Updated: 04/09/2013 Cincinnati Western Baseball Conference (CWBC) Rules Revised 04/02/2013JDD Any rule not covered in the Cincinnati Western Baseball Conference (CWBC) rules shall be in accordance with MLB National League Rules National refers to stacked or high teams American refers to combo teams 1. Governing Rules: The Official National League Baseball Rules are the governing rules, except as amended below. A copy of these rules can be found at Http://www.CincyWBC.org. 2. Organization: Cincinnati Western Baseball Conference (CWBC) is represented by the following associations: (St. Aloysius, Bridgetown, St. Jude, St. Ignatius, St. Martin, St. James, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Visitation, Our Lady of Victory, St. Antonius, St. Dominic, St. Teresa, St. Lawrence, St. Bernard, and St. William, St. John, St. Catharine, St. Bart). No additional teams can be added to the league unless approved by the CWBC. Organizations and teams are encouraged to realistically evaluate their teams according to ability and put them in the corresponding league National League or American League. 3. Exemption purposes: Cincinnati Western Baseball Conference is a non-profit organization existing solely for the promotion and playing of boys baseball in Southwest, Cincinnati, Ohio. 4. Article of Dissolution: Should the Cincinnati Western Baseball Conference cease to function and exist, all assets should revert to the charitable schools or churches from which this organization was formed. Those organizations are listed in Article 2 of this document. 5. Format Age based Class A B National B American C National C American D National D American Coach pitch Instructional Age 15U 13U 12U, 13U 10U, 11U 10U & 11U 9U 8U & 9U 7U & 6U 5U 6. Age Limits Class Cannot be # before May 1 st Typical Age 15U-A 16 years old 14 & 15 13U-B 14 years old 12 & 13 11U -C 12 years old 10 & 11 9U -D 10 years old 8 & 9 7U Coach Pitch 8 years old 6 & 7 5U Instructional Must be 4 by January 1 4 & 5 7. Player Eligibility Waivers: Players can only play up one level, but only at the parent s discretion and if approved by school s baseball coordinator. A player can only play down one level with the approval of the
Cincinnati Western Baseball Conference Board of Directors. The waiver must be signed by parents. Player Eligibility Waivers can be found at http://www.cincywbc.org. 8. League Fees and Participation: The entrance fee is $30.00 per team. Each school will have two members on the Cincy Western Baseball Conference board with one vote per school to be filled by commissioners and assistant/co commissioners. The President will have the tiebreaking vote. 9. Season: Regular Season will typically start the first week in April and complete in the second Saturday of June. Tournament will begin in the third week of June to July 1. Tournament sites TBD. Specific dates will be determined yearly. 10. Scheduling: The goal is to have the National league teams play 10 Saturday games plus 4-10 mid-week games. Division size directly affects number of games scheduled. This could range from 14-20 games for national league teams. This may vary due to the size of the division. a. The goal is to have the American League teams play 10 Saturday games plus 4 mid-week games. This may vary due to size of the division. b. Due to field availability constraints, it is possible for National teams to average up to 16 games including post season tournament play and American teams to average up to 14 games including post season tournament play. c. All rosters and field availability schedules will be made available for scheduling no later than 1 Feb. d. The regular season will usually begin at the beginning of April and run through mid June. There will be one week to make up games missed during the regular season. e. The Year-end Tournament will begin the Saturday after the make- up week and be completed by July 4 th. 11. All Leagues: Every batter and runner must wear a helmet with double ear flap protectors (helmet liners are not acceptable) within the field of play. It is up to all managers, coaches, and umpires to enforce this rule. Players who refuse to wear proper head protectors after being requested by the umpire and manager or coach will be called out or restricted to the bench. Catchers must wear a protective cup and throat guard. Metal bats must be unaltered, commercially manufactured, and available for retail purchase. 12. Base Distance: 15U = 90 feet; 13U= 80 feet; 11U= 70 feet; 9U = 60 feet. 13. Pitching Distance: 15U = 60 feet, 6 inches; 13U = 54 feet; 11U = 48 feet; 9U = 45 feet. 14. 9U American ONLY: To prevent the perpetual running up of scores, there will be no stealing of any base in the 9U American division. This also includes no lead-offs. This will allow the young pitchers to concentrate on pitching and keep all walks from becoming an automatic triple. a. "The Nine Batter Rule" - no more than nine batters from a team shall go to the plate in any given inning unless the ninth batter walks or is hit by a pitch, in which case a tenth batter, but no more than a tenth, shall go to the plate. b. Drop Third Strike Rule batter is automatically out after a dropped third strike. Catcher does not need to tag the batter or throw down to first base. 15. Pitching: A player cannot pitch more innings than the length of a normal game in his class. A pitch count will be used in all classes of Cincy Western Baseball Conference. PITCH LIMITS The following chart should be used to determine when and how many pitches a player should be allowed to throw in any given day.
