BCL Mustang Rules
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Bethel Church League Recreation Mustang Rules PLAYING FIELD A. Distance between bases: 60 feet B. Pitching distance: 44 feet EQUIPMENT A. Wooden, metal, or composite handled bats manufactured specifically for baseball play, which are round and not more than two and one-fourths inches in diameter at the thickest part are acceptable (2 ¼ inches maximum barrel). All-Composite bats, or composite barrel bats are illegal. For the safety of our children, bats with only a bat performance factor (BPF)
of 1.15 or less are permitted. Any bat that is over that, or has no markings indication a BPF of 1.15 will not be allowed.
Challenging a bat: Coaches must challenge a bat prior to the next scheduled batter or at
the end of a game winning hit. Umpires can check a team’s bats before or at any time during the game and disqualify a bat. Failure to produce a bat when challenged will result in the batter being called out, and the runners (if any) will be returned to their previous bases. B. Only rubber soled or rubber cleated shoes are permitted. C. The batter, players in the on-deck batting area and base runners shall be required to wear protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head, temples, ears, and base of the skull. These items shall be NOCSAE approved. D. Use of face masks is required on protective headgear. Parent/Guardian may sign waiver upon registration. E. Catchers are required to wear proper protective equipment including a mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards, and protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head when catching behind the plate. Any player serving as a catcher to warm up a pitcher shall wear a mask, whether the pitcher is warming up from the mound, in the bullpen or elsewhere. F. It is required that the wearing of athletic supporters and cup by all male players and mouth protection by all players. G. Uniforms required in league include matching shirt, pants, and cap, and shall be worn by all players. H. No jewelry shall be worn by any player, except for medical identification or religious. No jewelry may be worn outside of the uniform. I. Cell phones, pagers or any other types of communication devices cannot be used on the field of play.
Page 2 of 9 PLAYING RULES A. The league coordinator shall determine the home team when making the schedule. The home team shall occupy the third base dugout and the away team shall occupy the first base dugout. B. The home team will supply two (2) new Wilson A1074 baseballs (or equivalent) for each game. The away team shall supply, when needed, two back-up baseballs acceptable to the umpire. C. A team may field up to ten (10) players, but may not play with less than eight (8) fielders. Teams must start games with at least eight (8) players. You may call up as many registered BCL Pinto players as needed to prevent any games being forfeited. The player being called up may not play if their team is scheduled to play at the same time. If a team does not have eight eligible players within 10 minutes of scheduled game start time, that team will forfeit the game and the umpire will be excused. If a friendly game can be agreed upon by the managers, no league umpire will be used. Playing a friendly game is NOT required, but if players and coaches want to stay, they can. Likewise, if players and coaches want to leave once a forfeit has been declared, they can.
* Please note, coaches should not ask an umpire to stay for any non-legal game. D. If fielding ten (10) players, four (4) players must be placed in the outfield at regular outfielders’ depth. E. There shall be a continuous batting order that includes all players present at the start of the game. This batting order cannot be changed or modified during the course of a game. Should a player be removed due to injury or illness, the manager shall notify the opposing manager. If a player is injured or leaves the game early an out will only be recorded the FIRST time a batter is not able to bat. F. Players cannot be switched from one defensive position to another during the course of the defensive half-inning unless due to injury and the injured player must be removed from the field until the start of the next inning; or if the team changes the pitching position. G. Defensive players are not permitted to position themselves in the baseline except in the act of fielding a batted ball. For example, the first baseman cannot set up directly beside the base runner in order to block the base runner. If the first baseman sets up prior to the base runner taking a lead, then the base runner must adjust to where the fielder is set up. After that the obstruction and interference rules apply. H. All base runners shall avoid intentional collisions and a runner, who in the judgment of the umpire has caused an intentional collision, shall be called out. The ball shall be called dead. As with the rules of baseball if in the judgment of the umpire a double play would have be recorded then the base runner and batter shall be called out. Shoving or pushing will not be tolerated. The umpire will determine the consequences of such an act (flagrant act will result in ejection). I. Slide Rules: No runner advancing to a base shall slide headfirst. The first violation will result in a warning to the offending team. The base runner will be called out on the second occurrence by the same team. Runners must slide feet first into 2nd, 3rd and home when, in the opinion of the umpire, there is a play made on the runner at the base. The first infraction will be a warning to the team, and the 2nd infraction will result in an out called.
