Chesapeake Regional Amateur Baseball League

MLB rules will be followed with the below modifications.

Field Dimensions:

• 60' diamond
  
• 46' pitching mound

Umpires:  One Umpire per game.   The team playing on their HOME field is responsible for setting up or canceling the umpires for ALL games played at that field. Teams would split the umpire costs in cash at game time. Umpire fees for each location will be posted on our website so you know what those fees are before showing up at the game.

Game Length: All games will be (6) innings with no time limit unless it is required by the local field use permit.  If this is the case the home team should announce the restriction before the game.   Extra innings are permitted. Four (4) innings shall constitute an official game or three and one half (3 1/2) innings if the home team is leading. If a game is stopped for any reason (weather, lightning, or darkness) and is unable to be resumed it will fall under one of two suspended game rules. Games that are stopped prior to (4) full innings or (3 1/2) innings with the home team ahead will be considered incomplete. An incomplete game will be rescheduled and resumed from the exact point that it was called. Any used pitchers can not be reused and the batting order must stay the same. Games stopped at any time after completing (4) full innings will be considered complete. The final score will be determined by the following. If a game is stopped at any time in the 5th inning or beyond the score will revert back to the score at the end of the previous full inning of play. FOR EXAMPLE, The visiting team is losing 4-2 after (4) full complete innings. In the top of the 5th inning, the visiting team scores (5) runs and is leading 7-4. In the bottom of the 5th prior to the third out the game is called due to weather. The score reverts back to the completed 4th inning and the home team would be declared the winner at 4-2.

Bench Side:   In doubleheaders, the home team will get their choice of bench side.  They will not switch sides between games of the doubleheader.  In (3) way games the home team gets their choice of sides for the 1st game, the team that is the visitor in the 1st game will remain on that same side for the 2nd game of the (3) way and will not move their stuff.  For the 3rd game, the team waiting to play the last game will take the side of the departing team from the 2nd game. 

Protests: Umpires decision will be final.

Steals:

Base runners may steal after the ball crosses the front of the plate. Stealing home is permitted on passed balls or if the ball is put into play by the catcher to another base (ie....runners at first and 3rd, and the catcher throws down to second).  Delayed steals of home on throws back to the pitcher are not permitted. Stealing home on overthrows to the pitcher are not permitted.

Balks: No balks when no leads are in effect.

Lineup: Teams may bat 9, their lineup, or any number in between.  Once the number of batters is established it must remain the same throughout the game. The only exception are players that show up late whom can be added to the bottom of the lineup assuming the lineup hasn't rolled over.  

Courtesy Runner: For pitcher/catcher of record with two outs. The last batted out will be the courtesy runner. 

Substitutions: A substitute is any player not in the starting offensive lineup. Subs may replace any batter in the lineup.  As soon as a substitute bats or runs for another player, the sub and the original starter are locked into that lineup position and the starter comes out of the game offensively. The starter may re-enter back into the game ONCE into the same spot in the batting order that he occupied to start the game. If this occurs the sub can no longer hit or run the remainder of the game.  Subs should be announced to the umpire as well as the opposing team's scorekeeper. 

Defense: Free Defensive substitution is available outside of pitchers, who cannot re-enter the game as a pitcher.

Pitching Limits: Each pitcher has a 3 inning limit max per game, and 4 inning limit total per day for double headers.   1 out constitutes an inning. Any pitcher withdrawn from the mound may not return to that position in the same game even if removed on a first visit. Any coach who goes onto the field of play (2) times in an inning to confer with a pitcher must make a pitching change. This resets for each new pitcher. The only exception is due to injury or equipment damage.

Bats: The bat must have a BPF 1.15 stamp engraved in bat OR USA Baseball Stamped bats. 

Bat Throwing: Each team will get their own warning when a bat is thrown from that team. After the warning, the second occurrence by any player on the team that already received a warning will be called out. 

Baseballs: Each team will be responsible for three (3) new game ball per game then alternate a new or fairly new ball into the game if needed. Examples of game balls would be Diamond DCR/DCR-1, Rawlings RCAL/RCAL-1 or equivalent.

Bunting: Fake bunting allowed but the player can not show bunt and pull back then hit the ball (slash).  Slashes will be considered an automatic out by the batter and a dead ball, with runners returning to their original positions.  Slashes will also result in a warning by the umpire and possible ejections for multiple offenses.

Infield Fly: Infield fly rule is NOT in effect.

Dropped Third Strike :   Dropped Third strike is NOT in effect.

Mercy Rule: 12 run lead after 4 innings, 10 runs after 5 innings. The home team does not bat in the bottom of that inning if ahead by 12 or 10 runs.

Forfeits:  A team can start with and must finish with a minimum of (8) players.  All players showing up late should be added to the bottom of the lineup as long as the lineup has not rolled back over to the top.  If the lineup has already rolled over any players showing up late can serve as substitutes.   

