Boys Junior Baseball Rules

Huntertown Lions Baseball
Boys Juniors (Ages 9-10)

The league administrators (aka “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 3 at Huntertown ballpark. Team practices are at the discretion of each coach.
• Base distance is 65 ft; pitching distance is 46 ft. The outfield fence is approximately 185 ft. from home plate.
• USSSA bat rules are used; 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.

Travel Player Considerations
• Travel players are assigned to house teams in an attempt to balance competition as evenly as possible.
• Travel events are scheduled in order to minimize (but may not eliminate) conflicts.
• Each travel head coach may limit the pitch count or a catcher’s innings in a house league game.
• Players exhibiting advanced baseball talent or potential should be encouraged to try out in the Fall

General Game Rules (Whenever not explicitly addressed, Indiana USSSA rules apply primarily, with National USSSA rules applying secondarily)
• Non-rostered players may not participate in an official game.
• A team with less than 7 players must forfeit. If this occurs before the game starts, the score is 0-5. If mid-game, the score is final at time of forfeit (or 0-1 if non-forfeiting team isn't leading). If mutual forfeit, the score is 0-0.
• 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. However, they cannot re-enter the game.
• 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 of all skill levels should be given safe and fair opportunities to play and develop at different positions.
• Up to 5 runs may be scored each half inning. No exceptions for a final inning. No mercy rule
• Games end after earlier of 5 innings or 75 mins (last batter is called). No new inning begins after 70 mins.
• If time expires before 5 full innings, use the following scoring rules:
- Home team is UP or comes back to TIE in the bottom half of inning after being down: Score is final
- Any other scenario: Score reverts to last completed inning
• 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
• Coaches may make one mound visit per pitcher/inning. A second visit to that pitcher that inning will result in a pitching change. Up to two non-pitching change visits are allowed per game (except in the event of injury).
• While on the field of play, batting helmets must be worn by any player not occupying a defensive position
• Pitchers may warm up in OF foul territory to an equipped catcher (a helmeted player with a glove must protect)
• 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.
• A batter is automatically out on a pitch not caught by the catcher for their 3rd strike (swinging or called strike)
• A "foul tip" caught by the catcher is a strike and remains a live ball (batter is out if it's the third strike)
• A batter will be awarded first base if they are hit by a pitch, while attempting to avoid it, subject to the following:
1. The batter was not positioned in the strike zone (and the pitch was called a strike),
2. The batter did not swing at the pitch in an attempt to make contact, and,
3. The ball did not make contact with the bat first (batter's hands are not considered part of the bat)
4. 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 allowed. "Slashing" (squaring to bunt, but pulling back and swinging the bat) is an automatic out
• 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 5 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)
- The combination of all HL travel players on a team may pitch up to 3 innings per game
• 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 result in baserunners advancing. They should be corrected if it benefits the defensive team.

Baserunning
• No lead offs until the pitch arrives at home plate. After one warning, runners leaving early will be out.
• Runners at 1st or 2nd base may attempt to steal on any legal pitch or on a play attempted on another runner.
• A runner on 3rd base may attempt to advance home on a passed ball/wild pitch, any defensive play on any runner, or if the pitcher does not catch the ball thrown back from the catcher.
• 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 is when an offensive player impedes a fielder attempting to execute a play. This results in an out
• 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 in order to nullify the impact of the obstruction.
• 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 required when there are 2 outs or 4 runs scored in the inning, but optional at any other time. The courtesy runner will be the player who recorded the last out.
• The infield fly rule will not be 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

End of Season Tournament
• A single elimination tourney will take place at the conclusion of the regular season (details to be provided)

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