MYBSL Rules
Subscribe to our Newsletter2026 MYBSL RULES
2026 Rules and Regulations
January 25, 2026
ABOUT MYBSL
MYBSL is an independent closed group of local community members organized to coordinate summer recreation baseball and softball youth programs among one another for third through eighth grade.
MISSION STATEMENT
MYBSL’s mission is to encourage and promote the growth of baseball and softball skills of its community youth, as well as sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, and good citizenship. Our hope is that youth will grow to understand not only the core values in sports, but also the importance of courage, honesty, and respect and carry these values forward through adulthood as positive, active members in their communities. We believe this can be achieved while maintaining a high level of quality competition throughout this league.
GAME RULE MODIFICATIONS STATEMENT
The foregoing rules are exceptions to the published/standard rules that MYBSL challenges, where applicable. Rules not covered by this compilation indicate that the participating league, “Michigan High School Rule Book” will be observed.
CODE OF CONDUCT
- Heckling will not be tolerated by any player, coach, or spectator, including chants. The umpire will give one warning to any player, coach, or spectator heckling. If there is a repeat, one bench warning will be issued. If the problem continues, the game will result in forfeit by the offending team.
- Please be respectful to the umpire. If you have a problem with a call, speak to them at the appropriate time.
- Coaches cannot charge the umpire at any time or use profanity. It is the coaches responsibility to control their team, parents, and spectators.
- If players or coaches throw equipment in frustration after a call, they will be ejected from the game.
- Umpires must make calls equally and fairly to both teams. Any unresolved issues pertaining to that game should be reported according to the Rule Violation & Grievance Process after a 24-hour cool down period.
- Umpires and coaches need to work together. Each contest is another opportunity for coaches and umpires to teach not only the sport, but also model good sporting behavior as well.
- If an umpire is made aware of a player or coach swearing, the umpire may issue a warning or game ejection at their discretion. If an umpire is made aware of a second team occurrence and can reasonably verify, the player or coach will be ejected from the game.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULE VIOLATIONS & GRIEVANCE PROCESS
DEFENSE DIVISION SPECIFIC RULES
OFFENSE DIVISION SPECIFIC RULES
BATTING RULES AND REQUIREMENTS
STEALING/BASE RUNNING/STOPPING PLAY
BASE RUNNER INTERFERENCE / FIELDER COLLISIONS
GENERAL LEAGUE REQUIREMENTS
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
MYBSL is an independent closed group established solely to organize local communities together for summer recreation of their Minor, Major and Jr. Pony baseball and softball programs and maintains no local processes or protections for participating communities. To participate in MYBSL, individual communities shall:
- Request participation with final approval resting with the board of directors and per the terms of MYBSL bylaws. Communities only need to request/receive approval to participate initially. Once approved, the community’s membership is perpetual until revoked by the community director or MYBSL board of directors per the MYBSL by laws.
- Maintain state of Michigan organization registration status and/or have appropriate protections in place for such things as accidents, injury and liability, etc.
- Manage their own program and utilize its own resources throughout a season.
- Designate an individual from their program as the community director. It is preferred for the individual to be the program president and vice president.
- The community director will:
- Serve on the MYBSL board of directors as the community representative and designate a proxy as back-up.
- Submit required MYBSL forms.
- Season registration by April 1 of each year for its teams per division.
- Season rosters by April 15 of each year for each team.
- Tournament registration and rosters within 2 weeks of tournament start date.
- Oversee their own rosters and adherence to the rules for player placement.
- A draft must be conducted when there will be more than one team in a community’s division. Coaches will conduct the draft, and the city director has final determination. Players will be selected by individual grade levels with each coach getting to select two players initially and then rotate selection one by one.
- Travel ball players are limited to ⅔ to a team. The community lead will bring special circumstances to the board for consideration to allow.
- Handle schedules/reschedules and enter all game scores within 3 days of a game’s play date.
- Receive access to MYBSL’s systems and documents.
GENERAL RULES
- Any rule not specifically mentioned here will follow the Michigan High School Athletic Association Rules (MHSAA).