Page 3 of 9 J. The infield fly rule shall be in effect: Since the purpose of the infield fly rule 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 fair fly ball is a hit that, in the umpire's judgment, 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. Umpires typically raise one arm straight up to signal to everyone that the rule is in effect. 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, and 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 the ball being caught. K. Overthrows: On a batted ball, a player may take the base the player is going to at the time of release on a ball thrown or kicked out of the field of play. Umpires judgment is used as to where the runner was at the time of release. If an over-thrown or misplayed ball is not out-ofplay, the play remains live and runners may advance at their own risk. Out of Play Simmons Front Field and Back Field; The hill along the first base side, the dugouts, the viewing/seating area along the third base side. Simmons Middle Field; Over the fences St. Louise Lower Field; Over the fences or down the hills along first and third base sides, the viewing/seating area along first base side. Finleyville Back Field; Over the fences Overthrows back to the pitcher are dead balls. No runners can advance on a throw from the catcher to the pitcher. A base runner must commit to stealing the base once the pitched ball passed the batter. If the runner stops in the base path once the catcher picks up the ball and waits for the throw back to the pitcher to continue the steal, the runner must go back to the base he was on before the pitch was thrown. However if the catcher makes a play on the runner, the ball is considered live but still can only advance to the base he was attempting if the throw is wild. Example(s): If there is a runner on 2nd base and the pitch is thrown past the catcher and the runner jumps off the base to his secondary lead and stops, the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher but thrown wild, the runner cannot advance to 3rd base. However, if a pitch is thrown past the catcher and the runner jumps off the base and is running to 3rd base and the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher, the runner is awarded 3rd base because he committed to the steal. If the runner takes a secondary lead and stops after the pitch has passed the batter and the catcher attempts a play on the runner, the ball is live and can be tagged out either base. A runner cannot advance to 2nd base if a catcher makes a play at 1st base on a secondary lead, however the runner can be tagged out. A runner cannot advance home if a catcher makes a play at 3 rd base on a secondary lead, however the runner can be tagged out. A base runner can only advance from 1st base to 2nd base if he was forced on a walk, a hit batter, or a batted ball.
Page 4 of 9 L. Stealing: Runners may steal only 3rd base, but shall not leave the base until the pitched ball has reached or passed the BATTER. One a team’s first infraction of a runner who leaves the base before the pitched ball passes the BATTER will be warned and the player(s) will return to base. There will be one (1) team warning for each team upon a player leaving the base early. After a warning has been issued, any base runner leaving early, in an umpire’s opinion, will result in the ball being immediately called dead, the appropriate runner(s) being called out, and the batter returning to bat with a strike called. Q. Stealing One-Base Limit: A runner stealing 3rd base cannot advance home on an overthrow. A runner may be tagged out on an over slide, but if the throw from the catcher is wild the umpire shall call time out. M. Bunting: Bunting will be permitted, however no slap bunting will be allowed. If a player squares around to bunt, he must bunt or pull the bat back. If a player attempts to ‘slap bunt’, he will immediately be called out and the team will receive a warning. If any player on the team that has been warned ‘attempts’ a slap bunt, the player will be out as well as ejected from the game. N. Catchers may catch a ball to record an out provided the ball is above the batter’s head before two strikes are on the batter. If a catcher holds onto a foul-tip with two strikes already on the batter (making it strike three), the batter will be out. O. The dropped third strike rule will NOT be in effect. P. Once the pitcher steps on the rubber, runners are not permitted to leave the base until the ball has been hit or passes the batter. If a runner leaves the base too early on an attempted steal, the pitch is declared NO PITCH (by the umpire) and a dead ball. All runners must return to the previous base. With the next team offense, the runner shall be declared out, the pitch ruled NO PITCH (by the umpire) and other runners must return to the previous base.
