2021 Major Division Basic Rules
To ensure each game goes smoothly, it is important to communicate some of the main rules to parents. If parents understand what to expect during the game, they can better prepare their child for the season. They will also be able to support you and model good sportsmanship.
- Major Division plays by the Cal Ripken "Major 60" rules.
- Only Board approved Managers and Coaches are allowed on the playing field. Managers can call parents onto the field at their discretion.
- A Major game is 6 complete innings.
- All players shall bat in a team's line-up.
- No new innings after 2 hours. A new inning begins when the 3rd out of the previous inning has been made.
- If a game is temporarily halted due to rain, lightning, or any other reason, the game clock will pause until the start of the next pitch. The umpire is in control of the game clock and will notify scorekeepers of any stoppages.
- If a game is called due to darkness or inclement weather, score will revert to the last completed inning.
- A game will be considered to be a regulation game if 4 innings have been completed.
- Home scorekeeper will keep official time and notify coaches of time played at the conclusion of each inning.
- 10-run rule is in effect after 4 completed innings.
- Ties are allowed in regular season games.
- Managers shall play players a minimum of 2 complete innings per game.
- Slide or avoid contact. No head first sliding except: a player who has overrun a base may fall back to that base head first.
- Players may not lead-off until the pitch has crossed the front edge of home plate.
- With the exception of the pitcher's substitution rule (see below), players may exit and re-enter the contest at the discretion of the head coach.
- Normal Balk rules are in effect.
- A team may pull up a maximum of two (2) players up from a team within our league at the next lower level only in order to have ten (10) players and only with the consent of the opposing coach and the substitute player's parent/guardian. The player shall not pitch and must be placed at the end of the batting order. The player will not start unless it is required to field a complete the 9 player line up. At no time should a player miss any portion of their regular team's scheduled game to play for another team.
Pitching Regulations
· Each coach is responsible for keeping accurate pitch count and making their score book available at all times and may be asked for a pitch count of players prior to the start of a game.
· Each team will update the website with their players' pitch count within 24 hours after a game and prior to the start of their next game. Failure to do so will cause any player who pitched during that game to incur a mandatory 5 day rest period.
· A pitcher may not pitch in more than one game in a day.
· A pitcher must be removed when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her division as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:
· Major Division--85 pitches per game
· A pitcher must rest according to the following parameters:
· If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a game, four (4) calendar days rest must be observed.
· If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a game, three (3) calendar days rest must be observed.
· If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a game, two (2) calendar days rest must be observed.
· If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a game, one (1) calendar day rest must be observed.
· If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a game, no (0) calendar days rest is required.
· If a pitcher meets their maximum pitch count in the middle of a batter, the pitcher may finish that batter.
· Once a pitcher leaves the pitcher's mound he/she is not allowed to return as a pitcher in that game.
· All Coaches will, upon completion of the game, verify home book pitch count for all pitchers in that game. Home book will serve as the official pitch count for the game.
· The penalty for not following the above pitch count rules will be forfeiture of the game resulting in a 0-6 loss for the team in violation of the rules.
· In order to develop players it is necessary for players to regularly attend practices. It is at the manager's discretion to allow players to play in the week’s game(s) if they miss practices.