- The MYBSL Board of Directors will review its rules annually and make amendments accordingly.
- The MYBSL Board of Directors may make amendments to its rules during the season if deemed necessary. Updates will be communicated by them to their respective community representative and made available on the MYBSL website.
- Any player who falsely completes an application to play in the league or a manager that knowingly accepts such a player will suffer a two-year banishment from the league.
- The home team must provide one “new” game ball. The visiting team will provide a “good” back up ball.
- The home team’s dugout is on the 3rd base line and the visitor’s team is on the 1st base line.
- A player may be removed from the game and may re-enter any number of times but must remain in the batting order unless an injury has occurred.
- A courtesy runner will be allowed for the catcher or in case of injury. The courtesy runner is the player that made the last out.
- The use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on the playing fields or benches.
- If a coach or coaches cannot control themselves in a manner of “Good Sportsmanship” they may be removed or suspended from coaching for the remainder of the season (including tournaments). This will be handled by the MYBSL Board of Directors.
- Coaches and/or directors will abide by score keeping directives issued by the MYBSL board of directors.
- Prior to the game start, coaches and the umpire(s) shall conduct a pre-game meeting to review expectations of the game, overall flow, and any rules as needed.
- Opposing managers should sign each other's scorebook.
- Upon the game starting, the exchange between offense and defense should be expeditious with minimal warm up pitches. New pitchers either between innings or mid-innings will be given sufficient time to warm up.
- Batter walk-up music and chanting is allowed but must be reasonably appropriate and not cause delays in the game. All music and chanting must stop once the batter is in the box and the pitcher at the mound or the umpire interjects, whichever comes first.
RULE VIOLATIONS & GRIEVANCE PROCESS
All violations of the rules should be addressed once they become known. Unless otherwise specified in league bylaws or rules, the consequence of a rule violation will be determined based on severity, issued to those at fault, and can include immediate actions to rectify (if during a game), a warning, game suspension, season suspension, or league suspension according to the following grievance escalation path until resolution is achieved:
- Umpire/Coaches (if discovered during a game)
- Community Director to Community Director
- Baseball/Softball Advocate
- President, Vice President, Baseball/Softball Advocate
- League Board of Directors for vote
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Minor Boys & Minor Girls: Players that are currently in 3rd and 4th grade prior to summer.
- Major Boys & Major Girls: Players that are currently in 5th and 6th grade prior to summer.
- Jr. Pony Boys & Jr Pony Girls: Players that are currently in 7th or 8th grade prior to summer.
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
- Uniforms must be numbered.
- Hats are optional for all players.
- All players are urged to wear internal mouth pieces. All male players are urged to wear a cup and supporters.
- All offensive players must wear a helmet when on the field, including the batter’s box.
- A player who purposely removes their helmet while in the batter's box, while on the base, while running the bases, without “time” being called by an umpire will receive a team warning. Any further infraction will result in the player being called out. This is a judgment call by the umpire.
- No metal cleats/spikes are allowed. All cleats must be rubber.
- Facemask requirements for each girls’ team is determined by their community program.
- The use of sunglasses or facemask visors are allowed but should not be distracting or reflective, etc.
BAT SPECIFICATION
- MYBSL Specifications:
- Boys Minor/Major: Composite or aluminum bats must be stamped for either BBcore, USA, or USSSA with a maximum barrel size of 2 ¾ inch and maximum drop of 10 or -10 length to weight ratio. No wood bats.
- Girls Minor/Major: Fastpitch composite or aluminum bats are allowed. No wood bats.
- Jr. Pony Boys: Wood, metal, ceramic, composite, or graphite bats must be stamped for either BBcore, USA, or USSSA with a maximum barrel size of 2 ¾ inch and maximum drop of 5 or -5 length to weight ratio.
- Jr. Pony Girls: Fastpitch composite or aluminum bats are allowed. No wood bats.
- Umpires shall inspect each team’s bats and remove any that exceeds the league specification.
- Any player bringing an illegal bat into the batter’s box will be ejected without warning and a single out called.