9 Year Old: 21-30 1 31-35 2 36-45 3 46-55 (max) 4 10 Year Old: 21-30 1 31-40 2 41-50 3 51-60(max) 4 11 Year Old: 21-30 1 31-45 2 46-55 3 56-65(max) 4 12 Year Old: 21-35 1 36-45 2 46-60 3 61-70(max) 4 13 Year Old: 21-35 1 36-50 2 51-65 3 66-75(max) 4 14 Year Old: 21-35 1 36-50 2 51-65 3 66-80(max) 4 15 Year Old: 21-40 1 41-55 2 56-70 3
71-85(max) 4 A day of rest does not include the day the player pitched. For example, if a player pitches Thursday, his first day of rest is Friday. Managers and coaches are required to honor this system. If a manager or coach violates these guidelines, he will be subject to a minimum of a one game suspension and/or forfeiture of game. Further suspension will be implemented if there are repeated or intentional violations discovered after CWBC Board review. Coaches should report the incident and offer evidence of the violation to the CWBC Board for review the day following the game in which violation occurred. A player cannot pitch on 3 consecutive days. If a pitcher reaches his pitch maximum during an at-bat, the pitcher is allowed to pitch to that batter until the at-bat is completed. a. Home team has the official pitch count on any disagreement. Teams should confirm pitch count between each inning. b. One pitch will constitute an inning. c. Once a player is removed from pitching he cannot be re-entered as a pitcher during that game. d. If a team is completing a suspended game, followed by a regularly scheduled game, the total number of pitches thrown by a player, or the pitch count, is not to be exceeded for that class. e. Violation of number of innings pitched, the pitch count or re-entry, will be reviewed by the Cincy Western Baseball Conference Executive Board as described above. g. In all classes, both teams must use the pitching rubber. h. Balks will be called in all National League games. American league will receive one warning per pitcher. No warnings will be issued for tournament play. i. Class A and class B: 2nd conference the pitcher must be removed. j. Class C and class D: 3rd conference pitcher must be removed. 16. Home Team: Home team is responsible for bases, pitching rubber, and first game ball (new), official scorebook and pitch count. Visiting team is responsible for playable second ball. 17. National and American League: All players must play at least one inning of defense except players who are benched for disciplinary reasons. Prior to each game, line-up cards must include the names (first and last) and numbers of all players with an indication of which, if any, players who have been benched for disciplinary reasons. The umpire may check (on his own or at the team manager s request) line-up cards against scorebook to verify that this rule has been followed. Any team that does not follow this will automatically forfeit the game. During these games, managers are to report all line-up changes to the opposing team s scorekeepers. Scorekeepers must list players by last name and maintain a record of starting players and substitute players to verify that this rule is followed. The batting rotation must include every player to bat at least once, and then start again from the top of the batting order. If a game is called because of the run rule, the game is official, but the game will continue until all players have batted. 18. Additional Hitter / Continuous Batting: A tenth batter may be added to the batting order at the start of the game. Any nine (9) of the ten (10) batters may play on defense. If a team using the AH drops from ten (10) to nine (9) players available the spot in the lineup is left open and is not an out. The continuous batting order may be used. 19. Number of Players: A game can begin with 8 players. If one team only has 8 players, then that team automatically becomes the visiting team. Any time you drop below 9 players, the 9th spot will be an out each time that spot comes due. If you start with 9 players and a player is unable to bat for any reason, that spot becomes an out each time that player cannot bat. If you start with 10 players and a player is unable to bat, that spot IS NOT AN OUT. Batter is skipped. An out can only be recorded when the number of players in the line-up is less than 9. If a player is not at the field in uniform by the first pitch then he can only be added to the bottom of the lineup. If his spot comes up and he has not arrived, this is not an out (unless team is playing with only 8 players, then it would be an out based on above rules). He never hits on arrival, always needs to be placed at the bottom of lineup and can only hit when this spot is due up. 20. Sportsmanship Rule: Any team winning by 15 or more runs may NOT steal second base, third base, or home plate until the lead drops below 15 runs at any point during the game. a. Dropped third strike batter may still advance to first when winning by 10 or more runs. Therefore, if
