SBB 10 Minor Baseball Rules Page 1
10U Minor Rules - Updated 2015
SBB BOYS BASEBALL (10U Minor) LEAGUE RULES The SBB (10U) Minor Baseball League will follow the Official Little League rules and regulations, except when superseded by those listed below. Proposed changes to these rules must be approved by a majority of the Board present and voting at any regular meeting. SECTION I - ORGANIZATION A. The emphasis of all concerned with League play should be the development of skills and sportsmanship, as opposed to winning at all costs. All coaches are expected to cooperate with each other and the umpires in a spirit of friendly competitiveness for the sake of the players. B. The League will provide a home plate umpire on a paid basis for every game, who will have final authority on all matters of rules interpretation once the game has begun. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide a competent base umpire on a volunteer basis for every game. C. The home team is the official score book in the event of an irresolvable dispute. Both teams shall keep an accurate score book and confer to compare accuracies after each ½ inning.
D. A bat shall not be more than thirty-three (33) inches in length nor more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter.
E. Field dimensions shall be: a. 60 feet between bases i. Measured back side of home plate to back side of first and third base. ii. First to Second and Second to Third measured from back side of corner base to center of second base.
b. 44 feet between home plate and the pitcher’s plate. Measured back of home to front of pitching plate. F. League games are complete after six innings of play, or five and a half innings, if the home team is ahead. If the game is tied at this point, play will continue until a winner is determined or two (2) hour time limit has been reached, whichever comes first. No inning may start after 8pm. An inning is considered to have started as soon as the final out of the previous inning is made. Games still tied after the time limit is reached will be recorded as a tie.
G. Games interrupted by weather or darkness are considered: a. Complete if three (3) full innings have been completed, regardless of a tie. b. Suspended if less than three (3) innings have been completed. Game will be continued at a later date from the point of interruption and played out to a full six innings.
H. Mid-season and end-of-season standings are determined by overall won-lost record. Tiebreaker criteria will be: a. Won-lost records in head-to-head competition b. Runs allowed in head-to-head competition I.
Practicing teams must vacate any field being used one hour before the start of a scheduled game or make-up game. This does not apply to practice games. There will be a practice schedule made up at the beginning of the season and all teams must adhere to this schedule.
SECTION II – PITCHING A. Any player on the team roster may pitch.
B. Pitching rules: a. Maximum two (2) innings per game or 75 pitches max whichever comes first. One pitch to a batter is considered one inning. No more than six (6) innings in a week.
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C. Rest Rule a. Two (2) innings pitched in a game requires a thirty (30) hour rest period. b. Pitcher can pitch consecutive days if he has pitched one (1) inning the previous day. c. Pitcher cannot re-enter as the pitcher, player may re-enter in all other positions. D. Notes: a. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced or after a warm-up pitch is
b. c. d. e. f.
g. h.
delivered but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter shall not be considered a violation. Officials are urged to take precautions to prevent protests. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified immediately. Innings pitched in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitchers eligibility for that week. In suspended games resumed in a subsequent week, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their remaining eligibility for the calendar week in which the game is resumed. If double headers are played, the limitation of six (6) innings in a calendar week would apply to each pitcher. A pitcher who pitched in the first game of a doubleheader may also pitch in the second game provided that pitcher has eligibility remaining. A player may pitch an additional two (2) innings during the week of the All-Star game, but these innings may be used only in the All-Star game. Also, no player may pitch more than two innings in the All-Star game. To prevent injuries to young arms, curve balls and other types of breaking balls are prohibited in games and practices. Coaches are not to encourage pitchers to attempt to throw them. If, in the umpire’s judgment, a pitcher intentionally throws a breaking ball in a game, he will be warned once. The second occasion for a pitcher in a game will result in his removal from the mound. A coach may make two visits to a pitcher on the mound during an inning. If a third visit is made, the pitcher must be replaced. There is no balk at the 10U Minor League level. If the pitcher throws an illegal pitch or makes an illegal move on the mound, he will be notified, and the umpire will give an explanation. Refer to section 8.05 (illegal pitch) for further details. No penalty will be invoked.
E. Reset of innings pitched after regular season/Start of Playoffs (new innings per week). F. If a pitcher hits a batter 2x in one inning, or 3 in a game, he will be removed. SECTION III - PLAYING A. The League has adopted the policy of a continuous batting order. Every player on the team roster present will have a spot in the batting order at the start of the game, unless being held out for health or disciplinary reasons. If a player is being held out of a game, his coach must notify the other coach before the game starts.
B. All players who attend the game will bat in a continuous batting order (all players will bat) and play under the free substitution rule with the exception of the pitcher.
