NOTE: Registration forms received after the deadline will not be accepted

·    There will be a post-season playoff tournament for all divisions/leagues at the conclusion of the regular season. Team qualification will be determined by the Associate Director of CYO Athletics and the baseball commission.

·    TBA requests will be granted for school-related functions and parish-related functions only and must be received by the registration deadline. Re-scheduling TBA games is the responsibility of the coach who requested the TBA. CYO Athletics must be notified when TBA games are re-scheduled.

RAINOUTS

·    The home team coach is responsible for checking the field prior to game time to determine whether or not the field is playable. If the field is unplayable, he or she must notify the umpires association at 206.954.7833 and the opposing coach at least TWO hours before game time.

·    The home team coach shall be responsible for re-scheduling rained out games (in agreement of the opposing coach) and notifying the league commissioner and the Associate Director of CYO Athletics.  A full week’s notice is necessary to provide umpires for the makeup game.  The league commissioner and the Associate Director of CYO Athletics have the authority to forfeit games that are not re-scheduled.

RULES

All CYO baseball teams will play according to the National Federation of State High School Associations rules unless otherwise specified in this manual or the rules outlined below. Each coach is responsible for having a copy of the rulebook and bringing the book to the game site. Each coach should also familiarize him or herself with these rules at the beginning of the season.

·    All games shall consist of seven innings or a time limit of 2 1/2 hours unless the game is tied. If a game is called on account of darkness or weather, four innings shall constitute a regulation game. Umpires are to record the game start time in the official scorebook.

·    5th/6th grade divisions will use a base distance of 60 feet and pitching distance of 46 feet. 7th/8th grade divisions will use a base distance of 80 feet and a pitching distance of 54 feet.

·    If a team is ahead by ten or more runs at the end of 5 innings, the game will be called using a “ten run rule”. 5th/6th grade division batters may not run on a dropped third strike.

·    If a runner maliciously slides or runs into a player, the runner will be removed from the game by their coach.

·    Any runner sliding head first other than as part of a pick-off play will be called out.

·    A runner must slide at home when a play can be made.

·    5th/6th grade players will be called out for leading off (leaving early) prior to a pitched ball crossing the plate.

·    Teams may not use a designated hitter.

·    All teams must have 9 players to start a game, but may finish with less than 9 players if an injury or the substitution rule makes it necessary.

POST-SEASON/PLAYOFF TOURNAMENT RULES:

·    The same lineup, substitution and playing time rules from the regular season apply.

·    No time limit for playoff games.

·    A coin toss will decide the home team in the championship games.

·    “Ten run rule” does not apply for championship games.

EQUIPMENT

·   Each team is to supply two new baseballs for each game. 5th/6th grade divisions will use a Little League approved baseball and the 7th/8th grade divisions will use a Babe Ruth or Pony approved baseball.

·   5th/6th grade divisions may use Little League approved bats that in diameter at the thickest part are 2 1/4" or less. 7th/8th grade divisions may use wood bats only (not composite or fungo bats).

·   5th and 6th graders must wear tennis or rubber cleated shoes only. 7th and 8th graders may wear steel cleated shoes.

·   The designated home team must furnish a scorebook and competent scorekeeper who will maintain the official score book for that contest.

PLAYING TIME, PITCHING AND SUBSTITUTION POLICIES

·   Every team in the 5th and 6th grade divisions will be required to place every player on the roster in the batting line-up. It is expect-ed that each player plays 2 innings in the field every game, including playoffs.

·   In the 7th and 8th grade divisions, it is expected that each player plays 2 innings in the field and gets at least one at-bat in every game, including playoffs.

·   Infractions of the playing time policy will result in a warning for the 1^st offense and a suspension for the offending coach for the 2^nd (and any subsequent offenses).

·   5th/6th grade division players may only pitch a total of 4 innings in any one game, and may pitch a total of 8 innings during any 72 hour period.

·   7th/8th grade division players may only pitch a total of 10 innings during any 72-hour period.

·   Scheduled game's starting time to scheduled game's starting time shall be the criteria used in the 72-hour rule.

·   Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched an inning. The inning pitch count shall apply to all organized baseball.  Infractions of this rule will result in forfeiture.

·   For 7^th/8^th grade, any of the starting players may withdraw and re-enter provided such player occupies the same batting position in the lineup. A substitute who is withdrawn MAY also re-enter provided such player occupies the same batting position on the lineup.

·   A pitcher removed from the pitching position and remaining in the lineup may pitch again provided that at least one batter has been put out or reached base, or a third out has been made.