NOTE: Any rules in red text indicate changes from the previous season.

• General Rules, Guidelines, and Information

  • Player Participation

    1. Each player in attendance of any game must play 2 continuous innings of defense and bat at least once.
    2. If a player is placed on disciplinary restriction by the coach. Notice must be given to the umpire staff and the opposing coach prior to the start of the game.
    3. The 2 innings participation rule can and should be waived in case of injury.
    4. Players not under restriction but not allowed to play due innings due to a shortened game will start the next game and play the entire game.

  • Insufficient Number of Players

    1. In 10U (National), 12U (American) and 15U (Pony) Leagues, a team may start and play with a minimum of 8 players without penalty. Midgets may start with 7. No outs will be given for absent batters.
    2. Late arriving regular team players will be added to the end of the batting order in 8U (Midget), 10U (National) and 12U (American) Leagues.
    3. If a team has an insufficient number of players at game start time or after the game starts, no more than 15 minutes will be given to find eligible pick-up players. At the end of 15 minutes, the team short players will automatically forfeit.
    4. If a base runner is injured on the field and cannot continue and player number drops below 9 for 10U (National), 12U (American) and 15U (Pony), 10 for 8U (Midget), the player who made the last offensive out will pinch run for the injured player.
    5. Teams are allowed to finish a game with 7 players in the event of an injury and there are no eligible pick-up players to be found. No outs will be issued if the injured player is due to bat.
    6. Pick-up players are allowed to be used throughout the regular season and tournaments as long as the following criteria are met:
       • The opposing coach and the umpire are notified prior to the start of the game.
       • The pick-up player plays in the outfield only.
       • The pick-up player bats last in the lineup.
       • Pick-up players must be from the league lower. Exception: Pony League may be from the same league.
       • Pick-up players must be members of the MJBSA or a participating association.
       • Players that “play up” as regular players on the roster of a MJBSA affiliated team in an older age are ineligible to play as pick-up player in the lower age group even though they are age eligible.
       • No more than 2 pick-up players can play per team, not to exceed a starting line-up. (Example: Midget can pick up two players to a maximum of 10 players)
    7. Coaches do not have to play late arriving player(s) if the player(s) arrive after the 3rd inning has been completed.
    8. Late arriving team player(s) that have been substituted by a pick-up player(s), must replace the pick-up player(s) upon arrival, unless the late arriving player(s) have already been suspended due to disciplinary actions. All disciplinary actions must follow the guidelines as stated in article 1x -formal hearings - of the MJBSA constitution.

  • Safety Concerns & Equipment Abuse

    1. Any player identified as throwing any equipment, be it accidentally or intentionally, will be passed a team violation as follows: First offense: team warning both head coaches will be notified. Second offense: offending player will be called out. Third offense: player will be ejected from the game. Penalties are assessed to each team independent of any violations by the opposing team. Exception to the above, a player who intentionally throws a bat may be ejected from the game at the discretion of the umpire.
    2. A player can be called out and or ejected from the game if the offense is to intentionally harm another player, coach or fan.

  • Base Running & Sliding

    1. Base runners must avoid contact with a fielder in the process of fielding a ball or making a play at a base. Base runners approaching 2nd, 3rd, or home plate when a play is imminent will be declared out if there is a collision, between the runner and the fielder attempting to catch the ball, making a tag or force out if no attempt to slide is made.

  • Fielder Interference

    1. The fielders may not interfere with a base runner in the process of running the bases, if they are not in the process of fielding the ball or making an out attempt directly at a base. As a result, the runner will be awarded the base they were advancing to.

  • Equipment

    1. Balls: the home team is responsible for providing 2 new game balls, made of leather, at the start of each game.
    2. Helmets: helmets will give protection to the top of the head, temple area, ears, and the base of the skull. Helmets must be approved by the n. O. C. S. E.. The use of facemasks and retention straps are recommended, but not required.
    3. Gloves: each player must wear a baseball glove. A 1st baseman may use a glove designed especially for that position. The catcher’s position glove will be used at that position only.
    4. Bats: bats may be made of wood, aluminum, and other materials manufactured specifically for baseball play. Bats used in 8U (Midget) or 10U (National) leagues will not have a diameter greater than 2 1/4”. Bats used for 12U (American) league will not have a diameter greater than 2 5/8”. Bats used for 15U (Pony) league will not have a diameter greater than 2 5/8” and must have length/weight differential no greater than -5 (i.e., -3 is permissible; -7 is not a legal bat).
    5. Safety items: both coaches and the umpire staff must be notified of all medical protective items prior to the start of the game. Prior release from the attending physician must be available for review.

