Cal Ripken Rules

 Time Limit – the game should not exceed 2 hours unless an inning needs to be completed and no new inning shall start after 1 hour and 50 minutes. In the event of a tie after regulation time or 6 innings played, the game will end in a tie, unless no other game/practice/activity scheduled afterwards and the coaches agree on it before the game at the plate meeting. In the playoffs, new innings will be played until the tie is broken to determine a winner. Each team will have the opportunitiy to bat in each extra innings. In the chamipionship game, there is no time limit. The game is played for 6 innings or if the mercy rule is (“10 Run Rule” below) is inacted.

 Base Running – No lead offs. Runner cannot leave the base before the pitched ball reaches home plate. If he does, the runner can be sent back at umpire’s discretion. Each team will get one warning and be sent back to the base. After a warning is given, runners caught leaving early will be called out. A runner can steal a base after the ball crosses the plate.

 Ball under control- No runner can advance once the pitcher has control of the ball and they are standing with at least one foot on the mound (the dirt and/or rubber is considered the mound). At that time, all runners must return to the base.

 Intentional Walk – it is not automatic; you must throw 4 pitches.

 Bats – must be no more than 33 inches in length, and cannot have a barrel in excess of 2-1/4 inches (no “big” barrel bats). The bats must be stamped BPF 1.15.

 Slide Rule – Runner does not have to slide. There is no must slide rule, but you must avoid contact with the opposing player when there is no play at that base. If a runner attempting to reach home plate or any base intentionally and maliciously runs into a defensive player in the area of home plate or base, he will be called out on the play and ejected from the game. This is an umpire’s judgment call. There will be NO headfirst sliding. Umpire will call the runner out if they slide head first.

 10 Run Rule – there is a 10 run rule after 4 innings or 3-1/2 if home team is winning. If the 10 run rule is achieved the game is officially over.

 Pitching Rule – No pitcher can pitch more than 6 innings in a week or 55 pitches in a game (or day, if more than one game played in a day). A pitcher who starts a batter with under 55 pitches, may continue to pitch to that batter but must be removed immediately following that at bat. Pitch counts are to be kept by the official score keeper for the team. If pitch counts are in question, coaches should come together to sync their counts. A week is from Monday thru Sunday. A pitcher must have 2-calendar days’ rest between pitching assignments if he pitches in more than 2 innings in any one game. This includes double headers. For example, if a player pitches 3 or more innings on Monday, they are not eligible to pitch again until Thursday. One pitch counts as a full inning of pitching. Pitching an ineligible player contstitutes as a forfeit in the playoffs. During the regular season, the pitcher is to be removed from the position and the game contnues. Curve balls are not allowed in this age group. The umpire will call the pitch a ball and give the pitcher one warning. If the pitcher continues he will be removed from the game. Each coach MUST log innings pitched by each pitcher after each game in the pitching log kept in the concession game.

 Balk Rule – The standard balk rule does not apply in this division and therefore the runners will not advance a base. If a pitcher completely stops his motion and then begins again, the umpire will give him a warning and then if he continues again the pitch will be called a ball. This applies whether there are runners on base or if the bases are empty.

 Trips to the Mound – A coach is allowed 1 trip per inning. The second trip in any inning will constitute a pitching change. A trip to the mound for injury does not count as an official mound visit.

 Lineup Sheets– The lineup sheet exchanged between coaches prior to the beginning of the game. The lineup must have the player’s first initial, last name, and number. A player arriving late is to be added to the bottom of the of the line-up. A player who leaves the game early is not considered an out when their turn at bat arrives unless the team drops below 9 players due to his/her absence.

 Home Team – the home team has the 3rd base dugout.

 Playing Time – Every player must play in the game. Every player must play at least half of the game and no player can sit more than 2 innings in a row. (Exceptions are for injury, disciplinary reasons, or if the player refuses to go onto the field). All players must be in the batting order for the entire game unless they sustain an injury or coaches from both teams agree on something different. Coaches may substitute defensively every inning as long as the batting order does not change.

 Umpires – The umpire’s call is final. Please do not argue with the umpire. The Manager is the only person to communicate with the umpire and he must call time to have a calm discussion. Ejection from the game will result in a minimum one game suspension for the first office depending on the severity. The Manager is responsible for parents and players. An ejected player or parent will also result in the ejection of the manager and one game suspension.

 Forfeit - If a team has at least 8 players, the game will be played and not considered to be a forfeit as long as they do NOT borrow any players. If a team has 7 players, the game will be considered a forfeit but the other team can supply defensive players so the game can continue. The spirit of this rule is to allow the players to play the game if at all possible.  Equipment – Any person warming up a pitcher on the field of play (including bull pens) must wear a catcher’s helmet, including adults. Athletic cups are required by all players. Metal cleats are not allowed.

 No bat boys/girls or any other children other than players and coaches are allowed in the dugout or on the field during play.