infield area) to direct their players to the ball. Please try to teach the players to play their position and not all charge after the ball. This will be a challenge - GOOD LUCK!

Games 5 – 8

The field will be set up as before with the following additions:

· Safety bag to be positioned 35 feet down the 1st base line.

· Blast Bag to be located 35 feet from 1st base and 49’-6” from home plate in the area normally occupied by 2nd base.

OFFENSIVE TEAM

1. All rules from the previous section will be the same with the following additions:

2. If the player touches the 1st base bag before the whistle blows, then he/she will be safe. The runner then has the option of staying on 1st base or trying to advance to 2nd base before the umpire blows the whistle.

3. If the runner attempting to advance to 2nd base reaches the base after the whistle blows, then he/she will return to 1st base.

4. If the runner attempting to advance to 2nd base touches the base before the whistle blows, then he/she will be awarded a HOME RUN and shall return to the bench.

5. If a runner who occupied 1st base prior to a ball being batted, then he/she must advance to 2nd base. If he/she reaches the bag safely (before the whistle) then a run is awarded and the player shall return to the bench area. If he/she reaches the bag safely (after the whistle) then he/she shall be called out shall return to the bench area.

6. Once the last batter in the line-up hits, then the team will take the field in their defensive positions.

DEFENSIVE TEAM

All the rules from the previous section are included with the following additions/modifications.

All players must take their proper positions in the field prior to the umpire calling “Play Ball”. Once an umpire calls play ball, the offensive player will attempt to hit the ball. The defensive players are to field the batted ball, and then must toss or roll the ball to another player (any player is permitted). The player receiving the ball must then hold the ball up in the air to cause the umpire to blow the whistle.

Games 9 – end

The field will be set up as before with the following additions:
· Safety bag to be positioned 35 feet down the 1st base line.
· White Bag to be located 35 feet from 1st base and 49’-6” from home plate in the area normally occupied by 2nd base.
· Blast Bag to be located 35 feet down the 3rd base line in the area normally occupied by 3rd base.
·
OFFENSIVE TEAM

1. All rules from the previous section will be the same with the following additions:

2. If the player touches the 2nd base bag before the whistle blows, then he/she will be safe. The runner then has the option of staying on 2nd base or trying to advance to 3rd base before the umpire blows the whistle. If the runner attempting to advance to 3rd base reaches the base after the whistle blows, then he/she will return to 2nd base and the next batter will take his/her turn at bat.

3. If the runner attempting to advance to 3rd base touches the base before the whistle blows, then he/she will be awarded a HOME RUN and shall return to the bench.

4. In the event that both 1st and 2nd bases are occupied at the time the next batter prepares to hit, then the following applies: A runner occupying 1st base at the time of the hit must proceed to 2nd base (force play). Should the runner reach 2nd base before the umpire blows the whistle, then the runner will be called safe. IF the runner touches 2nd base after the whistle blows, then the runner will be called out and return to the bench area. If the runner having reached 2nd base safely continues on to 3rd base and touches 3rd base before the whistle blows, then that player will continue to touch home plate and will score a run. Should the same runner touch 3rd base after the whistle, then that runner will return to 2nd base.

5. If a runner occupying 2nd base at the time of a hit safely continues on to 3rd base and touches 3rd base before the whistle blows, then that player will continue to touch home plate and will score a run. Should the same runner touch 3rd base after the whistle, then that runner will be called out and return to the bench area..

6. Once the last batter in the line-up hits, then the team will take the field in their defensive positions.

DEFENSIVE TEAM

All the rules from the previous section are included with the following additions/modifications.

All players must take their proper positions in the field prior to the umpire calling “Play Ball”. Once an umpire calls play ball, the offensive player will attempt to hit the ball. The defensive players are to field the batted ball, and then must toss or roll the ball to the catcher. The catcher must then hold the ball up in the air to cause the umpire to blow the whistle.