  • Other

    1. Time limits:
       • T-ball which plays exclusively by a 1 hour time limit. Transitional 6U league will play no new inning after 1 hour 30 minutes.
       • The time limit for 8U (Midget) league, 10 (National) league, and 12U (American) league is 2 hours 15 minutes. No new inning will commence after 2 hours 15 minutes from the start of the game, which will begin when the home team takes the field to start the 1st inning. This time should be dictated by the head umpire and noted on the scorebook by the home team. The umpire will notify the coaches of the last inning if near the time limit and the visiting team is preparing to bat. Games ending in a tie will be recorded as a tie.
       • Situations where dictated by back to back scheduling of games, in which case the umpire will inform both coaches prior to game start time that a time limit is in effect. In this situation no new inning will start within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time of the subsequent game.
       • At the umpire’s discretion, it may be necessary to call a game for safety reasons due to impending weather or darkness. If the game has not gone long enough to be called official (3 innings for Midget and National or 4 innings for American), the game will be rescheduled to resume play to completion at the next convenient opportunity. If the game was official in length at the time play was suspended AND the bottom half of the inning has been reached AND the home team is in the lead, the current score is the official ending score and the game will not be rescheduled for completion. For this purpose 2.5 (Midget and National) or 3.5 (American and Pony) innings are sufficient for an official game. Otherwise, games suspended prior to the completion of a full inning, will revert to the score at the end of the last complete inning unless the last inning resulted in a tie, in which case the game will be rescheduled to resume play to completion at the next convenient opportunity.
    2. Games tied at the end of regulation will play a maximum of 3 extra innings as necessary to determine a winner. Games tied after 3 extra innings will be recorded as a tie.
    3. Within 3 minutes of the recording of a 3rd out of any at bat, all players from both teams must be in position and ready to resume play. If, in the umpire’s opinion, resumption of game play is excessively delayed, a team warning will be issued at first offense. At each subsequent offense, the first batter will be awarded first base if it is the defensive team responsible for the delay. Alternatively, the first batter will be declared out if it is the offensive team responsible for the delay. Each team is allowed one warning before penalties will be invoked. When the catcher is on base when the 3rd out occurs, some leniency may be granted by the umpire. However, if the catcher is on base when the 2nd out occurs, a courtesy runner is encouraged to help avoid potential delays in the game.
    4. Where MJBSA participates in the leagues of surrounding communities such as Delaware Softball and (or) Triad Pony league, the rules of the respective association will supersede MJBSA specific rules.

• League Specific Rules

  • 8U (Midget) League

    Offensive

    1. Coaches will pitch to their team members. Pitches will be overhand from a distance of not less than 30’ and not more than 46’. The pitching speed should be altered by the coach to fit each batter’s ability.
    2. The entire team’s roster is the batting order. All batters must follow the batting order established before the game starts. It is up to the head coach to make-up the batting order.
    3. A team can score no more than 7 runs per inning.
    4. The batter will receive 5 pitches. If no hit occurs, the batter will be recorded as an out. If the batter foul tips the fifth pitch, the batter will continue to receive pitches until one is missed or put in play. If the batter is hit on the 5th pitch, he will receive another pitch.
    5. Runners may advance at will after the ball has been hit fair. However, base runners are only allowed to advance one base on an overthrow. Example: the batter hits the ball to the shortstop and the shortstop over throws the first baseman. At this point, the runner may attempt to advance to second base, but only at his own risk. If the first baseman retrieves the ball and attempts to make a play at second, but overthrows the second baseman, the runner must stop at second base and the play is dead. Note: if there are additional base runners on base at the time of the second overthrow, it is at the umpire’s discretion as to what base the runners will be awarded. This depends as to where the runners are when the dead ball is called. The intent of this rule is to develop the skills of the defensive player without risking additional errors. The Midget league is an instructional league and there fore must be played to promote skill development.
    6. There will be no headfirst sliding in the 8U (Midget) league while trying to advance to another base. Any player sliding headfirst while advancing a base will be called out. Headfirst sliding is permitted when attempted to return to a base that has already been achieved.