a runner is on first and a dropped third strike occurs, runner on first base may advance to second base. b. If a player violates the rule and is tagged out, the out remains in effect. c. If a player violates rule and is NOT tagged out and a coach brings it to the umpire s attention prior to the next pitch, then all players will return to their original base. d. Coaches are responsible to inform the umpire(s) when this rule should be enforced, not vice versa. 21. Field Rules: Umpires may limit warm-up time to ten (10) minutes for each team to get the game started on the scheduled time. a. Bases are not to be secured to the ground. b. No one may stand directly behind the backstop. c. Each manager is responsible for his fans. d. No alcoholic beverages or tobacco are permitted on the field during a game. e. No foul language or fighting from anyone connected with the Cincy Western Baseball Conference (CWBC) is permitted f. In the event of unsportsmanlike conduct, the umpire has the authority to clear the bench or area of any and all offenders. g. Managers are responsible for enforcing the umpire s decision and action of their fans. h. On any violation of these rules, the offender and all responsible parties will be called before the CWBC board for discussion and possible disciplinary action. i. ONLY the manager may consult with the umpires on any dispute, NOT the coaches or helpers, etc. 22. Mercy Run Rule: Games shall be complete based on the following innings completed and run differential: a. The game is officially over in all classes when the run total is reached. b. If you continue to play, you DO NOT waive this right. c. Classes 15U and 13U games will be complete when 12 runs have been reached at 4 innings. d. Classes 11U and 9U games will be complete when 12 runs have been reached at 3 innings. 23. Official Game: 15U = 6 innings, 13U = 6 innings, 11U and 9U = 5 innings NOTE: 15U has been changed from 7 to 6 innings to allow for two hour time slots for field availability on Saturdays. 24. Incomplete Games: Any scheduled game stopped because of rain or darkness shall be considered an official game after 4 ½ innings are completed in 13U and 15U; and 3 ½ innings in 9U and 11U, providing the home team is leading in each case. There are no time limits on any game. 25. Suspended Game: The Class Supervisor will have the authority to determine if a suspended game must be completed. Games with three or more complete innings; the rescheduled game will resume where the game left off. 9U and 11U Games with less than three complete innings; the rescheduled game will start from the top of inning one. 13U and 15U Games with less than four complete innings; the rescheduled game will start from the top of inning one. In either case, new umpire fees apply. a. (The Martin Rule) The pitch count will carry over from the first game. The current rules are written to A) protect a pitcher from throwing too many pitches and B) shield a team from a dominant pitcher to an extent- pitcher cannot pitch more innings than a regulation game, regardless of pitch count. 26. Rain: To check the status of your game, call the rain out number (TBD) or check the website http://cincywbc.org. If there is no message canceling the games, all teams are expected to show up at their respective field. In some instances, if the field the game is originally scheduled on is unplayable, the Field Supervisor may notify the umpire or personally change the game to another field in the area and set the time up 30 minutes to give teams time to transfer from one field to another. Due to the shortage of fields in the area, all teams must do everything possible to get the game in on the originally scheduled date. A team or teams will have a period of 30 minutes after the scheduled game time to make the field playable. Otherwise, that game will be canceled and the following game played. 27. Lightning or Thunder: Games will be stopped and a 30-minute delay will be enforced at the FIRST incident of thunder or lightning. Scorebooks should note inning, outs, count on batter, and time. A 30 minute delay will restart after each successive incident of thunder or lightning. 28. Sliding Base Rule: (a) when a runner goes into a base standing up and the runner and the base move more than the width of the base in any fashion whatsoever, and the runner is tagged, the runner is out. (b) If the runner gets back to the spot where the base was before being tagged, the runner is safe. (c) When sliding, the runner shall remain on the ground until the umpire calls time. If the player gets up and moves before the
