Association Baseball Rules

Rule 1 Association Baseball Rules The League Section 1 Definition 1.1.1 Baseball is a game played by two teams fielding 9 or 10 players each. The objective of each team is to score more runs than the opposing team. Section 2 General Rules 1.2.1 All games will be officiated according to Little League Baseball rules except where these local league rules will supersede. 1.2.2 Disrespect toward the referees or staff will not be tolerated. Coaches and players are asked to display the YMCA 5 core values at all times: RESPECT, RESPONSIBILIY, HONESTY, CARING, AND FAITH. 1.2.3 Home team is responsible for keeping the official score book. Visiting team is responsible for running the scoreboard where applicable. An official score book shall be kept in all grade divisions beginning with T-Ball. 1.2.4 In Player Pitch grade divisions the visiting team is responsible for keeping the pitch count log. 1.2.5 All games will begin with the YMCA pledge and end with teams and coaches shaking hands. Section 3 League Grade Divisions 1.3.1 Players grade divisions are as follows: Name of division Classification Grade Eligibility date K-Ball K-Ball PK-3 Must turn 3 before first game T-Ball T-Ball PK-4 - K Coach Pitch Coach Pitch 1st-2nd September 1st September 1st Machine Pitch Minors 3rd-4th September 1st Player Pitch Majors 5th-6th September 1st Jr s 7th-8th September 1st

Section 4 Number of Players 1.4.1 Each team shall have the following maximum number of player on a roster: Grade division Classification Players on team K-Ball K-Ball 13 T-Ball T-Ball 13 Coach Pitch Coach Pitch 13 Machine Pitch Minors 12 Player Pitch Majors 12 Jr s 12 1.4.2 The following number of defensive players shall be allowed on the field. If a team is unable to field the correct number of defensive players, the team may play with eight (8). The opposing team will still field the maximum number of players if possible. Grade division Classification Players on field K-Ball K-Ball 10 T-Ball T-Ball 10 Coach Pitch Coach Pitch 10 Machine Pitch Minors 9 Player Pitch Majors 9 Jr s 9 Section 5 The Players 1.5.1 No player can sit out two consecutive innings. 1.5.2 Players not starting the game on defense, unless absent, must start the next game. Section 6 Start of Play 1.6.1 The visiting team will bat first in all grade divisions. The visiting team shall be the last team listed on the schedule. Section 7 Duration of Game Name of division Classification Grad Duration of the game K-Ball K-Ball PK-3 4 innings or one hour T-Ball T-Ball PK-4-K 4 innings or one hour Coach Pitch Coach Pitch 1st-2nd 6 innings or one hour fifteen minutes Machine Pitch Minors 3rd-4th 6 innings or one hour fifteen minutes Player Pitch Majors 5th-6th 6 innings or one hour thirty minutes Jr s 7th-8th 6 innings or one hour thirty minutes NOTE: No inning may start within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled end time. It will be held that an inning starts the moment the third out is made in the preceding inning. Any inning started will be completed. If the home team is winning they will not need to bat in the bottom of the inning. If the home team is behind in the score and time expires during their at bat, the game will end if / once the go ahead run is scored or the 3 rd out is made by the visiting team, and the home team does not continue batting.

