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MSBA Major Rules

MSBA Major Rules

Updated 4/3/2024

We will follow all rules as defined in the Babe Ruth League Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations. MSYBA is allowed under League regulations to modify or change rules to accommodate recreational league play. Please take a moment to read over the Rule Book and familiarize yourself with them. Also, each manager is mandated to bring the rule book to each game in case there are issues, which arise. Below we listed some of the more common rules pulled out directly from the Babe Ruth League rule book, including the MSYBA local rules.

MANGERS AND COACHES

  1. All managers must take the Coaching Youth Baseball the Ripken Way Training Course. We request that assistant coaches (at least two per team) take the course.
    a. https://us.humankinetics.com/blogs/babe-ruth-league

    TEAM ROSTER

    1. Teams will field nine (9) players.
    2. A team can play with eight players. Players arriving late may be inserted at the end of the lineup without penalty. Forfeiture will result if only seven players are available.
    3. Call-ups Provides an option to the managers to ensure a complete team of nine (9) or more players and provide a learning experience for interested players preparing to move up to the next level. Managers must call the Minor Division Rep when in need of a call-up player. The Minor Division Rep will assign player/players for the game.
    4. Teams must bat their full roster in rotation.
    5. Every player on a team roster will participate in each game for three innings in a complete game.

    HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS

    1. One umpire per game will be provided by the MSYBA.
    2. Each team must provide at least one ball per game.
    3. Winning team must e-mail, text or call-in game results to the division representative.
    4. Game location of the Major games will be played at Columbia Bank Field at Fellowship Complex.
    5. Field Maintenance: The home team will take the lead on the pre-game set-up (i.e., lining the field, raking). Both teams must share in the clean-up following the game (i.e., raking, filling the holes in infield and pitcher's mound, putting away the bases, closing all gates and removing all trash).

    DEFINITION OF A GAME

    1. A game will comprise of six (6) innings unless the following occurs:
    2. A game is terminated, and 4 innings have been played (3 1/2 innings if the home team is leading)
    3. A game is terminated by the game time limit rule which is: a new inning may not begin after 2 hours and 15 minutes from the official start time which will be announced and monitored by the game umpire.
    4. A game can end in a tie. One point will be awarded for a tie.
    5. NOTE: The start of a new inning, for the purpose of this 2 hours and 15-minute rule, is defined as the last out of the previous inning. Therefore, if the last out of an inning is recorded before the 2 hours and 15-minute mark, the next inning is to be played although the first pitch of the new inning may not be delivered until after the 2 hours 15-minute mark.
    6. 12 run Mercy Rule is in effect after four (4) innings (3 1/2 if the home team is leading). Coaches may elect to continue the game, but the prior results will stand. All pitching rules will be in effect for completed game.
    7. Games that are suspended prior to one of these occurrences due to weather or darkness will be rescheduled and will resume at the point of suspension.

    a. NOTE: Darkness will be determined by the umpire.

    1. Games that are called before it has become a regulation game, but after 1 or more innings are played shall be resumed exactly where it has been left off.
    2. A game that is called during an incomplete inning, however, it is long enough to be an official game goes back to the last fully completed inning unless home team is leading.

    PITCH COUNT

    1. Pitching will follow a pitch count.
      1. 1- 44 pitches: 0 days rest
      2. 45-64 pitches: 1 day rest
      3. 65+ pitches: 2 days rest
      4. Maximum number of pitches is 85
    2. During a 6-inning game, an 11-year-old must pitch an inning. An inning is defined as 3 outs or 4 batters.
    3. Once a pitcher is removed, the pitcher may not pitch again in the same game.
    4. At the start of the season, each pitcher will receive two warnings of a balk per game. Starting on April 22nd, each pitcher will receive one warning of a balk per game. In playoffs, there will be no warning and a penalty will be issued. The penalty will be the ball is dead and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out unless the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise and all other runners advance at least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk. See Babe Ruth League, Inc. Rules (8.05).
    5. A manager may come out once in one inning to visit the pitcher. If the manager comes out a second time in same one inning, then the pitcher must be removed.
    6. A pitcher that has hit three batters in one game must be removed.
    7. Pitcher may not wear sweatbands on their wrists. No long white sleeve shirt under pitcher's jersey is allowed. No sunglasses are allowed, except for prescription sunglasses.
    8. All teams are required to maintain appropriate records to support pitcher's eligibility as described above.

