Table of contents
(Revised November,
2008)
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 3
PLEASE REMEMBER................................................................................................................................................. 3
GAME RULES & REGULATIONS............................................................................................................................... 4
PLAYING FIELDS........................................................................................................................................................ 4
PLAYING FIELD LIGHTING...................................................................................................................................... 4
BYBA FIELD COMPLEX............................................................................................................................................ 5
TOURNAMENT RULES............................................................................................................................................. 5
EQUIPMENT.................................................................................................................................................................... 6
GAME BALLS.............................................................................................................................................................. 6
BASEBALL BATS....................................................................................................................................................... 6
SHOES........................................................................................................................................................................... 6
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT........................................................................................................................................... 6
BASEBALL UNIFORMS............................................................................................................................................ 6
ADORNMENTS........................................................................................................................................................... 6
CATCHER’S EQUIPMENT........................................................................................................................................ 6
EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE.................................................................................................................................... 7
PLAYER RULES.............................................................................................................................................................. 7
OFFICIAL RULES........................................................................................................................................................ 7
MISSING OR LATE TEAM PLAYERS..................................................................................................................... 7
PLAYER EARLY DEPARTURE................................................................................................................................. 7
PITCHER MANAGEMENT........................................................................................................................................ 7
FORFEITURE OF GAME............................................................................................................................................ 8
HEADGEAR USAGE................................................................................................................................................... 8
CATCHER’S EQUIPMENT........................................................................................................................................ 8
TEAM MEMBER PLAYING TIME........................................................................................................................... 8
RE-ENTRY RULE....................................................................................................................................................... 10
OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR........................................................................................................................................ 10
ILLEGAL PLAYERS................................................................................................................................................... 10
HOME TEAM............................................................................................................................................................. 10
EJECTIONS OF COACHES OR SPECTATORS.................................................................................................... 10
BATTING LINEUP..................................................................................................................................................... 11
DUGOUT RULES....................................................................................................................................................... 11
DEFINITION OF CALENDAR WEEK/DAY.......................................................................................................... 11
WEATHER DELAYS................................................................................................................................................. 11
OFFICIAL GAME...................................................................................................................................................... 11
UMPIRES.................................................................................................................................................................... 12
SCOREKEEPERS........................................................................................................................................................ 12
COACHING................................................................................................................................................................. 12
PROTESTS.................................................................................................................................................................. 13
SPECIFIC RULES BY AGE GROUP......................................................................... 15
6 YEAR OLD MACHINE PITCH DIVISION............................................................................................................ 15
7 YEAR OLD MACHINE PITCH DIVISION............................................................................................................ 16
8 YEAR OLD KID PITCH DIVISION........................................................................................................................ 18
9-10 YEAR OLD KID PITCH DIVISION.................................................................................................................. 19
This
program is dedicated to:
·
Developing strong, healthy bodies.
·
Understanding and obeying of the rules.
·
The development of baseball skills in accordance
with the age level and ability of each participant.
·
Training in good sportsmanship.
The
principle of good sportsmanship is fundamental to the successful operation of
the league. This includes coaches, umpires, parents, and spectators. All adults and children should conduct
themselves at league functions in such a manner that they are good examples for
everyone in the league to emulate.
The head coaches for each team
are responsible for the coaches, players, parents, and spectators. All coaches must be pro-active in keeping the
field complex a safe, fun place for the kids to play and for the spectators to
watch.
NOTE: The official playing rules, with the
exceptions and variations contained in these association rules, shall be the
same as “Official High School Baseball Rules” also known as the “National
Federation of High School Associations” baseball rules.
Distance
between bases shall be as follows:
6 year olds 50 feet
7 year olds 50 feet
8 year olds 60
feet
9-10 year olds 65
feet
Distance
from home plate to the pitcher’s mound shall be as follows:
6 year olds 40 feet (pitching machine)
7 year olds 42 feet (pitching machine)
8 year olds 40 feet
9-10 year olds 44 feet
Machine
Pitch Speed:
6 year olds 32 mph
7 year olds 37 mph
The
playing fields will now have lighting for night games and practices. The lights will be turned off automatically
at 9:45 every night. This cannot be
changed for any reason. No games may be
scheduled that would be timed to run past this time. Any game that is underway when the lights go
off will be considered complete as of the last full inning played. It is the responsibility of the coaches to
clear the fields and get the equipment put away.