- Bats that are deemed cracked or fractured will be ruled ineligible for play. The batting order moves up for remaining at bats without further penalty.
FIELD DIMENSIONS
- Boys Minor: Bases 60ft / Pitching Mound 44ft
- Girls Minor: Bases: 60 ft / Pitching Rubber: 35ft
- Boys Major: Bases: 70ft / Pitching Mound: 50ft
- Girls Major: Bases: 60 ft / Pitching Rubber: 40ft
- Jr. Pony Boys: Bases: 80ft / Pitching Mound: 54ft
- Jr. Pony Girls: Bases: 60 ft / Pitching Rubber: 43ft
TOURNAMENTS
- There will be a bracket tournament at the end of the season that will be single elimination besides Girls Jr Pony. The MYBSL Scheduling Officer will determine the placement of teams at the end of the season. Seeding will be based on regular season places at the end of the season.
- The home team is determined by the best regular season record.
- Tie breakers are determined by the International Tie Breaker Rule:
- The innings start with each team having an out and a player is placed on second base. This runner is determined to be the last batter scheduled to bat in that inning. Any eligible player may be substituted for this runner. If the international tiebreaker inning remains in a tie, they will play another until one team outscores the other.
- A community’s tournament roster must be submitted no greater than 2 weeks prior to tournament dates.
- All players rostered must have played in at least two-thirds of the season’s scheduled games to be eligible.
- Any new players added to the tournament roster must play outfield and bat last. Exceptions to the two-third rule may be considered by the league’s board of directors.
- Game time limits do not apply to the championship games for tournaments.
UMPIRES
- The home team shall provide the umpire for all regular season play.
- Umpires shall not be siblings, parents, grandparents to any player or the child of any coach on either team.
- A MHSAA approved umpire is recommended for regular games and required for tournaments.
- If the umpire(s) is absent at game time, the coaches will contact their respective directors, and the director will find an umpire or reschedule the game.
- No umpire shall interfere with, criticize, or try to reverse another umpire’s decision unless the umpire whose decision is in question calls him into consultation.
- Umpires shall be supplied with the most updated version of league rules to ensure the correct version. Current league rules can be found on the Corunna Youth Sports and Rec Program League Lineup Site.
- Minors shall have one umpire. The umpire must be at least 14 years old.
- Majors shall have two umpires. The umpire must be at least 14 years old. A game may proceed in the event that only one umpire is available.
- Jr Pony shall have two umpires. The umpire must be at least 16 years old. A game may proceed in the event that only one umpire is available.
GAME DAY
MINORS AND MAJORS
- An untied game is complete regardless of time after 6 full innings (5.5 innings if the home team is up).
- Game length is 1 hr 45 min for minors and 2 hrs for majors.
- “Start Time” when called by the umpire, is when the first warmup pitch is delivered by the home team pitcher.
- No “last inning.” The umpire shall call an official start time, if the umpire fails to do so the start time will be the scheduled game time.
- If a new inning can be started, however little time is left, it should be started.
- The next inning starts for clock purposes at the 3rd out of the bottom of the last inning.
- When the home team is up, they need not bat if time has elapsed or at the bottom of the 6th inning. If a game is tied after six innings, the game will continue for extra innings unless time has expired.
- Max of 6 runs per inning–no exceptions.
- Come back/mercy rule: 6th inning need not be played if the losing team cannot tie with max 6 runs scored. The 5th inning need not be played if the losing team cannot tie by scoring 6 runs in each of the 5th and 6th innings (down by more than 12). At least 4 innings should be played if time has not elapsed.
- Tie breaker: An attempt to break a tie- 1 extra inning (even if time has elapsed) will be played utilizing the international tie breaker rule. See International Tie Breaker Rule.
JR. PONY BOYS
- 6:30pm start time unless specified on schedule.
- An untied game is complete regardless of time after 7 full innings (6.5 innings if the home team is up).
- No new inning may start after 2 hours.
- Maximum allowable runs in one (1) inning will be 5 runs, except the 7th inning or declared last inning.
