Boys Minor Baseball Rules

Huntertown Lions Baseball
Boys Minors (Age 8)

The league administrators (“The Board”) will make every reasonable effort to provide an adequate field of play & facilities, unbiased & fair teams, uniforms, essential team gear, and competent umpiring.

Standards of Play

Games are played on Diamond 2 at Huntertown ballpark. Team practices are at the discretion of each coach.
Base distance is 60 ft.; pitching distance is 40 ft. Outfield fence depth of 125 ft.
USSSA bat rules are followed; genuine leather raised seam baseballs (yarn wound, cork/rubber pill)
Coaches should arrive 30 mins before their game (i.e. warmups, game may start early, help with field prep, etc.).

Civility

The league has ZERO tolerance for adverse acts of a threatening nature by any individual at a league event.
Any player, coach, or spectator who violates the above, or who acts or speaks in a socially inappropriate manner (e.g. derides, baits, harasses, intimidates, etc.), including to the umpire, may be ejected from the game and expelled from the property. The Board investigates all incidents. Further disciplinary action may be imposed.
Disagreements with an umpire's call may only be made by the head coach, and only in a respectful manner.

General Game Rules (Whenever not address below, Indiana USSSA rules and National USSSA rules apply)

Non-rostered players may not participate in an official game.
If a team presents with less than 7 players, players should be shared so that a game may still be played for fun.
Players arriving late may be added to the bottom of the lineup without penalty. If injured/ill, a player skipped in the batting lineup does not result in an out and may re-enter the game only if any injury/illness is resolved.
All present players are to be in the batting lineup and play at least 6 defensive outs through the first 3 innings.
Up to 9 players are positioned on defense (no defensive shifts). Players should be rotated routinely in all positions.
The inning ends after the earlier of a team batting around their lineup, or 3 outs recorded.
Games end after earlier of 5 innings or 70 mins (last batter is to be called)
The next half inning begins upon the third out being recorded (except if the called last batter ends the game)
The home team uses the third base dugout and takes the field on defense in the top of the first inning.
A dead ball is called: Due to injury (at the umpire’s discretion), a foul ball not caught, or a hit batter
To better instruct the players, two coaches are allowed on the field while their team is on defense.
While on the field of play, batting helmets must be worn by any player not occupying a defensive position
No warmups are allowed on the infield prior to the game. Use the outfield, foul territory, or batting cages
The head umpire will suspend all games in the event of unsafe playing conditions. Three innings (2 ½ if home team is ahead) constitutes a complete game. The book status is frozen and used if resumed at a later date.
Umpires have discretion to interpret any ambiguity in the rules and apply game calls in a reasonable manner

Batting

The strike zone will be approximately from the kneecaps to the shoulders and just off the plate.
Any batter receiving a third strike is automatically out (i.e. no dropped 3rd strike rule)
A batter will be awarded first base if they are hit by a pitch, subject to the following:
1. The batter made an attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch,
2. The batter was not positioned in the strike zone (and the pitch was called a strike),
3. The batter did not swing at the pitch in an attempt to make contact, and
4. The ball did not make contact with the bat first (batter's hands are not considered part of the bat)
5. In the event of an injury resulting, the player recording the last out may courtesy run without substitution
Catcher Interference may result in a dead ball with first base awarded to the batter in lieu of the play's result
Bunting is not allowed.
A team gets one warning per game if a bat is thrown. Subsequent occurrences may be an out.

Pitching

There will be no more than 3 warm-up pitches thrown between innings (hustle in; hustle out)Pitching limits (We encourage following the MLB/USA Baseball Pitch Smart Guidelines):
- Any player may pitch, at most, 2 innings per game (4 per week - Sunday through Saturday)
If a pitcher is replaced, they will not be allowed to return to the pitching position again that game
Automatic intentional walks are not allowed
Balks will not be enforced
Considerations for a coach pitching:
- After 3 consecutive walks or 4 total walks in an inning by a player pitcher, the batting team's coach must come in and finish the inning. The next inning must be started by a different player pitcher.
- No bases will be awarded for walks or hit by pitches with the bases loaded. A coach will take over for the player on the mound if 4 balls are thrown with the bases loaded.
- If a coach is pitching, no walks will be issued, nor will hit batters received a base
- If a coach replaces a player pitcher, any outs recorded are applied to the player's innings cap
- Coaches should try to avoid throwing a heavily arched pitch
- At any other time, if the coach does not have a pitcher available, the coach will pitch

Baserunning

Runners may only advance on a hit, walk*, hit-by-pitch*, catcher's interference* (*when all trailing bases are occupied), or a play attempted on any baserunner. They may not advance on a passed ball, wild pitch, or upon the catcher errantly returning the ball to the pitcher.
Baserunners may not lead off and no base steal attempts are allowed
Only one extra base is allowed on a defensive overthrow/misplay upon a batted ball being put into play.
Collision Avoidance Rule: Applies to any runner, at any base, where the fielder is in possession of the ball and is attempting to make a tag on the runner. In this instance, the runner must slide or attempt to avoid a collision with the fielder. If not, the runner is to be called out. All collisions should be avoided in every situation.
Interference and Obstruction calls should be made only when they've made a material impact on the play
- Interference is when an offensive player impedes a fielder attempting to execute a play.
- Obstruction occurs when a fielder, while not making a play on the ball, impedes the progress of a baserunner. The umpire will use discretion in placing any baserunners after the play
All slides arriving at any base must be feet first. A player may dive back to a base hands first.
A courtesy runner for the catcher or pitcher of record is recommended when there are 2 outs in the inning. The courtesy runner will be the player who recorded the last out.
The infield fly rule will not enforced.

Team Courtesy

Batting line-ups are to be given to the opposing team before the game starts.
All players must clean up the dugout and surrounding area after each game or practice
The home team is responsible for keeping & reporting the official score and staffing the scoreboard

Equipment

Players must have a fielder's glove. Tennis shoes or rubber moulded cleats (no metal spikes), athletic pants (no shorts), a baseball hat, and team uniform must be worn. Catchers must wear full safety equipment and a cup.
Each coach is responsible for the care, proper storage, and eventual return of team equipment - team bag, practice baseballs (if available), catcher’s gear & glove, batter helmets, and any team bats issued.

Travel Team

Huntertown Baseball offers a travel program for players through age 14
Players who will not yet be 9 years old as of May 1 of this year are eligible to try out for the 9U team that will be formed at the conclusion of the regular season.
Throughout the season, please keep in mind players who may be more inclined toward more competitive baseball and encourage them to try out
A head coach and assistant coaches are needed for next year’s 9U team. If interested for consideration or would like more information, please reach out to the league.

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