Page 5 of 9 R. Third Base Rule: The purpose of this rule to eliminate collisions at home plate and to put more of an emphasis on hitting rather than advancing on passed balls, overthrows and wild pitches. This rule applies only to the relationship between the catcher and a base runner in a non-batted ball situation. A runner on third base may not steal home or take home on a pitched ball. If the catcher makes a play on a runner on third and the throw is errant, the runner may not advance home, even on an overthrow or ball out of play. In summary, a runner may advance beyond third base only as a result of a bases-loaded walk, a bases-loaded hit batsman or as a result of the batted ball and the continuation of action following the batted ball. Examples: A runner on 3rd may not advance even if a play is made on him after a pitch. A runner is on third and the catcher has overthrown the pitcher when returning the ball following a pitch. The runner may not advance from third. If the catcher makes a play on a runner on third and the throw is errant, the runner may not advance home, even on an overthrow or ball out of play. A runner takes a lead from third after a pitch and the catcher makes a play on the runner and the ball is over-thrown, the runner may not advance from third. If a runner on second attempts to steal third base and the throw by the catcher is errant, the runner may not advance beyond third base, even on an overthrow or ball out of play. PITCHING RULES A. Pitchers shall not pitch in more than three (2) innings in one game and not more than six (6) innings on the same calendar day. ** ALL teams will be required to pitch a nine (9) year old in each game a minimum of six (6) outs or 9 consecutive batters prior to the start of the 5th inning**. This is to promote the development of the younger players as pitchers during the regular season. **This rule will not be in effect for playoffs, due to putting the best team a manager can put on the field for the playoffs.** B. When pitching in more than one game on the same calendar day, pitchers may pitch any combination of innings in those games provided they do not exceed the above maximum number of innings in a calendar day (see point A above). C. Pitchers shall be allowed to pitch in no more than 6 innings in any one calendar week. A calendar week is from 12:00 AM Monday to 12:00 AM the following Monday. D. As soon as a pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter the pitcher shall be considered as having pitched in one inning. E. Any pitcher withdrawn from the mound and/or lineup, or a pitcher, who is withdrawn from the mound and stays in the game at another position, shall not be permitted to pitch again in the same game. F. If a relief pitcher comes in ‘‘cold’’ the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm up properly with up to ten warm-up pitches. Pitcher’s warm-up throws are limited to eight (8) in their first inning and five (5) in each innings thereafter, in both cases within 2 minutes.
Page 6 of 9 G. A pitcher hitting two (2) batters in the same inning, or three (3) batters in the same game, must be immediately removed from the pitching position. H. Any violation of pitching eligibility and rules shall result in immediate forfeit of current game. I. Infield and outfield warm-ups are allowed provided they are taken only during the time the pitcher is warming up. If a team delays in returning the warm-up ball to their dugout, the umpire is authorized to prohibit warm-ups in the remaining innings of the game. J. If the catcher is on base with 2 outs, he shall be promptly replaced as a base runner by the player who made the last out. K. The strike zone is from the arm pits to the top of the knee. It is up to the judgment of the umpire to decide whether the pitch passed through the zone. L. The balk rule shall not be in effect. LENGTH OF GAMES A. Games shall be seven (6) innings in duration. When a game is tied at the end of regulation length, it shall go into extra innings. Up to one (1) extra inning may be played. No game shall extend past seven (7) complete innings. After seven (7) innings, if the score is still tied, the game will be ruled a tie, except for playoff games. B. If a game is called for any reason; it shall be a complete game if five innings have been completed, or if the home team has scored more runs in four and one-half innings including playoff games, but excluding the Championship game. C. If a game is called for any reason before it is a complete game, as described in Sections A, and B, or when the score is tied, it shall be considered a suspended game and shall be resumed from the point of curtailment at the time scheduled by league officials. D. If a game is called for any reason in an uncompleted inning, after having game length as described in Section A, and B and the visiting team ties the lead in the uncompleted inning, and the home team does get to bat in uncompleted inning, the game shall be considered a suspended game and from the point of curtailment at the time scheduled by league officials.
reached completescore or takes the its portion of the shall be continued
E. Teams have a limit of five (5) runs per inning, without continuation. Without continuation means the inning is over when the fifth run scores. For example, if you have four runs in already, and the bases are loaded, if the batter hits a ball into the gap in the outfield, the inning is over when the runner from third base scores. The other runners (and batter) should stop at the next base and then return to their dugout to go out on defense. The only exception is in the 6th inning (or any subsequent inning), where teams can score as many runs as they can. This applies to both the visiting team and the home team. F. 10-Run Rule: There is a 10 run rule after the losing team bats 4 times. If the home team is up by 10 or more runs at the conclusion of the top of the 4th inning, the game is over. If the visiting team is up by 10 or more runs after the home team bats in the bottom of the 4th inning, the game is over. If the home team is up by 5 or more runs and extends the lead to 10 at any point in the bottom of the 4th, 5th or 6th, the game is over.