- 7th inning or declared last inning rule:
- Umpires must declare "last inning" prior to the start of that inning in a time limit game.
- "Last inning” cannot be declared before 1hr 45 min into the game.The trailing team will have the opportunity to score enough runs to tie the game in that at bat, unless trailing by less than 5. If trailing by less than 5, maximum run rule is in effect (5).
- Mercy rule – 15 run lead after 3 innings or 10 run lead after 5 innings.
- Tie breaker: An attempt to break a tie- 1 extra inning (even if time has elapsed) will be played utilizing the international tie breaker rule. See International Tie Breaker Rule.
JR. PONY GIRLS SINGLE GAMES
- 6:15pm start time unless specified on schedule.
- An untied game is complete regardless of time after 6 full innings (5.5 innings if the home team is up).
- Game length is 2 hrs. The umpire shall call an official start time, if the umpire fails to do so the start time will be the scheduled game time. Unless the umpire called “last inning” and if a new inning can be started, however little time is left, it should be started. The next inning starts for clock purposes at the 3rd out of the bottom of the last inning. “Start Time” when called by the umpire, is when the first warmup pitch is delivered by the home team pitcher.
- If a regulation game cannot be completed due to time, completion of 5 innings is considered a complete game.
- Maximum allowable runs in one (1) inning will be 5 runs, except the 7th inning or declared last inning.
- 7th inning or declared last inning rule:
- Umpires must declare "last inning" prior to the start of that inning in a time limit game.
- "Last inning” cannot be declared before 1hr 45 min into the game.
- The trailing team will have the opportunity to score enough runs to tie the game in that at bat, unless trailing by less than 5. If trailing by less than 5, maximum run rule is in effect (5).
- Mercy rule – 15 run lead after 3 innings or 10 run lead after 5 innings.
- Tie breaker – See International Tie Breaker Rule.
JR. PONY GIRLS DOUBLE HEADERS
- 1st game will start at 5:30pm
- Game length is 1 hr 15 min. The umpire shall call an official start time, if the umpire fails to do so the start time will be the scheduled game time. Unless the umpire called “last inning” and if a new inning can be started, however little time is left, it should be started. The next inning starts for clock purposes at the 3rd out of the bottom of the last inning. “Start Time” when called by the umpire, is when the first warmup pitch is delivered by the home team pitcher.
- 2nd game will start after a 10 minute break after the conclusion of the first game. pm.. No more than 15 min between games (start time of second game may move up. NO GAME WILL START AFTER 8:15PM. If this happens, the “Make-Up” rule follows. If a rescheduled game cannot be made up, the 2nd game will result in a tie. This is ONLY in the situation that the 2nd game of the double header was not able to be rescheduled at no fault of either coach.
- An untied game is complete regardless of time after 5 full innings (4.5 innings if the home team is up).
- If a regulation game cannot be completed due to time, completion of 4 innings is considered a complete game.
- Maximum allowable runs in one (1) inning will be 5 runs, except the 7th inning or declared last inning.
- 7th inning or declared last inning rule:
- Umpires must declare "last inning" prior to the start of that inning in a time limit game.
- "Last inning” cannot be declared before 1hr into the game.
- The trailing team will have the opportunity to score enough runs to tie the game in that at bat, unless trailing by less than 5. If trailing by less than 5, maximum run rule is in effect (5).
- Mercy rule – 15 run lead after 3 innings or 10 run lead after 5 innings.
- Tie breaker: An attempt to break a tie- 1 extra inning (even if time has elapsed) will be played utilizing the international tie breaker rule. See International Tie Breaker Rule.
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS/DELAY
- Games will be called off collectively, due to tornado warning.
- The decision to cancel games due to wet conditions will be the responsibility of the hosting League Director or any Executive Board Member.
- After the game begins, if due to inclement weather the game may be stopped by the Head Umpire. The umpire should confer with the head coaches.
- Coaches should work in coordination with their directors to reschedule games.
- 100-degree heat index cancellation is also in effect.
- Accu-Weather will be utilized to determine the heat advisory at the scheduled start time. A real feel heat index of 101 degrees or higher will result in cancellation.
