STOW YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUE RULES

2024 SPRING/SUMMER SEASON – G League

1. General:

1. Official Major League Baseball (MLB) rules shall govern all baseball play, except when superseded by the Stow Youth Baseball League rules or field ground rules.
   1. These league specific rules supplement the Stow Youth Baseball General Rules.
   2. Violation of any SYB or MLB rule shall be subject to forfeiture of game.
2. Once a game has started, the home plate umpire is in complete charge of the game.  No player, spectator, manager, or coach shall yell at, heckle, or touch an umpire.  No coach, manager, spectator, or player is permitted to verbally “ride” the umpire, “call” balls and strikes on a pitch, or utter anything in an attempt to intimidate the ump or affect their calling of the game.  Managers will stress this point to their coaches, players, and spectators.  Any abusive language or action by a player, spectator, manager, or coach directed at the umpire or opposing players shall be called to the attention of the managers.  The managers shall ask the coaches, players, or spectators to refrain from the use of abusive language or actions.  If this is not followed, the umpire may eject the manager, coach, player, or spectator, and secondly call a forfeit.
   1. No protest on an umpire’s judgment call will be considered.
   2. Excessive unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.  The umpire shall give the manager one warning, and if it persists, the umpire shall eject the individual.  If it continues, the umpire will call a forfeit.
   3. No coach, spectator, manager, or player will be permitted to yell at or distract a player on the opposing team.  The umpire shall give one warning, and if it persists, eject the individual.  If it continues, the umpire shall call a forfeit.  Team cheering shall be permitted as long as it is in a sportsmanlike manner and not directed at the opposing team.   
3. All players must wear full protective headgear while batting, running the bases, and catching.  If during a live ball situation, the headgear is intentionally removed, while running bases or after scoring, but before leaving the field of play, the runner is out.  Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a mask.   
4. A coach may not change coaching boxes in any one inning. 
5. A team must have eight players to start, maintain, and finish a game.  If unable to field eight players a forfeit will be called.  If a forfeit is called, please remain at the field and play a scrimmage game – the umpire must stay to be paid for the game.     
6. Pitching distance: 50 ft.  Base distance: 70 ft.  Home to second base: 99 ft.

1. Pitching:

1. See Section II (General League Rules), Rule 35 (Maximum Pitch Count Per Day) in the General Rules for pitching rules including maximum pitches per day and required rest for pitchers.
   1. The purpose of these pitching rules is to make managers and coaches aware that at this age level, your athletes are still developing and can be subject to greater levels of stress in performing activities that we adults take for granted. It is encouraged that you attempt to develop as many pitchers as possible, and to let the greatest number of kids to pitch as is possible.
2. Innings shall be determined by the number of put-outs per inning (3 per inning).
   1. One pitch constitutes 1/3 inning appearance.
3. A manager cannot tell the umpire that they want a batter intentionally walked. The pitcher must throw at least 4 pitches to the batter.
4. The hidden ball trick is not allowed. PENALTY: A Balk is declared; all runners advance one base. No warning shall be given.
5. Mound visits
   1. A manager or coach may take one trip to the mound per inning for each pitcher used, but not for purpose of delaying game. 
   2. A second trip to same pitcher in same inning causes the pitcher’s automatic removal as a pitcher for the remainder of the game.
   3. A third visit in the game for the same pitcher will result in the automatic removal of the player as a pitcher for the remainder of the game.
6. After a pitcher has been removed from the game, they are not allowed to re-enter as a pitcher.
7. A pitcher will be removed from pitching if they hit 3 batters in 1 inning or hits a total of 4 during a game.
   1. If an umpire believes a pitcher INTENTIONALLY threw at a batter, the umpire can eject the pitcher immediately (umpire discretion).

1. Hitting and Baserunning

1. There will be round robin/roster batting order used in all SYB league games.
2. Baseball bat restrictions:  
   1. Aluminum, wood, or composite baseball bats up to 2 ¾ of an inch maximum diameter are permitted
   2. If AFTER the batter reached base, the batter is called out and all base runners return to previous base. There is no penalty if the illegal bat is detected and removed from the game prior to the first pitch in an at bat is made.
   3. If you cannot read the manufacturer’s specifications on the bat, or if the bat appears to be altered in any way (i.e. weight or length), you will not be allowed to use that bat.  Umpire discretion applies.
      1. If the bat is used, the batter is out.
3. Bunting, including Slug or Slap Bunting is permitted, but only if the batter remains in the bunting position. A batter cannot show bunt and then get back into the hitting position and take a full swing.
   1. If a batter shows bunt and then gets back into a hitting position and takes a full swing making contact with the ball, the batter is called out and all base runners will return to their previous base. 
4. The batter is not automatically out on a dropped 3rd strike.  Base runners may advance at their own risk.
5. Stealing bases and leading off of the base is allowed.
6. There are no automatic outs in the line-up. The only exception to this rule is if a player is ejected.  Then, that spot in the batting order becomes an automatic out every time the ejected player is scheduled to bat. However, if a player must leave for work, illness, injury, personal reasons, etc., the spot is merely bypassed and is NOT an automatic out.  If a player misses a turn at bat for any reason in a game, that player is not eligible to return for the remainder/balance of that game.
7. NO collisions are allowed.  If the defensive player is blocking the base and has the ball in hand OR has a chance at making a play, the runner must slide to avoid a collision; if the base runner fails to properly slide AND causes a collision with the fielder, the umpire will call them out.  This is a judgment call.  If a defensive player is blocking a base without the ball in hand AND has no chance of making a play, thus causing a collision, the runner will be ruled safe whether they slide or not.  If a defensive player goes up the line and is blocking the line without the ball, the base runner should run around the defensive player to avoid the collision, without fear of being called out.
   1. PENALTY:  Runner is out and may be ejected from game at the umpire’s discretion.

