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General League Rules
Base Running
Baseball specific
Softball specific


General League Rules:

  1. Games begin according to the time on the schedule. The home team should warm-up 1/2 hour before the game time. The visiting team, 15 minutes before game time. If a visiting team is more than 15 minutes late without calling, the game is a forfeit. Saturday games start at 9:00 AM and only have 15 minutes between consecutive games. Therefore warm-ups times do not apply.
  2. Update for 2008 All games for 9  and older age groups shall last no longer than two (2) hours during the regular season. Rookie games shall last no longer than one hour and thirty minutes (1 1/2 hours). The home manager and director are responsible for postponing a game for weather conditions at least two hours prior to game time, as a courtesy to the traveling team. Please notify the visiting team in time to allow for travel time.
  3. Eight warm-up pitches at the start of the game. Five warm-up pitches or a maximum of 1 minute for subsequent innings.
  4. No new 1/2 inning may start after the two (2) hour time limit. The final score reverts back to the last complete inning. There are no time limits for Playoff Games.

Saturday time limits
9:00 AM games end by 11:00 AM
11:15 AM games end by 1:15 PM
1:30 PM games end by 3:30 PM
3:45 PM games end by 5:45 PM
6:00 PM games end by 8:00 PM
  1. Hat and shirt are minimum uniform for play; shirts will be tucked in. Players must wear their hats/visors.
  2. All additions and subtractions to your roster during the season must be brought to the attention of your director as they occur, but no later than Opening Day. If a child is not listed on your roster, he/she is an ineligible player. If the child is allowed to play, the game will be considered a forfeit. (The real issue is the liability exposure we incur.)
  3. A team may start a game with a minimum of 8 players. The ninth spot in batting order will be an automatic out. If an injury should reduce the number of players below 8, then successive spots in order will be automatic outs.
  4. ALL BASEBALL CATCHERS MUST WEAR A CUP.
  5. All offensive players on the field shall wear a batting helmet.
  6. A player will be ejected from the game for throwing a bat or helmet after being warned the first time. The ejection will take place on the second offense.
  7. The base runner will be called out if the runner collides with a fielder making a play.
  8. Field or bench chatter toward the opposing team is not allowed. Supporting one's own team or players is encouraged.
  9. Position infielders at a safe distance from the batter. A few steps in front of the bases at the most.
  10. NO ARGUING WITH UMPIRES. MAKE SURE ALL ASSISTANT COACHES AND PARENTS KNOW THIS RULE.
  11. Tobacco, alcohol, and abusive language are not allowed within the players' bench or anywhere inside the field.
  12. Scheduled games will be played without exception.
  13. Season will end by a specified date prior to playoffs starting. Make up dates should be rescheduled within 2 weeks of a canceled game.
  14. Once the game has started, the home plate umpire will postpone or stop play due to weather conditions. DO NOT PLAY IN THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS.
  15. Only the team players, coaches and scorekeeper will be allowed to sit on the team benches.
  16. Team score books with players last name and first initial must be kept, and will be turned in to the president at the end of the season. These are required for all-star games.
  17. No limit on practice games. Practice games are independent of league pitching rules.
  18. All players must play a minimum of six outs in the field and have one time at bat per game. If a child does not play a minimum of two innings in a game, he/she must start and play the first 4 innings in the next game. The opposing manager should circle the name of that child in the score book so the manager of the next game will know that the child must start the game.
  19. Playoff dates will be determined prior to the start of the Season. Playoffs shall be held for the 9 &10 and above age groups. Most games will be on Saturday and Sunday.
  20. Seeding of teams will be via random pick at the end of the season.
  21. There shall be open All-Star tryouts commencing in May for each age group Boys 9U, 10U, & 12U. Girls 10U, 12U. See All-Star Selection for how an All-Star team is selected.

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General Base Running Rules:

Update for 2008 Softball shall follow the rules as set forth in the softball rule book stated in section "7.00 The Runner".

The objectives of the rules are.
    1. To remove base running confusion and delays
    2. Have consistent and easy to understand rules for coaches & umpires.
They are NOT intended to reduce aggressive base running. Do not expect these to be a perfect solution to all of the possible situations that arise during games. Cooperation and suggestions from the coaches and umpires would be appreciated.
To keep this as simple as possible there will be three situations discussed concerning the 'taunting' situation.
  1. A runner on third after the catcher has received pitch.

The runner is allowed to move down the line towards home until the catcher physically moves out of the catcher's box to challenge the runner, and makes the runner stop or turn back towards 3rd. Once the runner stops they must return to 3rd base. The runner does NOT have safe passage back to 3rd. The catcher may throw back to the pitcher (after stopping runner) and nothing happens and they prepare for next pitch. The catcher also has the option of throwing to 3rd in an attempt to throw the runner out returning to 3rd. If this option is taken, the runner is open to attempt any running play. If the return throw to the pitcher is missed, the runner is allowed to advance at his or her own risk.