- Lightning: Delay for lightning and/or thunder are both 30 minutes. Each occurrence restarts a 30-minute delay.
- Game clock stops until the game resumes.
- If the game is postponed due to weather, all efforts should be made to finish the game. If unable due to continuous weather or field conditions, a game will be considered completed after 4 innings or 3.5 innings if the home team is leading. If 3.5 innings are not met, the game will restart on a future day and will revert to normal rules with time limit back in place.
- Rain Delay: If a game is delayed for a future day the game will freeze as it stands; inning, count at bat, outs, etc.
FORFEIT RULES
- A team must have at least seven registered players at game time or the game may be forfeited.
- See “Make-up Games” below also.
PICK-UP PLAYERS
- You may pick up any player who meets the grade requirements for that division to complete your line-up. As each team member shows up, each pick-up player is to be dropped immediately until the team reaches the number of registered players allowed in the field.
- Pick up players must play in the outfield and be placed at the bottom of the batting order.
- For tournament play, there will be no pick-up players allowed and there will be no outs for missing spots within the batting order.
TIE BREAKER RULE
- When a game is tied after the number of innings specified in the rules for that division, the game will go into extra innings.
- At the start of each extra inning a runner is placed at 2nd base, the runner will be the last out from the previous inning.
- At least one full inning will be played allowing each team an ‘at bat’. If the score remains tied, the same process is used in each inning until a victor emerges or the game is ended due to the original time limit. If the game is over due to the time limit and the score is tied, the game ends in a tie.
- Minors & Majors during the regular season will only play one additional inning after time has elapsed. For playoff games, play will continue until there is a winner.
MAKE-UP GAMES
- Games called off shall be made up. It is the home team community director’s responsibility to offer at least 3 dates that are within two weeks from the original game date for a make-up game. Directors will have one week to agree on a make-up date. If the directors cannot agree on one of these dates, the home team community director will notify the MYBSL league scheduler, who will assign a date to play. If a team cannot or does not show up to play an assigned game, they forfeit the game.
- Make-up games can be scheduled any day of the week, including weekends.
- No make-up game may be rescheduled after the last game of the season with the exception of the last game; that game must be played before the playoff game starts.
DEFENSE DIVISION SPECIFIC RULES
PLAYERS ON THE FIELD
- Minor Boys/Girls and Major Boys: 10 players in the field w/ 4 in the outfield. No Rovers
- Major Girls and Jr Pony Boys/Girls: 9 players in the field.
DEFENSIVE PLAYING REQUIREMENT
- Minor BoysGirls and Majors Boys/Girls: Each player must play at least 3 complete innings in the field. The last half of the sixth is considered an inning if the home team is leading. No player can be in 1 position for more than 3 innings, except pitchers who will follow the pitcher rule. Rovers are not allowed.
- JR Pony Boys / Girls: All players must play the field for at least two complete innings.
INFIELD FLY
Major Boys, Jr Pony Boys/Girls: An infield fly ball is a fair ball (not a bunt), which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. When the first and second bases are loaded with less than two outs and an INFIELD FLY has been hit, the umpire will automatically call the batter out. The runners may advance at their own risk.
- Minor Boys/Girls and Major Girls: Not in effect.
INTENTIONAL WALKS
- Minor Boys/Girls: Not permitted
- Major Boys/Girls: Permitted only when a pitcher throws 4 balls.
- JR Pony Boys: Permitted only when a pitcher throws 4 balls.
- Jr Pony Girls: Permitted only when a pitcher throws 4 balls.
PITCHING
- Minor Boys/Girls and Major Boys/Girls: No player may pitch more than 9 outs in a single game. Innings pitched in a game need not be consecutive. Pitchers can temporarily take a field position and then return as a pitcher, provided they have outs left available to pitch. Coaches can make two trips to the mound per pitcher per inning. The third trip, the coach must change pitchers. No curve balls are allowed. If a pitcher hits 2 batters in an inning, then the coach must approach the mound. If a pitcher hits 3 batters in 1 inning or 5 in a game, then the pitcher must be removed as a pitcher for the remainder of the game. NO BALKS
- Jr. Pony Boys: A player may not pitch more than three (3) consecutive days regardless of number of pitches. A pitcher may NOT return to pitch in the same game. Only one intentional walk per batter per game. Pitch Count Limitations. Coaches are required to review pitchers' last games with the umpire prior to the start of play. Failure to do so will result in forfeit.
