River Valley Youth Baseball League
(Chillicothe, Dunlap, Henry, Midland, Minonk, Mossville, Notre Dame, Toluca, Washburn, Wenona)
Boys Majors (11-12) Baseball Rules – 2020
General rules of baseball apply with the following Additional Local Rules:
1. To be eligible, players must be at least eleven (11) or not turn thirteen (13) before September 1st of this summer.
2. It is permissible to “play up” as a ten (10) year-old if a youngster is deemed prepared by the Rec Board’s Evaluation Committee during the annual player evaluations.
3. Eleven and twelve-year old travel players are not permitted to pitch. Ten-year old travel players are permitted to pitch. The one exception is that eleven-year old travel players who have not pitched in a travel tournament game can pitch in regular season house games only (cannot pitch in the end of season house tournament). It is the coach’s responsibility to adhere to the spirit and intent of this rule.
4. Each game consists of 7 innings (except as note in item 8) below). Bases are set at 70 feet. Pitching at 48 Feet. No Steel spikes or cleats.
5. Coaches are responsible for their team’s behavior. All players should be seated on the bench in the dugouts while the game is in progress (hands are to be kept off the fences during play). The only exceptions are the on-deck batter in the designated area and/or pitcher/catchers in the appropriate bullpen area.
6. Coaches are asked to remind parents/guardians that they are responsible for the behavior of any siblings attending the games.
7. Teams may score no more than 5 runs per inning, except the last inning (15-run rule applies after 5 innings).
8. Unlimited score inning shall be declared at the beginning of the 7th inning or any inning beginning at or beyond 1 hour and 45 minutes, whichever occurs first.
9. Games ending in a tie can go extra innings provided both coaches are in agreement, the field is available and proper lighting exists (we need to keep kids safe).
10. A minimum of seven (7) players is needed to start a game. A team may pull laterally from another team, as long as the roster does not exceed 10 players. Any player pulled laterally may not pitch or catch and must bat at the end of the order. This does not apply to players pulled up.
11. All play is IMMEDIATELY suspended if lightning or thunder is present anywhere within sight or sound of the field. “If you can see it flee It” and head directly for covered indoor shelters or vehicles. NO EXCEPTIONS and this rule applies to practices as well. Per the National Lightning Safety Institute, individuals should not return to the fields until Thirty (30) Minutes have elapsed. “HEAT” Lightning is equally as dangerous as “regular” bolts.
12. Home team maintains the official score book and they are charged with confirming the score and upcoming batting order with the visiting team each half inning.
13. All late arrival additions must be announced and recognized by both teams.
14. Any concerns brought to the umpires attention should be discussed in the presence of both umpires and head coaches
15. Judgment decisions by the umpires are final and protests regarding rule interpretations must be brought to the attention of a Board Member. If none is present, play on and we will attempt to develop a better understanding by the next game.
16. To avoid the potential for injury, runners must slide FEET FIRST on all close plays (HEAD FIRST slides are not permissible and result in an additional warning, with subsequent violations resulting in an automatic out).
17. Runners must touch the orange side of the safety first base and defenders the white side
18. Leading off is permitted. One baulk warning per pitcher per game. After a warning, all runners will advance one base on a called baulk.
19. Stealing is permitted, home plate is open.
20. Infield fly rule and dropped 3rd strike rules apply.
21. All players will bat in the batting order consecutively. Nine (9) players will take the field defensively.
22. Free substitution is allowed defensively, with the exception that once a pitcher is replaced, he may not return to pitch in that game.
23. Each player must play a minimum of 3 innings defensively. The only exception is for legitimate disciplinary reasons. All boys should have the opportunity to start every other game.
24. Pitchers are allowed 7 warm-up pitches at first and 5 pitches between innings.
25. Pitching Limits: Pitchers are limited to 4 innings per game and 8 innings per week. One pitch constitutes an inning. 30 League Tournaments: Pitching limits will be provided as part of the tournament rules.
26. Two umpires will be provided per game. Minimum umpire age is 15 years old as of May 1st . Patched umpires are not required.
COACHES/PARENTS/FANS should be always mindful that this is a recreational baseball league that is primarily concerned with the participants learning to improve their fundamentals and to enjoy the FUN OF THE GAME. Please feel free to cheer your child and/or their teammates. INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT towards the umpires (remember that they aren’t professionals) or the other team or their fans WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will lead to a warning and/or temporary or permanent dismissal from the Park for the remainder of the season.