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Rules

IPYBA follows the USSSA rules for baseball.  Below are the simplified rules for each level. If you would like to read in-depth rules for each age group, then click the link.

T-Ball: Co-ed

ages 3-5

Game Time: 5 innings or 50 minutes

Offense

  • Each team on offense will bat through the full roster (no score or outs will be recorded).

  • Tee and game balls will be provided by the league.

  • There will be a 15 ft radius, from the back of home plate, that each player will have to hit the ball outside of to be fair. If the ball remains in the designated area, then it will be counted as a foul ball. The players must hit the ball past the radius. 

  • Each player will have a max of 5 attempts to put the ball into play including foul balls.

  • Only 1 player outside of the dugout in the on-deck circle.

  • The players must wear a helmet while hitting and base running.

  • Base runners may only advance 1 base after an overthrow.

  • No stealing bases.

  • Runners can only leave the base when the ball is hit.

  • Hitters must put the bat down no more than 3 feet from the time they contact the ball. No throwing the bat.

  • Coaches are allowed to have 3 coaches on the field: 1st base coach, 3rd base coach, and coach placing the ball on the tee for the hitters. The tee coach must remove the tee off of home plate if players are trying to score as soon as possible after the ball is hit.

Defense

  • Must have a minimum of 8 (max 10) on the field.

  • Pitcher must be within 1 ft from the pitching rubber. The player can not leave until ball is hit off the tee.

  • 6 players in the infield including catcher. Outfield can have at most 4 players.

  • Catcher must wear a helmet (mask preferred) and be standing out of the way of the batter's swing.

  • Each player on the team must play at least 2 innings per game.

  • No infield fly rule.

  • 2 coaches are allowed to be on the field by need to be in the outfield prior to the ball being hit.

Coach Pitch: Baseball 

8 & U

Game Time:         

  • 7 innings or 90 minutes

    • Mercy rule: 15 runs after 3rd inning; 12 runs after 4th; 10 runs after 5th                         

  • Run Limit

  • A maximum of five (5) runs or three (3) outs; whichever occurs first, is allowed by each team per inning.

  • No new inning can begin within the last 15 minutes of the game. If time ends in the middle of the inning, the inning will be finished.

  • All umpire calls are final.

  • If you argue with the umpire, then you will be removed from the game -- coach or parent.

Offense

  • Batting lineup consists of all present players. The roster is presented at the beginning of the game. Late arrivals will be added to the end of the lineup. Inform the other team of late arrivals.

  • Teams can start a game with 8 players. The 9th position in the batting order will be declared as an out each turn at bat.

  • Teams may use free substitutions on defense, but the batting order will remain the same.

  • Bunting is not allowed.

  • Batter will receive a max of 6 pitches or 3 swinging strikes. If the 6th pitch is a foul ball, batter can continue the at bat as long as they continue to foul the ball off or put the ball in play. Player is out after a swinging strike or no swing. 

  • An intentional walk can only be used once per game and must be announced by the defensive team prior to the batter seeing any pitches.

  • Base runners may only advance 1 base after an overthrow.

  • No lead-offs and no stealing.

  • If a runner gets hit by a live ball while running the bases, the runner is called out, and the ball is dead.

  • Coaches are not allowed to touch or interfere with the runners. If a coach interferes with a runner, then that runner will be called out.

  • The ball becomes a (DEAD BALL) If the ball is in the pitcher's or coach's hand, the runner may not advance unless the runner is past the halfway point of the baseline at that point.

  • The umpire will declare "the ball is dead and no pitch is declared" if a pitching coach does not make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact with the ball.

  • The pitching coach shall stay within a 10 ft radius of the pitching rubber. (within edge of dirt)

Defense​

  • Pitching Coach: Must be an adult, at least 18 years old.

  • Minimum of 8 players to play with a max of 10 players on the field with 4 of those players being outfielders.

  • Pitchers (player) must be behind and within a 10 ft radius of the coach pitching.

  • 1 coach is allowed on the field in the outfield prior to the pitch.

  • No infield fly rule.

  • If a 3rd out is made while the runner on 3rd is running home, the run does not count. The runner must touch home plate before the out is made.

Safety First Bases and Explanations​

  • The batter (runner) must run through the orange base. The only exceptions that allow the batter (runner) to use the white base are listed below:

  1. No play is being made at first base (i.e. the ball is not being thrown to first base).​

  2. The ball is coming to first base from foul territory outside of first base (fielder can use the orange bag to avoid collision).

  3. A wild throw pulls the fielder into foul territory past first base before the runner touches first base. (Fielder can use the orange bag to avoid collision)

  • The fielder must use the white base, except in the situations described above. In those situations, both the runner and the fielder may use either base.​

  • If a runner must touch the orange base, it is acceptable to touch any part of the orange base, including running straight down the middle and touching both bases. It is an automatic out only if no part of the orange base is touched.

             Baseball: Minors

10 & U

Game time:  7 innings or 90 min 

  • No new inning can begin within the last 15 minutes of the game. If time ends in the middle of the inning, the inning will be finished.

  • The distance from pitcher's mound to home plate is 46 ft and the distance between bases is 60 ft.

Run Limit

A maximum of five (5) runs or three (3) outs; whichever occurs first, is allowed by each team per inning.

  • Mercy rule: 15 runs after 3rd inning; 12 runs after 4th; 10 runs after 5th

  • All umpire calls are final.

  • If you argue with the umpire, then you will be removed from the game -- coach or parent.

Offense

  • Runners shall not lead off but may advance at their own risk (steal) once a pitched ball has passed home plate.

  • A batter shall be automatically out on a dropped/missed third (3rd) strike by the catcher.

  • Runners shall not advance from third (3rd) base to home unless the runner is batted home or forced by a base on balls, hit batsman, overthrow to pitcher, or awarded from the Umpire. Runners shall not advance from third (3rd) base to home on passed balls, wild pitches or dropped/missed third (3rd) strikes by the catcher.

  • Teams may bat a nine (9) player line-up, or a nine (9) player line-up with a Designated Hitter (DH), or a ten (10) player line-up with an Extra Hitter (EH), or a 10 player line-up up with a DH and EH,

  • A Designated Hitter (DH) can be used for ages 9u through 14u.

  • If a team uses a continuous line-up, all players other than the nine (9) defensive position players are Extra Hitters and may move freely in defensive positions except for the pitching position. Any player(s) arriving after the game has started, will be added to the bottom of the batting line-up. When using the continuous lineup and a player has to leave the game for any reason, that position in the line-up becomes an out when that at-bat comes around. Injuries are an exception.

Defense

  • Nine (9) defensive players shall play on the field

  • Balk rules shall not apply

  • Pitchers can only pitch a max of 65 pitches or finish the batter. 

  • If the pitcher hits the 65-pitch limit they can NOT pitch the next day. If they are under that threshold then they CAN pitch the next day.

Baseball: Majors

12 & U

Team Size

  • Team roster size shall be nine (9), however, expansion up to twelve (12) may occur if necessary.

Game Length

  • Games will consist of a maximum of seven (7) innings or (1.5) hours with no new inning commencing after one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes.  The final inning will be finished.** See the explanation of the time limit on the final page of these options. If time allows, Infield practice will begin ten (10) minutes before game time with the Visiting team taking the field first. The Home team will then take the field five (5) minutes before game time. Games will start promptly according to schedule.

Playing Rules

All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for Junior League and Senior League will apply except for the following local options.

  • The distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate is 50 ft and the distance between bases is 70 ft.

  • Play stops only when the lead runner is stopped and the umpire rules the ball dead.

  • The batting order shall include 9, 10, or everybody present.

  • Primary leads are permitted

  • Secondary leads are permitted

  • Steals are permitted

  • Advancing to any base (home plate included) on a passed ball is permitted

  • Runners attempting to advance to home on a passed ball and intend to slide must slide feet first if the plate is contested

  • “Pickoff” plays are permitted

  • Balks will be called, and pitch counts/baserunners are to be adjusted when a balk is called

  • Leads may be taken at any time and unless time/foul ball/dead ball is called, the ball is in play

Run Limit

A maximum of five (5) runs or three (3) outs; whichever occurs first, is allowed by each team per inning.

  • Mercy rule: 15 runs after 3rd inning; 12 runs after 4th; 10 runs after 5th

  • All umpire calls are final.

  • If you argue with the umpire, then you will be removed from the game -- coach or parent.

Pitching Rules

All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. will apply, no exceptions.

PITCH COUNT OF 85 PER GAME IS ENFORCED.

T-Ball
Baseball Coach Pitch
Baseball Minors
Baseball Majors
Baseball Junior League

Baseball: Junior League

14 & U

Team Size

  • Team roster size shall be nine (9), however, expansion up to twelve (12) may occur if necessary.

Game Length

  • Games will consist of a maximum of seven (7) innings or (1.5) hours with no new inning commencing after one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes.  The final inning will be finished.** See the explanation of the time limit on the final page of these options. If time allows, Infield practice will begin ten (10) minutes before game time with the Visiting team taking the field first. The Home team will then take the field five (5) minutes before game time. Games will start promptly according to schedule.

Playing Rules

All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for Junior League and Senior League will apply except for the following local options.​

  • The distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate is 60' 6" and the distance between bases is 90 ft.

  • Play stops only when the lead runner is stopped and the umpire rules the ball dead.

  • The batting order shall include 9, 10, or everybody present.

  • Primary leads are permitted

  • Secondary leads are permitted

  • Steals are permitted

  • Advancing to any base (home plate included) on a passed ball is permitted

  • Runners attempting to advance to home on a passed ball and intend to slide must slide feet first if the plate is contested

  • “Pickoff” plays are permitted

  • Balks will be called, and pitch counts/baserunners are to be adjusted when a balk is called

  • Leads may be taken at any time and unless time/foul ball/dead ball is called, the ball is in play

Run Limit

A maximum of five (5) runs or three (3) outs; whichever occurs first, is allowed by each team per inning.

  • Mercy rule: 15 runs after 3rd inning; 12 runs after 4th; 10 runs after 5th

  • All umpire calls are final.

  • If you argue with the umpire, then you will be removed from the game -- coach or parent.

Pitching Rules

All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. will apply, no exceptions.

PITCH COUNT OF 95 PER GAME IS ENFORCED.

Softball Coach Pitch

Coach Pitch: Softball 

8 & U

The age classification will be the age of the player is on 8/31/2023. A player can play up.

Game Time:         

  • 7 innings or 60 minutes

    • Mercy rule: 12 runs after 3rd inning; 10 after 4; 8 after 5                          

Run Limit

  • A maximum of five (5) runs or three (3) outs; whichever occurs first, is allowed by each team per inning.

  • No new inning can begin within the last 15 minutes of the game. If time ends in the middle of the inning, the inning will be finished.

  • All umpire calls are final.

  • If you argue with the umpire, then you will be removed from the game -- coach or parent.

Offense

  • Batting lineup consists of all present players. The roster is presented at the beginning of the game. Late arrivals will be added to the end of the lineup. Inform the other team of late arrivals.

  • Teams can start a game with 8 players. The 9th position in the batting order will be declared as an out each turn at bat.

  • Teams may use free substitutions on defense, but the batting order will remain the same.

  • Bunting is not allowed.

  • Batter will receive a max of 6 pitches or 3 swinging strikes. If the 6th pitch is a foul ball, batter can continue the at bat as long as they continue to foul the ball off or put the ball in play. Player is out after a swinging strike or no swing. 

  • An intentional walk can only be used once per game and must be announced by the defensive team prior to the batter seeing any pitches.

  • Base runners may only advance 1 base after an overthrow. One base per overthrow in that specific play.

                   -  The ball is dead after that one overthrow. If the runner advances more than one base in that play,                      the umpire will return the player back to the previous base. 

                   - If the play is not caught and the pitch has pitched again, that play is dead and the runner stays                              where they are even if they advanced one too many bases.

                   - If the ball is thrown out of the field (over the fence) or in the dugout, the umpire can let the player                        advance ONE base.

  • Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit. No stealing.

  • If a runner gets hit by a live ball while running the bases, the runner is called out, and the ball is dead.

  • Coaches are not allowed to touch or interfere with the runners. If a coach interferes with a runner, then that runner will be called out.

  • The ball becomes a (DEAD BALL) If the ball is in the pitcher's or coach's hand, the runner may not advance unless the runner is past the halfway point of the baseline at that point. The pitcher has to be in the pitching circle with the ball in hand for it to be dead. 

  • The umpire will declare "the ball is dead and no pitch is declared" if a pitching coach does not make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact with the ball.

  • The pitching coach shall keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher's line. The coach can pitch anywhere in-between the 16' circle.

Defense​

  • Pitching Coach: Must be an adult, at least 18 years old.

  • Minimum of 8 players to play with a max of 10 players on the field with 4 of those players being outfielders.

  • Pitchers (player) must be behind and within a 10 ft radius of the coach pitching.

  • 1 coach is allowed on the field in the outfield prior to the pitch.

  • No infield fly rule.

  • If a 3rd out is made while the runner on 3rd is running home, the run does not count. The runner must touch home plate before the out is made.

Safety First Bases and Explanations​

  • The batter (runner) must run through the orange base. The only exceptions that allow the batter (runner) to use the white base are listed below:

  1. No play is being made at first base (i.e. the ball is not being thrown to first base).​

  2. The ball is coming to first base from foul territory outside of first base (fielder can use the orange bag to avoid collision).

  3. A wild throw pulls the fielder into foul territory past first base before the runner touches first base. (Fielder can use the orange bag to avoid collision)

  • The fielder must use the white base, except in the situations described above. In those situations, both the runner and the fielder may use either base.​

  • If a runner must touch the orange base, it is acceptable to touch any part of the orange base, including running straight down the middle and touching both bases. It is an automatic out only if no part of the orange base is touched.

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