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Player's age on July 31
April 30th determines the player's age for
the season (8th grade players turning 15 between the start and end dates
of the season may complete the season with his teammates. However,
he may not be able participate in area 14 & under tournaments after his
15th birthday. Check with the host team for clarification) (New
in 2006!).
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A Only: "live" baseball with 90' bases.
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B Only: "live" baseball w/80' bases and 55' pitching
rubber.
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C Only: Pitcher's rubber will be placed at 55 feet.
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Games consist of 7 innings.
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Ten run rule is in effect after 4 innings.
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Must have 10 minutes left in game time to start a new inning.
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Games not finished 5 minutes after the deadline shall be suspended.
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A Only: Time rules only apply if there is a
scheduled game following.
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A Only: Strike zone is roughly about where the
letters of the jersey are to the bottom of the knees.
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A Only: Balk rule is in effect.
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A Only: 9 batters will bat.
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All games will have an 85 minute time limit.
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Games called due to weather or darkness are considered
regulation games if 4 innings have been played or (a) if the home team has
scored an equal or greater number of runs in three or three and a fraction
terms at bat than the visiting team has scored in four terms at bat or if
play has gone beyond four full innings (b) Any game that is tied at the
end of 3 1/2 or at least four full innings when the games is called shall
be a tie game.
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Slide on all close plays. Any questionable calls
will result in ejection from the game.
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No metal spikes.
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Jewelry is prohibited for the safety of players.
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Hackling, fighting or throwing equipment results in ejection from the
game.
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Team players coaching bases must wear a helmet for protection.
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A/B Only: All players may be in the batting order.
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C Only: All players must be in the batting order.
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No designated hitter is allowed at any age level.
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Can't steal until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
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A Only: A batter may run on a dropped third strike if less than
two outs with or without first base being occupied.
(New in 2005!)
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Base runners may score on a passed ball, wild pitch or
throw back to the pitcher.
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Pitchers are allowed 5 warm-up pitches each inning or
until the batter is ready.
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Standard re-entry rules apply except for level C where
there is free substitution.
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Pitchers may not exceed 8 innings in a 24 hour period (80
pitches recommended limit).
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A Only: Pitchers cannot pitch more than 7 innings in
any 72 hour period. If a game goes into extra innings, pitchers are
allowed one extra inning.
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One pitch in any inning constitutes an inning of pitching.
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Catchers must wear a protective cup and face mask w/throat protector.
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Courtesy runners for the pitcher and catcher w/two outs is recommended.
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Each team is allowed 3 defensive conferences per game and
one
offensive conference per inning.
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B/C Only: Bat rating must not exceed -7 for metal bats (difference in length and
weight - i.e. 31" bat and 24 ounces would be a -7 rating).
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Maximum bat diameter is 2 3/4 inches.
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A Only: Bat size and differential yet TBD
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Wooden bats are legal and exempt from limitations, but not recommended (metals bats
outperform wood).
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The home team's scorebook is the official book.
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No tobacco or "tobacco like" substances (beef jerky
in snuff can,
sunflower seeds, etc).
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Blood/Bleeding: Umpires will determine when to stop
play or if a player needs to leave the game. The injured player will
be replaced by another player not currently playing. If the bleeding
condition is resolved, the player may return assuming that if a uniform
was soiled with blood is was changed or disinfected (follow appropriate
first aid procedures per the High School Baseball Rules Book.)
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Use of a safety base at first base is acceptable.
Plan on getting involved and sharing in your child's joy of the game.
Familiarize yourself with these rules. Coaches always need
help coaching bases, keeping
the book, supervising the dugout, carpooling, and even providing pop and
ice after each game. (Note: We no longer have ice packs in the first
aid kits, so ice with the pop is critical. Kids will be kids and get
hurt. There's no way to prevent this.) Always feel free to ask
a coach how you can help!
