Minor Boys (9-10)
1. Dixie League Youth Baseball Rulebook will govern play with the following exceptions.
The field of play will be required to have coach’s boxes on the 1st and 3rd baseline in foul territory.
Coaches shall remain in dugout when not in coach’s boxes, operating the pitching machine or to tend to injury or issues on field. Coaches must request and be granted time out to enter field of play.
No coaching outside of dugouts will be allowed.
Walk up music shall be allowed with the following guidelines. Music must be age/public appropriate, must be played from the outfield side of teams dugout, and will stop as soon as the batter enters the batter’s box.
2. The official Little League baseball will be used as the game ball.
3. A standard game may not exceed 6 innings in length. If a game is called due to inclement weather, 4 innings is considered a complete game. The score at the end of the last full inning will be considered the final score. The first game will begin at 6:00pm, the second game at 8:00pm or 10 minutes after the completion of the first game if it runs over. No new inning will begin after one hour and forty five minutes of play has elapsed. At this time the game will be determined as a complete game. Teams may start a game with a minimum of 8 players. Teams must finish a game with no less than 8 players. If starting with 8 players, an out does not have to be taken when the ninth spot comes up in the batting order. The only way an out shall be taken is when a team starts with 9 players, and one is ejected or leaves the game for reasons other than illness or injury.
4. If any game is tied after 6 innings or is tied at the bottom of an inning and the time limit of 1 hour 45 minutes has been reached, the gameplay will as follow: Each team will have a chance to complete ½ inning. Each team will begin their respective at bat with the player on their roster that was the last recorded out on 2nd base. If then at the end of 1 full inning of play the score is still tied the game will be called complete and a tie will be scored.
5. Suspended games will resume at the point of the last recorded full inning. If subs were used for the suspended game, they are not required to be present at the make-up game. Players not at the original game shall be placed at the bottom of the line up. If any discrepancies should arise the home team book or gamechanger shall have final say.
6. All bats used will be in accordance with the standard set forth in 2018. All bats shall be stamped with the official USA Bat markings. If illegal bat is discovered, the batter shall be declared out and all base runners shall return to last/original base. The bat must be challenged prior to immediate next at bat.
7. No designated hitters allowed.
8. No dropped third strike rule.
9. Mercy Rule: If a team is behind 10 runs in the 4th inning, or 8 runs in the 5th inning, the mercy rule goes into effect and the game is over. If the home team is behind, they must be allowed to bat in the bottom of the inning.
10. 6 run rule: In effect for duration of the first 3 innings, (1,2,3). If 6 runs are scored by a team in an inning, the umpire shall end the inning, and teams will switch positions on the field. If there are runners on base when the 6th run scores, runs can score until play has been stopped. A maximum of 9 runs could be scored, if the bases were to be loaded. During the remaining innings of the game (innings 4,5,6) there will be no limit to the number of runs scored.
11. Pitching mounds are to be set at 46 feet.
12. Portable elevated mounds will be used.
13. Pitchers are allowed to pitch a total of 3 innings per game. 1 pitch constitutes an inning. Starting pitchers may be pulled from the pitching position and re-entered as pitcher 1 time. They still must not exceed 3 innings total. Normal re-entry rules apply.
14. Pitchers hitting 4 batters in a game shall be removed from the game as pitcher. Re-entry in the pitching position shall be prohibited.
15. No pitches are required for intentional walks.
16. Runners may steal when the ball crosses home plate. Runners may advance at their own risk on an overthrow or passed ball.
17. Both teams will receive the same warning from the umpire for leaving the base too early. If either team receives a second infraction, the player is out.
18. In a 6 inning game, each player must play at least 6 defensive outs or 2 full innings. Within these 2 innings, a player shall be allowed to play defensively in the field throughout; they must also bat at least 1 time. The only exceptions are games that are governed by the Mercy Rule. Violation of this rule is a forfeit.
19. Teams may agree to use a 4th outfielder if both teams have 10 or more players.
20. Hats are a part of the uniform and must be worn by every player except the catcher.
21. If a player is not allowed to participate but sits in the dugout dressed to play, then a written explanation must be received by the umpire prior to the start of the game.
22. All players must stay in their respective dugouts when not participating on the field.
23. Steel spikes are not allowed.
24. Every player must wear protective headgear while batting and running the bases. If a helmet is taken off intentionally, both teams shall be issued a warning on a second infraction the runner can be called out at the umpire’s discretion. All players, or legal minors, that are used to coach the bases must wear protective headgear.
25. If a team is short players, the coach may call up a limit to 4 players from the Rookie Boys (7-8) division in their respective towns. Called up players may play any defensive position except pitcher. They must bat after regularly rostered players. A player may not be called up when the time of the game conflicts with the players regularly scheduled game. Players that are called up may not start in the field before a regular rostered player. The called up players will play the minimum playing time, unless circumstances permit the need for more playing time. The consequences of an infraction of this paragraph are forfeiture. Teams may only pull players up if they have less than 10 players at game time.
26 Games will be cancelled due to weather-related reasons only. If there is any sign of lightning by an umpire, coach, or league administrator, everyone will be pulled off the field for a waiting period of 15 minutes after the last sighting before play can resume. If the weather is still threatening, after 60 minutes the game shall be cancelled. If the weather breaks, and the grounds permit, the second game (if applicable) may be played. Games shall not be cancelled due to the lack of players, or upon “coach’s agreements.”
27. If/When rainouts occur, it is the responsibility of the home team’s coach to reschedule the games. Games must be scheduled within 2 weeks of the rained-out game. If the game has not been rescheduled, it will be ruled as a forfeiture by the home team. If the game is rescheduled and both teams have been informed, any team failing to show will forfeit the game. A rescheduled game may or may not include the same players. If the original line up is available, it is expected to remain the same. If the same lineup is not available, free substitution is allowed. The rescheduled game will revert to the last full inning. If there are any discrepancies, the home teams book or gamechanger shall have the final say.
28. It is important that if you wish to file a protest that you follow the following rules:
1. The coach must notify the umpire at the time of the rule infraction that he/she is protesting the rule violation.
2. You have 24 hours to submit a written account of what has happened to a Tri-Conference board member along with a protest fee of $40.
29. Infield fly rule is not used in this division.
30. Substitution Rule: Free substitution. This means a player may enter the game at any time, and in any spot on the field. The only exception will refer to rule 21.
31. A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher at any time during the game. The person making the most recent out shall be used as the courtesy runner.
32. Any pitcher hitting 4 batters must be removed as pitcher. Re-entry as pitcher is prohibited if player is pulled because of the hit batter rule
33. To stop play; the pitcher of record must have control of the ball and at least one foot on the matt or mound. This signifies the play is over and all runners must remain on base.
34. Every player will be in the batting order throughout the game. If a player becomes ill or injured and is removed from the game, her place in the batting order may be skipped with no penalty. Once removed for illness or injury, they may not re-enter the game. If a player leaves the lineup for any other reason than illness or injury, when that players spot in the lineup comes to bat the team shall be issued an out.
These rules are intended for the benefit of the young athletes, and timely proceedings of the game. These rules are not in place to be manipulated for personal gain. Any protest will be handled with the intent of this rule.
