Baseball Division Rules
Mini Division - Ages 7-8
1. Base length shall be 60 feet.
2. All players will bat in the Mini Division, regardless of whether or not they are in the field.
3. In the interest of safety and maximum playing time the Board strongly suggests the use of chinstraps on all batting helmets.
4. A base runner may not lead off the base before the ball crosses the plate. PENALTY: First offense the team is warned. Following occurrences the base runner is out.
5. A base runner is limited to stealing one base at a time. A base runner may steal any base except home. If a play is made on any base runner other than the throw to second base on an attempted steal of second base or the throw to third base on the attempted steal of third base, the ball becomes live and base runners may advance at their own risk including advancing from third base to home. For example: A team with base runners on first and third could advance those runners at their own risk if the defensive team threw to third base or first base in attempt to put out a base runner. The base runner on third base cannot advance if the defensive team is attempting to put out the base runner stealing second base.
6. Only one base may be taken on an overthrow. EXCEPTION: A base runner is limited to stealing one base at a time regardless of an overthrow during the attempted steal. If, after a batted ball, the defense attempts to play on any runner other than the batter runner at first base, all runners may advance one base on each overthrow at their own risk. This batter runner may also advance at his own risk if any other runner is played upon.
7. The double safety base will be used at first base.
8. The infield fly rule will not be applied.
9. Each player shall play at least one inning on the infield each game. EXCEPTION: Written request from a parent to not play infield. No player shall sit the bench more than one inning per game unless every player has sat at least one inning. Players who have not shown up prior to the first pitch are excluded from this rule but are still subject to Ken Berry General Rule #1 concerning player participation.
10. Five innings or 1 hour 30 minutes shall constitute a complete game. If the umpire calls the game due to rain, darkness or other cause which makes further play impossible, a game shall be considered complete provided 3 innings have been played or 2 and one-half innings have been played if the home team is ahead. A ten run lead constitutes a complete game at the end of 4 innings or 3 and one half innings if the home team is ahead.
11. Each one-half inning is complete after three outs, or five runs whichever occurs first. EXCEPTION: All runs scored by a home run over the fence shall count.
12. The front legs of the pitching machine shall be positioned 40 feet from the rear point of home base. The pitching machine speed shall be no less than 39 MPH for both age divisions.
13. An offensive coach shall be in charge of delivering the pitch to the batter. A batted or throw ball shall be declared dead if an offensive coach who is running the pitching machine touches a live ball. The umpire shall rule where runners are to placed if he rules that there is any interference with play.
14. Each batter shall receive 5 pitches or will get 3 swings at legal pitches, whichever occurs first. If the batter fouls off the 5th pitch or the 3rd swing, he will continue to receive pitches until he either puts a ball in play, looks at a legal pitch without swinging, or swings and misses a pitch.
15. If a batted ball strikes any part of the pitching machine, the ball is declared dead and the batter shall awarded first base. All other runners shall advance one base from the base they occupied at the time of the pitch.
16. The umpire shall declare a no pitch if, in his judgment, the pitch did not cross the plate in the strike zone. If a batter is hit by a pitch, the ball will be declared dead and it shall not count as a legal pitch to the batter. The batter cannot advance to first base and no other runners may advance on the pitch.
17. The player pitcher shall position himself on the left or right of the machine at his discretion. He must remain behind the front legs of the pitching machine until the ball crosses the plate. RULE 18 Penalty: The offensive team may take the result of the play or declare the pitch a no pitch.
18. No fielder except the catcher may position himself any closer to home plate than the pitching machine prior to the pitch being delivered. A violation of this rule will result in a no pitch.
19. A thrown ball that strikes any part of the pitching machine is live and in play.
20. The umpire may, at his discretion, declare any play dead if he feels that a fielder is in danger of running into the pitching machine while fielding a ball. The umpire will then award any bases or declare any outs that in his judgment would have taken place without the interference of the pitching machine. This is to ensure the safety of the players.
21. A team may bunt a maximum of 2 times in each inning. Fake bunts shall be prohibited. Any batter that “shows” bunt is committed to bunt or take the pitch. A batter who swings at a pitch after “showing” bunt shall be called out and no runners may advance on the play.
22. For post season tournament games the winners bracket finals, loser bracket finals, and championship, the run rule is extended to 15 runs after four innings, or 5 innings with no time limit.