CAL RIPKEN BASEBALL RULES 1. Teams are limited to scoring 5 runs per inning, and games will be 6 innings long. If outcome of game has been decided by the middle of the 5th inning, the game will be called. 2. Batters can run on dropped 3rd strike by the catcher if the 1 st base is unoccupied. Base runners can advance at their own risk as long as the ball is playable. 3. If a team has fewer than 10 players for a game, they may find a substitute of the same age or younger from another Youth League team. They must bat last and play in the outfield. 4. No games may end in a tie. If the game is tied after regulation, extra innings will be played until the tie is broken or until 10:30 pm. 3 complete innings will be considered a game in case of inclement weather. 5. Everybody bats and all players must play at least 2 innings in the field. Players in the field must remain in the same position throughout the inning unless injury occurs. 6. Any pitcher may pitch 6 innings per calendar week. Monday-Sunday is considered a calendar week. A pitcher must have 2 days rest between all pitching assignments in which the pitcher pitches in more than 2 innings. If the pitcher delivers 1 pitch in an inning, he shall be charged for 1 inning pitched. 7. The pitching rubber for Cal Ripken Baseball will be set at 50 feet. 8. Cal Ripken Baseball will play on 70 feet base paths. 9. The strike zone consists of: Over the plate and from the shoulders to the knees. 10. The pitcher will get no more than 5 pitches in between innings. 11. Force Slide Rule – The intent of the force rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. On a tag at any base, including home, the runner must slide, avoid contact, or run out of the baseline away from the fielder in order to avoid contact with the defensive player attempting to make a play. Flagrant acts can result in ejection from the game 12. Teams will be given 1 warning to keep players in the dugout. After the 2nd warning, a strike will be charged to the batter. The 3rd warning will result in an automatic out. 13. Coaches should encourage players to keep their helmets on. If equipment is thrown in a flagrant manner, the result will be an automatic ejection. If any equipment hits another person, an automatic ejection and a 1 game suspension will result. 14. Profanity will result in an automatic ejection. This applies to both players and coaches. 15. The “Hidden Ball Trick” is not allowed. 16. Line up cards are due in the Score Keeper’s Box no later than 10 minutes prior to game time. 17. For Early Games: Infield practice will begin 20 minutes prior to game time, with the Visiting Team. The Home Team will have infield practice 10 minutes prior to game time. For Late Games : Infield practice will begin 10 minutes after the Early Game has ended, with the Visiting Team taking infield. The Home Team will take infield practice 20 minutes after the Early Game has ended. .