This will be considered the official playing rules of the United Baseball and Softball Association (UBSA). The UBSA League consists of the following individual associations: Godbey, Marietta Bantam, St. Marys/Pleasants County, Vienna, Newport, Dugout, and Williamstown. Each association will follow their own bylaws, codes of conduct, and policies currently in place as they pertain to their fields. If a situation is not covered by the rules set below, the default direction will be the NFHS Rules, confirmed by the UBSA Board and designated president.
General
1) There will be a 5 run limit per inning for innings 1-5 of a sixth inning game (1-6 of a seven inning game), except when a batted ball travels over a fence. Teams need to record 3 outs in inning number 6 (or 7). (14u baseball will have a limit of 7 runs per inning)
2) Any player receiving a walk may round first and try for second at own risk.
3) Runners must avoid intentional contact with any player when advancing. Runners should slide when a play is at the plate, 2nd,or 3rd base. It is umpire’s discretion to call runners out for failing to slide or making unnecessary contact. Coaches need to get their catchers off the plate and other fielders off bases when no play is being made at the plate or any base. Any intentional running over the catcher by a runner will result in that runner being declared out, and the possibility of the umpire ejecting the said runner.
4) Slung bat will be a team warning for the first offense and after that will result in the batter being declared out.
7) If a coach, player, or spectator is thrown out of a game they will be suspended for one game thereafter the offense. They will leave the premises immediately, failure to do so will result in a forfeit by that team. If a coach, player, or spectator is thrown out for a second time, they will be disqualified from the league. This will be enforced by each individual organization.
8) A player may only be rostered on one team within an age bracket for the season. Substitutes may be used as needed to make a full team of 9, from younger age groups or same age group as needed. Substitutes must play an outfield position and bat last in the lineup.
Equipment
1) The batter, all runners and on deck hitter are always required to wear a helmet while on the field.
2) All bats must have USSSA (1.15 BPF for baseball 1.20 BPF for softball) or USA stamp to be approved for play. Wood bats are permittedin baseball and must be designated for youth play. BBCOR Bats are permitted in 12u and 14u baseball only. *Bats which meet these rules will be allowed in league play unless the bat is listed on the USSSA Withdrawn/Non-Compliant Bats List.
3) All helmets must be NOCSAE approved.
5) The use of hit sticks or like devices are prohibited once the game begins.
6) Heart Guards are required for all pitchers. Protective face masks are required for 8u pitchers.
7) Catcher must wear NOCSAE approved headgear with mask, chest protector, shin guards and athletic supporter with cup.
8) All 8u & 10u softball players must wear a protective face mask while playing defense.
9) Baseballs/softballs will be provided by the home team. Baseballs will be a full leather construct. 8u/10u softball will use the optic yellow 11” with a core of .47 or less. 12u/14u softball will use the optic yellow 12” with a core of .47 or less.
Line Ups & Rosters
1) Line ups must be exchanged between coaches and scorekeepers prior to games. Lineups must list name on back of jersey and uniform number. The home team will be the official book.
2) The home team is responsible toreport the score of the game into the league in a matter to be determined at coaches meeting prior to season start within 24 hours of the game completion.
3) A team may start and finish a game with 8 players, but that team must take an out in the 9th spot of the batting line-up. 8U & 10U teams starting a game with 9 players will not have to take an out in the l0th spot.
4) A player showing up late after lineups have been exchanged or game has started, will go into the last spot in the batting order and begin playing in the field whenever the coach decides.
5) Team Rosters- each team must submit a team roster with full names and birthdates for all kids on the team prior to the start of the season. No kid may be added to any roster after that date without permission from league commissioner or league board.
Pitching
Baseball
1) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game. We go by outs as stated below. For the players safety we trust that all coaches know the players arm status and their pitch count paying attention to any signs of over use which could result in injury to the player)
2) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher.
3) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position.
A pitcher may pitch 12 outs per game (or 12 outs per day during doubleheaders) if they did not pitch the previous night or if they are not on their two day rest period as stated below.. If a pitcher pitched any outs the night before they can pitch 9 outs max the next day.. If a pitcher pitches 2 days in a row that pitcher cannot pitch for at least 2 days due to rest. If an inning ends due to the run limit being reached and there are zero outs, the current pitcher will be charged with all 3 outs. If there are 1 or 2 outs when the run limit is reached, the appropriate pitcher should have already been charged those outs and the current pitcher will be charged the remaining outs to make 3 for the inning.