The
BYBA field complex is considered to be on “SCHOOL” grounds. At no time is alcohol allowed on the BYBA
field complex. At no time is tobacco, in any form, which includes cigarettes,
chew, snuff, etc., allowed on the BYBA field complex. At no time are pets allowed at the BYBA field
complex. Violators will be reported to
the police and will be escorted from the field complex.
All
practice fields at all locations throughout the city will be considered as part
of the BYBA field complex in regards to these rules. All coaches must enforce these rules
strictly. Any deviation or violation of
these rules may warrant suspension pending the decision of the board.
Tournament
rules will be handed out to each coach and umpire prior to the start of the
tournament.
The Brighton Youth Baseball Association will issue all game balls for the league play and for tournament games.
Wooden
or metal baseball bats may be used.
Wooden bats must have a rubber handle or a taped handle. Modified or altered bats are not
allowed. For the 6-10 year old age
groups, all bats must be Little League approved, except big or large barrel bats. There can be no Tee-Ball bats unless they are Little
League approved.
All
rubber soled, cleated shoes are legal for use in all age groups. Tennis shoes are legal for use in all age
groups, however, cleats are strongly recommended.
All
players (male and female) will be required to wear a protective cup. There are now “soft cups” available for
females. All players will be required to
wear a heart guard and have a baseball glove.
Baseball
uniforms will be provided by the Association and must be worn by all
players. Shirts must be tucked into the
pants and all sleeves are to be worn down, not rolled. A baseball cap is part of the uniform and
must be worn by a player. If a player
loses their cap, another one can be purchased from the Association.
Only approved adornments will be allowed on baseball
uniforms. The likely approved adornments
would be player names (at team’s expense) or possibly a symbol to represent a
significant belief or cause (at team’s expense). The board must approve any adornment the team
wishes to add to the uniform BEFORE it is done.
Failure to get approval could result in the team replacing the uniform
at the team’s own cost. No jewelry of any kind can
be worn during a game.
The
equipment to be worn by a catcher will be supplied be the Association,
including protective headgear, mask, chest protector, shin guards, and
catcher’s mitt. A catcher may purchase
and wear their own equipment if desired, as long as it meets the requirements
of the league rules.
Prior
to the start of each game, the head coach or assistant coach shall be
responsible for verifying that all of his/her players are equipped in
compliance with the above rules. Any
questions regarding the legality of a player’s equipment shall be determined by
the umpire-in-chief.
The
official playing rules, with the exceptions and variations contained in these
Association rules, shall be the Official High School Baseball Rules. If no penalty is specified for not complying with a stated
rule, it is considered necessary to just fix the violation as soon as possible.
The
maximum number of players able to take the field at the start of a game is as
follows:
6 year olds Machine Pitch 10 players
7 year olds Machine Pitch 10 players
8 year olds Kid Pitch 9 players
9-10 year olds Kid Pitch 9 players
The
following guidelines apply for missing or late players:
·
If a team is short players at game time, that coach
must agree to play the game with less than the authorized number of players, or
forfeit the game. That same coach cannot
protest a loss due to not having enough players.
·
If players arrive late to the game, they will be
inserted at the end of the batting order.
·
A vacant position will not be considered an
automatic out.
·
Players added after the first batting
rotation may still be added at the end of the batting order.
Teams
and players will not be penalized for players who must leave a game early due
to certain personal functions related to school, church, family, etc. The player that has left is not permitted to
return to the game. Once the player
leaves, the team can not be penalized with an automatic out due to the vacant
position in the batting order.
A
coach may not approach the mound and talk with the pitcher more than once in an
inning. The
second conference with the pitcher requires that the pitcher is removed
from that position for at least three batters unless
that pitcher has pitched the maximum number of innings allowed. The player may still play another position. A pitchers sheet
will be maintained by every team for each game.
They will need to be turned in after a completed game at the
GAME
TIME IS FORFEIT TIME. A team that does not
show up for a game before the scheduled game time will forfeit the game. There are no exceptions.
All
batters, base runners, players coaching in the baseline coaching boxes, and
players in the on-deck circle must wear protective headgear, which gives the
protection to the top of the head, temples, ears, and base of the skull. If not, it will be an automatic out, even if
a first offense.
(Note: THE OBJECTIVE OF THE FOLLOWING RULE IS
TO ENNSURE THAT ALL PLAYERS ON A TEAM PLAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME. THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD WILL HANDLE
VIOLATIONS OF THIS RULE.)
