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Farm Rules   The intent of FARM is that the experience be primarily instructional, the competitive aspects of the game are minimized, winning and losing not be emphasized, and each child should have a positive experience during his first years in baseball.  Therefore, scores will not be kept, winners and losers of games not recorded, and we encourage random positioning of players in the batting order, and within the limits of safety, liberal movement of players to different field positions.  Remember, you are coaching very young players who are just beginning to learn a very complicated game. A Manager or Coach of the team at bat will pitch the ball to the batters. Each player will receive at least six (6) pitches per at bat. If decided before the game, the Managers can be flexible about the number of pitches; this number may be raised as appropriate for specific batters. The intent should be to enable each batter to hit the ball each time they come to bat. If the player doesn’t put the ball in play after 6 pitches, then they are awarded 1st base – there are no strikeouts. Players will be instructed to play "normal" baseball positions. A pitcher's helper must be within 6 feet of the adult pitcher when the pitch is made. There will only be ten (10) defensive players on the field at one time unless mutually agreed by both coaches before the game to play 11 (or 12). Players must be rotated evenly between the infield and outfield.  Players should not be relegated to either all outfield or all infield play.  The only exception to this rule is if a player is not capable of defending himself at a particular infield position. Infielders must not be positioned more than 6 feet inside of a baseline.  Moving a player closer to the plate, even against weak hitters, increases the chance that the player will be hit by a batted ball and reduces the chance that the weak hitter will experience the joy of getting a hit.        Although it is not mandatory, the Board encourages 4 players in the outfield.  These outfielders will be at a normal outfield distance. A base runner may only advance as many bases as the batter earns from his hit.  Following are examples of this rule:  Runner on 2nd base may only advance to 3rd (one base) on a single by the batter Runner on 1st base may only advance to 3rd (2 bases) on a double by the batter Runner on 1st base may only advance to 2nd (one base) on a single by the batter There will be no advancing of the base runner on an over throw. Whenever a play is made on a runner at any base, the runner may not advance beyond the base he is going to if there is an overthrow. An overthrow is a ball that goes more than 6 feet past the intended baseman. Runners cannot advance whenever the adult pitcher or pitcher's helper has the ball within 6 feet of the pitching rubber. Base lengths are 60 feet.  Outfield cones are placed 120 feet from home plate. Games are played for 1 hour and 30 minutes, not by number of innings. If a batted ball hits the Coach/pitcher, the ball is dead and the runner awarded first base. If a batted ball flies over the cones, it is an automatic home run.  If a batted ball rolls past the cones, it is a double. In the first inning everyone hits, regardless of how many outs.  You don’t clear the bases        after 2 outs, you just keep on hitting. Each subsequent half inning is either 3 outs, or one time through the roster. Managers, Coaches, and parents (with PCA certification)  act as umpires for the games. Chatter may only be in a form that encourages your team.  No chatter may be directed at the opposing team.  There will be no chatter that is meant to disrupt the opposing team. Acceptable  "Come on Johnny, you know you can hit it.” Unacceptable "Hey, batter what's wrong, can't you even swing?"

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