Minor Division Tournament 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.  No new inning may start after 1 hour and 30 minutes and should not run more than 1 hour and 45 minutes. 6 Innings is a regulation game, but fewer innings will be played in many cases due to time constraints. A full game is a minimum of 4 innings.
• All games will end at the bottom of an inning and no new inning should start after 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• If the home team does not get to bat, due to time constraints, the score reverts to the prior inning.
  
• All games must conclude within the assigned 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 NOT in effect.
• Each half-inning will end when the first of either of two situations occurs:   
  
  • Three outs are recorded.
  • 3 Runs have scored.
• The sixth or last inning, will end ONLY when three outs are recorded, 3 runs are scored OR as agreed by both coaches, in the case of a mercy. There is no open last inning.
  
• Mercy Rule: There is an 12 run mercy rule in effect after 3 1/2 innings or 9 run mercy rule after 4 innings. (Remaining innings can be played, within the time limit. No scoring will be kept.)
  
• 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 all players attending the game. 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 is NO advancing to first on a dropped third strike.  The batter is out and cannot go to first.

Fielding

• A Maximum of 9 players will play the field at a time.  Outfielders cannot play in the dirt and no short fielders or creeping in, is allowed.
• At no time will a team be permitted to begin or continue play with less than 8 players in the field.
• If a team is short players, the other team will lend a player to the team, which fielder will be the person who recorded the last out or in the case of the 1st inning, the last batter in the order.
• No player can sit out two consecutive innings.
• Play is suspended when the pitcher is on the rubber.
• No balks.

Pitching

• All pitchers must pitch from the pitching rubber.
• 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 mound 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.
• Cal Ripken Pitch Count Rule is in effect.
• A pitcher shall not deliver more than 75 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)
  
• No Specialty Pitches are allowed.
  

Base Running

• Feet-first sliding is always permitted, while head-first sliding is only permitted when returning to a base. If the runner is not returning to the base and slides head first, it is an automatic out.
• At home plate, sliding head first is an automatic out, regardless if they are safe on the play.
  
• Runners must make every attempt to avoid contact with the catcher on plays at the plate, or any fielder.
• Leads are not permitted. If a runner is determined to have left a base prior to a pitched ball crossing home plate, the following will occur:
  • All runners will be returned to their original bases.
  • If the pitch is not hit into play, the pitch will stand.
  • If the pitch is hit into play, the pitch WILL COUNT, but the runner can only advance as many bases as the batter. Example, if the batter hits a single, the runner on first who left early, must stop at second.  If a runner on second leaves early on a single, that runner must stop at third.
• Stealing is permitted once the pitched ball has crossed home plate.
• Home plate is gated.  A runner is permitted to go home on passed balls or wild pitches.  A runner is allowed to go home on overthrows or “plays” that are being attempted to get him/her out, i.e. the catcher throws down to third to try and pick the runner off and the throw goes into the outfield.  The runner can attempt to go home
• The team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher at any time and the catcher with 2 outs after they reach base other than by substitution. The courtesy runner should be the previous out before that pitcher or catcher reaches base. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher must leave the game under such circumstances.
  

Scoring

Safety

• Batter & base runners must wear batting helmets at all times.
• Players may not be used as base coaches during the game.
• Protective athletic cups required.
• 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