Reisterstown Baseball Rules – Pee Wee (Age 4-6) 

Goals of Pee Wee Baseball

The primary goals of Pee Wee baseball are for each child to have fun, develop an interest in baseball, and learn the basic skills needed to advance to the next age group of Rec Baseball. This is an instructional league with the main focus on teaching the basics of the game of baseball. Coaches are highly encouraged to work together in a learning environment with an emphasis on making the games fun for the players. Skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork and fun will be the key focal points.

Field Notes

Base Path Length – 55 Feet

Pitching Length – 40 Feet

Only the Recreation Field Leader will decide prior to game time if the playing field is playable.

Equipment

Metal Spikes are NOT allowed in Pee-Wees.

All Pee-Wee players must wear a helmet when at bat and running the bases.

Maximum Barrel Diameter – 2 5/8”

Game Length

A complete game consists of a minimum of 2 innings. Coaches, by mutual agreement, may play more than two innings if time permits or declare “This will be the last inning” at the start of any new inning.

Player Substitution and Minimum Playing Rules

1. All players present for the game will bat in the batting order.

2. Players arriving after the start of the game will be added to the end of the batting order.

3. When on defense, all players must play in the field or be part of a coach-led side session.

4. Injured or sick players may sit as necessary and reenter at any time.

5. Re-entry of a player is not permitted after removal of a player for unsportsmanlike conduct.

6. Games may be played with less than 9 players.

Scoring Rules

1. Scores will not be kept.

2. Wins and Losses will not be tracked by the league

Base Running - Player Contact Rules

Coaches should be teaching players the proper way to run the bases and avoid contact with the team in the field. IT IS THE RUNNERS RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID CONTACT WITH A FIELDER DURING ANY PLAY.

Sliding

When appropriate to slide, all players must slide feet-first at all times. Although coaches are expected to start teaching players how to slide properly in Pee-Wees, sliding should only be used in appropriate circumstances and in a manner designed to avoid contact with defensive players.

Playing Rules

1. Bunting – No bunting in Pee Wees

2. Infield fly rule – No infield fly run in Pee Wees

3. Stealing – No stealing in Pee Wees.

4. Leading – No leading in Pee Wees.

5. All players bat every inning in Pee Wees.

6. The last batter of each inning hits a bases-clearing homerun.

7. All players bat until they have a hit. Each hit shall be a single, but coaches may agree to allow balls hit into the outfield to be a double.

8. Although defensive players are encouraged to make plays, no hitter or base runner will be removed from the field due to a defensive out. 

Pitching Rules

1. No kid pitch; Pitching Rules will be communicated and confirmed throughout the season by the Commissioner.

2. Tees are available, but not required.

3. Coaches may decide to pitch to their own team, but a tee should be used for each child that has difficulty hitting the coach’s pitching.

End of Season

Every player will receive a participation certificate for completing the season and a certificate for The Cow (this is anticipated; a substitution may be required).

Behavior Rules

1. Coaches are responsible for their own actions as well as the actions of their players and the parents. The behavior code of conduct has been agreed to at registration by all players and parents.

2. Parents’ behavior must reflect the goals of the Pee Wee age group. Over-competitive and poor behavior by parents will not be tolerated.

3. Good sportsmanship by all players is mandatory for participation in the Pee Wee level.

Lightning Rule

Any observed lightning mandates that the fields be cleared, all persons take shelter in their cars. Any lighting will require a 30 minute delay. The 30 minute delay starts from the most recent lightning observed. For our purposes, thunder shall be considered lightning.

Tobacco Products

The use of tobacco products on all County and State property is prohibited by law. No coach, player or other individual is permitted to use any tobacco product. Failure to comply shall result in removal from the property.

Final Comment

The purpose of the in-house (recreation league) baseball program is provide an opportunity for all players to have a positive experience with the sport. This requires cooperation from all of the people involved with Reisterstown Baseball Program. This means that each player should have the opportunity to play, regardless of playing ability and to experience full games. Each manager is therefore encouraged to coordinate his or her own system to track the playing time of players on the team. Our objective is to build self-esteem with positive reinforcement throughout the program while fostering education in our younger age brackets which turns into more competitive baseball at the older age brackets.