In the 6 – 8 year old divisions, no player may play more than two
(2) consecutive innings in the infield.
This does not include pitchers in the Kid Pitch divisions as they may go
three (3) innings in a game. Catchers
are not considered to be an infield position in the Machine Pitch divisions.
In all age groups and divisions, no player may sit on the bench
for more than one (1) consecutive inning.
Exceptions to this are for injuries or sickness.
If at least 5 innings are played in a single game, every player on
that team should have played at least one inning in the infield.
If
a player does not come to practice and the league president is notified one
hour from game time, the player may be ineligible to play. The decision will be up to the president.
Coaches
may use the re-entry rule as often as they wish, as long as all players meet
the following criteria.
Players
can be shuffled in and out of positions in the field with the following
exceptions:
·
A player that has been removed from the game for
disciplinary reasons may not return during the same game.
·
A pitcher who is removed from that position may not
pitch again for at least three batters unless that
pitcher has pitched the maximum number of innings allowed. That player may occupy other positions in the
field.
·
A catcher may not be switched during the middle of
an inning unless injured.
Any offensive player (batter, base runner, coaching player, or on-deck batter) who deliberately removes his/her protective helmet will be called out and the ball will be ruled as a dead ball. If the offending player is not directly involved in the game as a batter or base runner at the time, the out will be considered as a team out and will not affect the player’s subsequent appearance in the game.
All
team players must be legally registered with the Association and must appear on
the team’s official roster as maintained by the Association. The penalty for use of an illegal player
shall be forfeiture of all games in which the illegal player has participated.
The
home team during the regular season will be determined by the official league
schedule.
Any
coach or assistant coach found in violation of the rules may be terminated and
removed from the roster, subject to the decision of the board.
Any
coach, parent, spectator, or player who is using profanity during a game, or
displaying inappropriate of offensive behavior, will be removed from the game
and/or pending board decision may result in that person’s removal for the
remainder of the year.
An ejection or suspension means that the coach, parent, spectator,
or player that is ejected or suspended will not be allowed on the fields, BYBA
grounds, or parking lot for the duration of the suspension.
All
teams, in all age groups, will use a bat-through lineup. This means that all players attending the
game must be in the batting lineup and bat in the order listed in the score
book. If an
error is made in the lineup, it must be corrected. There is no penalty.
No
more than a total of three (3) coaches, assistant coaches, or parent helpers
may be in the dugout during a game. When
a team is batting, there may be a coach helper in each coach’s box and one in
the dugout to supervise the players.
Absolutely no siblings or friends are allowed in the dugout during the
game or practice time. The defensive
coach must be in the dugout or within ten (10) feet from the dugout entrance.
The
following defines a calendar week and a calendar day pertaining to baseball
rules.
·
A calendar week starts at 12:01 am on Monday and
ends at midnight on the following Sunday.
·
A calendar day is from 12:01 am to 12:00 midnight.
The
home plate umpire will make the decision regarding delay of a game. A maximum of two 15-minute delays can be
called before a decision is made to play or postpone a game in progress. If a team leaves before the home plate umpire
calls the game, that team will forfeit the game.
In
the event of rain or stormy weather, all coaches and players should call (303)
637-7085 for notice of cancellation of game.
If
a game has been called for any reason, it is an official game if four innings
have been completed or if the home team has scored more runs after three and
one-half (3 ½) innings have been completed.
All
games ended because of the time limit will be considered official, regardless
of the number of innings completed.
During
a night game, if the lights go off at the predetermined time that the City of
If
a game is called for any reason before it is an official game, it shall be
considered a suspended game. If
rescheduled, it is to be resumed from the point at which it was suspended (base
runners, pitch count, inning and time). Both
coaches must agree on all points prior to departure from the fields.
If a
team is leading its opponent by at least ten runs after four or more equal
innings have been played, the game shall be terminated and the team with the
10-run lead will be declared the winner.
If both coaches agree, and time permits, the game can continue and the
final result will be the official game.
Games
postponed due to weather, field conditions, or any other reason will be
rescheduled prior to the start of tournament play at the League’s earliest
convenience.
Any
game, in any age division, may end in a tie during the regular season.
Two
(2) BYBA approved umpires will be scheduled for each game at the kid pitch
level. A single umpire will be scheduled
for the 7 year old machine pitch games.
There will be NO umpire scheduled for the 6 year old machine pitch
games. At least one (1) BYBA approved
umpire MUST be present for each game at the 7 year old machine pitch division,
and the two kid pitch divisions.