  1. Runners between 2nd & 3rd and 1st & 2nd. Whether on a hit, or after a pitch.

Once the ball is in the control of any player within the 10' diameter (5' radius) of the mound, the runner must make a decision as to which way to run. If the runner is already on the move they obviously continue on. The runner cannot stop in the base path (unless deciding to go the other way) once a player has control of the ball within the 10' circle.

Example:

A runner on 2nd, the pitcher pitches to catcher, the runner leads halfway to 3rd and stops. The runner may stay stopped (or moving) until catcher returns the ball to the pitcher within the 10' circle and then must make a decision on which way to go. Runner cannot stay stopped once the ball is in control within the 10' circle. If the runner decides to break for 3rd and the pitcher throws to 3rd, then the runner is open to any running play including returning to 2nd, or getting into a rundown.

THE GENERAL RULE TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE RUNNER MAY NOT STAY STOPPED OFF THE BASE ONCE THE BALL IS CONTROLLED WITHIN THE 10' CIRCLE OF MOUND.

The runner will NOT be called out if they fail to decide right away. This would put too much pressure on the players and umpires. The umpire can control this situation by sending the runner back to the starting base. If a player continues to delay in deciding, or is trying to circumvent the rule in any way, the umpire can issue a warning and eventually call the runner out. This should never have to happen if we have cooperation from the coaches and players.

  1. Coaches should help and advise players if they are having trouble understanding the details of the rule.

In this case the pitcher must make an effort to stop the runner even if they have the ball in the 10' circle. This is similar to Rule 1, the catcher challenging the runner from 3rd. If the batter/runner never stopped their forward momentum they are allowed to continue. The pitcher must challenge and stop runner.

    1. Continuation play for a batter that has walked and is rounding 1st base.
    2. Defense cannot block base paths without the ball unless of course they are fielding the ball. This includes the catcher. Coaches should teach catchers to sweep tag runner.
    3. SLIDING IS NOT REQUIRED BUT AVOIDING COLLISION IS!! If a defender has the ball in the base path or on a base, the runner must either slide or avoid colliding. If the runner collides, they are called out and warned to avoid collisions.
    4. Coaches teach defenders to stay off of the bases if the play is not at that base. If they stay on the bases they are taking away the inside corner of the base which runners use to cut corners. I would ask that umpires watch for and advise the coaches on this.

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Baseball League Rules:

Rookie League Rules
  1. Maximum of 4 runs scored per inning.
  2. All Players bat through the line up.
  3. An inning shall consist of either 3 outs or 4 runs.
  4. A pitching machine will be used by the managers or assistant coaches to pitch to his/her team.
  5. No stealing.
  6. Home runs are allowed on well-hit balls to the outfield. Otherwise, use common sense on overthrows. One base on an overthrow.
  7. Update for 2008 A maximum of 5 pitches per batter, whether the pitch is in the strike zone or not. Foul balls count as a pitch. If the last pitch is fouled off the batter shall get another pitch. 
  8. A RIF #5 (reduced injury) ball must be used.
  9. Keep the infielders at a safe distance from the batter. A few steps in front of bases at the most.
10U and 12U Baseball
  1. Games are 6 innings.
  2. Update for 2008 Legal game is four complete innings. No extra innings to break ties during regular season play.
  3. A pitcher will be removed from pitching if he has hit a total of 2 batters during a game.
  4. There is no dropped third strike rule. The batter may not advance to first base.
10U Baseball
  1. A maximum of 4 runs may be scored per team per inning. The 6th inning will be an open run inning.
  2. The pitcher is limited to 3 innings per game; 6 innings per week (Monday to Sunday week). See page #9 Baseball Rule Book for additional information.
  3. Throw Down on Steal Attempts Effective until 19th of May.
Objective: To teach catchers and infielders how to play a steal attempt

Rule: On all steal attempts of second or third the catcher will make an attempt at throwing out the runner. The runner cannot advance another base on the overthrow

Note: A player can still steal on each pitch. Only steal attempts will be affected by this rule. Any throws to a base by a fielder in an attempt to pick off a player will be treated as a live ball (no limit on bases).
  1. Batting Rule 
Goal: To have the players participate from the start of the game. Rule: All players on the team should be placed in the batting order. The players not playing in the fields will be marked in the score book "BP" (bench player). All players who are replaced in the field by a bench player shall remain in the batting order at their original spot.
Exceptions: The coach has the right to bypass this rule for any player in violations of team rules. If a player is unable to continue play (due to illness or injury), their sport in the batting order will be skipped and no penalty will occur to the team (i.e. automatic out).

