Major League Rules

EQUIPMENT/GEAR

1. Tennis shoes or rubber cleats must be worn during the game. No metal cleats.

2. No jewelry must be worn during the game, and no foreign objects will be allowed in pockets.

3. Catchers are required to wear all catching gear whenever catching for a pitcher.

PRACTICES (Field & Cages)

4. Practice time on the diamond is 1 hour two times weekly, minimum. You may sign up for one practice at a time. Practice times include diamond and batting cage IF you signed up for the North field. If you sign up for practice time on the South field, the batting cage is only available if the field is open or the coach on the North field agrees to share the cage.

5. On game nights batting cage rules are:

• Visitors use the cage from 1 hour prior to 35 minutes prior to game time; the home team uses the cage from 35 minutes prior to 10 minutes prior to game time. 

• The same time frame will apply to weekend games as well.

• The machine must be unplugged when you are done and the doors must be locked.

TEAMS

6. Each team will start with 10 players. If a team has more than 10 players, all players will play the field and bat but ONLY 10 players take the field at a time. All members of a team present at game time must be in the batting lineup and must play 3 complete innings in the field. Failure to comply will result in a forfeit. If a player is unable to continue, it is not an out.

7. Teams can start a game with a minimum of 7 players before a forfeit is called. If you have less than 9 players, 5th graders may sub for a major team.  Coaches are responsible for finding substitutes and ensuring that they are eligible.  You may secure a maximum of 10 players.

GAME DAY RESPONSIBILITIES:

First game (only game):

HOME TEAM - lining of the field (puts bases)

VISITING TEAM - sets out bases (rakes field)

Second game:

HOME TEAM - puts bases away 

VISITING TEAM - rakes the field

GAME RULES

8. ASA rules will govern any rules not addressed here.

9.  Players are required to wear a face mask.  If parents choose to allow their fielders to play without a mask, the appropriate waiver form must be filled out. Pitchers are always required to wear a mask.

10. Each game will be 7 innings or 1-1/2 hours, whichever comes first. A “new” inning is considered to start when the 3rd out of the previous inning is made. If a game is tied with 10 minutes or less remaining to play after the conclusion of the inning, international rules will be used. If one team is ahead with 10 minutes or less remaining to play after the conclusion of the inning, the game will be done. The 10-run rule applies after 4 complete innings. A game will be considered complete after 4 complete innings (or 3-1/2 if the home team is ahead). The second game for each night will start 15 minutes or less after the first game has ended, under the umpire’s discretion. Coaches must be prepared to begin play early and are responsible for letting parents know this rule.

11. Seven (7) runs per inning will be enforced in the first four innings. Only 7 runs can be scored. Innings 5-7 do not have the 7-run rule.

12. In case of a tie only one extra inning will be played. International rules will apply (the last out of the previous inning will be placed on second base to start the inning- for both teams). Pitchers will be allowed to pitch one extra inning. Tournament rule - the game will be played until there is a winner.

13. If a game is called due to rain BEFORE 5 complete innings, or 4-1/2 innings if the home team is ahead, the game will be rescheduled and will be picked up where the game was called. Any game interrupted after four complete innings will become FINAL. 

14. The infield fly rule applies. Rule: runners on 1st and 2nd base or bases loaded with less than 2 outs, a pop fly in the infield at the discretion of the umpire will signal the batter out. If the ball drops to the ground the runners may advance at their own risk. *** If runners advance in this case it is not a force out, they would have to be tagged out.

15. Only 6 positions will be played in the infield. All other players must be in the outfield on the grass.

16. There is no dropped third-strike rule.

PITCHING

17. Pitchers are required to wear a protective mask when fielding at the pitching machine and live pitching. If they do not have one we will have a mask available in the concession stand for players to use.

18. The pitcher’s mound the pitcher uses is either 40 feet from home plate. 

19. A pitcher may only pitch 4 innings per game, but no more than three consecutive. If a pitcher throws one pitch in an inning, it counts as a full inning. Once a pitcher has been pulled, they may re-enter as a pitcher one time in that same inning. Pitchers are allowed unlimited innings if the game goes into extra innings.

20. The pitcher is allowed 5 warm-up pitches in their first inning and 3 for every inning after (or a one-minute time limit between innings). Warm-up balls are allowed between the infielders and outfielders also. The pitcher may have one or both feet in contact with the pitching plate at all times prior to the forward step. They may step back off the pitcher’s plate to start the pitching motion. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher shall not take more than one forward step.

BATTING

21. Bats must have both the ASA and USSA certification stamps. A girl may also use her own helmet as long as it has a mask and is not visibly damaged. 

22. The batter must wear a helmet at all times. If a batter intentionally removes her helmet while running the bases, she will be called out. The batter must wear the helmet until she leaves the field. If a batter is called out for intentionally removing her helmet, any runs scored prior to her out will count. 

23. The batter and the on-deck batter are the only two allowed outside the dugout.

24.  Batters must make an attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch. If an attempt is not made, the base will not be granted.  This is umpire discretion. A pitched ball that hits the dirt before it hits the batter does not count as “hit by pitch”.

BASE RUNNING

25. A player may not stand on or guard a base in a manner that interferes with a base runner. If obstruction is called, the base runner will be awarded an extra base.

26. The base runner must slide if there is a play at 2nd, 3rd, and home. If not, the base runner will be called out. Umpires discretion.

27. Base runners can steal on any pitch. Runners can not leave the base until the ball crosses home plate.  Runners who leave early will be called out. Batters who receive a base on balls must stop at first base. You are NOT allowed to advance to second base until the first pitch of the next batter.

28. You MUST use a courtesy runner for your catcher or pitcher if there are two outs. The girl who made the last out will be the base runner for the catcher or pitcher.

29. The circle around the pitching mound will be used. If the pitcher has control of the ball inside the circle, the base runner must immediately advance to the next base or return to the previous base. Failure to do so will result in the base runner being called out.

ETIQUETTE/MISCELLANEOUS

30.  There will be no throwing of the bats and helmets, abusing any equipment, digging holes in the field, foul language, unnecessary roughness, unsportsmanlike conduct, or arguing with the umpire during the game. A participant will receive one warning. Umpires have complete authority to eject any player, coach, or fan from the game. Board members also have the authority to eject any player, coach, or fan from the game.

31. Coaches and/or parents may discipline a player by keeping them out of a game or start of a game (for a set number of innings). This must be reported to the opposing coach, umpire, and one board member prior to the game. The disciplined player’s name must be listed on the roster, and the batting order and the number of innings they will not be playing must be stated. If a coach is disciplining a player for the second time, the coach needs to talk to one of the board members and set a time for the player’s parents, coach, and board member to meet and resolve the issue.

32. If a parent, coach, or fan is asked to leave the game for any reason, the board will have a meeting following the game to decide future attendance. The individual will not be allowed to attend a game or practice until the meeting occurs.

33. You must participate in the league in order to play 12U and 14U. Exceptions for 14U will be made for athletes who will/are playing softball for Bremen High School.

34. Thirty-minute rule - Once lightning has been recognized, we will wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard. Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count should reset the clock and another count should begin.