Last update: April 1, 2005
DIVISION 1 (AGES 9-10)
FOCUS: HAVING FUN - COMPETITION - AGGRESSIVE PLAY
(PLAY TO WIN, LEARNING FROM DEFEAT)

SKILLS:
           1.            Proper mechanics of pitching.
            2.            Duties and skills of catching.
            3.            Proper mechanics and rules of batting.
            4.            Aggressive base running, stealing, and sliding.
            5.            Infield and outfield positions / backing up.

RULES-PITCHING
            1.                  Distance - 35 feet.
            2.         Pitchers may only pitch 5 inning per game.
            3.                  For the first five (5) games, a youth pitcher will throw normal batting rules.  
                        (3 strikes is an out, 4 balls is a walk, etc.)
                          a.         If a youth pitcher delivers three (3) strikes, the batter is out.
                          b.         If a youth pitcher delivers four (4) balls and none of them is hit into fair territory, 
                                     the count is cleared (no balls, no strikes) and coach from the batters team will 
                                      pitch two (2) pitches maximum.
                          c.        The batter must hit one of the coach pitched pitches or she is out.
            4.                  After five (5) games, a youth pitcher shall throw all pitches and no coach pitching is allowed.
                        a.        Normal batting rules (3 strikes is an out, 4 balls are a walk, etc.) apply.

RULES-PLAYERS
            1.                  Team shall field a maximum of nine (9) players on defense.
            2.                  An official game can start with eight (8) players.
            3.                  All players bat and you must keep the original batting order.
            4.                  Late players will be added to the end of the line-up.
            5.                  Free substitutions are allowed defensively.
            6.                  No player can sit out more than one (1) inning consecutively per game
            7.                  Catchers must wear protective gear.  Players warming up a pitcher must wear a 
                        catcher's helmet.

RULES-BATTING/BASE RUNNING/ SCORING
            1.                  Bunting is allowed only on a youth pitched ball.
            2.                  The half inning is over when the umpire determines the play is over.
            3.                  No 3^rd strike dropped ball or infield fly rules.
            4.                  Stealing and leading off allowed after the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
            5.                  Players may only steal one (1) base per pitched ball.
            6.                  Runners advance more than one (1) base are in jeopardy of being put out until 
                        they reach the next base and will be instructed by the umpire to return to the proper 
                        base when the play has ended.
            7.                  No player can steal home plate.
            8.                  After four (4) runs are scored, no new play can start 
                        (no additional batters may come to the plate.)
                                 You can score more than 4 runs (e.g. three (3) runs are in and the bases are 
                        loaded, you could possibly score 4 more on the hit.)
            9.                  In the final inning (any inning starting after 1 hour and 20 minutes of play):
                             Either team may score the greater of the application of the four (4)
                             run rule described above or one (1) more run than the opposing team. 
          10.         No new inning can start after 1 hour and 40 minutes of play.