Youth baseball rules?

Question

Does anyone know a good source for a baseball for dummies kind of thing? My friend's son, who is 12, is playing his first year of baseball. I know that the coach will not teach the basic rules of baseball, thinking that the kids already know them. I'm looking for a good site that will help him learn the basics. Thanks!!

Answer 1

Most youth programs offer a "minor leagues" for first-year players, and more often than not, that includes going over some of the more basic rules.

I am not saying that you shouldn't try to learn the rules - but by the same token, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Most coaches are more than happy to explain things - we're in it to teach kids.

Answer 2

First off, Little League Inc. will not allow anyone to publish their rules, they are copyrighted and LL, Inc. enforces the copyright agressively. So if you are going into a Little League sanctioned league, you can't get a copy ahead of time.

For other youth leagues (PONY, Babe Ruth, etc.), go to their web sites. And http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/official_rules/ball_in_play_5.jsp will take you to the Official Baseball Rules. Most youth leagues use these, with some variations and restrictions such as leading off, stealing, advancing to first on an uncaught third strike, etc.

Many coaches do not know the rules very well, themselves. You can do yourself a service by studying the rules, and by reading this piece about forty common myths about the rules of baseball:

http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/littleleaguerules/rulemyths.htm

Be aware that many umpires will get some of those 40 myths wrong, too, especially in a rec league where they may not have been tested or certified.

Answer 3

mlb.com has a section on rules and umpiring. you could also try
http://www.littleleague.org/ and http://www.infosports.com/baseball/9.htm