4) The home team will keep a “Out Card” for each game that will be confirmed by both teams in between innings. Submission of this card will be required by the home team during the submission of the game score. It is the responsibility of each head coach to confirm the pitch totals are correct before signing card. Once card is signed, it is official.
5) A pitcher may play any position in the field after leaving the mound. This includes the catcher’s position.
6) Mound height should be 6” high.
7) Pitchers will be given ample time to warm up prior to entering a game (8 pitches)
Softball
1) A single pitcher can pitch a maximum of four innings per game. One pitch during an inning is considered an inning pitched. In the event of a double header, pitchers are limited to a total of 8 innings pitched in a day.
Game Length
1) Baseball 8u, 10u, 12u: 6 innings 14u: 7 innings
Softball 8u, 10u, 12u,14u: 6 innings
2) Two hour time limit for all games. Once time limit is reached, current inning will be completed. The umpire may stop the game at 2 ½ hours (Hard Stop) if the score is extremely lopsided. Game will revert to last completed inning unless home team is ahead. The start of a new inning will begin when the last out is recorded of the previous inning. Score will revert to last completed inning unless home team is ahead.
3) If because of darkness or time limit a game is called, the score of the last completed inning will count as the official score of the game, unless home team is leading. (Except for playoff games)
4) Coaches and umpires should ensure all players hustle on and off the field between innings to try to get a full 6(7) innings played.
5) Courtesy runners may be used for pitchers and catchers.
6) Speed up play - Batters shall keep one foot in the box during an At-Bat unless time is call, a foul ball occurs, or a play is being made at the plate.
7) No coach shall try to employ tactics to slow the progress of the game to ensure a win.
8) 4 innings will be considered a regulation (complete) game (3 ½ if Home team is ahead) and those scores will be recorded, except for playoff games. If the game is canceled due to rain/lightning prior to the 4th inning being completed, then the game will be picked up exactly where it ended on another night.
9) If one team has a lead of 10 runs or more after the game becomes a regulation game (4 Innings complete), the game is over.
10) For 10u, 12u and 14u during the regular season, when the game is tied after six/seven innings have been played, a “Texas Shootout” will take place. As follows; last out in inning is put on 2nd base.
11) All playoff games will be six(seven) innings unless the mercy rule is in effect. In addition, all playoff games will go to extra innings if tied after the sixth inning or any inning after that (No Texas Shootout).
Game Cancellations, Make Up Games and Playoffs
1) It is the home team’s responsibility to coordinate and reschedule all make up games at the earliest time that both teams can be available. All games that are cancelled, should be scheduled within 48 hours to be played within ten days of the original date (if possible).
Age Specific Rules
8u Baseball
1) Game Length: 6 innings
2) No Metal Cleats
3) Player catchers will be optional; a coach will/can stand behind the plate/catcher to retrieve the ball. If a team does not use a catcher, any ball that travels less than 10 feet in front of the plate in fair territory will be considered a dead ball/no pitch and the at bat will continue.
4) No more than two 8U coaches are permitted on the field (outfield only) when their team is on defense.
5) 8U will play lead runner. Once lead runner is stopped and is not attempting to advance, the play will be considered dead. Throwing the ball to the circle DOES NOT STOP THE PLAY. You must keep the lead runner from advancing. If an umpire is present, they will call “Time” to end the play.
6) All batters will get up to 5 pitches regardless of whether they swing or not. The at bat will continue if the 5thpitch is fouled off. Any hit ball that hits the coach pitcher will be considered a dead ball/no pitch. Batter remains at the plate; all base runners will not advance. Pitching distance will be a minimum of 30 feet. Player pitcher must be within 6 feet of coach pitcher and cannot be closer to the batter than the coach pitcher.
7) Infield fly will not be in effect.
8) Each team can field 10 defensive players (5 infielders and 5 outfielders), parent or coach to stand behind the catcher to retrieve ball.
9) Every team member present will be put in the batting line-up.
