NOTE: 2011 marks the first year that MJBSA has offered this transitional league. The focus of this league is instructional to enable the players to be better acclimated to 8U baseball and softball. If in fact during the season there are rules that need adjusted for the betterment of the game, MJBSA may and will choose to do this with input from the coaches.

NOTE: Any rules in red text indicate changes from the previous season.

• General Rules, Guidelines, and Information

  The transitional league follows the same general rules, guidelines, and information as the baseball league. Refer to the baseball rules (http://mjbsa.com/leagues/baseball/baseball_rules) for this information.

• League Specific Rules

  • Offensive

    1. Coaches will pitch to their team members. Pitches will be overhand or underhand from a distance of not less than 30’ and not more than 46’. The pitching speed should be altered by the coach to fit each batter’s ability.
    2. The entire team’s roster is the batting order. All batters must follow the batting order established before the game starts. It is up to the head coach to make-up the batting order.
    3. Each offensive side can score no more than 5 runs per ½ inning.
    4. The batter will receive 7 pitches. If no hit occurs, the batter will be recorded as an out. If the batter foul tips the seventh pitch, the batter will continue to receive pitches until one is missed or put in play. If a batter is hit on the 7th pitch, he/she will receive another pitch. No tee will be used in this league.
    5. Runners may advance at will after the ball has been hit fair. However, base runners are only allowed to advance one base on an overthrow. Example: the batter hits the ball to the shortstop and the shortstop over throws the first baseman. At this point, the runner may attempt to advance to second base, but only at his own risk. If the first baseman retrieves the ball and attempts to make a play at second, but overthrows the second baseman, the runner must stop at second base and the play is dead. Note: if there are additional base runners on base at the time of the second overthrow, it is at the coach’s discretion as to what base the runners will be awarded. This depends as to where the runners are when the dead ball is called. The intent of this rule is to develop the skills of the defensive player without risking additional errors. The Transitional league is an instructional league and therefore must be played to promote skill development.
    6. There will be no headfirst sliding in the 6U Transitional league at any time (even when returning to a base).

  • Defensive

    1. There will be 10 defensive players allowed in the field while the ball is in play. They are to be positioned as follows:
       • 4 must be in the outfield
       • 4 must be in the infield
       • 1 must occupy the pitcher’s position
       • 1 must occupy the catcher’s position
    2. Defensive players in the infield, except the pitcher and catcher, must not be more than 5 feet in front of the baseline until the ball is hit.
    3. Each defensive player will be required to play at least 2 complete innings at an infield position per game. If the game length does not facilitate 2 innings that player will continue his innings the next game.
    4. Player’s playing the defensive pitching position must be positioned behind the team’s pitching coach with at least one foot inside the pitchers circle. Note: The pitching circle will be a 12’ diameter circle with the center located 46’ from the back of home plate.
    5. Throwing the ball to the circle does not guarantee a time out. Time outs will be awarded at the discretion of the coaches.

  • Other General Transitional League Specifications

    1. Transitional league is open to 6 year old boys and girls. Must be 6 years old (or under) on April 30, 2011. Players must have completed one year of Tee Ball. All players must be evaluated by the MJBSA board at the beginning of the season (at scheduled evaluations). If it is deemed that a player is either not ready for this league or the player has the ability to play up to 8U, MJBSA will make that decision.
    2. Training ball will be used for play in this league.
    3. Outs will be recorded (3 outs per ½ inning).
    4. A complete game is four innings with no new innings starting after 1 hour and 30 minutes.
    5. There is no run rule in 6U transitional league.
    6. Baseball cleats are restricted to rubber only.
    7. There is no leading off or stealing in 6U transitional league.
    8. Bunting is not allowed in 6U transitional league.
    9. The baseline length established for 6U transitional league is 60 ft.
    10. The infield fly rule will not be enforced in 6U transitional league.
    11. If the offensive coach is hit by or inadvertently catches a batted ball, the play will be called a foul ball.
    12. No standings will be kept in this league. There will be no umpires provided. Calls will be made by the coaches. Scorebook/scores should be kept.