Rules
Unless specified below, all games for the Major, Minor and Rookie Divisions shall be played according to the most current rules established by Cal Ripken Baseball. Changes, deletions, or additions to these rules can be made at any time by the Board of Directors.

GAMES
1. Game and Play-off schedules are determined by the Board of Directors. All games must be played according to the schedule. However, because of mitigating circumstances, requests for rescheduling games may be considered by the League Commissioner prior to "opening day". After opening day, requests for rescheduling games should occur no later than one week prior to the scheduled games, and will require consensus approval of the League Commissioner and the respective Division Commissioner. Without such approval the game will be forfeited by the team if it is unable to field an appropriate number of players for the specified date.

2. In the event of unplayable conditions due to inclement or threatening weather, or wet fields, the League Commissioner, or his/her designate, shall rule on the possible postponement of games and place a recorded message on the "AFYBL Hot Line" by 3:30 PM. (801)-492-3685 It is the responsibility of Managers and Umpires to check the phone message regarding postponement of games. Team Managers shall instruct their players to show up for games if they have not been contacted by 4:00 PM.

3. Every attempt will be made to reschedule games into the first available slot. Back to back games will be avoided wherever possible. Every attempt will be made to play every game! Rescheduled games will not be postponed a second time because of the inability of either or both teams to field a team. Any game that cannot be rescheduled will be considered a tie game for standings purposes.

4. Should lightning be observed, it is the responsibility of the plate umpire, or a Director, to halt the game and the team Managers will clear the field of all players immediately. At fields where multiple games are being played, if a game at one of the fields is stopped pursuant to this rule, play must stop on all other fields as well. Play will not be resumed until the danger has passed.
5. The official weekday game start time is no later than 4:30 PM and 6:15 PM. Starting times for weekend games will be announced. A 15-minute grace period from the scheduled start time will be allowed for each team if waiting for the minimum number of players to officially start the game.
6. Game times for rescheduled games will be determined by the Board of Directors. The following applies to these games:

7. If another AFYBL game is scheduled to start at a specific time following the game in question, then no inning shall be allowed to start (in the earlier game) beyond the scheduled starting time of the later game as long as the first game is an official game.

8. If an Umpire or a member of the Board of Directors is not available at game time the Team Managers shall determine if conditions warrant playing the game and will appoint an umpire.
9. Inclement weather or poor field conditions are the only reasons for postponement of any game based upon the judgment of the Umpire or a member of the Board of Directors. A game shall be terminated if, in the judgment of the Umpire or a member of the Board of Directors, rain, darkness, or other causes make further play impossible.

10. Team Managers of incomplete game must notify their Division Commissioners immediately so a make-up game can be scheduled and umpires assigned.

FULL & OFFICIAL GAMES
1. FULL GAMES for each division are:
Majors Division 6 Innings
Minors Division 6 Innings
Rookie Division 1 hour

2. OFFICIAL GAMES for each division are:
Majors Division 4 Innings
Minors Division 4 Innings
Rookie Division N/A

3. TEN RUN RULE: A game shall also be considered official if, after the required number of innings has been completed (see below), a game is terminated due to weather or darkness or the leading team’s advantage is ten or more runs.
Majors Division 4 Innings
Minors Division 4 Innings
Rookie Division N/A

4. An OFFICIAL GAME terminated while the score is tied will not be rescheduled. It will be recorded as a tie in the standings.

5. Extra innings will be played only if the game is tied and will only be played if there is sufficient light or time to finish the inning at the discretion of the Umpire and/or AFYBL Director.

GAME PROTEST RULES AND PROCEDURES
1. It is emphasized that protests are not encouraged and should only be filed after the Division Commissioner has been consulted regarding the rule infraction and has had ample chance to resolve the question(s) with the concerned Team Managers.

2. If a Team Manager evaluates a situation which occurs during the process of a game and files an official protest, the following rules and procedures shall be used by the Board of Directors in reaching a decision regarding said protest.

