2/3 Baseball Rules

New Skills to Teach

NO metal cleats. If non-metal cleats aren't available, tennis shoes should be worn.
Both ears need to be covered by the helmet when hitting or catching.
When outside the dugout, all batters must have a helmet on.
Bats requirements
- Must be USA stamped. NO Tee Ball stamped bats allowed.
This age division will play with a Rawlings 8U ball.

Base distance - 60’
Pitcher’s mound length - 40’
The player pitcher must stay as close to the mound as possible as the pitch is thrown.

Two 4-inning games. (unless home field team specifies one 7-inning game is necessary due to field restrictions like no lights at field)
First game play through a tie until the game is won. Adjust for the second game as necessary.
No new inning will start after 8:30 for the 2nd game. 2nd game can end in a tie.
Last inning of 2nd game can be finished out by home team if both teams agree on it.
5-run rule for an inning
Last inning is open to allow more than 5 runs.
10-run rule after 3 innings

Bunting is not allowed.
Base-Running
- Lead-off not allowed until the ball is hit.
- If they hit the ball into the grass outfield, base runner can attempt to advance 2 bases max. This includes hard grounders that roll to the outfield.
- Overthrown balls at the base – the runner can attempt to advance 1 base.
- Runners MUST attempt to avoid contact with a defensive player at any base or home plate.
Hitting
- Every dressed player bats regardless if they are on the bench or in the game defensively.
- 5 swinging strikes or 7 pitches. If a batter fouls, it counts as a strike, but a batter cannot strike out on a foul ball. No tee should be used.

Pitching
- Coach pitch is preferred, but the use of a pitching machine is allowed by the team who wishes to use it. Whichever method the coach feels is more accurate.
Play 10 players (4 outfielders)
Every player plays at least 2 innings defensively in a game.
Fielders are never allowed to block a base or the plate without the ball.