    Defensive

    1. There will be 10 defensive players allowed in the field while the ball is in play. They are to be positioned as follows: 4 must be in the outfield, 4 must be in the infield, 1 must occupy the pitcher’s position, and 1 must occupy the catcher’s position.
    2. Defensive players in the infield, except the pitcher and catcher, must not be more than 5 feet in front of the baseline until the ball is hit.
    3. Player’s playing the defensive pitching position must be positioned behind the team’s pitching coach with at least one foot inside the pitchers circle. Note: The pitching circle will be a 12’ diameter circle with the center located 46’ from the back of home plate.
    4. Throwing the ball to the circle does not guarantee a time out. Time outs will be awarded at the discretion of the umpire.
    5. Each defensive player will be required to play at least 2 complete innings at an infield position per game. Not enforced in tournament play.

    Other General Midget League Specifications

    1. A complete game is six innings with all games being official after three complete innings of play.
    2. There is no run rule in 8U (Midget) league.
    3. Baseball cleats are restricted to rubber only.
    4. There is no leading off or stealing in 8U (Midget) league.
    5. Bunting is not allowed in 8U (Midget) league.
    6. The baseline length established for 8U (Midget) league is 60 ft.
    7. There will be no ties.
    8. The infield fly rule will not be enforced in 8U (Midget) league.
    9. If the offensive coach is hit by or inadvertently catches a batted ball, the play will be called a foul ball.

  • 10U (National) League

    Offensive

    1. The entire team’s roster is the batting order. All batters must follow the order established by the coach.
    2. There will be at least one umpire supplied for every game.
    3. The run rule is in effect for 10U (National) league. A run spread of 15 runs after 4 innings and 8 runs after 5 innings of play.
    4. A team can score no more than 7 runs per inning.
    5. The offensive side is retired after 3 defensive outs have been recorded.
    6. There will be no headfirst sliding in the 10U (National) league while trying to advance to another base. Any player sliding headfirst while advancing a base will be called out. Headfirst sliding is permitted when attempted to return to a base that has already been achieved.
    7. The dropped third strike rule is not in effect.

    Defensive

    1. There will be 9 defensive players allowed on the field while the ball is in play. They are to be positioned as follows: 3 must be positioned in the outfield 4 must be positioned in the infield 1 must be positioned on the pitcher’s mound 1 must be positioned at the catcher’s position.
    2. There will be open substitutions.

    Pitchers

    1. On the second visit to the mound by the coach in any inning, the pitcher must be removed from the position. Any pitcher removed by the coach on the second visit to the mound in the same inning may not return to the pitching position for the remainder of the game. Visits to the mound by the coaches will not be charged in the event of injury. Crossing the baseline and changing the pitchers from the dugout are both considered trips to the mound. If not removed by the second visit rule, pitchers may return to the pitching position in the same game as long as they had remained on the field in another defensive position until at least 1 batter has batted. ***To speed up the game, the coach will be allowed to remove a pitcher that is under major strain from the mound and place that player directly on the bench to recompose. The pitcher in question will not be able to return to the mound for the rest of the inning but to continue pitching in the present game, must return the next inning or be done pitching for the day. If the first pitcher does return the next inning, they may complete the game if they have enough innings to use. These will not void the relief pitcher’s chance to return to the mound but their innings will count toward their totals for the game/week. The intention of this rule is to maintain the safety of the players so they can recover to a playable condition.

