These rules are aimed to facilitate the teaching and learning of the game of baseball. All rules are to be adhered to. Please refer to your rule book for rules that are unlisted.

Safety Rules:

1. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and parents

2. All players MUST wear an athletic cup (boys) or a pelvic protector (girls), or will not be permitted to play.

3. All runners, batter up, and batter on deck must wear a protective batting helmet with chinstraps fastened. NO EXCEPTIONS.

4. Only the batter-up and the batter on deck (in circle) are allowed to swing a bat and one bat only.

5. The pitcher must be replaced after hitting a second batter in any one inning.

Playing Rules

1. Umpire’s call is FINAL. Accept the call and proceed with the game.

2. Start time for all games is 6pm.

3. There are 6 innings in each game, unless called by darkness. All ½ innings are changed at 5 runs or 3 outs. The last inning will be open (coaches agree on 5^th or 6^th).

4. Tied games stay tied except for finals

5. Only 9 players will be on the field at one time. Players will be fairly substituted each inning to ensure all play the same amount of time.

6. No player can play the same position more than 3 times in any one game. All players must alternate between infield and outfield positions (per game).

7. Pitchers are allowed to pitch no more than 3 innings per game and a maximum of 6 innings per week. (Monday to Sunday, excluding tournaments). Innings pitched per game must be in a row.

8. 10 run Mercy rule takes effect after the 4^th inning, if coach of losing team chooses.

9. No bunting

10. No leading until pitch crosses home plate, first time warning, second time out and NO PITCH.

11. No stealing home (even on an over-throw from catcher to pitcher).

12. Drop ball on third strike = out.

13. Pitchers have between 3 and 5 practice pitches at the beginning of each inning.

14. All players will form part of the batting line-up, and each will bat in their turn, whether they have played on the field or not.

15. Pitchers must start their delivery to home with a minimum of one foot on the slab. (Start from a sturdy, still position). Pitch is a ball; if the pitch is a hit, the hit will stand.

Standing Rules

1. The bases will be approximately 60 feet apart and tied down.

2. The pitching slab will be 44 feet from the plate (front of slab to rear point of plate)

3. All games are for FUN ONLY

4. A minimum of 8 players is needed to field a team in any inning. If less than 8 players in any inning, play game but forfeit.

5. Coaches and umpires are to meet prior to game to discuss field conditions and/or ground rules, if applicable.

6. Unless supplied by the association, the home team will be responsible for supplying a home plate umpire, and visiting team for supplying a first base umpire. If league supplies only one umpire, the home team supplies base umpire. ONE UMPIRE CANNOT OVERRULE THE OTHER. If one umpire is unsure of the call or cannot see to make the call, then they can call upon the other umpire to assist in the call in question.

7. The home team will supply a new ball and a good second ball for each game. They are given to the home plate umpire.

8. The coaches shall exchange their batting orders prior to starting the game (optional). The scorekeepers will compare runs between each inning (mandatory).

9. When teams go outfield, the catcher must be appointed first, due to the length of time required to get ready.

10. Late players can only enter a playoff game before the start of the 3^rd inning, and be at the end of the line-up.

11. All players must wear the issued uniforms and caps.

12. No personal equipment is to be used so as to prevent arguments from both teams, as well as prevent loss and/or theft.

13. There will be no smoking, swearing, and/or foul language from coaches and parents near players, benches, or on the field. Coaches are encouraged to keep a check on the players’ language also. There will be zero tolerance on this issue.

14. If the occasion should arise that there is a question on any calls made during the game, JUST SIMPLY REFER TO THE SECTION OF PLAYING RULES AND READ RULE #1

15. If the catcher is not ready to warm up the pitcher, the coach must do so.

16. Swearing or foul language directed at an umpire will not be tolerated. If the coaches cannot stop the parents from using abusive language, the game shall be forfeited by the team of the offending parent to the opposite team. In the event that parents of both teams indulge in this behaviour and cannot be stopped, the game shall be terminated and considered not played.

17. Every conference a coach chooses to have with the umpire must be preceded by an invitation to the other coach to join in or simply be part of the discussion.