10) With all players being put in the lineup this enables coaches to play any player at any position any inning during the game. Players must play a minimum of 2 innings on defense.
11) If an injury or a situation other than ejection occurs causing a player to have to leave game, they are just skipped over in the lineup with no automatic out occurring. If a player is ejected from a game, it will be an automatic out when their spot in the lineup comes up.
12) If a team has less than 10 players, they may bring up players from a lower age group within their home league to get to 10 players. Those said players being called up must bat in the last positions of the lineup and play outfield on defense.
13) No headfirst slides unless diving back to a bag
14) If there is an overthrow at 1st base, all runners may only advance 1 additional base.
10u Baseball
1) Game Length 6 innings
2) No Metal Cleats
3) Pitcher’s rubber will be set at 46 feet and base paths will be 60 feet.
4) No leading off. If a player is caught leaving early the ump shall declare no pitch and on the first occasion give a team warning. On any other occasion after a team has received a warning the ump will declare the base runner out.
5) There will be no cat and mouse between catcher, pitcher, and runner on 3rd base.
- Runner on 3rd may attempt to advance on a passed ball, a batted ball, or if a play is being made on him/her or anywhere else in the field.
- If the catcher catches the pitch and makes a clean throw back to the pitcher, the runner on 3rd may not advance on the throw unless the pitcher fails to catch it.
- Once runner takes a step back to third, he/she must return to 3rdbase unless a play is being made on him/her or elsewhere in the field or if the pitcher fails to catch the return throw.
6) There are no intentional walks in 10U.
7) Infield fly rule will be in effect and drop 3rd strike will not be played in 10u.
8) Each team can field 10 defensive players
9) Every team member present will be put in the batting line-up.
10) With all players being put in the lineup this enables coaches to play any player at any position any inning during the game. Players must play a minimum of 2 innings on defense.
11) If an injury or a situation other than ejection occurs causing a player to have to leave game, they are just skipped over in the lineup with no automatic out occurring (unless that drops the team down to 8 players or below). If a player is ejected from a game, it will be an automatic out when their spot in the line np comes up.
12) If a team has less than 10 players, they may bring up players from a lower age group within their home league to get to 10 players. Those said players being called up must bat in the last positions of the lineup, play outfield on defense, and cannot pitch.
13) No headfirst slides unless diving back to a bag
12u Baseball
1) Game Length 6 innings
2) No Metal Cleats
3) Pitcher’s rubber will be set at 50 feet and base baths will be 70 feet.
4) Leading off will be allowed and balks will be called
5) Intentional walks are allowed in 12U. (No pitches will be thrown; batter will be awarded first)
6) Infield fly rule will be in effect and drop 3rd strike will be played in 12u.
7) Headfirst slides are legal.
8) Each team will field 9 defensive players
9) Every team member present will be put in the batting line-up.
10) With all players being put in the lineup this enables coaches to play any player at any position any inning during the game. Players must play a minimum of 2 innings on defense.
11) If an injury or a situation other than ejection occurs causing a player to have to leave game, they are just skipped over in the lineup with no automatic out occurring (unless that drops the team down to 8 players or below). If a player is ejected from a game, it will be an automatic out when their spot in the lineup comes up.
12) If a team has less than 9 players, they may bring up players from a lower age group within their home league to get to 9 players. Those said players being called up must bat in the last positions of the lineup, play outfield on defense, and cannot pitch.
14u Baseball
1) Game Length 7 innings
2) Metal Cleats are allowed, except for on portable mounds.
3) Pitcher’s rubber will be set at 60 feet 6 inches and base baths will be 90 feet.
4) Leading off will be allowed and balks will be called
5) Intentional walks are allowed in 14U. (No pitches will be thrown; batter will be awarded first)
6) Infield fly rule will be in effect and drop 3rd strike will be played in 14u.
7) Headfirst slides are legal.
8) Each team will field 9 defensive players
9) Teams can bat 9 players, the entire line-up or anywhere in between, based on the coach’s decision. If batting less than entire roster, substitution rules will apply.
10) If batting the entire lineup and an injury or a situation other than ejection occurs causing a player to have to leave game, they are just skipped over in the lineup with no automatic out occurring (unless that drops the team down to 8 players or below). If a player is ejected from a game, it will be an automatic out when their spot in the lineup comes up.