Section 8 Defense Fielders K-Ball and T-Ball 1.8.1 No defensive player, other than the catcher, may take a position closer to home plate than the pitcher. 1.8.2 No outfielder may take a defensive position any closer than fifteen (15) feet to the infield until the ball is put in play by the batter. Once the ball is in play the outfielder may field the ball at any point closer than this distance. 1.8.3 The pitcher's mound shall be encircled by a line ten (10 ) feet in diameter which shall be known as the "pitcher's circle". 1.8.4 An arc measuring ten (10) feet from the back of home plate shall be marked in fair territory from foul line to foul line and be known as the "dead ball area". A batted ball coming to rest inside the arc is considered a dead ball and a counted pitch. 1.8.5 Outfielders will not be allowed to tag base runners or bases for force outs. The outfielder must throw the ball to the infielder to make the play. 1.8.6 The play will stop once the ball is controlled on the infield by any infield player. 1.8.7 Pitchers must remain with both feet on the pitching rubber until the ball is hit. 1.8.8 A maximum of two (2) coaches for the defensive team may be positioned on the field for the purpose of assisting players back to their assigned positions after a defensive play. After assisting the players back to their positions and prior to the ball being pitched the coaches must move out of the field of play or behind the deepest player. 1.8.9 No unassisted outs at first base shall be made by the pitcher. If the pitcher fields the ball he/she MUST throw the ball to ALL bases. The pitcher can't make unassisted outs at any base. Coach Pitch and Machine Pitch 1.8.10 No defensive player, other than the catcher, may take a position closer to home plate than the pitcher. 1.8.11 No outfielder may take a defensive position any closer than fifteen (15) feet to the infield until the ball is put in play by the batter. Once the ball is in play the outfielder may field the ball at any point closer than this distance. 1.8.12 Catcher must be positioned within the catcher s box directly behind home plate. In coach pitch the coach and in machine pitch the umpire is not to pitch or drop the ball in the machine until the catcher is positioned correctly. Catchers are required to wear a long-style chest protector, shin guards and a catcher s mask. Male catchers are required to wear a hard protective cup in the Machine Pitch grade division. 1.8.13 The pitcher's mound shall be encircled by a line ten (10 ) feet in diameter which shall be known as the "pitcher's circle". 1.8.14 Outfielders will not be allowed to tag base runners or bases for force outs. The outfielder must throw the ball to the infielder to make the play. 1.8.15 The play will stop once the ball is controlled on the infield by any infield player. 1.8.16 Pitchers must remain with both feet on the pitching rubber extension line beside the machine or coach until the ball is hit. 1.8.17 In Coach Pitch, a maximum of one (1) coach for the defensive team may be positioned in the outfield, behind the deepest player, for the purpose of assisting players back to their assigned positions after a defensive play. No defensive coaches allowed on field in machine pitch. 1.8.18 In Coaches Pitch no unassisted outs at first base shall be made by the pitcher. If the pitcher fields the ball he/she MUST throw the ball to first base. The pitcher can make unassisted outs at other remaining bases. In Machine Pitch, the pitcher can make any unassisted outs. Player Pitch 1.8.19 Play shall be according to regulation baseball for fielders.

Pitchers 1.8.20 Any player on the team may pitch. 1.8.21 The pitcher must be removed from a game when the pitcher reaches 85 pitches. The pitcher may remain in the game at another position. 1.8.22 Pitchers MUST adhere to the following rest requirements: A player pitches 1-20 pitches, 0 calendar days of rest. A player pitches 21-35 pitches, 1 calendar days of rest. A player pitches 36-50 pitches, 2 calendar days of rest. A player pitches 51-65 pitches, 3 calendar days of rest. A player pitches 66 or more pitches, 4 calendar days of rest. NOTE: If a pitcher reaches the limit while facing a batter the pitcher may continue to pitch the batter reaches base or the batter is put out. Infield Fly 1.8.23 In the minor and up grade divisions the infield fly rule will be in affect. Since the purpose is to prevent double plays, the rule applies only when there are fewer than two outs, and there is a force play at third base (i.e., there are runners at first and second base, or the bases are loaded). In these situations, if a fly ball is in fair play, and in the umpire's judgment it is catchable by an infielder with ordinary effort, the umpire shall call "infield fly", and the batter will be out regardless of whether the ball is actually caught in flight. If "infield fly" is called and the fly ball is caught, it is treated exactly as an ordinary fly ball; the batter is out, there is no force, and the runners must tag up. On the other hand, if "infield fly" is called and the ball lands fair without being caught, the batter is still out, and there is no force, but the runners are not required to tag up. In either case, the ball is considered "live", and the runners may advance at the risk of being doubled-off if the ball is caught. Section 9 Offense Batters K-Ball, T-Ball, Coach Pitch 1.9.1 All bats must be official T-ball for use in the K-Ball and T-Ball divisions, in the Coach Pitch division all bats must be official baseball bats and shall not exceed 2 ¼ inch barrel. COMPOSITE bats will NOT be allowed. (NO T-BALL BATS ARE ALLOWED IN COACH PITCH) 1.9.2 In K-Ball grade divisions each team shall bat their entire line-up each inning. 1.9.3 In the K-Ball and T-Ball divisions the batter gets five swings to hit the ball. If all attempts are made with no hit then the batter is considered out. 1.9.4 In the Coach Pitch division each batter receives five (5) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes. On the last pitch if the batter fouls it off then said batter shall get one (1) additional pitch. 1.9.5 Coaches are ONLY allowed to assist players physically while batting at the beginning of the players time at bat. Once a swing has been attempted or pitch has been thrown the coach can only assist the batter verbally. 1.9.6 In the T-ball and Coach pitch grade divisions, a maximum of five runs per inning may be scored by a team in every inning or three (3) outs, whichever comes first. 1.9.7 In the Coach Pitch grade division, a batted ball hitting the Coach is a dead ball. The batter is awarded first base and all other runners may advance one base, if forced. Machine Pitch 1.9.8 All bats must be official baseball bats and shall not exceed 2 ¼ inch barrel. COMPOSITE bats will NOT be allowed.