1. Defense

1. Infield fly rule is in effect
2. A defensive player shall not fake a tag on a runner without the ball or when no play is imminent.
   1. PENALTY: Ejection at Umpire’s discretion.
3. All catchers must wear protective headgear, cup (boys only), and proper catching equipment. PENALTY:  Cannot play in the game as a catcher.
4. Run Limit - 7 runs maximum per half inning, except for the last inning.  The “last” inning includes the 7th, all extra innings, or any earlier inning declared the “last” by umpire, due to impending darkness or weather, if done so at start of inning.
   1. When an inning is started with the run limit in place, both the top and bottom of the inning will play with the same run limit.
5. If one team is leading by 10 runs or more at the end of the 5th inning (4½ innings if the home team is ahead), that game shall be ended and the team leading will be declared the winner.
6. Each team must play 9 players in the field, 3 as outfielders. (If you have 9 or more players).
7. Two Inning Rule
   1. Starters on H-Maroon, G, and F Leagues teams must play a minimum of twelve (12) outs, counting the offensive and defensive outs.  These outs do not need to be consecutive but must be played prior to the conclusion of the game.  An un-played half inning (such as the bottom of the 5th or 7th) does NOT count as part of the player’s time in the game.
   2. Non-starters (substitutes) must play a minimum of two innings, twelve (12) consecutive outs, counting the offensive and defensive outs.
   3. Non-starters (substitutes) must be inserted into the game by the top of the 3rd inning.  This means prior to the start of the 3rd inning.
   4. After meeting requirements, managers may use free re-entry of all players, as long the batting order remains the same.
   5. If a team plays 6 or more defensive innings in the field, each player on that team must play at least 3 innings in the field (SYB league games only). 
      1. This rule ensures all players are receiving fair and adequate playing time in the field.  In shortened games, where a team could be in the field only 4 or 5 innings, 2 innings might be all that is possible.  But in a full 6 or more inning game, ALL players must play at least 3 innings in the field.  If a player plays 2 innings in a shortened game, the manager should ensure they get at least 3 innings next game.
   6. Exceptions to the Two Inning Rule
      1. If a player is in the line-up at the start of the game and is injured or becomes ill before they have played the 2 or 3 full innings.
      2. If a player is inserted in the line-up after the start of the game and is injured or becomes ill before they have played 2 or 3 full innings.
      3. If a game is called because of rain, darkness, or any other reason and it would have been possible for each player to have played the required 2 or 3 innings if the game had gone at least 4 or 5 full innings.
      4. If a player is removed from the game due to misconduct for disciplinary action.
      5. If the manager removed the player for misconduct or for disciplinary action, they must notify the League VP in writing within 24 hours setting forth detail.  It shall be verified by the League VP in writing.

1. Time Limits

1. Seven (7) innings shall constitute a regulation game.
2. A two-hour time limit is placed on each game. No new inning starts after 2 hours.  The 2-hour limit is from the actual start time of the game. The teams may finish the inning they are playing at the 2-hour mark.  If prior inning ENDS before the 2-hour mark, the NEXT inning may be started even if first pitch not thrown before 2-hours.
   1. Tied games should be played out as darkness permits.
3. If at the end of the 2-hour time limit the game is still tied and darkness is not an issue (i.e. there is daylight remaining), the game continues until the tie is broken. Each inning must be completed (home team gets to bat) for the tie to be broken.
4. If darkness ends the game before a winner is declared, the game will end as a tie for the purposes of the standings. If the two teams and managers still wish to complete the game, the game will remain a tie in the standings, and the managers will need to make arrangements (and pay) for field setup and an umpire on their own.
5. In case of darkness in a playoff/tournament game, game will continue with VP of League and umpire to reschedule.
6. If a game is suspended due to whether or other circumstance (except for as darkness as outlined above) and is continued at a later date, the same continuing 2-hour time limit still applies.  For example, play 1½ hours then rain suspends game.  When finishing a game another day, no new inning will start after ½ hour.  Suspending the game does not “buy more time” in which to finish a game. To be fair, all games and teams are subject to the same time limit.
7. The umpire is the official timekeeper (by his/her watch) and will have the exact start time and will log the start time onto the home team’s scorebook.  It is up to the teams to ask the umpire the start time of the game.