Rules for Major League Boys Baseball Games: We will be playing modified high school rules – 50’/70’, lead off, steals, balks, etc. Games will consist of six (6) innings There will be a 1:45 minute time limit for each game. If an inning is started before the time limit expires, both teams will get their turn at bat. Umpires to declare the last inning. The “Run Rule” is: 15 run lead after 3 innings, or 10 after 5 innings A team must have 8 players to start the game. There will be a 10 minute grace period before the game is a forfeit. (That is included in the 1:45 time limit). If a team players with 8, the 9th position in the batting order will be an automatic out. No out will be given for the 10th position in the order. Players arriving after the game has started will be added to the bottom of the batting order. No player should set more than 1 consecutive inning unless he refuses to play. Pitching: Players will pitch all six (6) innings A pitcher is allowed to pitch three (3) inning per game One pitch will count as a full inning. Any pitcher that pitches more than 2 innings in a single game must rest for 2 days following the conclusion of the game he pitched over 2 innings in. A pitcher can only pitch a max of nine (9) innings per week (Monday thru Sunday) The starting pitcher only may re-enter as the pitcher during the same game A pitcher must be removed after the second visit to the mound of any inning If a pitcher hits 3 batters in an inning, they must be removed and will not be allowed to pitch for the remainder of that game. Pitchers will have their pitching count erased at the start of the post season tournament. If a pitcher is playing in the Sunday Showcase – he can pitch 3 innings max on Sunday but cannot pitch again until Wednesday for the Rec League. During the Tournament a pitcher can pitch 6 innings per every 2 games. The balk rule will also be in effect. For the first 3 games of the season each pitcher will receive 2 warnings before a dead ball is called and the rule is enforced. Starting in game 4 of the season, each pitcher will receive one warning before the rule is enforced. A balk is called whenever a pitcher interrupts the pitching motion. Once the pitcher starts in motion toward home plate, the pitcher has to deliver the ball. If the pitcher stops his motion, a balk will be called. A balk will result in an immediate dead ball. The pitch made will be nullified and each runner shall advance one base as per the outlined verbiage previously outlined. A balk will be called at the discretion of the umpire for any of the following: Quick Pitching – Not coming to a set position. When runners are on base, the pitcher must come to a complete stop from the set position and must not pitch before the batter is ready. Pitcher makes a motion typically associated with his pitching motion but his foot is not touching the pitching rubber. The post foot must be in contact with the rubber while beginning the delivery. While on the pitching rubber, the pitcher throws to a base before or without stepping toward that base. Note that the pitcher can step off of the pitching rubber and throw anywhere. Fake a throw to an occupied base without removing his post foot from the rubber as the first movement. A pitcher must be off the rubber to fake a throw. Fail to have both hands on the baseball in the set position. There will be 2 main points of focus relating to balks 1. Pitcher must come set with both hands on the ball prior to delivering the pitch 2. Pitcher must check the runner prior to coming set (Ex. A right handed pitcher can’t be on the rubber in the set position, and then turn his front shoulder to check the runner. Both of these scenarios will result in a balk being called by the umpire. Defense: Each team will field 9 players, with 3 outfielders. If a fielder is not making a play on the ball, or does not have the ball, they must stay out of the base path and away from the base. If a fielder interferes with a runner, the runner will be awarded the appropriate base by rule after the play has stopped. When a batted ball is hit into fair play, play shall be stopped when the defenseman with the ball stops the lead runner Batting: There will be a continuous batting order for each team. (All players bat). If a player refuses to bat, that will count as an out. Teams are allowed to only score 6 runs per inning except for the last inning. The last inning can be any inning other than the 6th if indicated by the umpire due to time limits. This must be indicated to both coaches prior to the beginning of that inning. If a batter throws their bat after hitting the ball, and does not make contact with the umpire or another player, the umpire will issue the team a warning. If it happens again during the game, it will be ruled a dead ball and the batter will be called out at that time. All runners will return to their previously occupied base at the time of the pitch. If a batter throws their bat after hitting the ball, and makes contact with the umpire or another player, it will be ruled a dead ball and the batter will be out at that time. All runners will return to their previously occupied base at the time of the pitch. If a player throws their bat or helmet in anger, a team out will be assessed, the player may be ejected. If ejected, they will be required to have a meeting with their parent(s)/guardians and the league director before they can play again. NO EXCEPTIONS! Players will not be allowed to challenge an umpire’s call in any way! Every batter must wear a helmet with face mask. All batters or runners must wear their helmet until they are in the dead ball area. First instance will be a team warning, every instance after that will be a team out. When the batter becomes a batter-runner, they must run to the ORANGE safety base. If they hit the ball to the outfield, they can use the white of the base to advance further. Runners: Open lead-offs/steals will be in play While running the bases, all runners must avoid a defensive player making a play on the ball if it is the first play on the ball. If not, the runner will be called for obstructions, and an out will be assessed according to the rules. No mandatory slide rule will be in effect on any close play. The runner will be called out for any blatant obstruction on any close play at any base. This will be the umpire’s judgment and will not be debatable. The runner will not be required to slide if the defensive team attempts to put the runner out away from the immediate area of the base. A player will be ejected for malicious contact. This will be the umpire’s decision. Base coaches are not allowed to make contact with the runner while the ball is live. If they make contact, the runner is automatically out. o Examples: . Runner rounds third base and the coach grabs the runner to stop them . Assisting the runner to advance by pushing or shoving In both examples, the runner will be called out Other information: Time Outs. The defensive team must have the ball in the infield, and the runners stopped (umpire’s opinion) before time out will be granted. Only the umpire can call time. If a runner misses a base (umpires opinion) and does not return to touch, then after the play the runner will be called out. All equipment must be kept inside the “Dead Ball Area”. The Head Coach is the only person allowed to converse with an umpire. Comments from another person can lead to that person being ejected from the game. There are seven things that will not be discussed: o Fair/Foul o Safe/Out o Balls/Strikes o Balks Coaches need to lead their teams by example. If a coach, player, or fan gets unruly they will be asked to leave and the game will not continue. If they do not leave after 5 minutes, the team will forfeit the game. ZERO TOLERANCE! If a coach is ejected, they must meet with the Baseball Director before being allowed to coach in another game. NO EXCEPTIONS! Rules may be altered to benefit the play for the children and coaches will be notified. Infield fly rule will apply. A dropped third strike is a live play if 1st base is open. It is also a live play when there are 2 outs, regardless of base runner position The distance from home plate to pitching rubber will be no less than 46 feet The umpire has the authority to call “time” after the lead runner has been stopped. (Intent to eliminate cat & mouse game and speed up play.) Bats must not exceed 33” in length, not exceed 2 and 5/8” diameter. They must also be marked BPF 1.15 If a player slides head first – he will be called out unless he is coming back toward the base.