Notes:

  1. This rule does not change the equal play rule for all players. All players still need to play the required innings in the field.
  2. The rule during Playoffs will be at the Manager/Coach discretion.

12U Baseball

  1. A maximum of 5 runs may be scored per team per inning. The 6th inning will be an open run inning.
  2. The pitcher is limited to 3 innings per game; 6 innings per week (Monday to Sunday week). After May 19th a pitcher may pitch 6 innings per game or 6 innings per calendar week.


Softball League Rules:

Rookie League Rules

  1. Four runs scored per inning, maximum.
  2. Maximum Ten (10) players on the field at traditional positions, including catcher and four outfielders. Players will rotate positions each inning.
  3. All Players bat through the line up.
  4. An inning shall consist of either 3 outs or 4 runs.
  5. Update for 2008 The managers or assistant coaches can pitch to his/her team. The manager has the option of using a pitching machine.
  6. No stealing.
  7. Home runs are allowed on well-hit balls to the outfield. Otherwise, use common sense on overthrows. One base on an overthrow.
  8. Update for 2008 A maximum of 5 pitches per batter, whether the pitch is in the strike zone or not. Foul balls count as a pitch. If the last pitch is fouled off the batter shall get another pitch. 
  9. A 11" RIF #5 (reduced injury) ball must be used.
  10. The fielders play the traditional baseball positions. Use four fielders in the outfield. Only one player at the pitching position.
  11. Keep the infielders at a safe distance from the batter. A few steps in front of bases at the most.
10U, 12U and 16U Softball
  1. Update for 2008 Ten inning limit per week for all pitchers during the regular season.
  2. Bunting is allowed at all levels.
  3. Dropped 3rd strike applies to 11-12, 13-16 levels.
  4. Pitching week is Monday though Sunday.
10U Softball
  1. Update for 2008 Games are 6 innings; a legal game is four complete innings. No extra innings to break ties during regular season play.
  2. A maximum of 4 runs may be scored per team per inning. The 6th inning will be an open run inning.
  3. The pitching distance is 35 feet. The softball size is 11 inches.
  4. The pitcher is limited to 3 innings per game.
  5. No stealing. The base runner may not leave the base until the pitched ball has reached the batter.
  6. Ten players in the field. Four of the players must be in outfield positions.
  7. Batting Rule
Goal: To have the players participate from the start of the game.

Rule: All players on the team should be placed in the batting order. The players not playing in the fields will be marked in the score book "BP" (bench player). All players who are replaced in the field by a bench player shall remain in the batting order at their original spot. Exceptions: The coach has the right to bypass this rule for any player in violations of team rules. Please notify opposing manager prior to the start of the game. If a player is unable to continue play (due to illness or injury), their spot in the batting order will be skipped and no penalty will occur to the team (i.e. automatic out).

Notes:

  1. This rule does not change the equal play rule for all players. All players still need to play the required innings in the field.
  2. The rule during playoffs will be at the Manager/Coach discretion.
  1. Update for 2008 During playoffs a pitcher may not pitch more than 6 innings per two consecutive games.
12U Softball
  1. The pitcher will be removed from pitching if she has hit a total of 2 batters during a game. If a ball hits the ground prior to hitting the batter it shall not count towards removal of the pitcher.
  2. Update for 2008 Games are 6 innings; a legal game is four complete innings. No extra innings to break ties during regular season play.
  3. A maximum of 5 runs may be scored per team per inning . The 6th inning will be an open run inning.
  4. The pitching distance is 40 feet. The softball size is 12 inches.
  5. The pitcher is limited to 3 innings per game for the first half of the season (until May 19th).
  6. After mid-season (May 19th) a pitcher may not pitch more than 6 innings per consecutive games and not to exceed 10 innings per calendar week.
  7. Leading is permitted only after the ball has crossed home plate. This rule is in effect for both the regular season and playoffs. Batter will be called out if left base early.
  8. Update for 2008 During playoffs a pitcher may not pitch more than 6 innings per two consecutive games.
16U Softball
  1. The pitcher will be removed from pitching if she has hit a total of 2 batters during a game. If a ball hits the ground prior to hitting the batter it shall not count towards removal of the pitcher.
  2. Update for 2008 Games are 7 innings; a legal game is five complete innings. No extra innings to break ties during regular season play.
  3. A maximum of 5 runs may be scored per team per inning. The 7th inning will he an open run inning.
  4. The pitching distance is 40 feet. The softball size is 12 inches.
  5. The runner may leave the base on the release of the pitch when stealing.
  6. Any Kearsarge Mountain Player who also plays on a High School softball team (Varsity or JV) will be only permitted to pitch three (3) innings per game in a Kearsarge Mountain game during both regular season and playoffs.
  7. Update for 2008 During playoffs with the exception of rule 1 and rule 6 there are no pitching limits for a pitcher.

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