PROTEST RULES
1. Any Umpire’s judgment decision (call) on a particular pitch or play is NOT protest able.
2. Protests must be in writing and forwarded to the Division Commissioner within 48 hours of the incident.

3. Protests concerning rules of the game must be made at the point of the alleged infraction before the next pitch or runner is retired. Pertinent facts and circumstances will be accurately noted by the umpire.

4. If a game is played under protest, the scorebooks of both teams must be turned into the plate umpire at the conclusion of the game.

5. Protest and forfeiture claims will be considered and acted upon by the AFYBL Board of Directors.

TEAM LINEUPS
1. An exchange of lineups between Team Managers (or their designee) prior to the start of the game is mandatory.

2. Any decision by a Team Manager to withhold or withdraw a player for disciplinary reasons shall be reported to the opposing Manager, the Umpire and the Parents either prior to the start of the game or during the game at the time the decision is made.

PLAYER SUBSTITUTION RULES

1. In the Minor and Rookie Divisions, each player must play at least every other inning in the field.
2. EXCEPTION: A player having pitched 4 or more innings may be allowed to remain on the bench, at the Manager’s discretion.

3. When there are 12 or more players present at a game each player shall sit at least one defensive inning of the first five innings. If there are less than 12 players present at a game no player shall sit out more than two defensive innings in a regulation (6 innings) game. The intention of this rule is to better balance playing time.

4. In the Major League, each player must play a minimum of two full innings in the field. Substitutions must be made by the fifth inning except for the first three weeks of the schedule where they must be made by the fourth inning. This rule is waived in anything short of a FULL game.

5. In the Rookie Division - If a player misses his/her turn at bat due to an injury, he/she will be allowed back into the game at coach’s discretion. The next scheduled batter will be "at bat".

6. If a runner must be removed from a game due to injury, illness, or for other reasons, he/she will be replaced by a pinch runner. The pinch runner will be the last player to have been declared out.

7. If there are two outs in the inning, and the catcher of the team at bat reaches base, he/she may be substituted on the base by the last player to make an out. This permits the catcher to return to the dugout area to put on his/her catching equipment.

8. Violation of the player substitution rule is a protest able offense, which could result in forfeiture of the game. If the Board, either by way of a protest or through the report from an umpire or director determines that a team manager or acting manager willfully violates the substitution rule, automatic forfeiture of the game in question will occur.

PITCHING RULES (GENERAL)

1. Pitching rules apply to a period of one week. A week is defined, for the purposes of these rules, as Sunday through Saturday.

2. In Majors and Minors Divisions, a player may not pitch more than 6 innings in any one calendar week. If a player throws one or more pitches in any inning, he/she shall be considered to have pitched a complete inning.

3. Teams will need to pitch a “young pitcher” at least 3 innings per week. A young pitcher is any player younger than 12 years old in the Majors and 11-12 Minors, and 10 years old in the 9-10 Minors. Only innings and outs pitched by young pitchers count toward satisfying the Babe Ruth League young pitcher rule (6.b). In the event that a game is shortened for any reason, the young pitcher requirement will be shortened to ¼ the outs played for the week.

4. A pitcher who has been substituted for may not return to the mound.

5. The HOME TEAM SCOREBOOK will be the official scorebook for the game.

6. Each team scorebook must show the number of innings pitched during the week for each pitcher. This book can be checked by any Umpire and/or Director.

7. Innings pitched in tied or incomplete games will be charged against a pitcher’s eligibility for that week. However, if a game is called before it has become a regulation game, the pitching eligibility is the same as it was prior to the beginning of the "no game" situation.

8. In the Majors a pitcher cannot be used for more than four (4) innings in a single game.

9. In the Minors a pitcher cannot be used for more than three (3) innings in a single game.

10. Violation of any of the above rules is a protest able offense, which could result in forfeiture of the game.

11. A batter must attempt to get out of the way of a pitched ball before he/she will be awarded first base for being hit by a pitch.

12. In all divisions if a pitcher hits three batters in a game, he/she will automatically be removed from pitching. He/she may continue to play in the game, but cannot pitch.