1.9.9 The pitching machine may only be adjusted between ½ innings or at the sole discretion of the umpire. 1.9.10 Pitching machine will be set at 45 mph for the season. 1.9.11 A pitching machine shall be placed at a distance of 46 feet from the back of home plate, and used in lieu of a pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter. The umpire shall be the ONLY person to feed the machine. 1.9.12 Each inning a team will get 3 outs or score 5 runs whichever comes first. 1.9.13 Each batter receives five (5) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes. On the last pitch if the batter fouls it off then said batter shall get one (1) additional pitch. No walks will be allowed 1.9.14 A batted ball hitting the pitching machine or umpire is a dead ball. The batter is awarded first base and all other runners may advance one base, if forced. Player Pitch 1.9.15 All bats must be official baseball bats and shall not exceed 2 ¼ inch barrel. COMPOSITE bats will NOT be allowed. 1.9.16 Each inning a team will get 3 outs or score 5 runs whichever comes first. 1.9.17 If the batter squares to bunt, he must either bunt the ball or take the pitch. In the event that the batter then swings, the batter is out. The ball is considered dead and the runners must return to their original bases. Runners K-Ball, T-Ball, Coach Pitch 1.9.18 If the runners are half way to the next base when time is called and play is stopped then that runner will be awarded the base to which he/she is going. If the runner is not half way then they must return to the base he/she left. 1.9.19 If the lead runner is not advancing, time may be called at the umpire s discretion. 1.9.20 No runners may advance unless a batted ball has been put in play (no stealing). 1.9.21 To reduce the delay between innings, a team may pinch run for the catcher. The pinch runner shall be the player who made the last batted out. Machine Pitch 1.9.22 Stealing not allowed. 1.9.23 A thrown ball hitting the pitching machine or pitching machine operator is a dead ball. All runners may advance one base at the time of the throw. 1.9.24 To reduce the delay between innings, a team may pinch run for the catcher. The pinch runner shall be the player who made the last batted out. 1.9.25 The pitcher shall have both feet on the pitcher's rubber until the pitched ball crosses the plate. If, in the umpire's judgment, the pitcher leaves the rubber early to make a play, the batter/runner or runners will be awarded one base without liability to be put out. 1.9.26 Base runners may advance, at their own risk, up to one base on an overthrow. Player Pitch 1.9.27 To reduce the delay between innings, a team may pinch run for the catcher. The pinch runner shall be the player who made the last batted out. 1.9.28 Stealing will be allowed according to the following: Majors Once the ball has crossed the plate Jr s Once the ball is put into play by the umpire. Rule 2 The Game Equipment Section 1 The Ball Size 2.1.1 Grade divisions shall play with the following ball size: T-Ball