umpire calls time, the runner will be called out if tagged and not standing on the original spot of the base. If the player moves the base and gets up and makes the next base, the future runner will go to the original spot of the base. (d) If the base is tied down the runner must stay with the base. (e) If a tied down base become loose or broken because of a slide and the base moves away, the runner in not in jeopardy. 29. Base Runner: If a base runner runs into a fielder attempting to make a tag, it will be up to the discretion of the umpire if it was deliberate or accidental. If determined to be deliberate, the runner is out. 30. BAT RESTRICTIONS BBCOR stamped bats acceptable for NFHS (National Federation of High Schools Associations) use are permitted at any age level if the participant is strong enough to do so. BBCOR stamped bats are required at the 15U level. Wood and/or wood composite bats are also permissible provided the BBCOR stamp is on the bat. At the 9U -13U levels, bats must have the 1.15 BPF stamp anywhere on the bat. The CWBC will permit 1.15 BPF bats of 2 3/4" (2 5/8 is the standard) diameter for league play. There is not a drop restriction (difference in inches/weight). Procedure/Penalty 1. Umpires will remind/confirm with coaches that their team bats conform to our rules. 2. If batter steps into the box with an illegal/non-conforming bat or after any pitches are thrown to him by the pitcher while batter is using an illegal/non-conforming bat, that batter is out. 3. If the batter puts the ball in play and the illegal/non-conforming bat is pointed out to the umpire before the next batter is pitched to: a) the batter is out and all runners return to their original bases. For example, bases loaded, batter hits grand slam home run. Defensive coach alerts umpire of illegal/non-conforming bat, batter is called out and all runners return to their original bases, no runs score on the play. Bat is removed from the game. OR b) the batter is out and the defensive coach can take the result of the play if any outs were made. For example, Runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out. Batter hits ground ball to 3rd. Runner forced out at 3rd, 2 outs. Defensive coach alerts umpire of illegal bat before next batter is pitched to, batter is then called out, 3rd out of the inning. Bat removed from the game. 4. Bat will be removed from the game in any situation. 31. Batter's Box Rule (13U/15U only) - One foot should remain in the batter's box unless the batter swings or is forced out of the batter's box. The umpire can call a strike on the batter for violating this rule. 32. EJECTION POLICY/PROCEDURE A coach, manager or player ejected from a game must leave the field immediately. By the following day, the umpire should report the incident by email to the umpire coordinator and league president for further review. 1. A coach, manager or player ejected from a game will be suspended for their next played game. 2. Repeated or flagrant ejections of coaches, managers and players will result in further action by the CWBC board. Further action may include a multiple game suspension, year suspension or lifetime ban. Flagrant ejections include but are not limited to: foul language, contact with an umpire, opposing coach or player, intimidation of an umpire (especially youth umpires), inappropriate conduct by team parents, intentional violation of league rules or other unacceptable conduct for a coach in a Catholic youth baseball league. 3. A coach may appeal to the league president, but the decision of the CWBC Board is final. 4. If a coach, manager or player is ejected from a game or games he/she is not permitted to attend the subsequent game or games for which he/she was suspended, even as a spectator. 33. Bench Restriction: The umpire may restrict a coach or manager to the bench area for the remainder of the game for taunting or questioning judgment calls. Any coach restricted to the bench area shall be ejected for further misconduct. The coach may leave the bench/dugout to attend to a player who becomes ill or injured. 34. Forfeit Bond: A bond of $200.00 per organization team must be maintained each year. a. Once a team manager forfeits two games, that manager may be replaced. b. This forfeit bond will be returned at the end of the season. c. This forfeit bond may be rolled over to the baseball season in the following year.