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If the visiting team is up by 5 or more runs and extends the lead to 10 at any point in the top of the 5th or 6th inning, the game is over and the home team does not get to bat in the bottom of the inning. This rule is in effect for all regular season and playoff games, except for the Championship game.
Please note, you should not ask an umpire to stay for any non-legal game or to bend the 5 run per inning or 10 run rule at any time. G. Time limits apply as follows: Weekday games: No inning to begin after 8:00 P.M. while school is in session. The game will be declared complete, or if there is a tie, the game will be suspended and resumed at a date and time by the BCL age group coordinator. On Saturdays, no inning shall begin less than 15 minutes before the next scheduled game, even if tied. Umpires have been instructed to keep games moving as quickly as possible.
Page 8 of 9 MANAGERS AND COACHES A. Only adult coaches (18 years or older) are permitted to coach bases. Each team is permitted to have a maximum of four adults in the dugout area. B. Players, managers and coaches shall remain in the dugouts, on the benches or in the prescribed areas throughout the game. C. If a manager or coach goes onto the playing field to talk to any player or players more than once in a half-inning, while the same player is pitching, a pitching change shall be made. The only exception to this rule shall be in case of injury. D. Umpires shall not permit more than one offensive time out in each inning to allow a manager or coach to talk with a batter. E. The use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs in any form by players or adult leaders in the dugout, on the benches or on the playing field shall not be permitted. PENALTIES A. Teams must start games with at least eight (8) players. If a team does not have eight eligible players within ten (10) minutes of scheduled game start time, that team will forfeit the game and the umpire will be excused from duty. B. Players who intentionally, in the judgment of the umpire, throw bats or protective headgear, or discard protective headgear while batting or running the bases, shall be warned and with the second violation ejected from the game. Such intentional action constitutes an out for both the first and second occurrence. Players who unintentionally throw the bat shall receive a warning for the first offense, be called out for the second offense, but not ejected from the game. Runners are returned to their previous base. If there are 2 outs, the inning ends and no runs can score. C. Any violation of pitching eligibility and rules shall result in immediate forfeit of current game. GENERAL CONDUCT A. Players or adult volunteers who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, such as fighting, abusive language or similarly derogatory activity may be suspended for one or more games. B. If a player throws a bat, batting helmet, glove or any other equipment, both he and his or her team will be issued a warning. Any subsequent incident by the same team in the same game will result in an out. C. Ejection rule: If a manager, coach, player or spectator is ejected from a game, the following penalties shall be enforced (playoffs are included in all penalties): 1. 1st ejection – The ejected person shall be barred from the field area for the remainder of the game. If it occurs after the game is played, then the person shall be barred for the next game their team plays. 2. 2nd ejection - The ejected person will be barred from the field area for the team’s next game. 3. 3rd ejection - The ejected person will be barred from the field area for the team’s next 3 games.
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D. All umpiring decisions regarding judgment are final and cannot be appealed. Any decision regarding a rule violation or rule interpretation can be appealed to the league umpire coordinator. The league umpire coordinator’s decision is final. No further appeals are possible. The decision on the field will stand, but a rules clarification may result, with all parties in the age group notified. E. At no time shall any player, manager, coach, umpire, or fan harass any other player, coach, manager, umpire, or fan. Both managers and umpires are responsible for the conduct of all players, coaches, and fans. At any time, the umpire may ask a fan to leave the area for the good of the game. If said fan refuses to leave, then the umpire or manager will call the police for assistance. F. Should a player be injured, play shall cease immediately. Runners shall be entitled to the base(s), in the judgment of the umpire; they would have reached if no injury would have occurred. G. The above Mustang Rules are meant as a guideline. Any clarifications are to be discussed with the league umpire coordinator. Major League Baseball Rules apply, except for the variations for Bronco Rules above. H. A pregame prayer is recommended. This can be done by the teams individually or collectively. If a player chooses not to participate they must sit quietly on their team bench during the prayer. I. The Bethel Church League reserves the right to remove any coach, player, team or fan in blatant violations of the abuse rule. The BCL board of directors can assess suspensions based on a BCL hearing that must be held within 7 days of the infraction by at least 5 BCL board members. The suspensions must be voted on during the meeting with a majority rule in effect. If there is a tie in the voting, the BCL president will cast the deciding vote.
