GREENSBURG YOUTH BASEBALL
2023 GAME PLAY RULES Rev: N 4/3/23
The Greensburg Youth Baseball League (GYBL) will follow all governing rules set forth by IHSAA. Some rules have been adopted to better serve our league structure. These exceptions and changes from the standard rulebook are listed below and will supersede the IHSAA rules. The standard rulebook should be used in all other rules interpretations.
INSTRUCTIONAL / TEE BALL
1) The entire roster bats for each team.
2) All players participate on defense
3) Coaches are permitted on the field during their team defense.
4) A designated coach of the offensive team will deliver up to five pitches to each batter in order for the player to deliver a fair batted ball. After five pitches regardless of pitches swung at, taken or foul balls. A batting tee will be placed on home plate. The batter will them make as many attempts as needed to hit a fair ball.
5) If the defense makes a put out of a batter, or base runner the player will remain on the base they were approaching.
6) Runs will not be counted.
7) Pitching can be from any distance greater than 20ft, and should be delivered with an overhand motion.
8) 1 hr time limit.
9) No Umpires will be assigned to T-ball games.
ROOKIE:
1) The entire roster bats for each team.
2) All players participate on defense.
3) A designated coach of the offensive team will deliver pitches from a distance of 35ft.
4) Coaches must exit the field of play after a batted ball.
5) Pitching coaches are not permitted to coach their players around the base path, a warning will be issued. The second offense will result in a dead ball. This is reserved for the designated base coaches.
6) The coach should take a position on the designated line or pitching rubber. The pitch should be delivered with an overhand pitching motion, allowing one stride forward upon delivery.
7) Five pitches maximum are to be delivered to each batter. There is no penalty for three strikes prior to hitting a fair ball. At the conclusion of five pitches if the batter has not hit a fair ball the batter will be considered out.
8) There is no penalty for a foul on the last pitch. A batter can continue to hit fouls per regular baseball rules.
9) Time will be called when, in the umpire’s judgement, the PITCHER POSITION PLAYER has possession of the ball within the base path, and they demonstrate the intention to stop play. If the runner has not advanced past the designated half way mark on the base path and the umpire calls time, the runner must return to the last occupied base. It is the umpire’s judgement on whether or not the runner advances or returns to the previous base.
10) There is an overthrow rule on 1st base only. If an overthrow occurs the ball is dead and the runner advances to 2nd as long it does not score a runner. A runner cannot advance to home on an overthrow. Umpire judgement on over throw.
11) The pitchers helper player must take a position to either side or behind the coach pitching at a distance no great than six feet from the designated pitching position.
12) Five runs maximum per inning with exception of the last inning. The last inning is unlimited runs. The last inning can be any inning other than the sixth if indicated by the umpire due to time limits. If an inning is designated to be the last inning it must be indicated to each coach prior to the beginning of that inning.
13) A mercy rule will be in effect for the following: 16 after 4, and 12 after 5.
14) Game play will be six innings
15) Time limit 1hr 15 minutes. (See time limit rules below)
16) Mandatory use of courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs, the runner will be the last batted out.
17) Big Barrel Bats that have a USSSA or USA stamp are allowed.
18) No head first slides into a base.
19) You cannot leave your feet “hurdle a fielder” to avoid a tag.
20) The fielder has the right away to the ball, the runner must attempt to avoid contact with the fielder or will be called out.
21) If there is a play at the plate the runner must slide or will be called out. If there is no play at the plate the runner does not have to slide. Determining if there is an actual play at the plate will be at the discretion of the umpire.
MINOR:
1) The entire roster bats for each team.
2) Ten players on defense.
3) Pitchers are limited to a pitch count of 75 pitches per game. See Pitching rules for details and days of rest.
4) Both Teams bookkeepers and the field umpire need to confer on the pitch count between each inning. The field umpire will have final say if there is a disagreement.
5)
6) No infield fly rule.
7) A mercy rule will be in effect for the following: 12 after 3 and 10 after 4.
8) A maximum of seven runs can be scored in a single inning. With the exception of the last inning which is unlimited runs.
9) Game play will be six innings.
10) Time limit 1hr 30 minutes. (See time limit rules below)
11) Mandatory use of courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs, the runner will be the last batted out.
12) No lead offs, but runners can steal once the ball crosses home plate.
13) Big Barrel Bats that have a USSSA or USA stamp are allowed.
14) No head first slides into a base.
15) You cannot leave your feet “hurdle a fielder” to avoid a tag.
16) The fielder has the right away to the ball, the runner must attempt to avoid contact with the fielder or will be called out.
17) If a pitcher hits 2 batters in a game a warning will be issued and on the 3rd hit batter the pitcher will be removed from pitching for that game.