d. Managers have a 15-minute grace period after the scheduled starting time before a game is forfeited. e. This fee must be turned in before you are a legal team. f. A team who forfeits a game will pay all the umpire fees. g. A team who forfeits two games may be removed from the schedule. 35. Forfeit/Cancellation policy; All games must be played at their originally scheduled time, location, date and umpire(s). Games may NOT be moved from the original schedule unless a school or parish function causes players to be unavailable (ex: first communion). Games that are moved for school/parish functions the team moving the game is responsible for contacting the class coordinator as well as the umpire coordinator. For games that are moved/cancelled or forfeited the committing team will be responsible for the umpire fees for that game (Ex: 9U American cancellation committing team will pay $32). If moved, the team will then have to pay the umpire again for the game the day of play. Any teams that do not show up to a scheduled game without contacting both the division coordinator and the umpire coordinator will split the cost of the cancelled game. (Ex: 9U American cancellation each team pays $16). If the team is unwilling to pay the fee for moving the game, the game will stand as a forfeit and the organization will pay the fees at the finish of the season. a. All regular season games must be played. b. Any games not played are automatically forfeit. 36. Speed Up Rules: All Class D through A will be allowed to use the courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher. This courtesy runner may be used any time the pitcher or catcher reaches base. The same courtesy runner may not be used for both the catcher and pitcher in the same inning. The courtesy runner can only be the last player to make an out. Courtesy runner must be inserted at the time the pitcher or catcher reaches base and time is called. The courtesy runner must be on base before the next pitch is thrown. Only one courtesy runner is allowed at one time. If your pitcher and catcher are on base at the same time you may only courtesy run for one of them. No courtesy runners are allowed in the final regularly scheduled inning. 37. Hurdling or Plowing: hurdling or plowing over the catcher or other baseman will be a judgment call by the umpire and could result in unsportsmanlike conduct. On any play at home plate, the player is required to slide if a play is imminent. Failure to do so will result in an automatic out. Umpires may also eject any player guilty of malicious contact in the home plate area. This is a judgement call by the umpire is therefore not protestable. For the purpose of this rule, the catcher or other defensive player must be in position to attempt a tag on the runner. 38. Fake Tag: No defensive player may make a tag attempt on a base runner if that defensive player does not have the ball in his possession. This is to ensure the safety of the base runners by eliminating unnecessary slides that may result in injuries to the base runner. The penalty for the infraction of this rule will be a warning issued to the player and coach. On second offense, player will be ejected. 39. Rosters: All teams must fill out a team roster. Legal teams will consist of at least 11 roster players (or board approval). All rosters must be submitted to the Board by February 1. Once rosters are submitted, no players can transfer from one team to another. New players, however, can be added to any pre-existing roster by May 1 st. 39a. Guest Players A team is allowed to use a guest player to substitute for its team under the following conditions: 1. Guest player is a rostered player in that school s baseball program. 2. Guest player plays at the same or lower level as the team he is substituting for. For example, guest player that plays at the 9U National level may not substitute for a 9U American team. However, a 9U American player may substitute for another 9U American team or a 9U National team. 3. Guest player cannot pitch or catch for team he is substituting for. The intent of the rule is to prevent forfeits by teams that do not have enough players for a regular season game. Combining of teams for tournament play is not allowed. Only players on a team s roster are eligible for tournament play. 40. Spikes: No player will be permitted to use metal spikes except in Class A. 41. Releases: A player cannot change teams once the rosters are set, unless approved by the CWBC Board.
