General Rules

• All home teams are responsible for setup and takedown of fields which includes bases, pitching mounds, etc.
• Please make sure all dugouts are cleaner when you leave than they were when you arrived.
• 60' Bases. 46' pitching mound.
• If for any reason an umpire is not present at the start of a game, the team at bat will provide the umpire (coach, parent, etc)
• The defense may only call timeout once the play is dead and the baserunners are no longer trying to advance. 

Game Length

• Games will be 6 innings in length.
• No Mercy Rule
• A game will be considered official if 3 innings are completed
• Extra Innings: If a game is tied after 6 innings and the time limit has not expired then teams can play extra innings.
• Monday games begin at 7 pm. No new inning can start after 8:45 pm. Thursday games begin at 5:15 pm. No new inning can start after 6:45 pm. If an inning is started then it should be completed. The game result will be a tie if the score is still tied and a new inning cannot be started due to the time limit.
• Stoppages: If a game is halted because of rain, lightning etc. a period of at least 20 minutes will be given to determine if conditions are safe to resume. This decision will be left to the attending umpire. - If the game has reached the official stage and can't be continued then the result will stand.
• Maximum Runs Per Inning: During the regular season, 5 runs is the max and there is no exception to this in the last inning. Playoff rules will be TBD but there will be no max run rule in the last inning. 

Batting

• All team members in uniform must be listed in the official batting order at the beginning of each game and will bat in that order until the conclusion of the game.
• A team must have at least 8 players in the batting order to start the game; Less than 8 would result in a forfeit. In cases of forfeit, the winning team will allow the forfeiting team to use players in order to play a "practice game". We do not want kids to show up to a game and not get a game in.
• Players that are not present when the game starts will be added to the end of the batting order as they arrive and will bat in that order for the remainder of the game
• Continuous Batting Rule: teams will bat a continuous lineup and are allowed free defensive substitutions throughout the game to encourage maximum player participation. Any player leaving before the game is over will result in an automatic out when that player's next at-bat occurs. There are two exceptions to this rule:
  • Coaches may announce to the umpire and the other coach before the game if a player will be leaving early
  • If a player is injured and cannot bat for his designated spot in the order, thus requiring that player to leave the game.
  • In both of these instances, no penalty will occur and the place in the batting order will be skipped over.
• Faking a bunt and then swinging is not allowed. The batter will be called out.
• In the interest of safety, warnings and outs may be issued to players for accidental bat throwing at the discretion of the umpire. Upon the first occurrence, a player will be issued a warning. Any additional occurrence by a previously warned player will result in a dead ball out. Intentional bat throwing can, at the umpire's discretion, result in a dead ball out or ejection.
• Any player identified as using an illegal bat (see bat regulations below) will be asked to change bats. There will be no outs recorded if a player steps to the plate with an illegal bat.

Base Running

• Sliding- Runners do not have to slide but they always must avoid making contact with or altering the play of the fielder. Runners who initiate malicious contact will be ejected from the game. Runners who do not slide and initiate contact (including accidental) may be called out at the umpire's discretion.
• No lead-offs. The runner must have contact with the base until the ball reaches/passes the catcher or is hit in play.
• A courtesy runner (last batted out) is mandatory for the catcher after two outs.
• A pinch runner (last batted out) may only be used in the case of an injury
• No infield fly rule
• Steals: Stealing of second base and third base is permitted, however, the runner may not leave the base they are occupying at the time of the pitch until the pitched ball has reached or passed the catcher.
• Steals: There will be a "wall" at 3rd base that will operate as follows: A runner originating at 3B may not go home except on a batted ball or walk. In a 1st and 3rd situation, the runner at 3b may not be allowed to advance when the catcher throws to 2B. Should the runner advance from 3B in any situation where he is not allowed under these rules, it is at the player's own risk and the player can be tagged out. The ball is called dead at the umpire’s discretion.
• If a ball is hit into play, there is no limit to the number of bases the runners can take, even on an overthrow to first base. The only exception would be if the ball goes out of play or is interfered with by a spectator. In the event that happens, the hitter may only advance to second base and the runners at the other bases may only advance one base as well. If the runners have already rounded a base at the time of the overthrow, they may advance to the next base. 

Pitching

• A pitcher is limited to a maximum of six consecutive batted-outs per game.
• Pitchers are limited to maximum of 8 warm-up pitches when first in the game, after that the max is 6 warm-up pitches
• Once a pitcher is removed from the game he may not re-enter as a pitcher
• Coaches are allowed one trip to the mound per pitcher. This rule will be enforced, on a coach’s second trip to the mound, the pitcher will have to be removed. Exception: in case of an injury to the pitcher. A mound visit is defined as a coach crossing the baseline into the field of play.
• If three batters are hit by a pitch in a game by the same pitcher that pitcher must be removed from pitching for the rest of the game
• A pitcher may come into the game from the bench (a mid-inning replacement does not have to come from a player already in the field)
• No Balks
• No Dropped 3 rd Strike
• Intentional walks are not allowed.

Defensive Positions

• All players must play a minimum of three innings on defense
• There is free substitution on defense except that a player must finish an inning on defense where they started unless the result of an injury or realignment due to a pitching change
• 4 outfields are allowed. The alignment must be Left Field, Left Center Field, Right Center Field and Right Field. An alignment consisting of a traditional alignment with the addition of a short center field is not allowed. The spirit behind this rule is that the turfgrass at Sheridan is very thin, thus any ball hit in the hole has a good chance of becoming a home run. We’d like to limit these instances for a more fair game.

Sportsmanship

• Please note: Although we encourage good competition, let us remember that these are 9 and 10-year-old baseball players. It is parents, coaches, and fan’s responsibility to show good sportsmanship and display a positive example for our young players to follow.
• Disrespect to the umpire or the opposing team will not be tolerated by coaches, players, or parents.
• Only team managers may discuss a call with an umpire. All judgment calls are final.
• Balls and strikes may not be disputed
• Managers are responsible for keeping the pace of play moving. If in the opinion of the umpire a team is slowing down play deliberately the umpire may issue a warning. If slow play continues the umpire may rule the game a forfeit.
• No distracting noises during the pitcher's wind-up. Vocal support for their team is allowed in the form of cheering and voicing encouragement. Any form of vocal distraction during a pitchers wind-up or delivery is not allowed
• Each team's manager will be responsible for the control of the team's fans
• Any ejections will be reported to the league along with the final score
• The Board will handle discipline in the case of ejections or repeated episodes of poor sportsmanship

Player Equipment

• Batting helmets must be worn at bat, on base, and on deck
• Metal cleats are not allowed
• Bat Restrictions:
  • All USABat Standard certified bats will be allowed
  • All non-fungo wood bats will be allowed
• All players must be fully uniformed in matching jerseys and hats.