Game time is Forfeit time. If a team forfeits within (2) hours of the game being played then the team forfeiting will be responsible for paying ALL umpire fees for that game as well as a $100 forfeit fee to the league. This does not include games that are cancelled in advance and communicated to the league and other teams involved. All cancellations due to weather should be communicated to all teams playing at your field and should be done at the minimum of at least (2) hours in advance. The final score of a forfeited game will be 10-0.

Ejections: If a player, parent, or coach is ejected from a game then the manager of the team with the ejection must email the Age Group Commissioner (Anthony Armetta) within (24) hours describing the circumstances of the ejection. Any ejected player, coach or manager who is ejected must sit out the next league game.  A second ejection in the same season by that individual for unsportsmanlike conduct will result in automatic removal of that individual from attending any future games played in that season. Failure to abide will result in immediate removal of the team from the league.  If a player is ejected from a game, that spot will be recorded as an out each time until the game is completed.

Injury: Teams Batting the Lineup - If a player is injured and must leave the game then that spot in the lineup will be skipped with no penalty. If an injury occurs during an at-bat and the player can't continue the at-bat, the next batter will take over that at-bat and assume the count. If an injury occurs while on the base paths the last recorded out will take the place of the injured player on the bases. Once a player is removed from the game due to an injury, that player is not eligible to return to the game in any capacity once an at-bat is skipped. 

Teams not batting the Lineup - If a substitute is available they must enter the game to hit or run for the injured player and then normal substitution rules come into play and the starter may come back into the game.

Sliding: Head first back to a bag only. All other slides must be feet first.

Contact: All runners must slide or otherwise attempt to avoid a fielder who has possession of the ball and is waiting to make a tag. If a runner does not slide and there is no collision and the umpire rules the runner safe, then the runner is safe. Umpire discretion. Players will only be ejected if the umpire rules that the contact was malicious in nature.  All others will simply be called out if the umpire rules that it was a must-slide situation and the runner did not slide.

Necklaces/Distractions: Breakaway necklaces such as Phiten will be allowed. All other jewelry unless medically necessary must be removed. White/Gray sleeves, sunglasses or distractions worn by a pitcher must be removed unless medically necessary. Molded cleats only. Sunglasses for batters ok as long as they are not mirrored. No chrome batting helmets. No player chanting, air horns, or intentional distractions once an inning has started.

Rosters: No more then a (15) man roster. Rosters will be submitted prior to league play. Rosters may be modified due to unforeseen circumstances at the discretion of the Age Group Commissioner. Birth documents shall be maintained by each team in case of a player protest. Rosters will include player name, DOB, and uniform number. Players must have played in at least half of a team's games to be eligible for the playoffs.  The only exception will be injury-approved by the age group commissioner.

2022 9U CRAB League Rules

MLB rules will be followed with the below modifications.

Field Dimensions:46'/60' with stealing, after the ball crosses the front of the plate.

Umpires: One (1) umpire would be used per game. The HOME field location would be responsible for setting up or cancelling the umpires for ALL games played at that field. Teams would split the umpire costs in cash at game time. Umpire fees for each location will be posted on our website so you know what those fees are before showing up at the game.

Game Length: All games will be (6) innings with no new inning beginning after a 1 hr 50 minute time limit. A "drop dead" time limit of 2 hr 15 minute will exist (if the inning is not complete at the drop dead time limit, the game score reverts back to the previous completed inning). Extra innings permitted. Four (4) innings shall constitute an official game or three and one half (3 1/2) innings if the home team is leading. If a game is stopped for any reason (weather, lightning, or darkness) and is unable to be resumed it will fall under one of two suspended game rules. Games that are stopped prior to (4) full innings or (3 1/2) innings with the home team ahead will be considered incomplete. An incomplete game will be rescheduled and resumed from the exact point that it was called. Any used pitchers cannot be reused and the batting order must stay the same. Games stopped at any time after completing (4) full innings will be considered complete. The final score will be determined by the following. If a game is stopped at any time in the 5th inning or beyond the score will revert back to the score at the end of the previous full inning of play. FOR EXAMPLE: The visiting team is losing 4-2 after (4) full complete innings. In the top of the 5th inning the visiting team scores (5) runs and is leading 9-2. In the bottom of the 5th prior to the third out the game is called due to weather. The score reverts back to the completed 4th inning and the home team would be declared the winner at 4-2.

Bench Side:   In doubleheaders the home team will get their choice of bench side.  They will not switch sides between games of the doubleheader.

Protests:  Umpires decision will be final.

Lineup:  May bat 9, the entire lineup, or any number in between with free defensive substitutions. Once the number of batters has been establised, it must remain the same for the duration of that particular game. If a guest player is playing that is not on the original roster turned in prior to the season start, the opposing coach should receive an explanation and must agree to the circumstances and the guest player must adhere to the age cutoff for 9u.

Courtsey Runners: A courtsey runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher only when there are 2 outs in the inning. The last/previous batter who was declared out must be the substitution.

