EQUIPMENT
- The bat shall not be less than 25 inches or more than 34 inches in length; the barrel can be a maximum of 2 ⅝ inches. No wooden bats.
- All catchers must wear a protective cap made of the same material and padding approved for the batter’s helmet, as well as a mask, throat protectors, chest protector and shin guards. Protective cups are also recommended.
GENERAL
- A full game will be seven (7) innings or 120 minutes.
- A full team will be nine (9) players in the field. A team may play with 7 without having to forfeit.
- Each player present at the game and eligible to play will be in the batting order.
- Teams bat the entire roster of players at the game and each player must play at least two innings in the field.
- After 9 or total number of batters for the side in a single inning, the side shall be retired when three (3) outs have been achieved or the ninth/closing batter crosses home plate. Batters beyond the ninth/closing batter will continue to bat until either condition is met above. Only the ninth/closing batters run will be counted for the game score.
- Both teams shall bat the same number of players up to 9 in an inning (i.e. seven if one team has only 7, eight if one team has only 8, etc.)
- The playing order roster will also be the batting order for the entire game unless a player becomes sick or injured during the game. (i.e. any player from the playing order roster may not substitute for R1 unless R1 becomes sick or injured.). The umpire and scorekeeper of the opposing team must have batting order of all players present at the beginning of each game.
- A player or players may be freely substituted when a team takes the field. Substitutions do not have to be given to the umpire or opposing team scorekeeper during the game.
- The starting pitcher’s name and number should be given to the opposing team’s scorekeeper at the beginning of the game. All pitcher substitutions must be given to the opposing team’s scorekeeper.
- Coaches on the baselines may be two (2) eligible players in uniform wearing protective helmets, or assistant coaches.
- The catcher shall be required to catch the third strike, except for a foul tip. If the 3rd strike is dropped, the batter must be put out. When there is a runner on 1st and fewer than 2 outs, the batter/runner is automatically out.
- In each game, teams shall be entitled to no more than three (3) defensive time-outs to confer with players, without penalty. On the fourth time, it is required that the pitcher be removed from the mound, but not the game.
- One time-out shall be allowed on offense to talk to a batter during the same time at bat. Any other requests will be denied.
- Bunting is allowed.
- The infield fly rule will be called at all games
THE RUNNER
- When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher’s rubber with the ball in his possession, and the catcher is in the catcher’s box in position to receive the pitch, runners are allowed to “lead off” and steal.
- Sliding feet first will be allowed with the stipulation that this skill is taught by the coach of each team. Sliding headfirst is not allowed. A warning will be issued for the first offense, the second offense and the runner will be called out.
- Running into a player in order to knock the ball loose from the other player is an automatic out for the runner. Sliding under the play is not charging.
THE PITCHER
- A pitcher can pitch no more than 95 pitches or 4 innings (whichever comes first) which must be consecutive. Any part of an inning pitched shall constitute a full inning.
- If a pitcher reaches the maximum number of pitches while facing a batter, he may continue to pitch until one of the following occur:
- The batter reaches base
- The batter is put out
- The third out is recorded to complete the half inning
- The hidden ball trick shall be illegal. Any attempt at the hidden ball trick will result in a balk.
- Pitchers must adhere to the following rest schedule
- If a pitcher throws 80 or more pitches, he cannot pitch for three (3) calendar days
- If a pitcher throws 66-79 pitches, he cannot pitch for two (2) calendar days
- If a pitcher throws 51-65 pitches, he cannot pitch for one (1) calendar day
- If a pitcher throws 50 or less pitches, he can pitch the next day
Coaches, try our new Pitch Count Calculator by Clicking Here.
Below is the number of days rest a pitcher is required based on the number of pitches thrown on Monday. The black shaded days are days not available to pitch
Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
80+ | |||||
66-79 | |||||
51-65 | |||||
0-50 |