In
the event neither of the scheduled umpires are available, or neither report on
time, umpires other than BYBA approved may be used upon agreement by the
opposing coaches.
The
umpire’s decision is final unless it is a clear violation and then can only be
changed by the league president.
Both
teams during a game will provide a scorekeeper. The scorekeeper for the home
team will be the official scorekeeper. Coaches should ensure that they have two (2) scorekeepers
trained in how to keep score.
Adult
coaches must be used in either or both of the coaching boxes at first and third
bases. Players may be used as base
coaches. Players acting as base coaches
must wear protective headgear.
Players
and coaching staff must remain in the designated areas throughout the
game. Only the team and the coaching
staff are allowed in the designated areas.
No more than three (3) adults are allowed in the dugout at any time.
The
use of tobacco in any form by players, or adult leaders, or umpires on the
playing field is NOT permitted. Tobacco
and alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed with in the boundaries of any
schoolyard, school property,
Pets are NOT allowed at the BYBA sports complex. It is the coach’s responsibility to make sure
that his team is in compliance with this rule.
There is no penalty, just fix the problem.
Practice
is limited to 1 1/2-hour sessions, four (4)
times per week prior to the first game of the season. After the first game, there will be no more
that four (4) organized gatherings per team, per week.
Prior
to the start of the season, coaches may sign up to utilize the fields under
Association control and for use of pitching machines. Coaches may not sign up for more than two
weekday nights per week prior to the season.
Weekend practices will be held on a first-come, first-served basis.
Coaches
are responsible to control the behavior of their parents. Failure to do so may cause coaches and/or
parents to be ejected from the game field.
Coaches and/or parents may ask a board member to assist in removing a
parent from the fields.
The
Brighton Youth Baseball Association’s Board of Directors will evaluate each
ejection to determine if further disciplinary measures are warranted.
A
protest based on a play which involves an umpire’s judgement is NOT permitted.
If
a protest is based on an interpretation of the rules, the objecting coach must,
at the time the play occurs, notify the home plate umpire. The
umpire will notify the opposing coach and the official scorekeeper immediately
that the game is being played under protest.
Umpires will then make a public announcement to the crowd that the game
is being played under protest. The
protesting coach must submit the protest in writing to the Association
President within 24 hours of the completion of the game. A $35 fee must be included with the written
protest. The fee will be refunded if the
protest is upheld. When a protest based
on the interpretation of a rule is upheld by the protest committee, the game
concerned shall be replayed from the point of the protest.
If
a coach, assistant coach, or other team staff member withdraws a team from the
playing field under any circumstances prior to the official completion of he
game, the team that left the field shall forfeit all rights to protest as
described in this section.
The
protest committee will be the Board of Directors. All board members are eligible to vote,
unless he or she has officiated, coached or had a child playing on a team
involved in this protest. There is a
7-day time limit to settle protests.
IT
IS MANDATORY THAT PROTEST AND/OR DISPUTES BE SETTLED AT THE TIME OF QUESTIONS
IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. PROTESTS SHOULD ONLY
BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING AS A LAST RESORT.
1. Base runners
may not steal. No runners will leave the
base until the batter hits the ball. The
runner will be called out it they leave prior to the hit ball.
2. Catcher’s
mitts are recommended but not required.
3. There
may be six (6) adults on the field during the game. One in each coach’s box (hitting team), one
on each side of the outfield in foul territory (not to be in a position to
interfere with the coaches in the coach’s boxes), and one supervising the
players in each dugout.
4. While
in the field, outfield players may not be brought in any closer to the batter
than the edge of the infield and the outfield grass.
5. No
player may play more than 2 consecutive innings in the infield.
6. No
player may sit more than one (1) consecutive innings in the dugout.
7. Pitching
machine rules apply as follows:
·
If a batted ball hits the pitching machine or the pitching machine feeder it will be a dead
ball and the batter/runners may only advance one (1) base.
·
Each batter has six (6) pitches to put the ball in
play. No walks are allowed. After six official pitches, if the batter has
not hit the ball into fair territory, the batter strikes out. This includes a foul ball on the sixth
official pitch
·
An official pitch is one that crosses home plate
between the batter’s neck and knees.
·
If a batter swings at a pitch that would have been
called an illegal pitch, the pitch counts as a legal pitch.
