Youth Division
The following rules are for the Youth Division as of 2/28/19 Rule changes starting with the 2019 Season are noted in red.
General
- You must be six (6) years or older to play. Players must be 6 years old before May 1st.
- Teams and player assignment will be determined by the League?s Director. Every effort will be made to accommodate team requests. They will be made on a first come first serve basis.
- No score will be keep for Youth League games. Runs will however need to be tracked for the 5-run rule per inning.
- Buddies are optional for a player. This is a Parent/Guardian decision.
- An umpire covers each game to call fair/foul, out/safe and has the final call on all plays.
- See the rules that are the same for all Miracle League Divisions.
Game/Inning Length
- All rules apply as in Little League unless otherwise listed.
- Game is played for four (4) innings.
- A half inning is completed when either three (3) outs are reached, or five (5) runs cross the plate.
- Only five (5) runs may be scored in a half inning, with the exception of the final (4th) inning
- In the final inning, each team will be permitted to have every player bat one time permitted three (3) outs have not occurred
- If a home run or extra base hit results in more than five runs:
- ?Play will continue until its end
- Only up to five runs will count
- ?If a team has less than 9 players, they can only go through their batting line-up one time per inning.
Player Fielding Rules
- Fielding gloves are optional for fielders, though highly advised
- The following positions will be filled in the infield:
- Pitcher (must be in the pitcher?s circle as the ball is pitched)
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS
- Rover (directly on 2nd base)
- The remaining players will be spread throughout the outfield
- Fielders are not permitted to block the bases.
- If the umpire deems that the base has been blocked, the runner will be awarded the base.
- Fielders may use a Buddy.
- A coach or other designated person will pitch to their team.
- A fielder may not advance towards home past the pitcher?s mound until the ball is hit.
- If the umpire determines a violation, the batter is awarded the base.
- Outfielders may not encroach to the infield .
- Fielders must tag a runner, not their Buddy, to tag them out.
- Teams are not allowed to take a fielder and make them a catcher to have a play at the plate.
Player Batting Rules
- A batter may choose to be pitched to, or use a tee.
- A batter may choose either option at each at bat.
- A batter may not change their choice in the middle of an at-bat.
- A batter being pitched to will have five (5) swings. After five swings, a tee will be used.
- A tipped ball foul follows foul rules.
- A ball must be hit off of the tee (if a tee is used) to be considered in play.
- A batter cannot foul out.
- Batters must wear helmets.
Player Base Running Rules
- Runners may not steal bases.
- Runners may not advance a base on overthrown balls.
- Runners may not lead off.
- Runners cannot be picked off.
- Runners must wear helmets.
- Runners may use a Buddy to help them run the bases.
- On a dead ball, the batter is given first, and every forced runner is given one base.
- Since the bases are not raised (flat), as long as a base runner is close to the bag while running the bases, the umpire may accept that as a ?touched? base. The same argument can be made about the fielders.
- There will be no sliding into any base.
- We will use the basic rule of whether the ball beat the runner to the base or not. Related to this concept and because there is no sliding, a player will not be called out if he over runs the base and is tagged out.
Youth Buddy Rules
- Safety is the number one priority of the buddy to the player they are helping to support.
- Buddies are there to assist the players and ensure an enjoyable experience for all the kids involved, not just their partner.
- If the umpire determines that a Buddy is in violation of the spirit of what is in the best interests of the kids, a warning will be given. If a second offense occurs, the Buddy will be removed from the game.
- Buddies are optional for the players.
- Buddies may help a player run the bases by pushing their chair.
- Buddies who are helping their players run must make every effort to avoid balls in play.
- ?If a Buddy intentionally interferes, it is considered a violation and will result in their player being called out, as well as a warning for first offense, or a removal if given a prior warning.
- A Buddy may not be tagged to tag their runner out.
- A Buddy may not interfere with their player being tagged.
- A Buddy may not bat for their player.
- Buddies in the field.
- A Buddy must always play behind their player, unless a ?more advanced? player is at the plate. A buddy may then move beside the player for safety.
- A Buddy may not catch or throw a ball for their player.
- A Buddy may not stop a ball for a player if it is considered to be beyond their reach.
- A Buddy may stop a ball that is hit at a player if the player needs help fielding it.
- A Buddy may pick up and hand a stopped ball to their player if help is needed picking up the ball.
- Buddies must give every opportunity for their player to play the ball.