Major Division Rules

Coach's Expectations

• Every Coach is expected to act in an appropriate manner at all times.  Each coach is expected to read and accept the Coaches’ Code of Conduct and adhere to its spirit.  In addition, the younger ages require that coaches also adhere to the following:
  • Promote an environment of fun and learning
  • Safety as the number one priority
  • Communicate expectations to parents.  It is very important that parents understand what is expected of them and their children and foster an environment of inclusion.  Get everyone involved as much as they are able
  • Sportsmanship should not only be shown but taught to your players.  Manoa Baseball should be known around the state and region as an exemplary program that plays the right way.  This is taught at the youngest ages.
  • Children and coaches are required to wear their uniforms for practices and games in a manner that shows pride in their league and themselves.
  • Coaches should police their own parents.  If there is ever an issue with a parent that cannot be addressed by a coach, it should be brought to the attention of the division managers.

General

• All games start at the time designated on the published schedule and should not run more than 2 hours.  6 Innings is a regulation game, but fewer innings will be played in many cases due to time constraints.
• All games must conclude within the assigned time slot.
• All games will end at the bottom of an inning and no new inning should start after 1 hour and 45 minutes into the time slot.
• An Umpire will be assigned to all games.  Coaches and Parents need to treat the umpire with respect.  There is a no tolerance policy with umpire abuse.
• The infield fly rule is in effect.
• Each half inning prior to the sixth inning (unless an inning such as the fifth is declared to be the final inning by BOTH coaches prior to the Star of the inning) will end when the first of either of two situations occurs:
  • Three outs are recorded
  • 5 runs are scored
  • The last inning is capped at 5 runs
    
• Mercy Rule: There is an 11 run mercy rule in effect after 4 innings.  Also, if a team is leading by 7 runs or more, they may not steal anymore.
• Home team (established by the schedule) will occupy 3rd base dugout.
• Each team will provide one baseball at the start of the game, but the ultimate responsibility for providing clean baseballs lies with the Home team
• Home team is responsible for prepping the field and the visiting team is responsible for prepping the field for the following game.
  

Batting

• The batting order will consist of at minimum 10 players attending the game and up to a full line up. If a player arrives late, he must be inserted at the end of the order.
• Players CAN reach base via a walk or hit by pitch.  The umpires will be instructed to have a very wide strike zone. We want to encourage the kids to be aggressive at the plate, not wait for a walk.
• Bunting is permitted.
• Slash bunting is NOT permitted (i.e., showing bunt and then swinging away).  This is a dangerous play and the batter will immediately be called OUT.
• Strikeouts are allowed.
• There are no restrictions on overthrows, unless the ball is out of play. Runners may advance at their own peril.
• Teams will bat until three outs have been recorded.
• Dropped third strike rule applies.

Fielding

Pitching

• All pitchers must pitch from the pitching rubber.
• Balks: One warning to be given to each Pitcher and the following violation shall result in a balk.
  
• Each game a pitcher pitches in is considered one (1) assignment. A pitcher in the same game may start out as a pitcher, play another position, and return to the mount and this would be considered as one (1) assignment.
• Coach shall record the pitcher’s total number of pitches per outing (not to exceed max pitches in a game/day). If the pitcher reaches the maximum pitch count limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until the batter reaches base safely or is put out per CR rules.
• A pitcher shall not deliver more than 85 pitches in the same game or on the same day. (Exception: if the pitcher reaches the maximum pitch count limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until the batter reaches base safely or is put out.)
•  Under 40 pitches = 0 Days Rest
•  41 - 65 pitches = 1 Day of Rest
•  66+ Pitches = 2 Days of Rest 
• Example: If a pitcher throws 44 pitches on Wednesday, then that pitcher cannot pitch again until Friday (1 full day rest) 
•  If a pitcher throws 68 pitches on Thursday, then that pitcher cannot pitch again until Sunday (2 full days of rest)
  

Base Running

• Feet-first sliding is always permitted, while head-first sliding is only permitted when returning to a base, or into second and third base. NO head-first sliding is allowed into home plate.
• Runners must make every attempt to avoid contact with the catcher on plays at the plate, or any fielder.
• Leads permitted

Scoring

• The home team is the official score keeper of the baseball game. If agreed by the game’s Coaches, the visiting team can officially score the game. Only one official scorekeeper per game. Score-keeping Apps via smartphones/tablets are allowed as official score keeping.
• Coaches (only) will discuss and resolve scoring/game disputes with the Head umpire. Resolution will be communicated to the score keeper before play resumes.
• After each game the league will receive the final score and pitch counts as confirmed by both Coaches.

Safety

• On deck hitters may not swing a bat, unless in a secured area.
• Batter & base runners must wear batting helmets at all times.
• Players may not be used as base coaches during the game.
• Clean balls should be used at all times. Ultimate responsibility for a clean ball lies with HOME team.
• Protective athletic cups required.
• No parents in the dugout or backstop area.
• USA Bats only. USSSA and BBCOR bats are not allowed.
• If the illegal bat is discovered prior to the batter completing his “at bat”, the bat is simply removed from play and the “at bat” continues. 
• A player who uses an illegal bat or non-conforming barrel dimension and hits a fair ball will be ruled out. No advancement on the bases will be allowed, and any outs during the play shall stand. This is an appeal play. The “at bat” will be considered legal once a pitch is thrown to the next batter.
  

Approved by the Manoa Youth Baseball League Board of Directors,February 12, 2024