13. Starting pitchers and relief pitchers are allowed eight (8) warm-up pitches in their first inning of work. Pitchers are limited to five (5) warm-up pitches between innings thereafter.

14. Before starting the game, each Manager must notify the opposing Manager of pitcher eligibility and verify/sign each other’s scorebook at the end of the game.

15. Due to scheduling conflicts or any other unforeseen circumstances the League President or League Commissioner may waive or alter pitching eligibility rules for any game at any time prior to the start of the game.

16. Rest rules apply to players that pitch outside of Babe Ruth League with manager’s having sole responsibility to protect the player and his development. This is not grounds for forfeit or protest.


FIELD RULES

1. Before the start of the game the plate Umpire must cover ground rules for the particular field with both Team Managers.

2. All equipment must be kept behind the team bench or backstop at all times. Team Managers are responsible to see that this rule is adhered to by all players and coaches.

3. The regulation pitching distance between home plate and the pitching rubber for each division is: MINORS 46 feet, MAJORS DIVISION 46 feet on a 60 foot base path.

4. No one other than active players and umpires are permitted in fair territory until the ball is dead or an umpire calls time out. Only players, Team Managers, Coaches and Directors may request time out. This includes the carrying and passing of batting helmets, etc.

5. No one other than players, the Team Manager, one scorekeeper, and a maximum of two adult assistant coaches are permitted on the team bench or in the area of the team bench.

6. In the ROOKIE Division, it is permissible to have a coach stationed at the rear of the backstop to field passed balls. However, that coach so positioned may not leave the area of the rear of the backstop and must remain mute when so positioned. That coach may not make any verbal comments to the umpire, players on the field or to the batter, or otherwise interfere with any play on the field except to correct player fundamentals in between pitches or if player safety is a concern. If there is any violation of this rule, both managers will be responsible to have that coach leave the position at the rear of the backstop.

FOUL / IN PLAY BALL RULES (ALL FIELDS) - GROUND RULES

ANY SITUATION NOT COVERED BY THE FOLLOWING GROUND RULES WILL BE SETTLED BY DECISIONS OF THE UMPIRE. THESE DECISIONS ARE NOT PROTESTABLE.

1. Any ball hit in the air, outside of fair territory, is playable if:
a. It is in front of the backstop and not beyond an imaginary line drawn between the team bench protective fence and the nearest point of the backstop.
b. It is within an area between the foul line and the team bench or team bench protective fence.
c. It is between the foul line and an imaginary line extending from the far end of the team bench protective fence and parallel to the foul line.

2. Once a thrown ball passes beyond the "in-play" areas designated above, or hits a player on the bench, the ball is dead and runners are entitled to advance one base. EXAMPLE: John Smith has hit a ball safely into the outfield. He runs to first base and starts to second base. The throw from the fielder goes wild and out of the "in-play" area. The ball is ruled "dead", and if John Smith has run more than halfway to second base, he is entitled to third base.

3. Any thrown ball (other than pitched) lodging in, under, or passing through the backstop or other infield protective fence is a dead ball. Base runners are entitled to advance one base.


LOCAL RULES OF PLAY

1. Base stealing is not permitted in the Rookie Division. In the Majors and Minors a player may steal second, third base or home plate at any time as soon as the pitched ball passes home plate.

2. Sliding rule: Players must try to avoid contact - Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag. The key phrases here are "or attempt to get around" and "has the ball waiting to make the tag". The runner may slide or attempt to get around the fielder. He does not have to slide. Plus, unless the fielder has the ball, the runner does not have to do either. Headfirst sliding is not permitted in junior divisions. EXCEPTION: Diving back to base to avoid a “pick-off” attempt in majors division only.

3. The fielder should not be in the base path without possession of the ball. If he is, it is obstruction. Anytime a runner deliberately and maliciously crashes in to a fielder he should be ejected for un-sportsmanlike conduct. However if a close play occurs and the runner does not slide and makes incidental contact with the defender before he has the ball, no call should be made. If the defender has the ball, the umpire should judge as to whether the runner made an attempt to get around the fielder. If he did, he should not be called out simply because he did not slide or made contact.