·
An offensive player must slide at any base except
first base if the play is close. The
batter may be called out at the discretion of the umpire.
·
Offensive coaches will load the pitching machine and
pitch to their own players. A circle
will be placed around the pitching machine, and offensive coaches are not
allowed out of the circle during play.
Coaches may only leave the circle during play if personal safety
necessitates. Coaches in the pitching
machine circle are not allowed to assist runners either verbally or
physically. If a coach in the pitching
circle interferes with the fielding or throwing of a ball by the defensive
team, the batter will be called out and the runners will return to the base(s)
at which they started before the ball was hit.
8. No
defensive coaches are allowed in the field of play between the foul lines. One coach may be up the first base line and
one coach may be up the third base line as long as they do not interfere with
the offensive coaches in the coach’s boxes.
They can be beyond first and third base in foul territory.
9. Once
the offensive team has scored six (6) runs, their half of the inning is over.
10. 3
outs end that half of the inning.
11. Bunting
is NOT permitted. An attempted bunt will result in a strike being called even
if the bunt was successful.
12. The infield
fly rule is not in effect.
13. Leading off of
the base is not allowed. A player who
leads off or leaves the base early will be called out.
14. No stealing of
bases is allowed.
15. Base running
rules apply as follows:
·
First base will consist of a double base, consisting
of a white base in fair territory and an orange base in foul territory. If a ball is hit to the infield, the hitter
must run to and touch the orange base.
The fielder must touch the white while in in
control of the ball prior to the runner reaching the orange base. When no play will be at first base, the
runner may touch the white base.
·
Once any infield player has control of
the ball in the infield area, official play is stopped. If a base runner is proceeding to the next
base when time is called, that runner will be allowed to continue to the next
base. If the base runner’s progress has
stopped, that base runner will return to the previous base unless it is already
occupied.
·
The umpire will call time as soon as the
lead runner is not attempting to advance.
·
It will be the responsibility of the Home team coach
to ensure the circle around the pitching mound is made prior to the start of
the game.
16. Length of game
rules are as follows:
·
Regulation games shall be six (6) innings.
·
Game length is one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes.
·
No new inning shall start after 1 hour and 25
minutes.
·
An inning in progress may be finished provided that
enough daylight remains for safe play.
14.
Pitching Machine:
1.
Base runners may not steal. No runners
will leave the base until the batter hits the ball. The runner will be called out it they leave
prior to the hit ball.
2.
Catcher’s mitts are recommended but not required.
3.
There may be six (6) adults on the field during the game. For the offensive team, there may be one
coach in each coach’s box, and one loading the pitching machine, and one
supervising the players in the dugout.
For the Defensive team, there may be one coach past the coach’s box in
foul territory. If necessary, there may
be a seventh adult if the defensive team needs one to supervise the players in
the dugout.
4. While in the field, outfield players may not be brought in
any closer to the batter than the edge of the infield and the outfield grass.
5. No player may play more than 2 consecutive innings in the
infield.
6. No player may sit more than one (1) consecutive innings in the
dugout.
7. Pitching machine rules apply as follows:
·
If a batted ball hits the pitching machine or the pitching machine feeder it will be a dead ball and the batter/runners may
only advance one (1) base.
·
Each batter can take a maximum of 3 balls (pitches
in or out of the strike zone that the batter does not swing at). A strike will be called if the batter does
not swing. After taking three (3)
pitches, a player may strike out or put the ball in play by hitting the ball
with the bat. Foul balls count as
strikes except on the third strike. No
walks are allowed. A player may only
“take” up to three pitches.
·
An official pitch is one that crosses home plate
between the batter’s neck and knees.
·
If a batter swings at a pitch that would have been
called an illegal pitch, the pitch counts as a legal pitch.
·
An offensive player must slide at any base except
first base if the play is close. The
batter may be called out at the discretion of the umpire.
·
Offensive coaches will load the pitching machine and
pitch to their own players. A circle
will be placed around the pitching machine, and offensive coaches are not
allowed out of the circle during play.
Coaches may only leave the circle during play if personal safety
necessitates. Coaches in the pitching
machine circle are not allowed to assist runners either verbally or
physically. Coaches in the pitching
circle are not allowed to coach the batter at the plate. It will be the responsibility of the coaches
in the coach’s boxes or the dugout to coach a kid at the plate. If a coach in the pitching circle interferes with
the fielding or throwing of a ball by the defensive team, the batter will be
called out and the runners will return to the base(s) at which they started
before the ball was hit. No other adult is allowed in the playing area of the
field in between the foul lines.