C. In special situations, such as a game shortened by time, weather, or the run rule, both coaches may agree to waive normal substitution rules to ensure playing time for all players. Games are under the authority of the Umpire, and will be played per discretion. The umpires are instructed regarding delaying games and postponing games due to inclement weather, including lightning. Generally, games will be delayed for up to 30 minutes if lightning is nearby. If the game has not completed 3 ½ innings and cannot restart SBB 10 Minor Baseball Rules
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within 30 minutes, the game is postponed and continued or re-started at the next open slot on the calendar. D. There will routinely be 10 players in the field. A team may play with only eight players, but no less. If a team does play with eight players, the ninth position in the batting order is considered an automatic out, unless both teams have only eight players.
E. If one team is short players, three options may be used to play the game. No game may be forfeited for lack of players.
a. Extra players from the opposing team may be used to fill out a line-up, if the players agree. b. If the coach knows in advance that his team will be short due to vacations, injuries, etc. players may be obtained from other league teams. These players must bat last and play the outfield. Before such players are used, the coach in need must contact the player’s parents and coach for their permission. Under NO circumstances are these players to be used instead of a team’s regular rostered players. 8u players are suggested to bring up to next level to even teams. c. If none of the above options are successful, a game may be rescheduled to the first available, mutually agreed upon open date, rather than forfeiting or playing with less than eight players. d. Added players must play an outfield position and bat last in the order.
e. If a player arrives late, then they are placed at the end of the lineup and bat from there when it is their turn. - Each team must notify opposing team immediately if a player arrives after the lineup has been submitted or if a player has to leave before the game ends. - A defensive team’s player arriving late may enter the game at the first dead ball opportunity only if a field position is already open. - The teams coach should notify the Plate Umpire and request “Time” be called when the umpire deems it appropriate. F. ALL MALE PLAYERS MUST WEAR A PROTECTIVE CUP AT ALL TIMES WHILE PLAYING A GAME OR PRACTICING. THE COACH CANNOT WAIVE THIS RULE AT THEIR DISCRETION. THE PENALTY FOR NOT ADHERING TO THE RULE IS THAT THE PLAYER WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY IN THAT GAME OR PRACTICE. The catcher must wear a catcher’s mask with a throat protector, a helmet, a full-length chest protector, a protective cup, and shin guards at all times when catching in a game. When warming up a pitcher, everything except the shin guards is mandatory. These safety requirements may NOT be waived at the discretion of the player or coach. No metal spikes are allowed.
G. When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher’s plate and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher’s box ready to receive delivery of ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. After the ball has reached the batter, runners may leave the base or attempt to steal. Runners may advance at their own risk on a wild pitch or passed ball (exceptions see Section III, Rules n & o). A passed ball is defined as a ball that passes the catchers feet and lines surrounding the catcher.
H. A batter is out when a third strike is caught or not caught by the catcher. There is no dropped third strike. I.
A runner must slide at second, third, and home in order to avoid contact if a play is being made. If the runner does not slide when a play is being made and there is contact between the runner and fielder, the runner will be called out. If there is contact and no play is being made, the fielder will be called for interference (both at umpire’s discretion).
J. No head first slides are allowed when going from one base to the next, runner will be called out. Dive backs are allowed to the occupied base.
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K. Bunting will be allowed. Batter presenting a bunt must bunt; he may not pull back and swing. Batter will be warned and pitch will be considered as a foul ball, runners may not advance. On the second occurrence the batter shall be called out.
L. The infield fly rule does not apply.
M. Play Time - No player shall sit defensively more than two (2) consecutive innings. N. The “mercy rule” for the 10U division is: a. 15 run lead after the 4th inning b. 10 run lead after the 5th inning c. If the home team is leading by the mercy rule run amount going into the bottom half of the inning, the game is over.
O. Stealing is limited to one (1) base per at bat between 1st and 3rd bases. Runners may steal home at any time with the exception noted in the next line. Runners may advance if a play is made at any base.
P. No stealing home after if team up to bat is ahead by more than five (5) runs. Q. Overthrow rule – Without liability to be put out, all runners are awarded on base on an overthrow that goes out of play. If a runner is nearing his desired base, he is awarded the next base. I.e. An overthrow goes out of play near/at 1st base before batter/runner reaches 1st base, then batter/runner is awarded 2nd base and any other runners are also awarded another base or forced as the case may be. If an overthrow occurs and the ball stays in play, then any runners may advance at their own peril. R. Tie Breaker – In the event that a non-championship game should end in a tie the following steps will take place in order to provide a victor. One extra inning will be played starting with each team at bat with one out, man on 2nd base, a count of one ball, one strike with the home having last bats. If the game is still tied the team with the most defensive strikeouts is the winner, if this is a tie then the team with the least defensive walks for that game wins, if the game still is a tie a coin toss by the plate umpire, called by the home team, decides the game.