4. If the defender does not have possession of the ball, and a collision occurs as he steps in to the path of the runner as he attempts to catch a thrown ball there is no penalty, unless the umpire judges the collision to be deliberate and malicious.

5. Bunting is permitted in the Minors, and Majors Divisions at all times. In the Rookie Division, bunting is not permitted.

6. The balk rules do not apply in the Major, Minor, and the Instructional Divisions with the following exceptions.

7. When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher’s rubber and in possession of the ball, and the catcher is in the catcher’s box ready to receive delivery of the ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and reaches the batter.

8. In the AAA, AA Divisions when a runner intentionally runs out of the baseline to avoid being tagged out, not only is he/she called out, but all play will be stopped by the umpire only and the runners will stop at the closest base.

9. In Majors, Minors and Rookie Divisions, batter-runner cannot be tagged out after over-running first base if said batter-runner returns immediately to the base. The batter-runner can turn left or right when overrunning first base. If runner makes an attempt (umpires discretion) to go to 2nd base the runner can be put out by being tagged by the ball before regaining first base.

10. Intentional walks are NOT allowed in any Division.

11. When an accident incapacitates a player an Umpire or Director may immediately call time out, and the ball becomes "dead". Runners will be placed on the base that they were closest to when time was called.

PLAYERS; TEAM MANAGERS; COACHES, AND SPECTATORS’ CONDUCT

All Players, Managers, Coaches, Spectators, Umpires and League Officials will follow the AFYBL “Code of Conduct”.

ORGANIZATION FOR PLAY

1. Players are grouped by age into the following Divisions:
Age Division
6 & 8 year olds Rookies
9 & 10 year olds Minors
11 & 12 year olds Minors
10 – 12 year olds Majors

2. IN EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, ANY AGE RULE MAY BE WAIVED BY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE RESPECTIVE DIVISION COMMISSIONERS AND THE LEAGUE COMMISSIONER AT THEIR SOLE DISCRETION.

3. Loaning/borrowing of players between teams is not permitted for an official game. In the event a team does not have eight players, the game is a forfeit. Teams may then loan/borrow to play an unofficial/practice game.

4. In the Minors a team must play ten players when possible, four of who must be outfielders. Outfielders must be positioned at least 10 feet from the outside edge of the infield. If one team can only field 9 players, the opposing team can still play 10. If one team can only field 8 players, the opposing team can play no more than 9 players. Each team must have a catcher.

5. In the Major, and Minor Divisions 9 players constitute a full team. If one team can only field 8 players, the opposing team can still field 9 players.

6. In Majors, Minors and Rookie divisions it is mandatory to employ a CONTINUOUS BATTING ORDER. The original order must be maintained for the entire game. Late arriving players must be inserted at the end of the original batting order.

7. All players must wear a protective helmet at the plate, on deck, and when running bases. This rule is in effect for both games and practices.

8. In order to participate in AFYBL games all players must wear the complete uniform as provided by AFYBL. Special uniforms are not permitted. If a uniform of appropriate size is not available, a substitute uniform may be worn until the League is able to procure a properly sized uniform.

9. Catchers must wear all catchers’ equipment as provided by AFYBL, or equivalent, and MUST wear personal protective equipment, as necessary, which is furnished by the player. This rule is in effect for both games and practices.

10. Metal cleats/spikes are not permitted in AFYB Leagues.

11. Only one on-deck batter is permitted, and he/she must wear protective head gear and be supervised by an adult while on-deck.

12. ALL PLAYERS NOT ON THE FIELD, AT BAT, ON DECK, OR WARMING UP A PITCHER MUST BE SEATED ON THE BENCH. THIS MUST BE ENFORCED BY THE TEAM MANAGER.

13. All players warming up a pitcher must wear a facemask with protective headgear. There must be an additional player or coach guarding against errant balls hitting players warming up.