Pitching Limits: (3) inning max per game per pitcher or (6) inning total max per pitcher in any doubleheader or 3-team tri-meet. One pitch constitutes an inning. Any pitcher withdrawn from the mound may not return to that position in the same game even if removed on a first visit. Any coach who goes onto the field of play (2) times in an inning to confer with a pitcher must make a pitching change. Mound visits resets for each new pitcher. The only exception is due to injury or equipment damage. Pitch counts per pitcher are not policed (only 3 innings max per game), however, all coaches are strongly encouraged to abide by USA Baseball arm care guidelines.

Bats:  Bpf 1.15 or USA Baseball certified. No barrell or drop restrictions.

Bat Throwing: Each team will get their own warning when a bat is thrown from that team. After the warning, the second occurrence by any player on the team that already received a warning will be called out soley at the discretion of the umpire.

Baseballs - Each team will be responsible for one (1) new game ball per game then alternate a new or fairly new ball into the game if needed. Example of game balls would be Diamond DCR/DCR-1, Rawlings RCAL/RCAL-1 or equivalent.

Bunting: Bunting is allowed. Fake bunting allowed but the player cannot show bunt and pull back then hit the ball (slash bunt).  In the event of a "slash bunt", the play is immediately declared a "dead ball", the batter is out, and all runners return to their original base.

Dropped Third Strike: There is NO dropped third strike.

Leading/Stealing: No runner on base can lead-off (primary leads); the runner cannot make an attempt to steal a base or lead off
until the baseball breaks the plane of home plate or until the batter hits the ball. If the umpire determines that the
runner left his base early, he will be declared out. Secondary leads and steals may occur after the ball crosses the front plane of the plate or the ball is batted into play.

Infield Fly: Infield fly rule is NOT in effect.

Balks: There will be no balks called during 9u games.

Mercy Rule: 12 run lead after 4 innings. 10 run lead after 5 innings.  The home team does not bat in the bottom of that inning if ahead by the run rule limit.

Courtesy Runner: For pitcher/catcher of record with two outs. Last batter out will be courtesy runner. Player that is being substituted MUST be pitching or catching that following inning. 

Forfeits: A team can start with and must finish with a minimum of (8) players. Players showing up late will be added to bottom of the lineup. Game time is Forfeit time. If a team forfeits within (2) hours of the game being played then the team forfeiting will be responsible for paying ALL umpire fees for that game. This does not include games that are cancelled in advance and communicated to the league and other teams involved. All cancellations due to weather should be communicated to all teams playing at your field and should be done at the minimum of at least (2) hours in advance. The final score of a forfeited game will be 10-0.

Ejections: If a player, parent, or coach is ejected from a game then the manager of the team with the ejection must immediately contact the 9u CRAB Commissioner.  An email from the manager must be emailed to the 9u CRAB Commissioner within 24 hrs. describing the circumstances of the ejection. Any ejected player, coach or manager who is ejected must sit out the next league game.  A second ejection in the same season by that individual for unsportsmanlike conduct will result in an automatic removal of that individual from attending any future games played in that season. Failure to abide will result in immediate removal of the team from the league.  If a player is ejected from a game, that spot will be recorded as an out each time until the game is completed. Head Coaches are responsible for ALL conduct from their team to include assistant coaches, players, parents and other spectators. Unsportsmanlike conduct, aggressive or uncivil behavior will NOT be tolerated by the league Commissioner.

Injury: If a player is injured and must leave the game then that spot in the lineup will be skipped with no penalty. If an injury occurs during an at-bat and the player can't continue the at-bat, the next batter will take over that at-bat and assume the count. If injury occurs while on the base-paths the last recorded out will take the place of the injured player on the bases. Once a player is removed from the game due to an injury, that player is not eligible to return to the game in any capacity once an at bat is skipped.

Sliding: Head first back to a bag only (the base must have been already achieved by the runner). All other slides must be feet first.

Contact: All runners must slide or otherwise attempt to avoid a fielder who has possession of the ball and is waiting to make a tag. If a runner does not slide and there is no collision and the umpire rules the runner safe, then the runner is safe. Umpire discretion. Players will only be ejected if the umpire rules that the contact was malicious in nature.  All others will simply be called out if the umpire rules that it was a must slide situation and the runner did not slide.

Necklaces/Equipment: Jewelry unless medically necessary should be removed. White/Gray sleeves, sunglasses or distractions worn by a pitcher must be removed. Molded cleats only.

Rosters: No more than a (15) man roster. Rosters will be submitted prior to league play. Rosters may be modified due to unforeseen circumstances at the discretion of the Age Group Commissioner. Birth documents shall be maintained by each team in case of a player protest. Rosters will include player name, DOB, and uniform number.

Insurance: All teams shall carry their own insurance.

Game Score Reporting: The winning coach should text or email the score to the age group commissioner within 24 hours of the game ending, preferrably as soon as possible for timely reporting. Can be texted to: Frank Rock, 410-292-4512.