U9 Garfield McQuire Rule Book
1. General Game Play
* Games are 5 innings.
* No forfeits. Teams should assist each other by lending players if short-handed.
* No leadoffs or base stealing.
2. Batting and Pitching Machine
* Each batter gets 5 hittable pitches from the pitching machine.
* If the machine throws an unhittable pitch, the umpire calls "no pitch," and it doesn't count towards the five.
* If a ball hits the pitching machine, it is a "dead play."
* Players are not allowed to feed the machine or come within 4 feet of it.
* Players are out if they cannot hit one of the five pitches (no tee).
3. Runs and Innings
* Maximum of 3 runs per inning.
* In the last inning, all players can bat (if 3 outs are not recorded) until everyone has hit once. To equalize player numbers, the team with fewer players can have batters hit twice, matching the opposing team's roster size.
4. Defensive Play
* Defensive teams are allowed 10 players on the field: 4 outfielders and 6 infielders.
* Free substitution is allowed for all fielders at any time.
* One coach is permitted on the field to assist with positioning and player decision-making.
5. Base Running - Infield vs. Outfield Hits
* Outfield Hit: When the ball hits the ground past the bases/baseline.
* If a batter hits the ball into the outfield, the batter is allowed to round first and attempt to go to second.
* Runner(s) must stop at the base they are on, or on their way to, once the ball touches the infield dirt. The ball does not have to be caught; it only needs to touch the infield.
* Infield Hit: When the ball touches the ground before or on the bases/baseline. Once the ball hits the ground in the infield, it is considered an infield hit regardless of how far it rolls, bounces, etc., into the outfield.
* On an infield hit, the batter must stop at first base. Other runners also only advance one base. This rule allows fielders to practice throwing to bases without penalty for overthrows.
* All infield plays are one play only. For example, if a hit ball to the second baseman results in an overthrow to first, the runner cannot advance further.
6. Field Dimensions
* Distance between bases: 60 feet.
* Pitching rubber: 38 feet.
7. Courtesy Runners
* A courtesy runner for the upcoming defensive catcher is allowed when there are two outs.
8. Standings
* Standings are sorted by win %, Head to Head, Point differential, Points Against.
