Rules that every division must follow:
Conventional baseball uniforms, including team jerseys with sponsor-funded advertising approved by the league, must be worn in order to participate in league play.
INFIELD OR BATTING PRACTICE ON THE FIELD OF PLAY IS NOT PERMITTED PRIOR TO A GAME. TEAMS MAY USE THE OUTFIELDS FOR WARM-UPS. NO HARD BALLS ARE PERMITTED TO BE HIT AGAINST THE FENCES. VIOLATION COULD RESULT IN EJECTION OF THE MANAGER (HEAD COACH) PRIOR TO THE GAME.
Shetland 4-5 (T-Ball)
- 4 innings max, no inning begins after 1 hour
- 5 runs max per inning
- Batter allowed as many swings as needed to hit the ball
- Base runners limited to one base and cannot advance on overthrows
- See
Bat Rules (bats must be certified; no softball bats; bats must not exceed 42" in length or 2 5/8" in diameter).
Shetland 6 (T-Ball) - 5 innings max, no inning begins after 1 hour 5 minutes
- Game over when time limit reached and additional play will not change outcome
- 5 runs max per inning
- Batter allowed 5 swings to hit the ball
- “Time” is called when the ball is in the possession of an infielder and all play on the runner(s) has ceased
- When the ball is declared dead, base runners not permitted to advance beyond the base running to
- Run rule (mercy rule) is 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings
- See
Bat Rules (bats must be certified; no softball bats; bats must not exceed 42" in length or 2 5/8" in diameter)
Pinto 7-8 (Coach Pitch) - 6 innings max, no inning begins after 1 hour 15 minutes, games may end in a tie
- Game over when time limit reached and additional play will not change outcome
- 5 runs max per inning, except if the game reaches the 6th inning, then no run limit in the 6th inning
- 6 pitches; if 6th pitch is a foul, batting continues
- Bunts or soft swings will be ruled a strike
- “Time” is called when the ball is in the possession of an infielder and all play on the runner(s) has ceased
- When the ball is declared dead, base runners not permitted to advance beyond the base running to
- Run rule (mercy rule) is 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings
- Coach pitcher cannot direct or coach players while on the mound
- Coach shagging balls behind the catcher cannot talk or coach while on the field
- See Bat Rules (bats must be certified; no softball bats, no t-ball bats, no "coach pitch" bats; bats must not exceed 42" in length or 2 5/8" in diameter)
Mustang 9-10 (Kid Pitch)
- 46' pitching, 60' bases
- 6 innings, no inning begins after 1 hour 20 minutes, games may end in a tie
- Game over when time limit reached and additional play will not change outcome
- Extra innings possible if game tied and time remains
- 5 runs max per inning
- No squeeze play
- Excessive leadoff at 3rd is a safety issue and the runner may be declared out
- Pitch Smart guidelines followed for pitch count and days rest required
- Balks called and enforced after 1 warning per pitcher
- Balks result in an immediate dead ball, "no-pitch", with umpire time-out to explain infraction
- Managers allowed to participate in balk discussion; no mound trip charged if done immediately
- Run rules are 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 after 4, 10 after 5
- See Bat Rules (bats must be certified; no softball bats, no t-ball bats, no "coach pitch" bats; bats must not exceed 42" in length or 2 5/8" in diameter)
Bronco 11-12
- 50' pitching, 70' bases
- 7 innings, no inning begins after 1 hour 30 minutes, games may end in a tie
- Game over when time limit reached and additional play will not change outcome
- Extra innings possible if game tied and time remains
- 5 runs max per inning
- Pitch Smart guidelines followed for pitch count and days rest required
- Balks called and enforced after 1 warning per pitcher
- Balks result in an immediate dead ball, "no-pitch", with umpire time-out to explain infraction
- Managers allowed to participate in balk discussion; no mound trip charged if done immediately
- Run rules are 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 after 4, 10 after 5, 8 after 6
- See Bat Rules (bats must be certified; no softball bats; bats must not exceed 42" in length or 2 5/8" in diameter)
Pony 13-14
- 54' pitching (front rubber), 80' bases
- 7 innings, no inning begins after 1 hour 30 minutes, games may end in a tie
- Game over when time limit reached and additional play will not change outcome
- Extra innings possible if game tied and time remains
- 7 runs max per inning
- Pitch Smart guidelines followed for pitch count and days rest required
- Balks called and enforced without warning
- Balks result in an immediate dead ball, "no-pitch", with umpire time-out to explain infraction
- Managers allowed to participate in balk discussion; no mound trip charged if done immediately
- Run rules are 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 after 4, 10 after 5, 8 after 6
- Metal cleats allowed
- See Bat Rules (bats must be certified; no softball bats; bats must not exceed 42" in length or 2 5/8" in diameter)
Colt 15-18
- 60' pitching (back rubber), 90' bases
- 7 innings, no inning begins after 1 hour 40 minutes, games may end in a tie
- Game over when time limit reached and additional play will not change outcome
- Extra innings possible if game tied and time remains
- 7 runs max per inning
- Pitch Smart guidelines followed for pitch count and days rest required
- Balks called and enforced without warning
- Balks result in an immediate dead ball, "no-pitch"
- Minimum number of players is 7; no penalty when playing shorthanded
- Run rules are 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 after 4, 10 after 5, 8 after 6
- Metal cleats allowed
- High school bat rules enforced -- see http://www.nfhs.org/activities-sports/baseball/