42. Changes: Changes that occur in schedules because of late entry or improper placement of teams will cost an additional $35.00 per team. 43. Umpire Fees: These fees are to be paid (in cash) on the field by the managers prior to the start of the game, each paying one half: Fees are applicable for each scheduled and rescheduled game. Umpires shall be paid the full rate for any game that begins. Rescheduled games require new umpires and fees to be paid. An umpire is never required to complete a game based on prior fees paid. Forfeiting teams shall be responsible for all umpire fees. They will be paid at end of year from organization at fault. The league will assign umpires for scheduled game. Locating umpires for all make-up games is the responsibility of the HOME team. If no league umpire shows, a person can be selected from the stands. Both managers must agree on the person and the game will be official. If no agreement can be reached, the game will be rescheduled. All games D national and above must have and umpire. a. Current Umpire Fees: 15U - $45 per team (2 umpires) 13U - $40 per team (2 umpires) 11U N - $34 per team (2 umpires) 11U A - $17 per team (1 umpire) 9U N - $16 per team (1 umpire) 9U A - $16 per team (1 umpire) If a game is forfeited, the team in attendance does not pay the umpire. The entire fee will come out of the forfeiting school's forfeit bond. 44. Illegal Players: Any manager who knowingly uses an illegal player will be reviewed by the Cincy Western Baseball Conference Executive Board. 45. Protest: Any protest must be made to the chief umpire who shall be the home plate umpire and the opposing manager notified by the umpire before the next legal pitch is made. Both scorebooks must be noted and signed by both umpires and managers. The umpire will keep both scorebooks after the game. All protested games must be submitted to the CWBC Supervisor (or his designated representative) in writing within 24 hours after the completion of the game, and must specify the rule and sub-title on which the game is being protested. National League rules will be followed on calling a protest by a manager. The protest fee will be $50.00 in cash and must accompany the formal written request. If this is not complied with, there will be no protest. If the protest is allowed, the fee will be returned. A protest board will consist of three board members, one of which is the Supervisor. All decisions of the protest board are final and are not subject to review. All protests concerning player eligibility must be submitted before the season is completed. 46. Bleeding and Open Wounds: For safety purposes, the rule covers situations in which a player or coach is detected bleeding or who has an open wound, or who has blood on his uniform. When detected, a reasonable amount of time will be afforded by the umpire for the involved individual to receive appropriate treatment. If treatment cannot be completed within a reasonable amount of time, the player must leave the game. He may re-enter if he has re-entry privileges. This situation is handled no differently than other injury situations. 47. Additional Notes: No player may play in a game with an orthopedic cast. 48. Guidelines for Creating Divisions: All divisions shall be compiled by team average age in descending order. Older average age teams shall be in Division 1 and the younger average age teams shall be positioned in Division 2. There shall be no exceptions to this rule. Only National (stacked) teams will be placed into Division 1 regardless of average age. Setting up the divisions: If a school has three or more teams at a particular division, then one of those teams must play in the national division of that age group. A school in question must petition the board to rule as an exception. 49. Tournament Play Guidelines: Tournament play will begin the week following the last scheduled Saturday of season games. National division tournaments will have a two and out bracket. American division tournaments will have a one and out bracket. Currently all tournament fee per team is $100.00 per team. All teams will play in the tournament of the division that they played in during regular season. Any team may play in a higher division during the tournament. No team shall play in a tournament division lower than the division that that team played in during regular season. 50. Determining Regular Season Standings: - 1 point for a win and 1/2 point for a tie. Seeding for the
tournament will be based on total points accumulated by teams following the last league scheduled Saturday games. This will hopefully encourage teams to schedule and complete games. The week before the tournament is still to be used to play games, but those games will not effect seeding. Games not played will be considered a forfeit and schools will be charged a forfeit fee. 51. Tiebreaker Criteria- If teams are tied with points the tie-breaker system is as follows: 1. Head to Head 2. Runs scored against - Head to Head 3. Runs scored against - Overall 4. Coin Flip 52. Intentional Walks - a coach should announce to the umpire that the batter is to be intentionally walked prior to the at bat. The pitcher is not required to throw four balls, but 4 pitches are added to his pitch count.
