AA Minors (Kid Pitch) rules

• 5-run limit per inning during the regular season.
• Playoffs: no run limit after the 3rd inning. Play continues until three outs.
• Standings: the first half of the season does not count. From the second half on, every game counts toward the official standings and playoff seeding.

• If a pitcher reaches a limit during an at-bat, they may finish that batter before being removed.
• The manager is responsible for following pitch limits and rest rules, even if the pitch-count recorder or umpire doesn’t say anything. A team using a pitcher in violation risks forfeiting the game.
• Regular season: coaches review pitch counts. Playoffs: Mickel Santana provides official pitch counts to the remaining teams.

No walks (in place for half the season)

• When a batter reaches 4 balls, a coach from the batting team pitches until the batter strikes out or hits the ball into play. The batter keeps their strike count.
• Every coach-pitched ball counts as a strike unless:
  • the 3rd strike is an obvious ball that bounces well in front of the plate
  • it’s too high for the batter to make contact
  • it hits the batter, in which case the batter gets one more pitch wherever it is
• If the batter fouls off the last pitch, they get another pitch.
• The coach pitcher delivers to the catcher from the full windup or the stretch, at the pitching rubber.
• A batter hit by a player-pitched ball may take first base or finish the at-bat against the coach pitcher.
• While the coach pitches, the player pitcher stands behind the rubber on either side of the coach, with at least one foot on the mound dirt, until the ball reaches the batter.
• A batted ball that hits the coach pitcher is a foul ball.

• There is no uncaught third strike rule in Minors. A batter who strikes out is out, whether or not the catcher catches the ball.

• Stealing is allowed once the pitched ball reaches the batter.
• No stealing home on a wild pitch or passed ball.
• Only one base on a steal. No advancing on an overthrow.
• While a coach is pitching: no stealing and no advancing on a passed ball. Runners return to the bases they held.
• The ball is live until the umpire calls time. Runners may advance until time is called or the pitcher has the ball and is on the pitching rubber.

Game-day routine, team roles and communication standards are in the Manager’s game-day guide. Questions about league rules go to Mickel Santana or the coaches group chat.