Rule 17: LOCAL LEAGUE RULES: AGES 9 through 12

A. First and third baselines shall be seventy (70) feet for eleven (11) year old and twelve (12) year old leagues. First and third baselines shall be sixty-five (65) feet for nine (9) year old and ten (10) year old leagues.

B. The pitching distance from the front of the rubber to the point at the rear or home plate shall be fifty (50) feet for eleven (11) year old and twelve (12) year old leagues. The pitching distance from the front of the rubber to the point at the rear or home 

 plate shall be forty-six (46) feet for nine (9) year old and ten (10) year old leagues.

C. A regulation game consists of six (6) innings with a time limit of one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes. No inning shall start after time has expired, unless the game is tied. Only one (1) extra inning will be played in the event of a tie game once the required number of innings has been played or the time limit has expired. (See Rule 6 H). The P.A. system for the announcer will be turned off at 10:00P.M. There is a maximum of seven (7) runs per inning. The mercy rule is in effect after a completed inning beginning with the fourth (4), or 3 1/2 if the home team is ahead using mathematical elimination. In the event a game is called due to inclement weather or other causes, the game will be official if four (4) innings (3 1/2 if the home team is ahead) have been completed and the score is not tied. If four (4) innings (3 1/2 if the home team is ahead) or more have been played, the last full inning will be the official score. Games shortened before they have become official games shall be resumed from the point of termination.

D. All players must play a minimum of six (6) defensive outs over no more than two (2) innings in a regulation game. Exceptions are granted for injured or ejected players. Free substitution for players other than the pitcher is in effect. If a game is shortened due to inclement weather or other clauses and a player does not get to play (6) six defensive outs this rule does not apply.

E. Each team will have continuous batting. The batting order may not be changed once the game has started. Late arrivals must be placed at the bottom of the batting order. No late arrival may enter the game after the completion of the first rotation of the batting order.

F. If a player is injured or becomes ill during the play of a game, that player's subsequent plate appearances count as an automatic out, unless the League Director or their representative agrees with the removal. Players who are unavailable for their plate appearance for other reasons (including but not limited to batting out of order) will be an automatic out, unless authorization by the League Director is obtained and the opposing coach is notified prior to the game. Players ejected will not be scored an automatic out at their subsequent plate appearance but a player's ejection will carry a suspension from participation at his or her team's next game. All player ejections will be reported to the League Director and reviewed by the Executive Board. If a team begins the game with 8 players, they must take an out each time the vacant 9th spot in the batting order comes up.

G. Any runner shall be out if, in the sole judgment of the umpire, the runner intentionally makes contact with a fielder or unintentionally makes contact that impedes the fielder's ability to make a play on the ball. This does not mean that a player is required to slide, although a failure to slide is indicative of intentional contact. Any intentional contact to the fielder will result in an automatic out. Head-first slides will result in an automatic out. Diving back to a base will not be called an out.

H. Official baseball rules govern leading off bases and stealing for the ten (10), eleven (11), and twelve (12) year old leagues. A base runner in the nine (9) year old league may not leave the base until the ball crosses the plate. A runner leaving early will result in a "no pitch" and the runner will return to his or her base without penalty. If a play is made by the batter or against a runner, the defensive coach will have the option of returning the batter to his or her previous count or taking the defensive play. The team will also receive an official warning from the umpire. For each violation occurring after the official warning, the base runner will be deemed out and the pitch will result in a “no pitch”. Decisions made under this rule are deemed made “in the umpire’s judgment” and cannot be overturned by the League Director or be made the subject of a protest.

I. The infield fly rule will be in effect.

J. The catcher must wear a protective cup. The catcher must wear a mask with throat protector at any time he is receiving pitches. Cages on the batting helmet are required through age 9 and strongly recommended through age 12. Metal cleats are not allowed.

K. No one except the first base and the third base coaches, and the batter and the player "on deck", are allowed outside of the dugout. All other coaches are required to remain in their dugouts.

L. Pitching will be governed by Rule 19.