The 9U Coach Pitch Baseball division is intended to be a fun and learning experience for children
between the ages of 8 and 9 years old. The division is intended to be developmental for players, coaches,
and local umpires as well. 9U Coach Pitch is intended to provide a grounding in the fundamentals of
baseball and stresses good sportsmanship. While scores are kept during each game, a win and loss
record is not kept and will not play into any final team rankings at the end of the season. Verbal abuse of
any kind towards players, coaches or umpires will not be tolerated.
1) The first team at the diamond is responsible for setting up the bases. Both teams will find the
equipment needed to play in the equipment box at the diamond.
2) Players will warm up from 6-6:20pm. Games will start no later than 6:30pm. Games are 1 hour long or
5 innings. Whichever comes first.
3) All players should play a variety of positions to encourage development and growth.
4A) Each inning will end when the defensive team gets 3 outs, or the offensive team has batted around
their line one time. An inning will also end if the offensive team gets 5 runs before batting through their
lineup.
4B) Coaches should establish a batting order and post it so the kids can refer to it during the game.
Teams will follow a continuous batting order.
5) Bases are set up at 50 feet apart.
6) All spectators must remain off the playing field or in the teams’ dugouts. Benches are for players and
coaches only.
7) Batters or base runners who are retired must return to the bench at once. Batters or runners who are
out should not continue to run the bases.
8A) A ball hit on the ground that remains in the infield, the batter and runners are only permitted to
attempt one base. A ball hit in the air or on the ground to the outfield, the batter and runners are
permitted to attempt multiple bases. The batter and runners can be tagged out on the attempt to take
an additional base. Once a baseball is returned to the infield from a hit baseball to the outfield, the
runner may not take additional bases they must advance to the nearest base or retreat to the closest
base, without getting tagged to be safe.
8B) Runners are not allowed to take additional bases on over thrown baseballs, including baseballs that
go out of play on the over throw. Runners must remain at their base and the play is called dead.
9) No bat or equipment throwing, or any other unsafe behavior is acceptable.
10) In the event of inclement weather, coaches must call the game. If you see lightning call the game
immediately.
11) A batter will be given 6 pitches maximum to make contact. Any balls fouled off on pitch 6 do not
count. If a batter is unable to make contact after 6 pitches, a tee will be brought out and the batter will
hit the ball from the tee.
12A) Coaches will pitch overhand and from one knee to help make it easier for the players to see the
ball. The technique to pitch a baseball at this level mimics throwing a dart. The pitcher can adjust to help
players get a hit, for example, moving up closer to the hitter when pitching.
12B) Coaches must always stay out of the way when the ball is hit, or plays are being made. If a ball hits
the coach pitcher, or the coach pitcher interferes with any play, the ball is dead, and the pitch counts as a
foul ball to the batter. The coach pitcher may not talk, touch, or coach the runners or batters while the
ball is live.
13) There are no walks, strikeouts, hit by pitch, stealing, lead offs, bunting or an infield fly rule at this
level.
14) The ideal defense positioning is as follows, P, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, LF, RF. In the event there are more than
seven players on defense, the first ideal position to add is the CF position. If there is a ninth player, a
fourth outfield position should be added. The catcher position should be filled with another coach. The
defense team pitcher should cover plays at home plate.
15) The home team is responsibly for keeping score during the game, there is a scorebook in the
equipment box, and there is a flip chart to use for when each team scores a run. The visiting team is
responsible for putting the equipment away at the end of the game.
16) Batting helmets must be worn any time a batter player is on deck, up to bat, or on the bases as a
runner. This is mandatory and must be enforced.
17) At the end of the game, teams are encouraged to do a cheer for their opponents and then to have
both teams line up and shake hands as well.