• Some Optimist baseball leagues use pitching machines.baseball image by Tomasz Plawski from Fotolia.com
  
  Not every baseball league requires pitchers in order to operate. Some leagues that are run by Optimist International, an organization in which adult volunteers offer support and guidance to youth, utilize pitching machines rather than actual pitchers. These leagues employ specific game regulations that are different from regulation baseball, forcing players and coaches to make adjustments accordingly so that the rules aren't broken.
  
  

Machine Settings

• Pitching machines must be set for speed and placed at a distance from home plate dependent on the age and skill level of the players. The older and more skilled the teams, the farther back and faster the pitching machine should be set. Machines must be calibrated using a pitching gun to ensure it is operating properly. This is usually done periodically during the season. Both managers and the umpire are responsible for making sure the machine is calibrated to the correct speed prior to the start of the game. If the machine speeds up or slows down over the course of the game, the umpire has the authority to adjust the machine accordingly. The home team is responsible for setting up the machine.
  
  

Pitching and Defense

• A coach or parent from the offensive team is responsible for feeding balls into the pitching machine. The coach or parent may not field or attempt to field the ball. While pitching, a coach is limited to instructing the batter at the plate. He may not coach the base runners during the play. Any violation of the rules will result in an automatic out. Ten members comprise the fielding team: four outfielders, four infielders, a catcher and a player who fields the pitching position, even though he is not actually pitching to the offense. The umpire must ensure that every fielder is ready before allowing the coach or parent to place the next ball in the pitching machine. Pitchers must begin each pitch with a foot on the pitching rubber, the catcher must be wearing proper protective equipment and all four outfielders must begin the play on the outfield grass.
  
  

Other Rules

• The coach or parent feeding balls into the pitching machine is considered part of the device. Any ball that deflects off the machine or the ball feeder is considered dead, and results in the player being awarded first base. Runners are not permitted to attempt a steal until the ball has left the pitching machine. If the catcher drops a third strike, the batter may attempt to run to first base if it is unoccupied. If she reaches base before being tagged or thrown out, she is considered safe.