18) If there is a play at the plate the runner must slide or will be called out. If there is no play at the plate the runner does not have to slide. Determining if there is an actual play at the plate will be at the discretion of the umpire.
MAJOR:
1) The entire roster bats for each team.
2) Nine players on defense.
3) Pitchers can pitch a maximum of 85 pitches per game. See Pitching rules for details and days of rest.
4) Both Teams bookkeepers and the field umpire need to confer on the pitch count between each inning. The field umpire will have final say if there is a disagreement.
5)
6) Infield fly rule is in effect.
7) Lead offs are permitted
8) Balks will be called. (One warning per pitcher per game)
9) Dropped third strike rule is in effect.
10) Mercy rule of 15 after 4 and 10 after 5
11) Game play will be six innings
12) Time limit 1hr 45 minutes. (See time limit rules below)
13) Mandatory use of courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs, the runner will be the last batted out.
14) Big Barrel Bats that have a USSSA or USA stamp are allowed.
15) No head first slides into a base, unless you are returning to a base.
16) You cannot leave your feet “hurdle a fielder” to avoid a tag.
17) The fielder has the right away to the ball, the runner must attempt to avoid contact with the fielder or will be called out.
18) If a pitcher hits 2 batters in a game a warning will be issued and on the 3rd hit batter the pitcher will be removed from pitching for that game.
19) If there is a play at the plate the runner must slide or will be called out. If there is no play at the plate the runner does not have to slide. Determining if there is an actual play at the plate will be at the discretion of the umpire.
BABE RUTH:
1. The entire roster bats for each team
2. Nine players on defense.
3. Pitchers can pitch a maximum of 95 pitches per game. See Pitching rules for details and days of rest.
4. Both Teams bookkeepers and the field umpire need to confer on the pitch count between each inning. The field umpire will have final say if there is a disagreement.
5. No run rules per inning.
6. Mercy rule of 15 after 4 and 10 after 5
7. Big Barrel Bats that have a USSSA or USA stamp are allowed
8. Metal spikes are allowed.
9. Game play will be seven innings
10. Time limit 2hrs.
11. Mandatory use of courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs, the runner will be the last batted out.
12. You cannot leave your feet “hurdle a fielder” to avoid a tag.
13. The fielder has the right away to the ball, the runner must attempt to avoid contact with the fielder or will be called out.
14. If a pitcher hits 2 batters in a game a warning will be issued and on the 3rd hit batter the pitcher will be removed from pitching for that game.
15. If there is a play at the plate the runner must slide or will be called out. If there is no play at the plate the runner does not have to slide. Determining if there is an actual play at the plate will be at the discretion of the umpire.
Pitching Rules for Minor, Major and Babe:
(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.) Exception: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher. A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more (Babe: 31 pitches or more) in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day. EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit (Babe: 30-pitch limit) while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following conditions occur: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game.
(c) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:
League Age:
13-15 Babe – 95 pitches per day
11-12 Major – 85 pitches per day
9-10 - Minor – 75 pitches per day
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning. NOTE: If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
(d) Pitchers in Minor and Major must adhere to the following rest requirements:
- If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 1-35 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar days of rest must be observed.
Exception: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat, provided that pitcher is removed or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.”
(d) Pitchers in Babe League must adhere to the following rest requirements:
- If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 61-75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 46-60 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 1-45 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar days of rest must be observed.
Exception: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat, provided that pitcher is removed or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.
A) Violation of any section of this rule can result in protest of the game in which it occurs.
NOTES:
1. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a warm-up pitch is delivered, but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall not be considered a violation.
2. Pitches delivered in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility.
3. In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day, provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest.
SUBSTITUTION RULES FOR MINOR, MAJOR DIVISIONS.
GYBL game line ups use the entire roster for a batting line up so each player is considered a starting player. If a team loses a player from their lineup due to injury or any reason other than ejection the player is simply skipped in the batting order without any penalty. For defensive purposes no player can sit two innings in the same game until all players have sat out an inning in that game. For some leagues this will never happen due to roster sizes. For example: Player A sits out the first inning he would go in the second inning and remain in the game and cannot be taken out again until all players have sat at least one inning. If you have cycled through all of your players and need to sit players in the later innings it is OK to sit a player for a second inning. The players name and number that is taken out on defense must be communicated to the home plate umpire and the opposing teams score keeper. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a forfeit.
BABE RUTH DIVISION: Pitchers do not have to be removed as part of the normal rotation. They can stay in for their max pitch count. If this method is chosen the player playing the pitching position when removed would take his turn on the bench and then be part of the substitute rotation. (Remember no player can sit a third inning until everyone has sat two inning even the pitcher.)