14. Warming up of pitchers (bullpen) and other players will take place well away from team benches and spectators.

15. THE TEAM MANAGER OF THE WINNING TEAM MUST REPORT THE GAME SCORE TO THE DIVISION COMMISSIONER AND ENTER SCORE ON LEAGUE WEBSITE WITHIN 24 HOURS. INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT ARE THE NAMES OF ALL PITCHERS AND THE NUMBER OF INNINGS PITCHED FOR THE PITCHERS OF EACH TEAM.

16. Both Managers, at the conclusion of each game, must review each other’s scorebook in order to confirm the score and the names of all the pitchers as well as the number of innings each pitched. Managers must sign each other’s scorebooks.

10-12 Year Old Majors Modifications As Follows:
1. Each player shall play the minimum 2 innings as stated in the rule book per game. Failure to do so results in forfeit.
2. Major league teams shall have 11 players.
a. When 1/2 or more of scheduled games have been played in the season, a team may have less than 11 players on their roster.
b. When a player quits a team during the season regardless of the reasons said player must be replaced with a player same age or older.
3. The following rules are in effect to keep game running on schedule:
a. Batter shall keep one foot in the box.
b. Five pitches in between innings.
c. Courtesy runner for catcher must be a bench player at coach’s discretion.
d. Limit on time outs for third base coach.
e. Each team shall make an effort to hustle on and off the field.
f. Visits to pitching mound kept to a minimum.
4. Coaches may bat up to 10 players in the batting order. Batting order positions may consist of 2 players that alternate batting when said position would bat. This does not affect the re-entry rule. In the event of an injury the player that is next to bat will remain in the original position and the alternating player will take the injured players position in the lineup.

11-12 Year Old Minors Modifications:
1. Teams shall have 12 players with a maximum of 13 players, with all teams being as equal in number as possible.

2. Each team member shall play two innings or ½ the time limit. Failure to do so will result in forfeit.

3. Pitching rules are in effect according to the Babe Ruth League rule book and league by-laws.

9-10 Year Old Minors Modifications as Follows:
1. Teams shall have 12 players with a maximum of 13 players, with all teams being as equal as possible.
2. Pitching rules are in effect according to the Babe Ruth League rule book and league by-laws.
3. Each team shall bat their entire roster.
4. Play four players in the outfield.
5. At bat will end when all players on roster have batted through and defensive team does not have three outs.

Rookie Modifications as Follows:
1. Every player must play at least half of the game.
2. Bat your entire roster. If a team bats through the batting order that ends the inning regardless of how many outs there are. Each team will bat the same amount of players according to which team has the highest number of players present.
3. Each batter will have 5 hittable pitches before declared out. The machine does not always pitch in the strike zone. It will be both the coaches and umpires discretion to decide if pitch was a hittable ball.
4. If the fifth pitch is a foul ball, batter will receive one more hittable pitch.
5. No bunts will be allowed. Full swings where the ball is hit but doesn’t travel far will be allowed.
6. There will usually be two umpires per game. They will be in charge of running the machine and calling outs at bases and their decisions will stand. The pitch count will be called prior to each pitch.
7. Offensive teams coach will help batters and agree to pitch count and help determine if it was a hittable ball. He/she will also help call plays made at home plate if needed.
8. Defensive teams coach can be out in the field to help players.
9. One base will be awarded on an overthrow. The umpire will have the right to call a player back to a base. Definition of an overthrow: ball does not touch the first baseman’s glove. If the defensive team is actively trying to get the ball in from the field, runners will stop at the appropriate base.
10. No base stealing will be allowed.
11. All players should wear appropriate baseball clothing. Protective gear needs to be worn (head gear for batters, catchers gear for catchers.) A catcher’s mitt is not included with the equipment because the soft balls are almost impossible to catch with it.
12. Regular baseball rules apply unless superseded by a Rookie rule.
13. There will be 10 defensive players. The pitcher will stand near the pitching circle, (but behind and to the side of machine) with 4 outfielders.
14. A team with 7 or less players forfeits the game. A team with eight players is OK, but the opposing team only bats the same number of 8 players.
15. Games will be 4 innings or no new innings after 90 minutes.
16. There will be a force play at home when the team reaches its last batter if three outs have not been made. The catcher just needs to step on the base with the ball in his/her glove and that half of the inning will end regardless of the out count.
17. Coaches get 1 coaches option at drafts.
18. ALLSTARS – The coaches will watch ALL kids when playing each other during the regular season of play. Coaches are to take note on which players should advance to the All-Star team. There will be NO tryouts for Pee Wee All-Stars. All-Stars will be chosen from all the coach’s season notes on players. The coach for the All-Star team will be the coach of the team with the best record at the end of the season. Assistant coaches will be chosen by the head coach.

