· The Shetland division is non-competitive; no score will be kept.
· Parents are encouraged to work in the infield & outfield, as base coaches, and to help direct play.
· The goal is to have the teams coach-pitching in games. Pitching underhand is permitted.
· The batting team is responsible for monitoring the home plate area to ensure kids are swinging the bat safely. The home plate monitor should be an adult. Teach the kids not to throw the bats: correcting this tendency early makes a world of difference when the kids are older. There is no catcher.
· Rainouts are called by the Commissioners. Coaches and players should assume the game will be played unless notified. The Commissioner will contact the coaches who in turn will contact their team's players.
· Keep a copy of your team roster with you at all times (practices and games).
· Every player plays every inning. For example, you can have 6 infielders and 6 outfielders. Rotate all players to all positions during the course of a season. This is not only “fair” but it also provides the kids with a better learning experience. All players bat once per half-inning.
· Shetland uses an approximately 50-foot diamond. Home team sets up and returns the bases.
· Each game shall consist of two innings. A half inning is complete when everyone on a team has batted once. The last player up in a half-inning is announced and hits a home run. The team in the field should wait for the last batter (during his home run sprint) to touch home plate before exiting the field.
· No outs are recorded, and if a batter or runner is out via a put out, a force out, or a caught fly ball, the batter/runner is not retired. Instead recognize the event as a good play, and congratulate the defensive players involved, and play on. (However, you may count how many outs your team has made during the game and let them know at the end. This will encourage them to make outs, and possibly better themselves next game.)
· Any hit ball traveling less than 5 feet in front of the plate is considered foul. This is a safety consideration to avoid collisions at the plate. No bunting.
· No extra bases on overthrows to any base. No sliding is allowed.
· Kids must have a helmet on their head before being handed a bat. When a team is batting, only one player may be outside the dugout area; there is no “on-deck” batter.
· When coach pitching, limit the pitches to five and then setup the Tee in order to keep the game moving. Have a Tee near the backstop at home, and use it for all of the players when the five pitches are up. Consistently doing this will remove the “negative Tee image” and move the game along.