TIME LIMITS:
Games are to be played until the time limit expires. If an inning starts it will finish. The home plate umpire should announce to both head coaches the start time of the game. Coaches should note the time in their scorebook. The umpire should announce the time left to play at the end of each half inning. (NO INNING WILL START WITH LESS THAN 5 MINUTES REMAINING IN THE GAME.) (If time is called with less than 10 minutes left in the game the game clock will be stopped. Any obvious attempt to delay a game by a player or coach in order to gain a victory will be considered un-sportsman like. The umpire shall deliver a warning to the offending person. A second infraction will result in the removal of the player and or coach.)
ROOKIE & MINOR: Due to rules mandating max runs per innings prior to the last inning, with unlimited runs in the last inning. It may be necessary to announce the last inning prior to the actual last inning. The umpire can only call last inning prior to the actual last inning if there is less than ten minutes left in the game. This must be communicated to both head coaches. If an inning is declared the last inning other than the true last inning this inning will have unlimited runs. If the last inning call is given regardless if there is time left on the clock after the called last inning the game is over.
Game scenario: A game that starts at 6:00 with a one hour and 30 minute time limit, and is scheduled for five innings.
Ex # 1 At the end of the fourth inning the time is 7:22 there is only eight minutes left in the game. The umpire would announce the last inning. One more inning would be played with unlimited runs. Regardless if time is remaining after this inning the game is over.
Ex #2 At the end of the fifth inning the time is 7:18 there are twelve minutes left to play. The game will finish the scheduled amount of innings.
MAJOR & BABE RUTH: There will be no run restriction per inning. Teams can score unlimited runs every inning. (Coach’s please show some class with this rule.) Games will now be played for the entire time limit:
Ex: A game starts at 6:00 with a 1 hour and thirty minute time limit, scheduled for 5 innings. At the end of four innings the time is 7:18 the home team is winning 7-4. The game would continue with the visiting team batting. If the time would expire prior to the visiting team completing their at bat the game the game will continue. If the visiting team does not tie or take the lead the game is over. If the visiting team takes the lead or ties regardless if time ran out the home team would bat.
Ex: Same scenario with eleven minutes left in the game the home team is winning 7-4. The visiting team comes to the plate and takes the lead 8-7. Their half inning ends with time left on the clock. The home team comes to the plate and scores two runs to take the lead before time expires. The game would be over, with the home team winning the game 9-7
FIELD RULES:
1) There is no batting practice prior to games
2) Plastic whiffle balls may be hit in the outfield prior to games as part of team warm ups.
3) Five minutes of infield practice will be given to each team prior to the game. The visiting teams should take infield first. (Infield practice can be denied by umpires if games are running late.)
4) Seven warm up pitches will be given to each starting or new pitcher.
5) Five warm up pitches between innings for existing pitchers.
6) If an umpire feels that a team is taking too long in between innings getting a catcher or pitcher in position, the umpire can begin calling balls. Time between innings shall not take longer than two minutes. The same holds true for a batter that is not ready for his turn at bat and the umpire feels the game is being delayed. The umpire can order the pitcher to pitch and strikes will be called regardless of the location of the pitch.
7) The pitcher shall not take more than 30 seconds between pitches. Any pitch taking longer than 30 seconds will result in the umpire calling a ball.
8) The home team will be the official score book. (Coach’s should confirm scores and pitch counts between innings.)
9) Any player that is ejected from a game for any reason will be suspended for a minimum of the players’ next game. Any coach that is suspended from a game for arguing with an umpire, will be suspended from their teams’ next game also. Any coach or player suspended, for major infractions such as fighting, un-sportsman like conduct, code of conduct violations will be subject to board review for suspensions.
10) This is a NON SMOKING facility. No smoking anywhere at the facility this includes walkways and parking lots.
FORFEIT RULES FOR ROOKIE, MINOR, MAJOR, AND BABE RUTH
1. A minimum of eight players is required to start a game. Any less will be considered a forfeit. A forfeited game will have a recorded score of 10 to 0.
2. Teams with less than 8 players are permitted to use a player from the league below in order to play the game. This player is only allowed to play in the outfield and must bat last in the lineup. This only applies during league play and will not be allowed during the tournament. This must be approved by a board member and documented in the scorebook of the home team.
OFFICIAL GAMES:
1) Games ending due to bad weather or any other reason will be handled per the following.
2) Rookie & Major games are official games after 3 ½ innings, Minor after 2 ½ innings, and Babe Ruth after 4 ½ innings. Example Minor league game. Home team is winning 5-2, the visiting team has already batted three times. This is an official game.
3) Suspended games: A game ending in a tie after it has reached the official game limit will be suspended and picked up where it ended.
4) Any game that is ended prior to reaching official game status will be attempted to be rescheduled and game play will pick up where game play was stopped.
Original Date: 3/28/07