Bethel Church League Recreation Mustang Rules PLAYING FIELD A. Distance between bases: 60 feet B. Pitching distance: 44 feet EQUIPMENT A. Wooden, metal, or composite handled bats manufactured specifically for baseball play, which are round and not more than two and one-fourths inches in diameter at the thickest part are acceptable (2 ¼ inches maximum barrel). All-Composite bats, or composite barrel bats are illegal. For the safety of our children, bats with only a bat performance factor (BPF)
of 1.15 or less are permitted. Any bat that is over that, or has no markings indication a BPF of 1.15 will not be allowed.
Challenging a bat: Coaches must challenge a bat prior to the next scheduled batter or at
the end of a game winning hit. Umpires can check a team’s bats before or at any time during the game and disqualify a bat. Failure to produce a bat when challenged will result in the batter being called out, and the runners (if any) will be returned to their previous bases. B. Only rubber soled or rubber cleated shoes are permitted. C. The batter, players in the on-deck batting area and base runners shall be required to wear protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head, temples, ears, and base of the skull. These items shall be NOCSAE approved. D. Use of face masks is required on protective headgear. Parent/Guardian may sign waiver upon registration. E. Catchers are required to wear proper protective equipment including a mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards, and protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head when catching behind the plate. Any player serving as a catcher to warm up a pitcher shall wear a mask, whether the pitcher is warming up from the mound, in the bullpen or elsewhere. F. It is required that the wearing of athletic supporters and cup by all male players and mouth protection by all players. G. Uniforms required in league include matching shirt, pants, and cap, and shall be worn by all players. H. No jewelry shall be worn by any player, except for medical identification or religious. No jewelry may be worn outside of the uniform. I. Cell phones, pagers or any other types of communication devices cannot be used on the field of play.
Page 2 of 9 PLAYING RULES A. The league coordinator shall determine the home team when making the schedule. The home team shall occupy the third base dugout and the away team shall occupy the first base dugout. B. The home team will supply two (2) new Wilson A1074 baseballs (or equivalent) for each game. The away team shall supply, when needed, two back-up baseballs acceptable to the umpire. C. A team may field up to ten (10) players, but may not play with less than eight (8) fielders. Teams must start games with at least eight (8) players. You may call up as many registered BCL Pinto players as needed to prevent any games being forfeited. The player being called up may not play if their team is scheduled to play at the same time. If a team does not have eight eligible players within 10 minutes of scheduled game start time, that team will forfeit the game and the umpire will be excused. If a friendly game can be agreed upon by the managers, no league umpire will be used. Playing a friendly game is NOT required, but if players and coaches want to stay, they can. Likewise, if players and coaches want to leave once a forfeit has been declared, they can.
* Please note, coaches should not ask an umpire to stay for any non-legal game. D. If fielding ten (10) players, four (4) players must be placed in the outfield at regular outfielders’ depth. E. There shall be a continuous batting order that includes all players present at the start of the game. This batting order cannot be changed or modified during the course of a game. Should a player be removed due to injury or illness, the manager shall notify the opposing manager. If a player is injured or leaves the game early an out will only be recorded the FIRST time a batter is not able to bat. F. Players cannot be switched from one defensive position to another during the course of the defensive half-inning unless due to injury and the injured player must be removed from the field until the start of the next inning; or if the team changes the pitching position. G. Defensive players are not permitted to position themselves in the baseline except in the act of fielding a batted ball. For example, the first baseman cannot set up directly beside the base runner in order to block the base runner. If the first baseman sets up prior to the base runner taking a lead, then the base runner must adjust to where the fielder is set up. After that the obstruction and interference rules apply. H. All base runners shall avoid intentional collisions and a runner, who in the judgment of the umpire has caused an intentional collision, shall be called out. The ball shall be called dead. As with the rules of baseball if in the judgment of the umpire a double play would have be recorded then the base runner and batter shall be called out. Shoving or pushing will not be tolerated. The umpire will determine the consequences of such an act (flagrant act will result in ejection). I. Slide Rules: No runner advancing to a base shall slide headfirst. The first violation will result in a warning to the offending team. The base runner will be called out on the second occurrence by the same team. Runners must slide feet first into 2nd, 3rd and home when, in the opinion of the umpire, there is a play made on the runner at the base. The first infraction will be a warning to the team, and the 2nd infraction will result in an out called.