- Maximum Daily Pitches: 90
- 76+: 3-day rest required
- 51-75: 2-day rest required
- 26-50: 1 day rest required
- 25 or less: No rest required
- Jr. Pony Girls: A pitcher may pitch unlimited innings. If a pitcher hits three batters in one inning, OR five batters in a game, she must be removed as pitcher, and CANNOT pitch for the remainder of the game.
OFFENSE DIVISION SPECIFIC RULES
OFFENSIVE PLAYING REQUIREMENT
All divisions: The entire roster of players must bat whether they are in the field or not. A team must bat all of their players in the batting order, i.e. bat the full roster. If an injured player misses their spot in the batting order, they will be out of the game.
BATTING RULES AND REQUIREMENTS
- At the first occurrence of bat throwing, the batting team will be issued a warning. Any subsequent occurrences by a previously warned team shall be called out by the umpire. A player being called out for throwing a bat will result in a dead ball with no advancement of runners on base.
- Hit by pitch:
- A reasonable attempt must be made to get out of the way of pitch, which is at the discretion of the umpire. If the batter swings and the ball hits them, it is a strike.
- An injured player may be removed from the lineup without penalty (no automatic out), but once the at-bat is skipped, the player may not re-enter the game.
- Bunting is allowed in all divisions EXCEPT girls minor and boys minor.
STEALING/BASE RUNNING/STOPPING PLAY
- Minor Boys:
- Base stealing is allowed, except a base runner on third base may never “straight” steal home or advance on a passed ball, but if, after receiving a pitch, a catcher puts the ball into play on a base runner, the 3rd base runner may advance at their own risk.
- A base runner can leave the base as the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand, but shall be out if leaving the base prior.
- A base runner can’t steal if the pitcher misses a return ball.
- If a catcher puts the ball into play attempting to throw out a stealing base runner, the runner can only take the base they are advancing to at the time of the pitch (max 1 base).
- Play stops when the ball is returned to a player in the pitching mound area. Even if the player misses the ball, if the umpire determines the throw was going to the player, the ball becomes dead and no advancement of runners.
- Minor Girls:
- Base stealing is not allowed.
- A base runner can leave the base as the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand, but shall be out if they leave the base prior.
- Play stops when the ball is thrown back to the player in the pitching mound area. Even if the player misses the ball, if the umpire determines the throw was going to the player, the ball becomes dead and no advancement of runners.
- Major Boys:
- Base stealing is allowed.
- A runner may lead off with 2 normal steps but may not advance until the ball crosses home plate. If the runner leaves early, the ball will be a dead ball, not an out. No pitch (i.e. batter does not get a ball, or a strike added). In a situation where it becomes an ongoing issue, it will be a team warning, then an out for the base runner. No pick offs. No delayed steals.
- The play stops and runners must return to the base they are at when the pitcher has control of the ball in the pitching mound area unless they are already advancing prior to the throw back to the pitcher. The play becomes live again when the next pitch crosses home plate or the batter hits the next pitch.
- Major Girls:
- Base stealing is allowed, except a base runner on third base may never “straight” steal home or advance on a passed ball, but if, after receiving a pitch, a catcher puts the ball into play on a base runner, the 3rd base runner may advance at their own risk.
- Baserunners can leave the base as the ball is released from the pitcher's hand. A ball is in play, as long as it is in the playing field.
- Play stops when the ball is thrown back to the player in the pitching mound area. Even if the player misses the ball, if the umpire determines the throw was going to the player, the ball becomes dead and no advancement of runners.
- JR Pony Boys: Stealing all bases is permitted.
- JR Pony Girls: Stealing all bases is permitted. Runners may leave base when the pitcher releases the ball.