11) Players must play a minimum of 2 innings on defense.
12) If a team has less than 9 players, they may bring up players from a lower age group within their home league to get to 9 players. Those said players being called up must bat in the last positions of the lineup, play outfield on defense, and cannot pitch.
13) Bats must be drop 5 or heavier and can be up to 2-5/8” barrel
8u Softball
1) Game Length: 6 innings
2) No Metal Cleats
3) No more than two 8U coaches are permitted on the field (outfield only) when their team is on defense.
4) 8U will play lead runner. Once lead runner is stopped and is not attempting to advance, the play will be considered dead. Throwing the ball to the circle DOES NOT STOP THE PLAY. You must keep the lead runner from advancing. If an umpire is present, they will call “Time” to end the play.
5) All batters will get up to 5 pitches regardless of whether they swing or not. The at bat will continue if the 5th pitch is fouled off. Any hit ball that hits the coach pitcher will be considered a dead ball/no pitch. Batter remains at the plate; all base runners will not advance. Pitching distance will be a minimum of 30 feet. Player pitcher must be within 6 feet of coach pitcher and cannot be closer to the batter than the coach pitcher.
6) Infield fly will not be in effect.
7) Each team can field 10 defensive players (1 catcher, 5 infielders, 4 outfielders), with a parent or coach volunteer to stand behind catcher to retrieve balls as needed.
8) Every team member present will be put in the batting line-up.
9) With all players being put in the lineup this enables coaches to play any player at any position any inning during the game. Players must play a minimum of 2 innings on defense.
10) If an injury or a situation other than ejection occurs causing a player to have to leave game, they are just skipped over in the lineup with no automatic out occurring. If a player is ejected from a game, it will be an automatic out when their spot in the line np comes up.
11) If a team has less than 10 players, they may bring up players from a lower age group within their home league to get to 10 players. Those said players being called up must bat in the last positions of the lineup and play outfield on defense.
12) No headfirst slides unless diving back to a bag
13) If there is an overthrow at 1st base, all runners may only advance 1 additional base. Once the ball is thrown to another base you can advance at will.
14) Baserunners can leave the base at contact.
10u/12u/14u Softball
1) Game Length 6 innings
2) No Metal Cleats
3) Pitcher’s rubber will be set at 35 feet for 10u, 40 feet for 12u and 43 feet for 14u and base paths will be 60 feet.
4) No leading off. If a player is caught leaving early the ump shall declare no pitch and on the first occasion give a team warning. On any other occasion after a team has received a warning the ump will declare the base runner out.
5) There are no intentional walks in 10u. Intentional walks are allowed in 12u/14u.
6) Infield fly rule will be in effect
7) No drop 3rd in 10u. Drop 3rd will be played in 12u/14u.
8) Each team can field 10 defensive players
9) Every team member present will be put in the batting line-up.
10) With all players being put in the lineup this enables coaches to play any player at any position any inning during the game. Players must play a minimum of 2 innings on defense.
11) If an injury or a situation other than ejection occurs causing a player to have to leave game, they are just skipped over in the lineup with no automatic out occurring (unless that drops the team down to 8 players or below). If a player is ejected from a game, it will be an automatic out when their spot in the line np comes up.
12) If a team has less than 10 players, they may bring up players from a lower age group within their home league to get to 10 players. Those said players being called up must bat in the last positions of the lineup, play outfield on defense, and cannot pitch.
13) No headfirst slides unless diving back to a bag
14) The look-back rule is in effect when the pitcher has possession of the ball in the pitcher's circle during a live ball and the batter-runner has reached first base. When the look back rule is in effect, any runner, who is stopped off base, must immediately advance to the next base or return to the base left and any runner, who is in motion, may stop once but then must immediately advance or return. The responsibility is completely on the runner. There is no obligation on the pitcher to look, fake, or throw. Failure to immediately proceed will result in the runner being declared out. Once the runner has returned or stops at any base for any reason, she will be declared out if she leaves the base. The runner is released from the look-back rule when: 1. A play is made on her or another runner. 2. The pitcher leaves the circle or drops the ball. 3. The pitcher releases the ball to the batter.
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