SBB 10 Minor Baseball Rules
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SBB BOYS BASEBALL (10U Minor) LEAGUE RULES The SBB (10U) Minor Baseball League will follow the Official Little League rules and regulations, except when superseded by those listed below. Proposed changes to these rules must be approved by a majority of the Board present and voting at any regular meeting. SECTION I - ORGANIZATION A. The emphasis of all concerned with League play should be the development of skills and sportsmanship, as opposed to winning at all costs. All coaches are expected to cooperate with each other and the umpires in a spirit of friendly competitiveness for the sake of the players. B. The League will provide a home plate umpire on a paid basis for every game, who will have final authority on all matters of rules interpretation once the game has begun. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide a competent base umpire on a volunteer basis for every game. C. The home team is the official score book in the event of an irresolvable dispute. Both teams shall keep an accurate score book and confer to compare accuracies after each ½ inning.
D. A bat shall not be more than thirty-three (33) inches in length nor more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter.
E. Field dimensions shall be: a. 60 feet between bases i. Measured back side of home plate to back side of first and third base. ii. First to Second and Second to Third measured from back side of corner base to center of second base.
b. 44 feet between home plate and the pitcher’s plate. Measured back of home to front of pitching plate. F. League games are complete after six innings of play, or five and a half innings, if the home team is ahead. If the game is tied at this point, play will continue until a winner is determined or two (2) hour time limit has been reached, whichever comes first. No inning may start after 8pm. An inning is considered to have started as soon as the final out of the previous inning is made. Games still tied after the time limit is reached will be recorded as a tie.
G. Games interrupted by weather or darkness are considered: a. Complete if three (3) full innings have been completed, regardless of a tie. b. Suspended if less than three (3) innings have been completed. Game will be continued at a later date from the point of interruption and played out to a full six innings.
H. Mid-season and end-of-season standings are determined by overall won-lost record. Tiebreaker criteria will be: a. Won-lost records in head-to-head competition b. Runs allowed in head-to-head competition I.
Practicing teams must vacate any field being used one hour before the start of a scheduled game or make-up game. This does not apply to practice games. There will be a practice schedule made up at the beginning of the season and all teams must adhere to this schedule.
SECTION II – PITCHING A. Any player on the team roster may pitch.
B. Pitching rules: a. Maximum two (2) innings per game or 75 pitches max whichever comes first. One pitch to a batter is considered one inning. No more than six (6) innings in a week.
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C. Rest Rule a. Two (2) innings pitched in a game requires a thirty (30) hour rest period. b. Pitcher can pitch consecutive days if he has pitched one (1) inning the previous day. c. Pitcher cannot re-enter as the pitcher, player may re-enter in all other positions. D. Notes: a. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced or after a warm-up pitch is
b. c. d. e. f.
g. h.
delivered but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter shall not be considered a violation. Officials are urged to take precautions to prevent protests. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified immediately. Innings pitched in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitchers eligibility for that week. In suspended games resumed in a subsequent week, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their remaining eligibility for the calendar week in which the game is resumed. If double headers are played, the limitation of six (6) innings in a calendar week would apply to each pitcher. A pitcher who pitched in the first game of a doubleheader may also pitch in the second game provided that pitcher has eligibility remaining. A player may pitch an additional two (2) innings during the week of the All-Star game, but these innings may be used only in the All-Star game. Also, no player may pitch more than two innings in the All-Star game. To prevent injuries to young arms, curve balls and other types of breaking balls are prohibited in games and practices. Coaches are not to encourage pitchers to attempt to throw them. If, in the umpire’s judgment, a pitcher intentionally throws a breaking ball in a game, he will be warned once. The second occasion for a pitcher in a game will result in his removal from the mound. A coach may make two visits to a pitcher on the mound during an inning. If a third visit is made, the pitcher must be replaced. There is no balk at the 10U Minor League level. If the pitcher throws an illegal pitch or makes an illegal move on the mound, he will be notified, and the umpire will give an explanation. Refer to section 8.05 (illegal pitch) for further details. No penalty will be invoked.
E. Reset of innings pitched after regular season/Start of Playoffs (new innings per week). F. If a pitcher hits a batter 2x in one inning, or 3 in a game, he will be removed. SECTION III - PLAYING A. The League has adopted the policy of a continuous batting order. Every player on the team roster present will have a spot in the batting order at the start of the game, unless being held out for health or disciplinary reasons. If a player is being held out of a game, his coach must notify the other coach before the game starts.
B. All players who attend the game will bat in a continuous batting order (all players will bat) and play under the free substitution rule with the exception of the pitcher.
