RABA Shetland Rules


Printable PDF File For:    Shetland Rules.pdf


General Rules
  1. Sportsmanship shall be #1 priority for coaches, players, and parents.

  2. Coaches are encouraged to instruct parents and players to be positive to both teams. (It is ok to stress to parents not to coach from the stands as this is a safety issue. If the child is watching for instruction from a parent, they are not listening to their coach and injuries could occur.)

  3. Players shall hustle on and off the field.

  4. All coaches and parents helping on the field must be certified in concussion and heat illness training before working with players.

  5. Coaches are encouraged to instruct parents and players to be positive to both teams. It is also ok to stress to parents not to coach from the stands as this is a safety issue. Parents and fans are prohibited from standing at fence and instructing players at bat or on the field.

  6. Players shall be encouraged to hustle on and off the field at all times.

  7. Games are typically 3 innings, or 55 minutes. Coaches are to use judgement on starting another inning as to end the game at no more than 60 minutes long.

  8. The base path is 50�. Pitching block will be at 40 feet. Coaches can come as close as needed for batters in need to deliver 4 soft toss pitches before moving to tee

  9. No player, coach or parent at any time will throw equipment or use inappropriate language. First offense is a warning. Second offense the person will be ejected from the game.

  10. Batters are not permitted to stand outside the dugout unless they are on deck with a batting helmet. Players are not permitted to climb the fence in the dugout. Coaches are responsible for this rule.

  11. There are no umpires for this age group. There are no outs, safes, or scores in this game. This league is strictly teaching fundamentals at this age.

  12. Coaches must rotate player positions every inning and all players must get the same amount of playing time in the infield and outfield.

  13. Teams are created to be smaller numbers to enhance learning. Teams are encouraged not to cancel due to low numbers for field a team.

  14. Always encourage players, as this is a learning basis for them.

  15. Weather cancellations during a game, will tried to be rescheduled based upon both team�s schedules and field availability, but it is not guaranteed.

Offensive Rules
  1. All offensive players are required to wear a helmet with a mask while on field. This includes all base-runners, hitter and on-deck hitter.

  2. Each player will be given no more than 4 pitches and if a player does not hit one of the 4 pitches, the tee will be brought out and the same player will hit off the tee. (Typically, all teams will start the year using the tee and introduce pitching as your team progresses. Coaches from both teams shall discuss this before the game. It is acceptable for one team to use the tee while the other pitches. Each coach will determine when their team is ready to advance to pitches for each player. It is desired for all coaches to be pitching to all players by the end of the season.

  3. For each pitch or swing from the tee, the offensive coach shall announce for all players to be ready.

  4. Players will advance to one (1) base only until the last batter who will run all the bases to home.

  5. Each team will bat their lineup. The offensive coach will announce the last batter. Defense shall remain on the field until the last runner crosses the plate.

  6. While on Offense, there will be one coach who assists with loading the Tee and positioning the batter. One coach will be soft pitching. One coach will be a first base and one coach and 3rd base coach to help direct the runners. There must be at least one parent helper assisting with the dugout to get the players lined up and on deck and to receive the players off the field after they arrive at home plate.

Fielding Rules
  1. While on defense, there can be up to 3 parent helpers that stand at the lip to help with communication to the players on staying alert and how to play. Parents are to avoid assisting with the play by catching or stopping the ball.

  2. The �pitcher� position will be required to wear a helmet with a cage.

  3. It is important for players to make sure the fielder is looking before throwing the ball to them.

  4. It is encouraged that parents get involved as parent helpers/shadowing and instituting the correct skills for their own child and the position with which they play. Instruction is always encouraged throughout the game but must not impede the play of the game. Be quick with instruction and keep the players moving.

  5. It is encouraged that the players play real positions, which will include pitcher, first, second, shortstop, third, and outfielders, left, center left and center right and right field. The outfield will stand just inside the lip in the dirt as most balls do not cross into the outfield. In the event there are not enough players, you may use the infield positions only, and ask parents to �secure� outfield. There is no catcher position at this age.

  6. When the ball is played in the infield, it is encouraged that the players throw the ball to first base. In the event the ball goes to outfield, it is encouraged that the players throw the ball to the infield as appropriate. Coaches shall direct players where the ball should be thrown.