Minors Division
BATTING:
All players in attendance must be in the batting order
If a player has to leave the game early, their spot in the order may be skipped without penalty. Late players will be added to the end of the batting order.
A team can start the game with as few as seven players. However, each batting spot up to 9 will be counted as an automatic out until other players arrive to fill the spots
All bats must be USA Baseball certified. USSSA bats of any kind are not permitted. Making sure bats are compliant is the responsibility of the coach. If a player steps into the box with an illegal bat, he will be automatically called out.
Base runners are only allowed to attempt a stolen base after the catcher has caught the ball
Stolen bases are limited to three per inning.
Double steals are allowed, but they count as two stolen bases on the team’s allotment.
If a stolen base is attempted after a team has reached its limit, the defensive team has the option to re-do the pitch and the runner will automatically return to the base he began, or can take the result of a batted ball in play.
No delayed steals. No stealing of home.
Runners cannot advance on an overthrow after a steal attempt.
On over-throw errors by any infielder (including pitcher/catcher), an advancement of one base is allowed.
Four-run maximum for the first five innings unless an earlier inning is determined to be the last inning. Sixth Inning OR last inning does not have a run limit.
PITCHING:
Pitchers are limited to 60 pitches or 3 innings (whichever comes first). If a pitcher reaches the 60-pitch mark during a batter, they can exceed 60 pitches to finish that batter.
A fourth grade pitcher must be followed by a third grade pitcher.
A third grade pitcher must pitch two consecutive innings with a maximum of 3. It could be the same third grader or another third grade player. Four consecutive walks can result in a pitching change as long as the grade level rules are followed.
A pitcher can only pitch in back-to-back games if: 1) He pitched a maximum of one inning in the previous game AND 2) has met the proper rest requirements
Pitchers may not exceed 5 innings pitched per week
For each Minors game, 3rd grade pitchers must either:
■ Combine to record three outs, OR
■ Combine to pitch 2 innings minimum (3 max)
■ Nine consecutive batters
For each Minors game, 4th grade pitchers must either:
■ Combine to record three outs, OR
■ Combine to pitch 3 innings maximum
These requirements MUST be met within the first five innings of the game.
If these minimums are not met, the team not meeting the requirements will lose the game, regardless of the on-field result.
The last inning can be anyone who has not pitched that game. They must follow the pitch limits for that week.
No re-entry for pitchers
Track pitch counts and submit them to your division coordinator after each game. These reports are mandatory. Failure to submit a report will result in forfeiture of the game.
Rest requirements:
Pitches Thrown | Days of Rest |
1 - 20 | 0 days |
21 - 35 | 1 day |
36 - 50 | 2 days |
51 - 60 | 3 days |
DEFENSE:
9 fielders
No player shall sit two consecutive innings, unless injured
No more than four infielders can be positioned on the infield (excluding the pitcher). Three outfielders must be positioned in the outfield grass.
No shifts. Two infielders will have to be positioned on either side of second base.
Mandatory speed-up rule is in effect. If the catcher is on base with two outs, the last batted out will run for the catcher
No coaches on the field
No player may play the same position for more than 2 consecutive innings unless the team is playing with less than nine players
A player can not exceed four innings (consecutive or not) at the catcher’s position per game. If a catcher catches four innings, that player cannot pitch in the same game.
PLAYOFFS:
All regular season rules apply.