    BATTING

    1. All players will bat in continuous lineup.
    2. A batter shall be called out when failing to bat in his/her proper turn, on appeal. Note: A batter batting out of turn can step out of the batter's box any time in the count to let the proper batter bat. The proper batter will assume the count at that time. See Babe Ruth League, Inc. Rules (6.07 BATTING OUT OF TURN).
    3. A batter who leaves the game due to injury will be skipped in the lineup without penalty if there are eight players remaining in the lineup.
    4. Throwing the bat after TWO warnings will constitute an out by the batter. Runs will score based on the outcome of the hit unless it is a 3rd out. Note: If a batter hits a player or umpire prior to his final warning, the batter may be called out at the discretion of the umpire.
    5. The batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by the umpire is not caught providing first base is unoccupied or first base is occupied with two outs. If the batter leaves the dirt area around the plate he is out and cannot run to first.

    BASE RUNNING

    1. Leads and stealing of all bases is legal at any time unless time is called.
    2. Runners must either slide or veer into 2nd, 3rd, or home if a play is imminent. Failure to do so will result in, at the umpire's discretion, an out call and possible ejection from the game.
    3. If a runner misses home plate and makes no attempt to come back to home plate before getting into the dugout that runner forfeits the chance to tag home plate and the catcher can appeal for an out at home plate.
    4. If a runner passes another runner in going around the bases that runner will be called out.
    5. If two runners occupy the same base the trailing runner can be tagged out. The preceding runner is entitled to the base.
    6. Runners are permitted to slide headfirst into 1st, 2nd, or 3rd bases. No runner is permitted to slide headfirst into home plate, except in a rundown.

    FIELDERS

    1. Infield fly rule is in effect. An infield fly is a fair ball which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second or first, second and third bases are occupied before two are out.
    2. If the catcher hits the batter's bat with his/her glove during a pitch, the batter will be awarded the base for interference and runners on base will advance one base.
    3. Obstruction is the act of interfering with a runner without having the ball in one's possession. If a defensive player blocks the base or baseline clearly without possession of the ball obstruction shall be called. Penalty is one extra base awarded to the runner.
    4. A fielder cannot use his cap, hat, mask, etc. to field the ball. The runner will be awarded a base if this happens.

    CONDUCT

    1. See the parent code of conduct, constitution, and by-laws of the Maple Shade Baseball Association.
    2. Any issues on the field should be immediately reported to the division rep and a board member to be discussed within 24 hours of the infraction.
    3. Managers, coaches or parents ejected from a game must leave the premises.

    DETERMINING THE STANDINGS AND WINNER AT THE END OF THE SEASON

    1. Two points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for loss.
    2. The playoff format will be determined by the Maple Shade Baseball Board.

    APPROVED BATS:

    1. USA BASEBALL marked bats only!
    2. Wood bats are allowed if the USA mark is there.
    3. NO BBCOR BATS

    PENALTY

    1. If the illegal bat is discovered prior to a batter completing his "at bat" the bat is simply removed from play and the "at bat" continues.
    2. A player who uses an illegal bat or non-conforming barrel dimension and hits a fair ball will be ruled out. No advancement on the bases will be allowed, and any outs during the play shall stand. This is an appeal play by the manager. The "at bat" will be considered legal once a pitch is thrown to the next batter.
    3. Any bat discovered prior to the game that does not conform to the above rule shall be directed to be removed immediately and not be allowed for use during the game.


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