Minors A and AA League

Section A: General Rules

Games start at 6:15 pm and no inning can start after 8:00 pm. All times are as decided by the umpire and are the responsibility of the umpire. If the score is even after the final inning has been played (not necessarily the 6th inning), the game will result in a tie.

All games count towards the standings. The results of a game must be reported as soon as possible to the League President.

The batting lineup is continuous and shall consist of every uniformed player on a team's roster who is present, whether playing in the field or not. Batting out of order will result in the player called out who should have been batting, but missed their turn.

Every player who is present, in uniform, must play an absolute minimum of 12 outs. Every player must play in 3 of the first 5 innings. At least two of the innings must be in the infield for a six inning game. In order to enforce the rule, opposing teams must keep track of how many innings each player has played. Pitcher and catcher are considered infield positions.

Violations of these rules will result in forfeiture of the game. A game can be played with a minimum of 8 players, but if one team has a full compliment they can play 10 vs. 8.

If a team scores four (4) runs before three outs are made in any but the last (not necessarily the sixth) inning, the inning shall be considered completed. The last inning shall continue until three outs are made. Therefore a four run limit is imposed in all innings but the last. If a game is terminated unexpectedly (e.g. due to weather conditions) removal of the run limit in the last inning may be impossible.

Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a catcher's mask.

Substitutions may occur at any time and as frequently as desired except for the pitcher. A Pitcher, once removed, may not be put back in as a pitcher, but may play other positions. A pitcher moved to another position on the field will be deemed to have been removed.

Throwing of a helmet or any other equipment in frustration will result in a warning from the umpire. Repetition of this behavior will result in ejection from the game.

In the event that paid umpires are not available for the game; two (2) substitute umpires should be selected and agreed upon by both coaches. Preferably a parent representing each team should be selected. It is recommended that one umpire should be positioned behind the pitcher, the other umpiring on the bases. It is further recommended that the umpires exchange positions at regular intervals.

Rainouts are to be determined by the coaches at game time. Make-up games must be played as soon as possible after the postponement date. The league president must be notified of make-up games in order to insure field availability. The umpire coordinator should also be contacted to schedule an umpire for the make-up game.

No children (players or spectators) are allowed to stand behind the backstop during a game. Any children behind the backstop during the game should be asked to move to another location by the coaches or the umpire.

The pitching distance for players and coaches will be 43 feet.

A pitcher is not permitted to pitch more than 2 innings per game. A minimum of one pitch during an inning is considered a complete inning pitched. A pitcher is not permitted to pitch on consecutive days. These rules define the limit of how many innings a pitcher can pitch during a week. Any violation of these rules will result in a forfeit by the offending team.

The strike zone is from the top of the shoulders to the bottom of the knees, and the width of the plate. A pitch that grazes the outer boundary of the strike zone is considered a strike.

A pitcher may not throw a curve ball motion, i.e., intentionally turning the wrist or arm. Side arm motion is allowed if this is the "natural" motion of the pitcher. Any pitcher intentionally throwing a curve ball will be immediately removed from the game and will not be allowed to pitch in his team's next game.

No balks will be called on pitchers.

Players will pitch until the ball is hit, the batter strikes out, or four balls are called. If a pitcher throws four balls to the batter, there are no walks. A coach or parent from the team at bat must come in to pitch to the hitter until the ball is hit or the player strikes out. .

If the coach/parent comes in to pitch, the first pitch is live. If itís a called strike it counts against the batter. If a batted ball hits a coach while the coach is pitching, the coach is considered part of the field and play continues.

If the coach comes in to pitch, the player that was pitching must stand with at least one foot on the pitching mound.

If a pitcher hits a batter, the pitcher must shake hands with the hit batsman. This is an important display of sportsmanship that should be supported by the coaches.

If a pitcher hits two batters in the same inning, the pitcher must be removed.

Each team uses 4 outfielders (10th player). Outfielders are 4 across (no rover) but some can play deeper than others. Outfielders must stand in the outfield grass.

The catcher is not allowed to walk in front of home plate to make the return throw to the pitcher. Doing so will result in a warning from the umpire. The pitcher and catcher may confer on the pitcherís mound after the catcher has thrown the ball back to the pitcher, and the umpire has granted time.

Catcher Interference. If a catcher intentionally or unintentionally interferes with a batter while the batter is in the act of swinging the bat, catcher interference is called and the batter is awarded first base. Thus if while swinging the bat, the bat strikes the catcher or the catchers mitt, catcher interference is called.

Safety is the primary concern when there is a play at home plate. The runner and catcher must avoid contact whenever possible. Catchers may not obstruct the runner's path to home plate unless they are in possession of the ball.

Infield fly rule is not in effect for Minors Baseball.

There will be no on-deck circle or on-deck batter. Only the batter shall have a bat. If another player is holding a bat a warning shall be given to the head coach. If the incident recurs the offending player will be called out.

There will be no running to first after a dropped third strike, the batter is out. The batter is also out on a caught foul tip on the third strike.

Releasing the bat in an unsafe manner after making contact with the ball will result in a warning from the umpire. The next occurrence will result in the batter being called out and the ball dead if it has been hit. No runners will advance.

Minors AA: Bunting is permitted. A team is allowed one bunt in play per inning. There is no limit to how many players can attempt or fake a bunt during an inning, but once a bunt has been put in play successfully, the team will no longer be allowed to bunt that inning. If another batter puts a bunt in play during the same inning, it will result in calling the batter out that is laying down the second bunt of the inning. There is no limit to how many times a player can bunt during a game.

Minors A: No bunting is permitted.

A pitch that hits a batter on the hand or any other part of the body or uniform, will be awarded first base. If the pitch is in the strike zone when the batter is hit, the pitch will be called a strike, and the batter will not be awarded first base.

Each player at bat or running the bases must wear a batting helmet with a face guard. In the event a player intentionally removes or throws his helmet while running the bases, the player will be called out.