NORTH JACKSON YOUTH BASEBALL, INC.
SPECIFIC RULES FOR ALL LEAGUES
Along with General Rules for All Leagues, the following are specific local league rules. The following specific local league rules supplement the General Rules and take precedence where there is a conflict.
NOTE: These rules are “working” rules and can be amended by NJYB as needed and as the season progresses. The league Commissioners will be responsible for notifying all involved personnel of these changes. Try not to use or abuse these rules to impede the progress and temper of the game. Keep in mind the spirit in which they are written and apply them with the same spirit in mind. Often, common sense will solve all the problems that will arise.
FINAL NOTE: The ultimate rules of NJYB is to teach every kid the basic fundamentals of baseball, to participate fairly, to enjoy and love the game of baseball while instilling the true meaning of sportsmanship. Every kid is looking at each coach as a role model, and therefore, the actions of the coaches will forever be instilled in that kid’s mind regarding baseball. Act accordingly.
NJYB RULES OF PLAY – 5th/6th Grade
GAME PROCEDURES:
1. Field/Equipment:
a. Ball Size Regulation hard core ball
b. Pitching Distance 50 feet
c. Base Path Distance 70 feet
2. A regulation games consists of six innings or 1 hour and 15 minutes time limit – no inning may start after 1 hour and 15 minutes of play. Game balls are provided by each team.
3. Teams may exchange lineup cards before every game. All players are to be listed on the lineup card.
4. Game 2 each night will begin as soon after the end of Game 1 as possible, according to the umpire (no team infield prior to Game 2).
5. Home Team Responsibilities:
a. Home team is responsible for providing game balls (2).
b. Home team is also responsible for keeping the scoreboard and returning it to the scoreboard closet on the proper shelf in the storage closet.
c. After the last game of the night, the home team is responsible for making sure that all gates are locked securely and for covering home plate with the field tarp.
DEFENSE/FIELDING:
6. Ten players may take the defensive field. The infield is standard (including a catcher fully-equipped, including without limitation, a protective cup and throat guard), and the other players are outfielders. If a team has more than ten players at a game, the additional player(s) must sit in the dugout while their team is in the field. However, no player shall sit out two consecutive innings or more than two innings per game. If you have at least 8 of your original players present to play and you do not have any subs (see below), you must take the field with 8 defensive players, and the other team is not required to play with fewer defensive players.
7. There will be three outs per half inning.
8. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
PITCHING RULES:
9. Pitchers can pitch no more than 4 innings per game, and no more than 6 innings per calendar week.
10. Once a pitcher is relieved, he may not re-enter the game as a pitcher.
OFFENSE/BATTING:
11. Teams will use a continuous batting order (all players present will bat).
12. When the ball is put in play by a batter, the play will continue until that batter reaches home plate, the third out is attained, or as soon as all base runners are not attempting to advance. The umpire shall then call “time” and stop the play. When a runner stands off a base and “jukes” or “feints” back and forth, this is to be interpreted as “not attempting to advance” and “time” shall be called.
13. Runners may advance to all bases on passed balls, including home plate.
14. Bunting of the ball is allowed.
15. Base runners may not lead off base, but may steal once the pitched ball crosses home plate. There will be 1 team warning per game for runner leaving the base early. On the 1st occurrence, the defense may take the result of the play and issue the warning, or have a “no pitch” called, runners return to their bases and issue the warning. On the 2nd and subsequent occurrences – dead ball, runner is out, other runners return and no pitch.
16. Batters may not advance on a third strike if the catcher does not cleanly catch the third strike. The batter is out regardless.
17. A courtesy runner for the next inning’s catcher should be used. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the previous out. If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base.
18. There are no pinch runners allowed, except in the case of injury. In the event of injury, the player committing the last out (in the field or at the plate) shall be the pinch runner.
19. All big barrel bats MUST have the USSSA stamp on the neck of the bat. Big barrel bats are bats that have diameters of 2 5/8" or 2 3/4" inches.
SUBSTITUTE PLAYER RULES:
20. A team must have at least 8 it its original team players present for the game to begin. Failure to have 8 original team players will result in a forfeit.
21. If you have at least 8 of your original players present to play and you do not have any subs (see below), you must take the field with 8 defensive players. The opposing team is not required to play with less defensive players.
22. If a team is forced to play with 8 players, the team with 8 players will be assessed one automatic out each time the 9th batter’s spot comes up. If both teams are forced to play with 8 players, neither team will be assessed an automatic out.
23. Any team that has at least 8 of its players shall have the option to avoid the “automatic out” penalty by utilizing a 9th and/or a 10th substitute player(s) from another other NJYB rec teams in the same age league. These rules will control, and this rule is subject to revocation if it is abused:
a. The team must have a minimum of 8 of its original players and the team can use no more than 2 subs.
b. The substitute player (s) must play in his original team’s uniform (he cannot wear the jersey of the absent player).
c. The substitute player(s) may not pitch or play any infield position, and must bat in the last spot(s) of the batting order.
* * * Make all reasonable efforts to know how many players you will have well before game time so you can attempt to secure substitute players ahead of time. * * *
* * * Pre-game batting practice: Each team has access to the cage for 15 minutes -> home teams have the cage 40 minutes before game time and the visitor has the cage 25 minutes before the game time. If that does not work for you, Field 7 has 4 cages and one should be available whenever you want it.
SCORING:
24. There shall be a maximum of four runs allowed per inning. For example, if a home run is hit with men on base after three runs have already scored, only four total runs count.
25. If a team is mathematically eliminated from winning, the winning team shall take all reasonable measures to completely flip its infield and outfield players and allow less used pitchers to pitch. No game shall be called early based on the score (i.e., no mercy rule). The object is to allow more playing time. For example, if the score is 2(v) to 11(h) after four innings, the home team should flip its infield and outfield. This provides an excellent opportunity to allow all players a chance to play infield.
COACHES:
26. All on-field coaches shall have attended and been certified at the coaches clinic. Failure to do so will result in the coach not being allowed to coach as he would not being covered under the League’s liability insurance policy.
27. There should be no more than four coaches, including the head coach and adult helper(s) in the dugout, within the confines of the ball field.
28. Coaches whose team is in the field on defense shall remain in the dugout. One defensive coach may coach from directly in front of the dugout.
OTHER:
27. Snacks/Tickets – It has been league standard for parents to buy tickets for kids after each game. This benefits our concessions and makes it easier on parents. Kids love it.
28. Makeup games will be played only as the result of a rainout. If a team cannot field 8 of its original players for whatever reason, the game will be declared a forfeit.