Page 3 of 9 J. The infield fly rule shall be in effect: Since the purpose of the infield fly rule 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 fair fly ball is a hit that, in the umpire's judgment, 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. Umpires typically raise one arm straight up to signal to everyone that the rule is in effect. 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, and 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 the ball being caught. K. Overthrows: On a batted ball, a player may take the base the player is going to at the time of release on a ball thrown or kicked out of the field of play. Umpires judgment is used as to where the runner was at the time of release. If an over-thrown or misplayed ball is not out-ofplay, the play remains live and runners may advance at their own risk. Out of Play Simmons Front Field and Back Field; The hill along the first base side, the dugouts, the viewing/seating area along the third base side. Simmons Middle Field; Over the fences St. Louise Lower Field; Over the fences or down the hills along first and third base sides, the viewing/seating area along first base side. Finleyville Back Field; Over the fences Overthrows back to the pitcher are dead balls. No runners can advance on a throw from the catcher to the pitcher. A base runner must commit to stealing the base once the pitched ball passed the batter. If the runner stops in the base path once the catcher picks up the ball and waits for the throw back to the pitcher to continue the steal, the runner must go back to the base he was on before the pitch was thrown. However if the catcher makes a play on the runner, the ball is considered live but still can only advance to the base he was attempting if the throw is wild. Example(s): If there is a runner on 2nd base and the pitch is thrown past the catcher and the runner jumps off the base to his secondary lead and stops, the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher but thrown wild, the runner cannot advance to 3rd base. However, if a pitch is thrown past the catcher and the runner jumps off the base and is running to 3rd base and the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher, the runner is awarded 3rd base because he committed to the steal. If the runner takes a secondary lead and stops after the pitch has passed the batter and the catcher attempts a play on the runner, the ball is live and can be tagged out either base. A runner cannot advance to 2nd base if a catcher makes a play at 1st base on a secondary lead, however the runner can be tagged out. A runner cannot advance home if a catcher makes a play at 3 rd base on a secondary lead, however the runner can be tagged out. A base runner can only advance from 1st base to 2nd base if he was forced on a walk, a hit batter, or a batted ball.
Page 4 of 9 L. Stealing: Runners may steal only 3rd base, but shall not leave the base until the pitched ball has reached or passed the BATTER. One a team’s first infraction of a runner who leaves the base before the pitched ball passes the BATTER will be warned and the player(s) will return to base. There will be one (1) team warning for each team upon a player leaving the base early. After a warning has been issued, any base runner leaving early, in an umpire’s opinion, will result in the ball being immediately called dead, the appropriate runner(s) being called out, and the batter returning to bat with a strike called. Q. Stealing One-Base Limit: A runner stealing 3rd base cannot advance home on an overthrow. A runner may be tagged out on an over slide, but if the throw from the catcher is wild the umpire shall call time out. M. Bunting: Bunting will be permitted, however no slap bunting will be allowed. If a player squares around to bunt, he must bunt or pull the bat back. If a player attempts to ‘slap bunt’, he will immediately be called out and the team will receive a warning. If any player on the team that has been warned ‘attempts’ a slap bunt, the player will be out as well as ejected from the game. N. Catchers may catch a ball to record an out provided the ball is above the batter’s head before two strikes are on the batter. If a catcher holds onto a foul-tip with two strikes already on the batter (making it strike three), the batter will be out. O. The dropped third strike rule will NOT be in effect. P. Once the pitcher steps on the rubber, runners are not permitted to leave the base until the ball has been hit or passes the batter. If a runner leaves the base too early on an attempted steal, the pitch is declared NO PITCH (by the umpire) and a dead ball. All runners must return to the previous base. With the next team offense, the runner shall be declared out, the pitch ruled NO PITCH (by the umpire) and other runners must return to the previous base.