8. No defensive
coaches are allowed in the field of play between the foul lines. One coach may be up the first base line and
one coach may be up the third base line as long as they do not interfere with
the offensive coaches in the coach’s boxes.
They can be beyond first and third base in foul territory.
9. Once
the offensive team has scored six (6) runs, the half inning is over.
10. 3
outs end that half of the inning.
11. Bunting
is NOT permitted. An attempted bunt will
result in a strike being called even if the bunt was successful.
12. The infield
fly rule is not in effect.
13. Leading off of
the base is not allowed. A player who
leads off or leaves the base early will be called out.
14. No stealing of
bases is allowed.
15. Base running
rules apply as follows:
·
First base will consist of a double base, consisting
of a white base in fair territory and an orange base in foul territory. If a ball is hit to the infield, the hitter
must run to and touch the orange base.
The fielder must touch the white while in in
control of the ball prior to the runner reaching the orange base. When no play will be at first base, the
runner may touch the white base.
·
Once any infield player has control of
the ball in the infield area, official play is stopped. If a base runner is proceeding to the next
base when time is called, that runner will be allowed to continue to the next
base. If the base runner’s progress has
stopped, that base runner will return to the previous base unless it is already
occupied.
·
The umpire will call time as soon as the
lead runner is not attempting to advance.
16. Length of game
rules are as follows:
·
Regulation games shall be six (6) innings.
·
Game length is one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes.
·
No new inning shall start after 1 hour and 25
minutes.
15.
Pitching Machine:
1. Once the
offensive team has scored six (6) runs, the inning is over.
2. 3
outs ends that half of the inning.
3. On a third
strike, the batter is out even if the catcher drops or misses the ball.
4. Bunting is
permitted.
5. The
infield fly rule is in effect.
6. Four called
balls will result in the batter being issued a walk to first base.
7. If a pitcher
hits a batter with the pitched ball, the batter is issued a walk to first base.
8. Three strikes
will result in the batter being called out.
A foul ball on what would be considered the third strike will not be
counted as a strike and the batter will continue in the at-bat.
9. Catchers may
not catch in more than four (4) innings in a single game.
10. No
player may play more than two (2) consecutive innings in the infield.
11. No
player may sit in the dugout more than one (1) consecutive innings.
12. No adults or
coaches are allowed in the playing area other than the dugout and the coach’s
boxes.
13. Base running
rules apply as follows:
·
Leading off base is not allowed. A player who leads off or leaves the base
early will be call out.
·
Base runners may steal bases after the
pitched ball passes home plate.
·
No runner may advance from third to home
unless the runner is batted home or forced home because of a bases loaded
walk. The runner on third cannot advance
on a wild pitch or passed ball. A runner may not advance from third to home as
a result of overthrows when stealing. A runner may advance to home if the start
of the play was a hit and overthrows resulted.
·
Once the pitcher has control of the ball
in the pitching area, official play is stopped.
If a base runner is proceeding to the next base when time is called,
that runner will be allowed to continue to the next base. If the base runner’s progress has stopped,
that base runner will return to the previous base.
14. Pitching
rules for the regular season games apply as follows:
15. Length
of game rules are as follows:
1. 3 outs end that half of the inning.
2. On a third
strike, the batter is out even if the catcher drops or misses the ball.
3. Bunting is
permitted.
4. The infield
fly rule is in effect.
5. Four called
balls will result in the batter being issued a walk to first base.
6. If a pitcher
hits a batter with the pitched ball, the batter is issued a walk to first base.
7. Three strikes
will result in the batter being called out.
A foul ball on what would be considered the third strike will not be
counted as a strike and the batter will continue in the at-bat.
8. Catchers may
not catch in more than four (4) innings in a single game.
9. No
player may sit in the dugout for more than one (1) consecutive inning.
10. No adults or
coaches are allowed in the playing area other than the dugout and the coach’s
boxes.
11. Base running
rules apply as follows:
·
Leading off base is allowed.
·
Base runners may steal.
·
Stealing home is allowed.
·
Once the pitcher has control of the ball
in the pitching area, official play is stopped.
If a base runner is proceeding to the next base when time is called,
that runner will be allowed to continue to the next base. If the base runner’s progress has stopped,
that base runner will return to the previous base.
12. Pitching
rules for the regular season games apply as follows:
13. Length
of game rules are as follows: