STOW YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUE INC.
2024 SPRING/SUMMER GENERAL RULES

Section I - General Rules
1. It is the primary objective of this organization to provide the youth of the Stow Youth
Baseball organization with an organized, adult-supervised program that stresses
sportsmanship, complete cooperation, and a chance to learn baseball according to
Major League Baseball (MLB) rules, as modified by the Stow Youth Baseball League,
Inc (SYB).
1.1. Players, Managers, Coaches, and Umpires shall always conduct themselves as to
be a credit to the League.  Any member of the Board, Manager, Coach, Player, or
Umpire accused of using profane or foul language, being verbally or physically
abusive, or acting in a manner detrimental to the League, may be dismissed from
their position if found guilty by the Executive Board.
2. All managers shall be responsible for the equipment assigned to their teams: uniforms,
bats, balls, helmets, equipment bags, catcher’s mitt, catcher’s mask, catcher’s shin
guards, and catcher’s chest protector. Managers must instruct their players and
coaches on the proper use of this equipment. The manager must collect this equipment
at the end of the season.  The Equipment VP will take an inventory at the end of the
season and submit a report of missing equipment.  A record shall be kept of this
equipment.  New equipment required or needing repairs will be handled by the
Equipment VP prior to the start of the next season.  IF A MANAGER DOES NOT
RETURN EQUIPMENT AT END OF SEASON, MANAGER MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO
MANAGE/COACH THE FOLLOWING YEAR, OR AN EQUIPMENT DEPOSIT WILL BE
CHARGED.  It is a must that equipment is returned after each season for inventory and
repairs.
3. The Umpire-in-Chief shall assign umpires for all league games.  Non-Stow-Munroe
Falls communities are responsible for providing own umpires at games scheduled at
their fields. Should an umpire fail to appear for a scheduled game, the game MUST be
played using a spectator or coach as an umpire, as agreed upon by each team’s
manager.  Penalty-Forfeit by both teams.  The game will count in the standings.  If a
spectator/coach is the umpire, they will call balls/strikes from behind home plate if
ump gear is available, otherwise from behind pitching mound.  The originally scheduled
umpire, who did not show, will not be paid.  The fee will be paid to the adult who steps
up to umpire the game. The Umpire-in-Chief and the SYB Treasurer must be notified
of who umpired the game, their contact information, what field, and what day it
occurred, so that payment can be made to this person.

4. All managers shall carefully check birth dates of all players assigned to their teams.  If a
player is in the wrong age bracket, thier name shall be turned in to the League Vice-
President, so the player may be assigned to a team according to their age.  PENALTY: 
Forfeiture of all games in which the player has participated.
5. Managers’ applications must be reviewed and approved by the Board each year before
try-outs.  Managers will be recommended by the respective League Vice-President.
6. Any player who voluntarily withdraws from SYB will forfeit their registration fee,
unless an exception is cited by the Board.  All requests for a refund must be submitted
in writing in order to be considered. Requests must be submitted by April 30th to the
SYB Treasurer.
7. No player may be signed up at the fields by managers or coaches or SYB Board
members.  If a player missed the scheduled registration, they may request late
registration and will be registered only if openings exist.  All registered players must
have their birth certificates verified by the League.
8. A manager can manage more than one team in the SYB baseball leagues, subject to the
normal manager approval process (rule #7).
9. Team managers must be at least 18 years of age, prior to January 1st of the playing
year.  The recommended age of a coach is 18 years old, prior to January 1st of the
playing year.
10. Umpires must be at least 14 years of age, prior to September 1st of the playing year.
11. The only ball that may be used for baseball games will be those supplied or approved
by SYB.

Section II - League Rules
STOW YOUTH BASEBALL DESIGNATED LEAGUES:
Age is determined on APRIL 30th of the playing year:
Tee Ball – 4 or 5 years old on April 30th.
Coach Pitch – 5 or 6 years old on April 30th.
I League – 6 or 7 years old on April 30th. Teams formed by League VP.
H Gold (8u) League – 7 or 8 years old on April 30th. Teams are formed through an
evaluation format.
H Maroon (10u) League – 9 or 10 years old on April 30th. Teams are formed through an
evaluation format.
G (12u) League – 11 or 12 years old on April 30th.  Teams are formed through an
evaluation format.

F (14u) League – 13 or 14 years old on April 30th.  Teams are formed by the managers and
League VP, with try-outs/draft used as necessary to assign available players.
E (18u) League – 15 to 18 years old on April 30th.  Teams are formed by the managers and
League VP, with try-outs/draft used as necessary to assign available players.
1. If a parent wishes their child to play up an age group, it must be discussed with the
League VP.  If it is later determined that the child’s skills are not commensurate with
the higher age group, the child’s playing time could be limited, or the parent or SYB
may ask that the child be returned to the proper age group for the season.
2. All SYB teams may also compete in tournaments in or outside of Stow, as long as the
tournament games do not interfere with SYB scheduled league games.
3. All Recreational League players should only play on one team, in only one league
classification, and in only one organized baseball league during the current season.
4. No player shall play for more than one team in the SYB organization, unless approved
by the SYB board.
5. No metal spikes are allowed; F (18u) and E (14u) Leagues are the exception.
6. The use of all tobacco products (including vaping) during games/practices is prohibited
for managers, coaches, umps, and players.
7. No consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs is permitted during any league game or
practice. Any managers, coaches, umpires, or players appearing (either at a practice or
a game) under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be automatically suspended or
dismissed.
Section III – General League Rules
1. Night games start at 8:30 p.m.  Each team should be allowed equal warm-up time, with
home team going first, to ensure the game starts at scheduled time.  No team warms
up after scheduled game time.  Games will start on time or as soon as the minimum
number of players (8) are present for each team.  Players that arrive after game starts
will be put at bottom of order.  Game time may be modified as required by local
community field rules.
2. A manager may establish reasonable training rules for their team, subject to approval
by the respective League VP.  Disciplinary action may be taken at the manager’s
discretion.  If a player is suspended, the League VP shall be notified in writing within 24
hours.  The notice shall state the rule infraction and the duration of the suspension. 
The suspended player shall not appear at any league game in uniform during the term
of the suspension.  A copy of said team rules should be on file with the League Vice-
President.
3. In the event of lightning, thunder, rain, darkness, or any other situation which would
affect the continuance of game due to safety or field conditions, the home plate umpire
has the final authority to stop the game. The players should be removed to a safe place
until weather improves.  After a 30-minute interval, the umpire should decide whether
to continue or officially stop the game.  In the event of conditions that would stop a
game (such as lightning, rain, darkness, light failure, etc.), completion of a game will be

governed by the rules below.  If lightning is visible at any time during a game, play stops
immediately, and the above rules apply as with any other weather condition.  If the
game continues, speed up rules must be enforced (See section V).
3.1. Any game that is TIED when it is called is a SUSPENDED game that will be
completed at a later date, resuming from the exact point that play was halted.
3.2. Any game that has NOT completed 5 innings (or 4 ½ innings with the home team
winning) is a SUSPENDED game that will be completed at a later date, resuming
from the exact point that play was halted.
3.3. If the game has completed 5 innings (or 4 ½ innings with the home team winning),
it is a complete regulation game with the following exception:
3.4. If the game is called during an INCOMPLETE inning in which the visiting team has
scored 1 or more runs to tie the game or take the lead, it is a SUSPENDED game
that will be completed on a later date, resuming from the exact point that play was
halted. 
3.5. SUSPENDED games described above will be finished the next time the teams
meet, if they meet again during the season.  If teams do not meet again, the League
VP and Umpire-in-Chief will schedule the completion of the game for another
date.  The managers/coaches do NOT reschedule the game.
3.6. Rules concerning the completion of a SUSPENDED game on a later date:
3.6.1. Players in original lineup who are NOT present for game’s completion are
skipped in the batting order, NO out is taken.  Same as if a player left a game
early.
3.6.2. Players NOT in original lineup who ARE present for the game’s completion
are added to the bottom of the round-robin batting order.  Same as if a player
arrived late to a game.
3.6.3. Innings pitched in original game DO count against a pitcher if game
completed on another day, for the original rescheduled game.
3.6.4. SUSPENDED games resume from the exact point that play was halted. 
SUSPENDED games NEVER start over from the beginning.
4. The Executive Board shall have the final authority to rule in all matters.
5. A team shall become the responsibility of the manager 15 minutes before the
game/practice and shall remain their responsibility for 15 minutes after the
game/practice completes, for its conduct on and off the field.  The manager shall be
relieved of their responsibility when the parents take the player from the field.  A
manager shall not leave until all players are picked up.
6. All league games take precedence over tournament games during regular season.
7. The Umpire-in-Chief will reschedule all rainouts and suspended games, with the
consent of the League VPs.  Within 48 hours of the each rained out or postponed game
the managers/coaches shall provide the Umpire-in-Chief and the League VP with two
mutually-agreed-upon makeup dates and times, to be played within the next two
weeks. The Umpire-in-Chief will either attempt to accommodate and reschedule the
game or propose alternate makeup dates and times. If the managers/coaches fail to
comply with the 48-hour rule, then a day, time, and field will be assigned for the make-
up game at the Umpire-in-Chief’s discretion. If either team cannot field a legal team on
the assigned day and time, they will forfeit the game.

8. If there is a night game under the lights following the one being played, no new inning
may begin after 8:15 p.m. for the first game.  No new inning shall start after 10:30 p.m.
for a night game.  These rules apply only during the school year when school is
scheduled for the next day, for either team.  No new innings shall be started after 8:30
for the first game at all other times when a night game follows under the lights.
9. Managers and coaches shall be properly attired at all games. Anyone in violation will
be ejected from the game until properly attired (no cutoffs or tank tops).
10. No games will be postponed without permission of League’s Vice-President or
Executive Vice-President, except for inclement weather.  If a school event (awards
ceremony, concert, etc.) conflicts with a scheduled game, the manager must notify the
League VP by May 1st – the League VP will then reschedule the game with the
Umpire-in-Chief.  Once school is out, NO games will be rescheduled due to a school
conflict.  Only SCHOOL conflicts which would cause a team to FORFEIT will be
considered as a reason to reschedule, if proper notice is given as described above.
11. Ejections
11.1. Any umpire ejection of a manager, coach, spectator, or player must be filed
in writing by the umpire and the manager/coach to the Umpire-in-Chief and
League VP within 24 hours of game time to explain the incident.  In the event of an
ejection during a game, the ejected manager/coach/spectator/player will ALSO sit
out the NEXT scheduled league game.  The manager/coach/spectator/player must
not be present at the playing field as a coach or SPECTATOR and must be out of
sight and earshot of the umpire and the playing field.  If the
manager/coach/spectator/player is near the playing field during their suspension,
the umpire will stop play until they leave, or the umpire will call a forfeit.
11.2. Any person ejected from game must remain out of sight and earshot of the
umpire and the playing field.
12. All-star teams in HG, HM, G, and F Leagues are formed at the end of the season.  The
first-place team manager manages one team, and the second-place team manager
manages the second team.  If either one is unable to manage, then the third, fourth,
etc., place managers fill in, in that order.  The manager selects coaches for each of the
teams.  The League VP makes the guidelines for all-star team selections. 
12.1. In the All-Star games, the 10-run rule is NOT in effect, all 6 or 7 regulation
innings are to be played.
13. In the event of a league tie for first place: head-to-head record will be used to
determine 1st and 2nd place IF the league had a BALANCED schedule.  If still tied, or
NOT a balanced schedule, there will be a one game play-off with the winner receiving
first place trophies and the loser second place trophies.  The site and play-off date to
be determined by the League Vice-President and the Umpire-in-Chief.     
14. All protests must be submitted on the Stow Youth Baseball protest form (see website
for a copy of the form) and must be submitted to the League Vice-President in writing
along with a protest fee of $25.00 no later than 24 hours from time of protest.  Protest
fees shall be retained by SYB unless the protest is upheld by the protest committee. 
To be valid, the protest must be brought to the attention of the opposing team and the
umpire at the time of the occurrence.  No umpire judgment call can be protested.
14.1. PROTEST COMMITTEE

14.1.1. Umpire-in-Chief                                    
14.1.2. SYB President                                      
14.1.3. League Directors
14.1.4. League VP, for the league of the game under protest, in a non-voting
advisory role.  If one of the other members is absent, the League VP will vote if
necessary, to break a tie. 

15. Field set-up for games is provided by SYB.  In the event the bases were not set-up (due
to weather or other reasons), it shall be the responsibility of both managers and teams.
16. League-issued uniforms are to be always worn on the playing field during all league
games.  In particular, the league-issued baseball hats are part of the uniform and must
be always worn in the field.
17. MAXIMUM PITCH COUNT PER DAY –
17.1. Pitchers in H-Gold, H-Maroon, G-League and F-League, from ages 7 to 14,
will have specific pitch limits for each day, based on their age. The number of
pitches delivered in a game will determine the amount of rest the player must have
before pitching again.
17.2. If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the
pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1)
that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to
complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher will only be required to observe
the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat,
provided that pitcher is removed, or the game is completed before delivering a
pitch to another batter.”
18. At the end of each game, coaches will submit the following for each pitcher to the
League VP AND the email address specified in the league schedule:
18.1. First and last name
18.2. Uniform number
18.3. Innings pitched
18.4. Number of pitches thrown (if exceeding pitch count at last batter, H-
Maroon ex. Pitches 54 thru last batter, would record as 50 pitches)
19. All pitches thrown in a suspended game SHALL COUNT toward the daily pitch limit
and the total number of pitches thrown for the continuation of the rescheduled game.
20. Any player pitching during a period in which rest is required will be considered
pitching as an ineligible player.
21. Doubleheader Note:  If a pitcher throws 21 or more pitches in a game, they may not
pitch in another game that day (or the next day, per the chart below).
22. Any game in which an ineligible player is participating will result in a forfeit.
  Daily Max
Pitches
allowed per
day

Required Rest (Pitches)

League Age

0
Days
1
Days
2
Days
3
Days
4
Days 5 Days
H-Gold 7 - 8 50 1-20 21-35 36-50 N/A N/A N/A
H-
Maroon 9 - 10 75 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+ N/A

G League 11 - 12 85 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+ N/A
F League 13 - 14 95 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+ N/A
 
23. Gold and Maroon pitchers can pitch a maximum 9 outs per day.
24. G league pitchers can pitch a maximum of 12 outs per day.
25. F league pitchers can pitch a max of 12 outs per game, 15 per day.
26. Maximum pitch counts are also in effect.
27. A player may not pitch more when they reach the maximum pitch count, or the
maximum number of outs. Whichever comes first.
28. This is to protect the player from injury.  The SYB Board strongly recommends not
having a catcher pitch after catching and a pitcher go to catch after pitching.
29. A pitcher is allowed a maximum of seven warm-up pitches from the mound in their
first inning appearance.  A pitcher will get 5 warm up pitches in their following innings.
If a pitcher requires more than 5 warm-up pitches, it is the manager’s responsibility to
have their pitcher warm-up in between innings in a safe and out-of-play area. 
Section IV – SPEED-UP RULE:   For time-limit leagues, extra innings, and games delayed
due to weather.
1. Catcher:  When the catcher is on base or reaches base with two outs, it is mandatory
the catcher be replaced by the player who made the last out.  The catcher speed-up
rule will not be in effect during the last inning.  The catcher speed-up rule will be
enforced if the game requires extra innings.  This rule applies to the catcher who will
be catching the next defensive inning. The catcher is determined as the catcher of
record from the previous inning.
2. Pitcher:  When the pitcher is on base or reaches base with 2 outs, a manager has the
option of replacing the pitcher with the person who made the last out. The pitcher is
determined as the pitcher of record from the previous inning.