Page 5 of 9 R. Third Base Rule: The purpose of this rule to eliminate collisions at home plate and to put more of an emphasis on hitting rather than advancing on passed balls, overthrows and wild pitches. This rule applies only to the relationship between the catcher and a base runner in a non-batted ball situation. A runner on third base may not steal home or take home on a pitched ball. If the catcher makes a play on a runner on third and the throw is errant, the runner may not advance home, even on an overthrow or ball out of play. In summary, a runner may advance beyond third base only as a result of a bases-loaded walk, a bases-loaded hit batsman or as a result of the batted ball and the continuation of action following the batted ball. Examples: A runner on 3rd may not advance even if a play is made on him after a pitch. A runner is on third and the catcher has overthrown the pitcher when returning the ball following a pitch. The runner may not advance from third. If the catcher makes a play on a runner on third and the throw is errant, the runner may not advance home, even on an overthrow or ball out of play. A runner takes a lead from third after a pitch and the catcher makes a play on the runner and the ball is over-thrown, the runner may not advance from third. If a runner on second attempts to steal third base and the throw by the catcher is errant, the runner may not advance beyond third base, even on an overthrow or ball out of play. PITCHING RULES A. Pitchers shall not pitch in more than three (2) innings in one game and not more than six (6) innings on the same calendar day. ** ALL teams will be required to pitch a nine (9) year old in each game a minimum of six (6) outs or 9 consecutive batters prior to the start of the 5th inning**. This is to promote the development of the younger players as pitchers during the regular season. **This rule will not be in effect for playoffs, due to putting the best team a manager can put on the field for the playoffs.** B. When pitching in more than one game on the same calendar day, pitchers may pitch any combination of innings in those games provided they do not exceed the above maximum number of innings in a calendar day (see point A above). C. Pitchers shall be allowed to pitch in no more than 6 innings in any one calendar week. A calendar week is from 12:00 AM Monday to 12:00 AM the following Monday. D. As soon as a pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter the pitcher shall be considered as having pitched in one inning. E. Any pitcher withdrawn from the mound and/or lineup, or a pitcher, who is withdrawn from the mound and stays in the game at another position, shall not be permitted to pitch again in the same game. F. If a relief pitcher comes in ‘‘cold’’ the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm up properly with up to ten warm-up pitches. Pitcher’s warm-up throws are limited to eight (8) in their first inning and five (5) in each innings thereafter, in both cases within 2 minutes.
Page 6 of 9 G. A pitcher hitting two (2) batters in the same inning, or three (3) batters in the same game, must be immediately removed from the pitching position. H. Any violation of pitching eligibility and rules shall result in immediate forfeit of current game. I. Infield and outfield warm-ups are allowed provided they are taken only during the time the pitcher is warming up. If a team delays in returning the warm-up ball to their dugout, the umpire is authorized to prohibit warm-ups in the remaining innings of the game. J. If the catcher is on base with 2 outs, he shall be promptly replaced as a base runner by the player who made the last out. K. The strike zone is from the arm pits to the top of the knee. It is up to the judgment of the umpire to decide whether the pitch passed through the zone. L. The balk rule shall not be in effect. LENGTH OF GAMES A. Games shall be seven (6) innings in duration. When a game is tied at the end of regulation length, it shall go into extra innings. Up to one (1) extra inning may be played. No game shall extend past seven (7) complete innings. After seven (7) innings, if the score is still tied, the game will be ruled a tie, except for playoff games. B. If a game is called for any reason; it shall be a complete game if five innings have been completed, or if the home team has scored more runs in four and one-half innings including playoff games, but excluding the Championship game. C. If a game is called for any reason before it is a complete game, as described in Sections A, and B, or when the score is tied, it shall be considered a suspended game and shall be resumed from the point of curtailment at the time scheduled by league officials. D. If a game is called for any reason in an uncompleted inning, after having game length as described in Section A, and B and the visiting team ties the lead in the uncompleted inning, and the home team does get to bat in uncompleted inning, the game shall be considered a suspended game and from the point of curtailment at the time scheduled by league officials.
reached completescore or takes the its portion of the shall be continued
E. Teams have a limit of five (5) runs per inning, without continuation. Without continuation means the inning is over when the fifth run scores. For example, if you have four runs in already, and the bases are loaded, if the batter hits a ball into the gap in the outfield, the inning is over when the runner from third base scores. The other runners (and batter) should stop at the next base and then return to their dugout to go out on defense. The only exception is in the 6th inning (or any subsequent inning), where teams can score as many runs as they can. This applies to both the visiting team and the home team. F. 10-Run Rule: There is a 10 run rule after the losing team bats 4 times. If the home team is up by 10 or more runs at the conclusion of the top of the 4th inning, the game is over. If the visiting team is up by 10 or more runs after the home team bats in the bottom of the 4th inning, the game is over. If the home team is up by 5 or more runs and extends the lead to 10 at any point in the bottom of the 4th, 5th or 6th, the game is over.