7U Coach Pitch Rules and Regulations 1. This league is primarily for youth of the ages of 6 and 7. 2. There are no league standings in this league. All teams are eligible for end of season tournament (teams are not required to participate in tournament). 3. There are no umpires for regular season games; umpires will be provided for all tournament games. 4. Coaches will do all pitching. Each player will receive 7 swings. If after the 7th swing the ball is not batted fair, the batter is out. If batter fouls off the 7th swing, they will receive additional pitch(es) until batter either swings and misses, puts the ball in play or chooses not to swing. 5. All pitching must be overhand. 6. Only nine players can bat in any inning, and it is considered that two are out when the ninth player is batting. Tournament: Any runs scored on the ninth batter before 3 outs will be counted. 7. Players cannot keep running. Once the fielder picks up ball, runners may only advance to the base they are going to. 8. A base runner can advance only when the ball is hit. Base runners may only advance as many bases as the hitter. For example: runner on first, batter hits a double, then runner on first base can only advance to 3rd base (2 bases). 9. Two coaches from each team are on the field at all times to help control game. 10. No stealing, bunting, leading off, running on the third strike, infield fly rule, walks, or steel spikes. 11. On an overthrow to any base the runners will advance only to the base he is going (running) to. 12. Batters and runners must wear a batting helmet or they will be called out. 13. Free substitution in the field is allowed. No more than 9 players on the field at one time. Every player must play two innings in the field, and must bat in consecutive order. 14. Late comers will be added to the bottom of the list. Each child bats before any child bats a second time. No free substitution is allowed in the batting order. 15. Games consist of 5 innings or 1 ½ hours. No time limit for tournament games. 16. The distance between bases will be 60 feet. Double first base will be optional. 17. The pitching distance will be 35 feet for coaches. Coaches are permitted to pitch from one knee at the required distance. 18. In the case of rain, the game is completed after 2-1/2 innings if the home team is ahead. 19. The game shall be completed if after four complete innings and either team leads by 10 or more runs. If the game is called because of the run rule, the game is official; but will continue until all the players have batted or 1 ½ hours have elapsed. 20. Any rule not covered in the Cincy Western Baseball Conference (CWBC) rules shall be in accordance with MLB National League Rules.
5U Instructional Baseball Rules 1. This league is primarily for youth of the ages of 4 and 5 2. This league is solely for the purpose of instruction. It is a non-competitive program. Every manager and coach should keep in mind that the purpose of this program is to teach the players to play baseball and how to conduct themselves in a fair and good sportsmanlike manner. To teach the players how to do this, each and every manager and coach must conduct themselves in a fair and good sportsmanlike manner. 3. There are no league standings. 4. Soft baseball can be used by all teams 5. All players will be placed in a continuous batting line-up. All kids will bat in each inning. 6. No score will be kept 7. All players must bat at least two times during the game. 8. Games must last minimum of 2 innings: may last longer at the discretion of the coaches. No time limit for the two inning rule because there is no limit on the number of players a team can have at this level. 9. No stealing, lead offs, running on the third strike, infield fly rule, walks, or steel spikes. 10. The distance between bases will be 60 feet. Double first base will be optional. 11. Coaches will do all pitching. Each player will receive 5 pitches. If after the 5th pitch and the ball is not batted fair, then player must use a Tee to complete at bat. 12. The pitching distance will be 35 feet for coaches. Coaches are permitted to pitch from one knee at the required distance. All pitching should be overhand. 13. All players will be placed in a continuous batting line-up 14. No catcher will be used for this league. It s recommended that a coach is available to return pitches. 15. The defensive team (fielding team) will be allowed two coaches on the field. 16. A base runner can advance only when the ball is hit. 17. There is no WBC tournament at the end of the season.