OVERTHROWS ON BATTED BALL
- Minor Boys/Girls:
- Overthrows that stay in the playing field, a runner is allowed one base.
- Overthrows that leave the playing field, a runner gets the base they are going to plus one base. For example, if there is an overthrow at first base and the batter rounds first base before the ball goes out of play the runner gets second base plus third base.
- Major Boys/Girls:
- On a batted ball the play is live until the ball is returned to the pitcher for majors boys and within the pitching mound area for majors girls.
- Overthrows that leave the playing field, a runner gets the base they are going to plus one base. For example, if there is an overthrow at first base and the batter rounds first base before the ball goes out of play the runner gets second base plus third base.
- JR Pony Boys/Girls:
- The ball is live. Overthrows that leave the playing field the runner gets the base they are going to plus one base. Example, if there is an overthrow at first base and the batter rounds first base before the ball goes out of play, the runner gets second base plus third base.
DROPPED 3RD STRIKE
Major Boys, Jr Pony Boys/Girls: When a third strike is called or is swung at and missed and the catcher does not make a legal catch, the batter may attempt to reach first base if it is unoccupied when there are less than 2 outs, or even when it is occupied when there are 2 outs. Occupied means it was occupied at the time of the pitch. The fact that the runner attempts to steal does not make the base unoccupied. Time of pitch is defined as the moment the pitcher starts his windup or commits to a pitch to the plate. To be legally caught the ball must be caught in-flight. This means if the catcher catches the ball cleanly on a bounce it is NOT a legal catch. A runner may run to first at any time unless they have exited the baseline.
- Minor Boys/Girls and Major Girls: Not in effect.
STEPPING ON HOME PLATE
A batter stepping on home plate is out only if they make contact with the ball, it does not matter if the ball is hit fair or foul. The batter is out and the ball becomes dead.
BATTED BALL HITS HOME PLATE
Home plate is in fair territory. If the ball is batted and strikes the plate and rolls fair, it is a fair ball. If the ball strikes the plate and then hits the batter while they are in the batter's box, It is considered a foul ball. If the ball strikes the plate and hits the batter in fair territory after the batter has left the batter's box, the batter is out.
HELMET DISCIPLINE
- A player who purposely removes their helmet while in the batter's box, while on the base, while running the bases, WITHOUT “TIME” being called by an umpire will receive a TEAM WARNING. Any further infraction will result in the player being called out. This is a judgment call by the umpire.
- A player purposely throwing a HELMET, BAT or other object MAY be removed from the ball game. Repeated violations may result in suspension or expulsion from the league.
BASE LINE
The base line is defined as the three feet either side of the imaginary line from base to base OR the natural advancement path of a runner to the next base (Baseline is set by the runner as they round to the next base). A base runner may only leave the baseline to avoid the defensive fielder making a play on a live ball.
OVERRUNNING FIRST BASE
A batter overrunning first base immediately following a base hit or error may turn in either direction after crossing first base. A base runner cannot be tagged out unless an attempt is made to advance to second base. This is a judgment call on the part of the umpire.
BASERUNNING
- Once a runner touches home plate, they forfeit their right to go back and retag. Refer to MHSAA rules.
- No blocking of bases or home plate without the ball or base runner is automatically safe. No barreling into the catcher or base runner is out.
BASE RUNNER INTERFERENCE / FIELDER COLLISIONS
- A runner must attempt to avoid contact with the fielder on a close play at base. The nature of any resulting collision is an Umpire judgment call. A runner causing an intentional collision will be ejected from the game after the ball is declared dead, if so, ruled by the umpire. A fielder intentionally causing a collision will be removed from the game. The runner will be ruled out if the tag was made and the fielder kept control of the ball.
- Runner must slide to avoid an imminent collision during a viable play at home plate or the runner may be called out at the umpire's discretion.
FIELDER OBSTRUCTION
The base runner will be allowed at least one base, if in the judgment of the Umpire, the fielder in any way blocks the progress of the runner while the fielder is not involved in the play of a live ball.
CHANGE LOG