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If the visiting team is up by 5 or more runs and extends the lead to 10 at any point in the top of the 5th or 6th inning, the game is over and the home team does not get to bat in the bottom of the inning. This rule is in effect for all regular season and playoff games, except for the Championship game.
Please note, you should not ask an umpire to stay for any non-legal game or to bend the 5 run per inning or 10 run rule at any time. G. Time limits apply as follows: Weekday games: No inning to begin after 8:00 P.M. while school is in session. The game will be declared complete, or if there is a tie, the game will be suspended and resumed at a date and time by the BCL age group coordinator. On Saturdays, no inning shall begin less than 15 minutes before the next scheduled game, even if tied. Umpires have been instructed to keep games moving as quickly as possible.
Page 8 of 9 MANAGERS AND COACHES A. Only adult coaches (18 years or older) are permitted to coach bases. Each team is permitted to have a maximum of four adults in the dugout area. B. Players, managers and coaches shall remain in the dugouts, on the benches or in the prescribed areas throughout the game. C. If a manager or coach goes onto the playing field to talk to any player or players more than once in a half-inning, while the same player is pitching, a pitching change shall be made. The only exception to this rule shall be in case of injury. D. Umpires shall not permit more than one offensive time out in each inning to allow a manager or coach to talk with a batter. E. The use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs in any form by players or adult leaders in the dugout, on the benches or on the playing field shall not be permitted. PENALTIES A. Teams must start games with at least eight (8) players. If a team does not have eight eligible players within ten (10) minutes of scheduled game start time, that team will forfeit the game and the umpire will be excused from duty. B. Players who intentionally, in the judgment of the umpire, throw bats or protective headgear, or discard protective headgear while batting or running the bases, shall be warned and with the second violation ejected from the game. Such intentional action constitutes an out for both the first and second occurrence. Players who unintentionally throw the bat shall receive a warning for the first offense, be called out for the second offense, but not ejected from the game. Runners are returned to their previous base. If there are 2 outs, the inning ends and no runs can score. C. Any violation of pitching eligibility and rules shall result in immediate forfeit of current game. GENERAL CONDUCT A. Players or adult volunteers who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, such as fighting, abusive language or similarly derogatory activity may be suspended for one or more games. B. If a player throws a bat, batting helmet, glove or any other equipment, both he and his or her team will be issued a warning. Any subsequent incident by the same team in the same game will result in an out. C. Ejection rule: If a manager, coach, player or spectator is ejected from a game, the following penalties shall be enforced (playoffs are included in all penalties): 1. 1st ejection – The ejected person shall be barred from the field area for the remainder of the game. If it occurs after the game is played, then the person shall be barred for the next game their team plays. 2. 2nd ejection - The ejected person will be barred from the field area for the team’s next game. 3. 3rd ejection - The ejected person will be barred from the field area for the team’s next 3 games.
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D. All umpiring decisions regarding judgment are final and cannot be appealed. Any decision regarding a rule violation or rule interpretation can be appealed to the league umpire coordinator. The league umpire coordinator’s decision is final. No further appeals are possible. The decision on the field will stand, but a rules clarification may result, with all parties in the age group notified. E. At no time shall any player, manager, coach, umpire, or fan harass any other player, coach, manager, umpire, or fan. Both managers and umpires are responsible for the conduct of all players, coaches, and fans. At any time, the umpire may ask a fan to leave the area for the good of the game. If said fan refuses to leave, then the umpire or manager will call the police for assistance. F. Should a player be injured, play shall cease immediately. Runners shall be entitled to the base(s), in the judgment of the umpire; they would have reached if no injury would have occurred. G. The above Mustang Rules are meant as a guideline. Any clarifications are to be discussed with the league umpire coordinator. Major League Baseball Rules apply, except for the variations for Bronco Rules above. H. A pregame prayer is recommended. This can be done by the teams individually or collectively. If a player chooses not to participate they must sit quietly on their team bench during the prayer. I. The Bethel Church League reserves the right to remove any coach, player, team or fan in blatant violations of the abuse rule. The BCL board of directors can assess suspensions based on a BCL hearing that must be held within 7 days of the infraction by at least 5 BCL board members. The suspensions must be voted on during the meeting with a majority rule in effect. If there is a tie in the voting, the BCL president will cast the deciding vote.