K-Ball ---------------------- MaCGregor official tee ball T-Ball ---------------------- MaCGregor official tee ball Coach Pitch --------------- MaCGregor safe/soft baseball LEVEL five (5) Machine Pitch Minors --------------------- Rawlings RLLB-1 little league baseball Player Pitch Majors---------------------- Rawlings RLLB-1 little league baseball JR s ------------------------- Rawlings RLLB-1 little league baseball Section 2 The Player s Equipment 2.2.1 Players must have a glove of appropriate size for the player s grade. 2.2.2 No jewelry can be worn during play. All medical bands must be covered or taped to skin. 2.2.3 Players may only wear tennis shoes or soft spike cleats. 2.2.4 Players must wear the YMCA supplied uniform. 2.2.5 All male players playing the catchers position in the machine pitch and up grade divisions must wear a hard protective cup. Section 3 Field 2.3.1 Base distances: The following grade divisions shall play on Fifty foot (50 ) bases K-Ball T-Ball The following grade divisions shall play on Fifty five (55 ) bases Coach Pitch The following grade divisions shall play on Sixty foot (60 ) bases Minors Majors The following grade divisions shall play on Seventy five (75 ) bases JR s NOTE: If the Majors grade division consists of 7th graders, such as 5th-7th, base distance will be followed according to the Majors distance. This applies only to this grade division. 2.3.2 Pitching mound distance shall be as follows; The coach pitch mound shall be set at a distance of thirty five (35 ) feet. The coach must pitch from within a ten (10) foot diameter circle. The following grade divisions shall play on Forty six foot (46 ) pitching distance. Minors Majors The following grade divisions shall play on Fifty four foot (54 ) pitching distance. JR s NOTE: If the Major s grade division consists of 7th graders, such as 5th-7th, pitching distance will be followed according to the Majors distance. This applies only to this grade division. 2.3.3 The field shall be lined along each base path with a white chalk or paint line indicating the foul line. This line shall run from home plate and extend to the fence line (if available).

2.3.4 Reference Chart Grade Division K-Ball PK-3 T-Ball PK-4-K Coach Pitch 1st-2nd Machine Pitch Minors 3rd-4th 6 innings or 75 minutes Player Pitch Majors 5th-6th 6 innings or 90 minutes Player Pitch Juniors 7th-8th 6 Innings or 90 minutes Game length 4 innings or 60 4 innings or 60 6 innings or 75 minutes minutes minutes Base distance 50 50 55 60 60 75 Pitching distance NA NA 35 46 46 54 Machine speed NA NA NA 45 MPH NA NA Stealing No No No No Once ball crosses the Once ball is put into play plate Number of players 10 10 10 9 9 9 in field Max Number of NA NA NA NA 85 85 pitches per day Bunting No No No No Yes Yes Max number of 2 2 1 0 0 0 Coaches on the field Base coaches Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Lead offs No No No No No No In Field Fly Rule No No No Yes Yes Yes

2.3.5 Recommended bat sizing chart A lighter bat may allow you to use a longer bat. However, just like your driver is harder to hit than your 7 iron, a longer bat may be harder to hit than a shorter one depending on your grade and your arm/ wrist strength. Regarding youth, senior league and fast pitch bats - when deciding between 2 or 3 bats find the correct length first, then let the weight be the deciding factor. Girls / womens fast pitch softball, you can add 1". Height 3'-3'4" 3'5"-3'8" 3'9"-4' 4'1"-4'4" 4'5"-4'8" 4'9"-5' 5'1"-5'4" 5'5"-5'8" 5'9"-6' 6'1"-over Weight < 60 26" 27" 28" 29" 29" 61-70 27" 27" 28" 29" 30" 30" 71-80 28" 28" 29" 30" 30" 31" 81-90 28" 29" 29" 30" 30" 31" 32" 91-100 28" 29" 30" 30" 31" 31" 32" 101-110 111-120 121-130 131-140 141-150 151-160 161-180 181-190 29" 29" 30" 30" 31" 31" 32" 29" 29" 30" 30" 31" 31" 32" 29" 30" 30" 30" 31" 32" 33" 33" 29" 30" 30" 31" 31" 32" 33" 33" 30" 30" 31" 31" 32" 33" 33" 30" 31" 31" 32" 32" 33" 33" 33" 31" 31" 32" 32" 33" 33" 34" 32" 33" 33" 34" 34" 190 + 33" 33" 34" 34" Bat Length by Grade Guide Grade PK-3-2nd 3rd-4th 5th 6th-7th 8th-9th 10th-11th LENGTH 24"-26" 26"-28" 28"-29" 30"-31" 31"-32" 32"-33"