    Catchers

    1. Are required to wear the following:
       • Shin guards
       • Chest protector
       • Top of head protective gear
       • Face mask with throat protector
       • A gender appropriate athletic supporter
       • A mitt designed especially for the catching position

    Two Walk Rule

    1. Only two base-on-balls per half inning will be allowed in 10U baseball. On the third walk of each half inning the batter will not be awarded first base. An offensive coach will take the mound and inherit the current strike count. The batter will be given up to three pitches to put a ball in play while the umpire continues to call strikes for the coach’s pitches. If the batter achieves a third strike while the coach in on the mound, whether by swing or by umpire call, the batter is recorded as an out. If the batter does not put a ball in play within three pitches (irrespective of where they are thrown), the batter is recorded an out. If the batter fouls off the third (and greater) pitch, the batter will receive another pitch.
    2. A hit batter is NOT considered a walk and does NOT count toward the two-walk limit.
    3. Bunting and stealing are NOT permitted while a coach is on the mound.
    4. The coach must throw from the pitching rubber.
    5. Rotating pitchers has no influence on the 2 walk rule: maximum of 2 walks per half inning irrespective of number of pitchers used in the inning.
    6. The defensive player at the pitcher’s position will remain beside or behind the pitching rubber until the ball is released by the coach-pitcher, at which time he may charge the plate if he so chooses.
    7. If the offensive coach is hit by or inadvertently catches a batted ball, the play will be called a foul ball.
    8. These rules have been put into place to speed up the game, increase competitive parity, encourage hits over walks, and allow coaches greater flexibility to develop additional pitchers.

    Other General National League Specifications

    1. Baseball cleats are restricted to rubber only.
    2. A complete game is 6 innings with all games being official after 3 complete innings of play.
    3. Bunting is permitted in 10U (National) league.
    4. There is no leading off in this league. Stealing is allowed. Base runners may start after the ball has crossed the plate. If the runner leaves early, the ball is dead and play stops. A) First offense-team warning. B) Second offense-runner will be called out. Stealing home is not permitted while the catcher is in the process of throwing the ball back to the pitcher. If the pitcher does not maintain control/catch the ball when thrown from the catcher, base runners may advance.
    5. The runner cannot advance further than the base the runner initially attempted to steal. Example: the runner attempts to steal 2nd base and the catcher makes a bad throw (overthrow) the runner must stop at 2nd base.
    6. When a walk is issued, the batter may only advance to 1st base. Stealing 2nd on a walk is not permitted.
    7. Baseline length for 10U (National) league is 60 feet.
    8. The pitching distance for 10U (National) league is 46 feet.
    9. Each pitcher will be limited to a max of 3 innings per game and 9 innings per week, and although innings are not required to be consecutive, pitchers can only return to the pitching position once per game. The pitching week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. This will not be adjusted in the event of “make-up”games. Note: 1 pitch thrown in an inning counts as a complete inning.
    10. The post season tournament will be treated as a week unto itself. The inning count for pitchers does NOT reset to zero for tournaments that continue into the following week.
    11. The elevated mound is optional.
    12. The batter must make a reasonable effort to avoid being hit by errant pitches. Failure to do so in an attempt to “take one for the team” will result in a dead-ball.
    13. If a pitcher hits 3 batters in a game, the pitcher must be removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game. Per item 11, a dead-ball called due to failure of the batter to attempt to avoid the pitch will not count against the pitcher’s hit batter total.

  • 12U (American) League

    Offensive

    1. The entire roster will be the batting order. All batters must follow the batting order as established by the coach. If there are only eight players the ninth position will not be an out.
    2. There should be 2 umpires supplied for every game.
    3. A complete game is 6 innings with all games being official after 4 innings.
    4. The offensive side is retired after 3 defensive outs have been recorded.
    5. The run rule is in effect in 12U (American) league. A run spread of 15 run after 4 innings and 12 runs after 5 innings of play.

    Defensive

    1. There will be 9 defensive players allowed on the field, they are to be positioned as follows:
       • 3 must be positioned in the outfield
       • 4 must be positioned in the infield
       • 1 must be positioned at the pitcher’s mound 1 must be positioned at the catcher’s position
    2. There will be open substitution.

    Pitchers

    1. On the second visit to the mound by the coach during any inning, the pitcher must be removed from the position. Any pitcher removed by the coach on the second visit to the mound in the same inning may not return to the pitching position for the remainder of the game. Visits to the mound by the coach will not be charged in the event of in injury. Crossing the baseline and changing pitchers from the dugout are both considered trips to the mound. If not removed by the second visit rule, pitchers may return to the pitching position in the same game as long as they had remained on the field at another defensive position until another batter has batted.