C. In special situations, such as a game shortened by time, weather, or the run rule, both coaches may agree to waive normal substitution rules to ensure playing time for all players. Games are under the authority of the Umpire, and will be played per discretion. The umpires are instructed regarding delaying games and postponing games due to inclement weather, including lightning. Generally, games will be delayed for up to 30 minutes if lightning is nearby. If the game has not completed 3 ½ innings and cannot restart SBB 10 Minor Baseball Rules
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within 30 minutes, the game is postponed and continued or re-started at the next open slot on the calendar. D. There will routinely be 10 players in the field. A team may play with only eight players, but no less. If a team does play with eight players, the ninth position in the batting order is considered an automatic out, unless both teams have only eight players.
E. If one team is short players, three options may be used to play the game. No game may be forfeited for lack of players.
a. Extra players from the opposing team may be used to fill out a line-up, if the players agree. b. If the coach knows in advance that his team will be short due to vacations, injuries, etc. players may be obtained from other league teams. These players must bat last and play the outfield. Before such players are used, the coach in need must contact the player’s parents and coach for their permission. Under NO circumstances are these players to be used instead of a team’s regular rostered players. 8u players are suggested to bring up to next level to even teams. c. If none of the above options are successful, a game may be rescheduled to the first available, mutually agreed upon open date, rather than forfeiting or playing with less than eight players. d. Added players must play an outfield position and bat last in the order.
e. If a player arrives late, then they are placed at the end of the lineup and bat from there when it is their turn. - Each team must notify opposing team immediately if a player arrives after the lineup has been submitted or if a player has to leave before the game ends. - A defensive team’s player arriving late may enter the game at the first dead ball opportunity only if a field position is already open. - The teams coach should notify the Plate Umpire and request “Time” be called when the umpire deems it appropriate. F. ALL MALE PLAYERS MUST WEAR A PROTECTIVE CUP AT ALL TIMES WHILE PLAYING A GAME OR PRACTICING. THE COACH CANNOT WAIVE THIS RULE AT THEIR DISCRETION. THE PENALTY FOR NOT ADHERING TO THE RULE IS THAT THE PLAYER WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY IN THAT GAME OR PRACTICE. The catcher must wear a catcher’s mask with a throat protector, a helmet, a full-length chest protector, a protective cup, and shin guards at all times when catching in a game. When warming up a pitcher, everything except the shin guards is mandatory. These safety requirements may NOT be waived at the discretion of the player or coach. No metal spikes are allowed.
G. When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher’s plate and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher’s box ready to receive delivery of ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. After the ball has reached the batter, runners may leave the base or attempt to steal. Runners may advance at their own risk on a wild pitch or passed ball (exceptions see Section III, Rules n & o). A passed ball is defined as a ball that passes the catchers feet and lines surrounding the catcher.
H. A batter is out when a third strike is caught or not caught by the catcher. There is no dropped third strike. I.
A runner must slide at second, third, and home in order to avoid contact if a play is being made. If the runner does not slide when a play is being made and there is contact between the runner and fielder, the runner will be called out. If there is contact and no play is being made, the fielder will be called for interference (both at umpire’s discretion).
J. No head first slides are allowed when going from one base to the next, runner will be called out. Dive backs are allowed to the occupied base.
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K. Bunting will be allowed. Batter presenting a bunt must bunt; he may not pull back and swing. Batter will be warned and pitch will be considered as a foul ball, runners may not advance. On the second occurrence the batter shall be called out.
L. The infield fly rule does not apply.
M. Play Time - No player shall sit defensively more than two (2) consecutive innings. N. The “mercy rule” for the 10U division is: a. 15 run lead after the 4th inning b. 10 run lead after the 5th inning c. If the home team is leading by the mercy rule run amount going into the bottom half of the inning, the game is over.
O. Stealing is limited to one (1) base per at bat between 1st and 3rd bases. Runners may steal home at any time with the exception noted in the next line. Runners may advance if a play is made at any base.
P. No stealing home after if team up to bat is ahead by more than five (5) runs. Q. Overthrow rule – Without liability to be put out, all runners are awarded on base on an overthrow that goes out of play. If a runner is nearing his desired base, he is awarded the next base. I.e. An overthrow goes out of play near/at 1st base before batter/runner reaches 1st base, then batter/runner is awarded 2nd base and any other runners are also awarded another base or forced as the case may be. If an overthrow occurs and the ball stays in play, then any runners may advance at their own peril. R. Tie Breaker – In the event that a non-championship game should end in a tie the following steps will take place in order to provide a victor. One extra inning will be played starting with each team at bat with one out, man on 2nd base, a count of one ball, one strike with the home having last bats. If the game is still tied the team with the most defensive strikeouts is the winner, if this is a tie then the team with the least defensive walks for that game wins, if the game still is a tie a coin toss by the plate umpire, called by the home team, decides the game.
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