The motto of this league is: “PLAY BALL AND HAVE FUN.”

Field Preparation
COACHES: Here are the field maintenance instructions that must be followed before and after every game. These procedures apply for all games--weeknight and weekend--and for both sets of coaches (Home and Visitor). Please show respect for each other by doing your share, and to show your appreciation to us for all the time, money, and hard work that we have put into your field to make it the best playing surface around for your kids.
• The field should be lined by Home team for each game
• If you arrive and find the field unlined, be proactive and start the field prep process. Each field has a chalk machine and chalk. Fill the unit in the shed and bring along another half bag or so. Mark the batter's circles. Also, trace the outside edge of the home plate area, which is the semicircular grass/dirt boundary running from foul line to foul line, behind the plate and in front of the backstop. Return the equipment to the shed at the end of the day/evening. The next step is very important: At this time, water the infield dirt areas, INCLUDING the lines you just chalked! If you'll lay down a gentle sprinkling and dampen the chalk, this stuff can last up to a week. Without watering, it won't last a whole game. This will make your job easier and re-chalking faster for all.
• WATERING INSTRUCTIONS: Each field has a hose and water box that can be accessed. For the optimum playing conditions, ALL infield skinned areas (home plate area, pitcher's mound, and between 1st to 3rd bases) should be dampened BEFORE AND AFTER every game. You will notice that it takes on a light pink color when dry, changing to a dark color when wet. The batter's boxes and mound will show almost no wear whatsoever by the end of the game if this procedure is closely followed. The hose--with connector and sprayer—is located in the storage shed. The water connection is usually near the backstop. Please lift the hose OVER the dirt when bringing it to/from the fence. Remember, there is only 1/2 inch of infield conditioner lying on the dirt. If the hose is dragged back and forth, then the material will simply get scraped off the dirt and into the grass. We put a sprayer on the end of the hose to give your thumbs a rest. Please use a gentle rain-like setting to water the mound and home plate areas. When you water the skinned area of the infield, along the base paths and between the bases, stand at the edge of the grass and water all of the dirt areas with a higher-pressure setting so it will go further.
• WHEN TO RAKE/ WHEN TO DRAG: We're trying to get away from the concept of raking. Raking is destructive to the playing surface. If you rake the wrong way, it develops "lips" at the grass edges which require large reconstructive efforts to remedy. There are screen drags on every field. The narrower 36" drags should be pulled from the home plate area down the base paths toward 1st and 3rd bases. Engrave this in your mind: If you ALWAYS pull in the direction of the base paths, and never toward a grass edge, then the "lipping" problem of dirt buildup at the edge of the infield will be greatly reduced.
Coaches, please use this information to educate yourself AND your generous parents who help out before the game. I know that you'll be great about following these procedures, but even a few parents--with the best of intentions--can undo what we have tried so hard to master. Please make sure they understand the proper steps toward good field maintenance. Ultimately, our number one goal is to provide the safest playing surface possible to ensure maximum injury reduction, along with having great eye-appeal.
Please remember to do these mandatory procedures. Also, remember our caveat that any team's failure to help prep a field will draw league and/or team sanctions, and will affect your ability to coach in a future season. Let us know if you have any questions, or if you need "on-the-job" training. We're always accessible and willing to teach those who are willing to learn! Thank you--in advance--for helping out.