    Catchers

    1. Are required to wear the following:
       • Shin guards
       • Chest protector
       • Top of head protective gear
       • Face mask with throat protector
       • A gender appropriate athletic supporter
       • A mitt designed especially for the catching position

    Other General American League Specifications

    1. Baseball cleats are restricted to rubber only.
    2. Bunting is allowed in 12U (American) league.
    3. Runners are allowed to lead off and steal. If a catcher makes an attempt to throw out a runner attempting to steal, the ball will remain live and the runner can advance at his/her own risk.
    4. If a pitcher throws to any base in an attempt to hold a runner, and the ball hits the fielder, the ball is live. If the ball totally missed by the fielder (overthrow, wild throw), it is a dead ball and all base runners will be awarded 1 base. The intention of this rule is to develop the pitcher’s pick-off move.
    5. Only obvious balks will be called. There will be 2 warnings issued to each pitcher before a balk will be called and a penalty will be awarded. (Refer to Ohio high school athletic association rulebook).
    6. The baseline distance for this league is 70 feet.
    7. The infield-fly rule will be enforced in 12U (American) league. The infield fly rule applies when there are fewer than two outs, and there is a force play at third (runners on first and second base, or bases loaded). If a fair fly ball (infield or outfield) is hit that, in the umpire's judgment, is catchable by an infielder with ordinary effort, the batter is out regardless of whether the ball is actually caught or not.
    8. The pitching distance for 12U (American) league is 48 feet.
    9. Each pitcher will be limited to a max of 3 innings per game and 9 innings per week, and although innings are not required to be consecutive, pitchers can only return to the pitching position once per game. The pitching week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. This will not be adjusted in the event of “make-up”games. Note: 1 pitch thrown in an inning counts as a complete inning.
    10. The post season tournament will be treated as a week unto itself. The inning count for pitchers does NOT reset to zero for tournaments that continue into the following week.
    11. The batter must make a reasonable effort to avoid being hit by errant pitches. Failure to do so in an attempt to “take one for the team” will result in a dead-ball.
    12. If a pitcher hits 3 batters in any game, or two batters in a single inning, the pitcher must be removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game. Per item 12, a dead-ball called due to failure of the batter to attempt to avoid the pitch will not count against the pitcher’s hit batter total.
    13. The dropped 3rd strike rule is in effect in 12U (American) league. On an uncaught third strike with no runner on first base (or with two outs regardless of whether there is a runner on first), the batter immediately becomes a runner. The strike is called, but the umpire does not call the batter out. The batter can then attempt to reach first base, and must be tagged or thrown out. If, at the time of the strike three pitch, first base is occupied with fewer than 2 outs, the batter is out and does not become a runner.
    14. The elevated pitcher’s mound is optional in 12U (American) league.

  • 15U (Pony) League

    Offensive

    1. Ohio high school athletic association rules are in effect except for the MJBSA league specific rules outlined below.
    2. The baseline distance is 80 feet for Pony league.
    3. The pitching distance for is 54 feet.
    4. The elevated pitching mound is optional.
    5. There is a limit of 12 innings pitched per week. The pitching week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.
    6. A licensed umpire must be behind the plate.
    7. There will be one balk warning per pitcher before a balk is called and a penalty is awarded.
    8. Slug bunting is prohibited. The batter will be declared out and a dead ball will result with all runners returning to the base (s) they started from.
    9. Each player must play 2 consecutive innings of defense and bat at least once unless the game ends prematurely and then players must start the next game.
    10. Bats used for Pony league will not have a diameter greater than 2 5/8” and must have a length/weight differential no greater than -5 (i.e., -3 is permissible; -7 is not a legal bat).
    11. Rubber or Steel Cleats are permitted.
    12. The entire roster will be the batting order. All batters must follow the batting order as established by the coach. If there are only eight players the ninth position will not be an out.
    13. As MJBSA pony league teams also play teams in surrounding communities, there is considerable opportunity for inconsistencies in rules. In all cases, the visiting team will be expected to abide by and respect the rules of the home team. The MJBSA league commissioner and (or) director of baseball will coordinate exchange of respective rules among surrounding leagues and coaches to minimize opportunity for confusion.

  • Jr. ACME League

    Rules governing this league can be found at the ACME Baseball Congress website.